We just completed our fourth annual conference, featuring Dr. Garry Landreth, in Savannah, GA. I wish to thank everyone who attended for making this conference such a success. I especially want to thank the conference committee who dedicated their talents and time for this to happen. Mary Thompson is the chair of this committee which includes Leslie Brett, Michelle Terry, Janice Michaels and Linda Richardson.

It is hard to believe we have completed our fourth conference. Spearheaded by a dedicated group of mental health professionals, it seems like only yesterday that we became the Coastal Chapter of the Georgia Association for Play Therapy. In July, 2004, we became a branch of the Association for Play Therapy, Inc. The South Georgia Association for Play Therapy, Inc. received its official plaque at the APT conference in Denver, CO in October, 2004.

We have come a long way, but we still have a long way to go. Our main priority is to make play therapy training more accessible to mental health professionals. During our 2005 conference, we conducted a needs assessment. Results will be shared in the next newsletter. We wanted to know what month of the year you would most likely attended SGAPT conference. Our neighboring play therapy associations, all have their conferences in March and April. We also wanted to know if you would prefer a different Georgia location for the conference, such as; Macon, Columbus, Augusta, Valdosta, or Jekyll Island. Of course, we want to know what topics and/or presenters you would like to learn about. If you would like to contribute your thoughts, please email me at jmitchell@sgapt.org. We always welcome your participation.

Come and join us. The beginning of our ride has been great and we expect it to get even better. If you like spending time with generous, intelligent and passionate people, come join us. If you like spending time with people who are truly advocates for children and families, come join us. This is your organization and we want you to be part of it in whatever capacity works for you. Just let us know.

Jo Anne Mitchell, LPC/S, RPT/S, NCC - President
1601 Abercorn St. Savannah, GA 31401
912.234.3788

Visit our membership area. You must be a member of APT first. You can choose SGAPT as your primary or secondary branch. SGAPT dues are only $5!!!! So what are you waiting for? Sign yourself up and tell a friend.