Ep 20: Children with Intellectual/Developmental Disability and Play Therapy with Jamie Watson

When was that last time you played? We lose our ability to play as we exit childhood and, as adults, we consider it the kids’ domain. During Mental Health Awareness Month, we don’t always stop to consider the unique mental health support and needs of children, especially kids with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their parents.

This week, Jamie A Watson, LMFT, RPT-S and Mental Health Director at Neurotherapeutic Pediatric Therapies, joins Mike and Helena for an engaging discussion on intellectual and developmental health and how the concept of child-led play—as communication, learning and therapy—is an important way to meet children where they are and foster parent-child connection.

We dig right in to the role technology plays, the role COVID-19 had on socialization, the glaring gap of mental health clinicians and the out-sized volume of demand, clinician burn-out, the use of play therapy for adults, and the multitude of unique other types of therapies that exist (animal therapy, video game therapy, nature therapy, to name a few!).

In this episode, Jamie mentions the Association for Play Therapy’s “Introducing Andrew” Video. Check it out.

Jamie earned a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from George Fox University in 2011, and is currently licensed in the state of Oregon and Washington (LMFT) specializing in Child, Youth, and Family Therapy with a sub-specialty in intellectual and developmental disorders. Jamie has had extensive training in Play Therapy and is certified as a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor. She is an AAMFT Approved Supervisor (nationally recognized), certified in Foster and Adoptive Family Therapy, and is in the process of becoming certified in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and Trauma-Focused CBT. Jamie has served on the Board of Directors for the Oregon Association for Play Therapy for over a decade, serving in President and Vice President roles, currently serving as President for her second time. Jamie began teaching graduate courses in 2012 and has enjoyed teaching Play Therapy and Child Development classes most. Aside from teaching, Jamie is the Mental Health Therapy Director for a local non-profit, Neurotherapeutic Pediatric Therapies, specializing in pediatrics focused on neurodivergence and disability. Jamie is a staunch advocate for educating therapists and has made it a priority teach and supervise. Jamie is also a trained handler through Pet Partners and has trained and certified a therapy dog named Simon, which she used in her practice for 8 years. She is currently working on certifying her Goldendoodle, Juniper, and is a firm believer in the healing power of Animal Assisted Therapy.

Visit the Neurotherapeutic Pediatric Therapies, Inc. website for more information about this wonderful or

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DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified medical professional. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are the speaker’s own and may not be those of the hosts or CoNut Media LLC; we are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. Listeners should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

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