Executive Board Members
President: Kimberly Feeney LISW, RPT-S

Kim has been an IAPT board member since August 2016. Currently serving as president, she has also held positions of Vice President and General Board Member. Kim currently chairs the gold branch committee. In the past, Kim has chaired the small conference, elections, and membership committees. Kim has also been involved with the social media and networking committees. She has hosted multiple networking events in the Quad Cities area. Kim received her BA in psychology and social work from the University of Iowa in 2001. She graduated with her MSW from Iowa in 2011. Kim provides therapy to children, adolescents, and families that are experiencing a variety of mental health issues. Her specialty is play therapy, utilizing different approaches including Adlerian, Theraplay, Synergetic Play Therapy, Sand Tray, and Child-Centered. She is also trained in attachment-based models and EMDR. She offers supervision for those working toward licensure and their RPT and is a certified consultant for the League of Extraordinary Adlerian Play Therapists. Kim has completed the APT leadership academy and currently serves on the APT ethics and university education committees. Kim has attended seven national conferences. Kim has a variety of interests outside of work. She enjoys movies, reading, and theatre. She is a huge sports fan- especially the Cubs and Hawkeyes. She is actively involved with her church, including being a member of the governing board and co-president of the women’s group.
Vice President: Lindsey Swales LISW, RPT-S

Lindsey Swales is a General Board Member, joining in 2021. She serves as the chair of the Networking Committee and Communications Committee. Lindsey earned her bachelor’s degree from The University of Iowa in 2007, and her Master’s degree in 2012 from St. Ambrose University. Lindsey is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) and Registered Play Therapist- Supervisor (RPT-S). She began working at Tanager Place, a nonprofit organization in Cedar Rapids, shortly after earning her bachelor’s degree and served in a variety of positions and programs including the inpatient program, community based program, and outpatient clinic. In April 2022, Lindsey became the co-owner and therapist at Evolve Therapy Practice in Cedar Rapids, IA. In private practice, she works with clients as young as 3 years old through adults, and offers clinical and RPT supervision. She has training and experience in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Adlerian Play Therapy, AutPlay, and EMDR. Her desire to help others does not just lend to her direct work as a clinician, but also to the therapists whom she supervises. She naturally sees potential in others and loves to see them develop. In her time outside of work, she enjoys working out and spending time with her family—her husband, 2 children, and golden-doodle, Oliver.
Secretary: Alicia Tannahill, LMHC, RPT

Alicia has been a board member of IAPT since 2021. Alicia received her Bachelor’s Degree from Wartburg College in 2015. She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 2018 with her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling. Alicia currently works at Anastasi Counseling working with kids, teens, families, and adults. She has developed a passion for play therapy and recently received her RPT credential. Alicia also is trained in PCIT and EMDR. Outside of work, Alicia enjoys being outside, running, playing golf, reading, crafting, and being with friends and family. She also enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and three cats.
Treasurer: Thea Bedell, LMHC, RPT, CTP

Thea received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Coe College in 2009 and then her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University in 2015. Thea has worked in the mental health field since 2009. This included experience in residential treatment, BHIS, and an extensive Autism program. As a play therapist, Thea’s passion is assisting children and their families in being able to process and heal through traumatic and difficult situations. She believes children are resilient and their main source of communication is through their play. Thea has had training in trauma and loss in children, Autplay, Theraplay and Adlerian Play Therapy. Thea also enjoys working with families, adults and women’s mental health. Thea is currently in private practice and works at Insight Therapy Group in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Outside of work, Thea enjoys spending time outdoors, working out, and being with her family and friends, especially her husband, two children, and two dogs.
General Board Members
Jessica Pladsen LMFT, RPT/S

Jess Pladsen one of the new general board members of IAPT. Play therapy has always been a large area of interest and she credits this as a foundational piece in development of her skills and approach in providing therapy services. In 2017 she was awarded the “Rookie of the Year” award by IAPT and is honored to be taking on this role to support play therapy. Jess believes play therapy opens up new ways to communicate and connect, developing the possibility for relationships that can heal. In her time on the board Jess hopes to continue to increase education and the reach of play therapy in Iowa. It’s important for professionals to develop these skills and understanding in order to provide the best practices and services to those we treat. Jess is also excited to support within our professional community. It’s incredibly important to uplift and recognize those providing services that go above and beyond both as upcoming leaders to those that have had longstanding impact in the field. In alignment with these goals she will serve on the awards, exhibitor, and networking committees.
In regards to background, Jess graduated in 2008 with her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology. In 2012 she completed a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. Currently she is working toward her PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy, with a specialization in neuroscience, from Mount Mercy University. Jess is not only passionate about play therapy but also providing supervision and education in the field. She is currently an AAMFT approved supervisor and RPT/S. She has worked in a variety of settings including PMIC, BHIS, agency, and private practice. Jessica currently is an owner at Prism Therapy Group. Jessica has education and training in marital and family therapy, play therapy, Autplay, Theraplay, EMDR, and sandtray. She works from a strength-focused person-centered approach to support individuals and family systems to work toward health and wellness. Jessica is very excited and honored to be a member of this board. Jessica resides in Vinton with her husband and has three children. Outside of work she enjoys the outdoors (when it’s warm), crafting, baking, and spending time with family and friends.
Madi Miller

