Greetings, Playmates!
I’m having some mixed emotions as I write this. You will soon be relieved of my gardening stories and dreams for MIAPT. This will be the last of my ponderings for now. I want to thank you for putting up with me as your president for the last two years. I’ve sometimes walked before you, sometimes stumbled, and sometimes crawled. I’ve done my best, made mistakes, and learned quite a bit. I’ve made several good friends and hopefully no enemies. I’ve laughed and I’ve cried.
I feel so fortunate to have stumbled upon a career that allows me to live my passion. I’ve always been drawn to children and I have a heart for those who are struggling. When I first heard of play therapy, I knew I had found what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. One of the most difficult realities I face on a daily basis is the fact that I am not enough. Our entire membership is not enough. Like other play therapists, I regularly receive calls from parents seeking therapy for their child who is struggling and I have to tell them that I don’t have room in my schedule for them. They call back because they can’t find anyone who has openings. There just aren’t enough play therapists around to meet the need.
The need for other play therapists is what propelled me into leadership in MIAPT. I’m not a natural leader. I’m more naturally a worker bee. I’m an encourager and a support person. I would prefer to be in the background but the need has driven me to become a part of the board so that I can try to help meet the need. I used to sit in my seat at conferences thinking I didn’t have anything to offer. I was “just” a clinician. But I realized that if I didn’t step up, I wouldn’t be doing my part to help to raise up other play therapists in the state of Michigan. The need for play therapists would continue to go unmet. I couldn’t stop thinking I had to become part of something bigger than me in order to spread the passion for helping children and adults through play.
So, how are you going to help spread the news about play therapy so we can reach additional children and adults who need our help? The board can’t do it by itself and the same people can’t always be on the board. We all need to be a part of raising up other play therapists in the coming generations. The need is only going to increase. Yes, becoming more involved in MIAPT does take some time. But the commitment of time doesn’t have to be prohibitive. If each of us would do our part, serving on a committee or even joining the board would not require so much work that it is not possible to manage alongside your client load. We must stand up and work together to spread the word about the effectiveness of play therapy. Future clients need someone to be there for them.
What are you going to do about it?
Hugs to all (or whatever form of warm affection works for you!)
Playfully,
Diana
Diana Steketee, LLP, Registered Play Therapist™
President, MIAPT 2023-2024
