Scottsdale therapist says play is the first language of healing

By Cyrus Guccione
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Erica Tatum-Sheade, DSW, LCSW, co-owner of Integrated Mental Health Associates in Scottsdale, has earned the designation of Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor — a credential awarded by the Association for Play Therapy to highly experienced mental health professionals.

As a child and adolescent therapist, Tatum-Sheade understands the critical role play can have in helping young clients express emotions that may be difficult to articulate with words.

“Kids are not mini adults,” she said. “We play with intention. We go beyond the play. It’s understanding some of the metaphors that come up in play and how to read them, especially with kids with trauma.”

Tatum-Sheade described an example involving a young patient playing with a dollhouse. To an outside observer, it may look like simple play, but a trained therapist can see layers of meaning: Who is present or missing in the dollhouse? What character is the child drawn to? These choices often reflect deeper emotional dynamics in the child’s life.

Play therapy also adapts to different age groups. While young children may use toys and imaginative scenarios, teens might express themselves through drawing or painting. For older adults — particularly those with memory loss or dementia — play may involve therapeutic tools like baby dolls to stimulate nurturing instincts and unlock storytelling.

Despite having an office full of toys, Tatum-Sheade says play is “our first language” and being able to tap into that part of the brain can help patients work through some of their problems without overthinking.

According to the Association for Play Therapy, there are 29 Registered Play Therapist-Supervisors in Arizona. The credential requires a minimum of 5,000 hours of clinical experience, 1,000 hours of supervised play therapy work, 150 hours of specialized training and more. Tatum-Sheade said the process typically takes two to three years to complete.

Mentorship

Beyond serving her clients, the credential allows her to supervise and mentor other therapists who are pursuing certification in play therapy.

“I want to help grow the field and  I want our kids to be able to get the best help they can with the most equipped professionals,” she said.

Tatum-Sheade has worked with children and adolescents since 2005 and became a licensed clinical social worker in 2014. After working at the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community Department of Social Services, she opened Integrated Mental Health Associates with her husband, Ryan Sheade, LCSW.

As a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor and board member for the  Arizona chapter of the Association for Play Therapy, she hopes to lead a shift in how play therapy is practiced and understood across Arizona.

 “My personal charge is to better serve and change the face of play therapy in the state of Arizona,” she said.

For more information about play therapy, visit the Arizona Association for Play Therapy at azapt.org. For more information about Integrated Mental Health Associates in Scottsdale, visit integratedmha.com.

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