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: Rebecca Dickinson, PhD, LISW, RPT-S

Dr. Rebecca Dickinson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of Northern Iowa.  She was trained in Adlerian play therapy by Dr. Terry Kottman and completed her dissertation on using group Adlerian play therapy for children with emotional and behavioral difficulties.  Rebecca owns a private practice in Cedar Falls.  She specializes in working with current and former foster children as well as children who were adopted through the child welfare system, and treating trauma more generally.  Rebecca is trained in Animal-Assisted Play Therapy by Rise VanFleet and offers canine-assisted play therapy with her five co-therapists:  Camden, Gryffindor, Nala Belle, Hermoine Hufflepuff (aka Puff), and Nimbus 2000.  She might also have a tendency to work Harry Potter into most conversations.

Secretary: Katie Amos, MA, LMFT, RPT

  Katie received her bachelor’s degree from The University of Iowa in 2009. She returned to school several years later and earned her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Mount Mercy University in 2016. As a marriage and family therapist, Katie is passionate about helping clients achieve emotional and physical wellness. Katie has several years of experience working with families and children; this has included community work, in-home work and clinical practice. Katie also has extensive experience working with individuals, families and children who have experienced abuse and trauma. She has worked with children on the autism spectrum for over four years. Katie has training and experience in marital and family therapy, play therapy, sandtray therapy, AutPlay, Applied Behavior Analysis and Theraplay. Katie loves animals and has recently decided to pursue credentialing in Animal Assisted Play Therapy. Katie opened her own private practice in January 2022, and recently adopted a rescue dog named Bruce.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Kristen Meany-Walen

Student/New Professional Board Member

Gillian Murray

Gillian Murray received her bachelor’s in criminal justice in 2008 and afterwards began a career in the criminal justice system. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in
Marriage and Family Therapy at Mount Mercy University. She is passionate about working with kids and
teens. She believes play therapy creates opportunities for communication and genuine connection. In
her free time, Gillian enjoys crafting, reading, baking and spending time with her husband, their 3
children and 2 Saint Bernards.