Madi Miller received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Mount Mercy University in 2019 and Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2021. Since then, she has begun her career working in private practice at Prism Therapy Group in Hiawatha. Madi has always had a passion for working with kids and teens. She believes that play therapy creates a space for genuine connection and true healing through meeting children where they are at and working with them collaboratively to achieve their goals. She is currently taking steps to become a registered play therapist. Outside of work, Madi loves to write music, read, paint, spend time with family and friends, and play with her two corgis. “
Andrew Beer

Play therapy has been a passion of mine since I became a licensed therapist six years ago. Not only do I provide play therapy, I teach graduate-level play therapy courses and provide play therapy supervision. I feel honored and privileged to work with such great clients every day, as well as being able to help others effectively work with children too. In my personal time, I like to spend time with my wife Caitlin, and my dog Herky. I find self-care especially important, and my number one self-care technique is golfing! I am so excited to be a part of the Iowa Association for Play Therapy board and hope that I can serve well.
Kate Haberman, LISW, MFT, RPT-S

Kate Haberman, LISW, MFT, RPT-S has over 20 years of experience working with
children and families. Kate is the owner and director of The Center for Foundational &
Relational Wellness, LLC and gained a specialization in Trauma and Attachment. Kate is a
registered play therapist and play therapy supervisor, a state approved social work supervisor and
is certified in TheraPlay and Filial Therapy. In 2019, Kate was awarded Play Therapist of the
Year by the Iowa Association for Play Therapy.
Kate works from an attachment theory, neurosequential development, psychodynamic
and family systems basis. She has extensive experience and knowledge in early developmental
trauma, parent-child relational dynamics, childhood trauma, and working with the court and
foster care system. Kate utilizes her strong communication, attunement and relational skills to
aide clinicians in enhancing their knowledge of development and relational patterns, child
centered based play therapy, sand tray processing, and ways to increase confidence in clinical
advocacy and testifying. In practice, Kate specializes in working with children and families who
have been affected by trauma and attachment disruption. Kate serves as an expert witness and
offers professional trainings throughout the state. Kate is a foster and adoptive parent and
adjunct professor and is married, and has a 13 year old daughter and 9 year old twins.
Kelly Robertson

Kelly Robertson is a new IAPT general board member, joining in 2023. Kelly received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Mount Mercy College (now Mount Mercy University) in 2008. After several years in the social work field working with children and families, she returned to Mount Mercy University and earned her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2012. Since graduating, Kelly has held several roles in the therapy field. Kelly started as school-based therapist in the Iowa City School District before becoming a family therapist in a PMIC facility setting. In 2016, Kelly joined Covenant Family Solutions as a part-time therapist before establishing herself as a full-time therapist. While Kelly still sees a small caseload of clients, she has advanced to the position of Clinical Director within Covenant Family solutions. Kelly enjoys working with clients of all ages and backgrounds, including families and couples. Kelly is especially passionate about working with those navigating diagnoses of ADHD, anxiety, depression, and OCD but is always up for learning, expanding her skill set and expanding the populations she serves. Kelly has been involved in the play therapy community since completing graduate school, and while she does not currently have her RPT (a work in progress), she has been a strong supporter of IAPT and has many years of play therapy training and supervised play therapy experience.
Student/New Professional Board Member
Christina Scruggs

Christina received her BS in civil engineering from Montana State University in 2012 and will be graduating with an MA in clinical mental health counseling from the University of Northern Iowa in May 2024. Christina’s practicum and internship experiences have involved working with children and adolescents, allowing her to see firsthand the power that play has in facilitating personal expression, connection, communication, and healing. She is excited to serve on the IAPT board and continue exploring the world of play therapy. In her free time, Christina enjoys spending time with her husband, Andrew, and their dog, Ari, as well as cooking, playing music, hiking, and going on outdoor adventures.