Board Members
It’s important to note that all board members and regional leadership are volunteer based. Each one of our board member dedicates their time to Missouri Association for Play Therapy.
If you would like to be involved on the board, as an area rep, or helping with other parts of the organization, please contact the board president.

Amber Schilb (Central)
President
Amber is a Licensed Professional Counselor. Amber earned both a Masters of Education in Counseling as well as a Masters in Marital and Family therapy at Stephens College and has been practicing since July of 2016. Amber practices using a client-centered approach and tailors her work to be unique and specific to each individual client. Amber has experience working with a variety of issues including substance abuse, domestic abuse, resistive violence and batterer intervention and has facilitated the MEND (Men Exploring Non-Violent Directions) program. Amber also has experience with children in play therapy, marriage and family issues, mood disorders, behavioral issues, transitional issues, grief, and trauma. Amber provides individual, family and group therapy as well as facilitates therapeutic supervised visitation.
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Marie Bonner Horon
President-Elect
Marie Horon is a MA, LPC, RPT, NCC – I have been working in this field since 2013. I originally set out to work with teenagers, as time went on, I began expanding my scope. I now work with all ages of the family system: (children, school aged, parents and couples). I specialize in Play Therapy, trauma, depression and anxiety. Play Therapy is an awesome tool for communication that can be used in a multitude of areas. I truly enjoy what I do. I believe in the therapeutic relationship and how it can heal. I am an advocate of Mental Health for everyone. Mental Health is just as important as our Physical Health. Mental Health needs a spotlight in mainstream media and our everyday lives. Taking care of ourselves (mentally, physically, and spiritually) needs to be a top priority in our lives.
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Tara Huber (North East MO)
Past President
Tara Huber received her Bachelor of the Arts in psychology and Bachelors of Music Education degree from Culver-Stockton College and her Masters of Education degree with emphasis in Community Counseling from Quincy University. She has 10 years experience as a music educator and has been a counselor with White Oak Counseling since 2007 where she works in the private practice setting. She also has 10 years past experience as a foster and adoptive parent and continues to receive continued education in play therapy, trauma, and marriage and family counseling. Tara is a Licensed Professional Counselor with the State of Missouri, is an Autplay Level II therapist and has specialized training in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Alternatives for Families Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(AF-CBT. Tara is also an adjunct instructor at MACC Hannibal location where she teaches General Psychology, Lifespan Human Development, and Abnormal psychology. She specializes in working with all ages of individuals dealing with a variety issues ranging from anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma, family problems, relationship problems, behavioral deregulation, LGBTQ community, among various other issues for children, teenagers, adult, couples, and families.
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Valerie Owings
Member at Large
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, (MO) Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (KS) national certified counselor, and Registered Play Therapist- Supervisor. Those credentials let you know that I am licensed to practice counseling in the states of Missouri and Kansas, have met the standard to be certified by the National Board of Certified Counselors, and have extensive training and certification to practice play therapy. I am also a member of the American Counseling Association and The Association for Play Therapy.
I’ve been practicing therapy since 2012. I work with young children, teens, and adults. I specialize in working with young children and supporting parents to have mentally healthy and happy kids.
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Heather Ransom (Central)
Technology Officer
Heather is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing at Lawrence Oliver & Associates, a private practice, in Columbia, Mo. In the private practice setting, she enjoys interacting with families, children, adolescents and adults. She received her masters degree in 2014 from Brigham Young University. Heather has worked at the Utah State Prison providing individual counseling services, at Wasatch Mental Health working with families and individuals, and as an outreach therapist to the Nebo UT school district.
Jessica Beasley (Central)
Treasurer
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Lena Sheets (Central)
Secretary
Lena is an Licensed Professional Counselor and K-12 certified school counselor. She is currently an Elementary School Counselor in Columbia, MO. Lena has seen the impact of play therapy and is eager to learn more to support her work with children both in and outside of the school setting. Lena plans to be fully engaged in the play therapy community as well as advocate for school-based play therapy and trauma-sensitive practices. When Lena is not working or attending a training, she is spending time with her family playing cards or reading with her son.
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For information about available positions, position descriptions and application process, click below:
MAPT Board Positions and ElectionsBoard-position-Descriptions

MAPT Regional Leadership
Central:
Open
Northeast:
Jamie Crouch, LPC, RPT
Debra Olson Morrison, PhD, LCSW, RPT-S Valerie Owings, LPC, LCPC, NCC, RPT-S
Eastern (St. Louis):
Jennie Wilson, MA, LPC, NCC, RPT-S
Elizabeth Ernest, MSCFT, S-MFT, MSSW, LMSW
Southwest:
Tomi Taylor LPC, NCC
Jessica Lowery, LPC, RPT
NorthWest:
Sally Frede, LCSW, CCLS, RPT
MAPT is looking for Area Reps!
For more information click below:
AREA REPRESENTATIVES (1)
For information regarding OPEN Board and committee positions click below:
Bylaws
Here are the rules of governance for the not-for-profit corporation that operates in the State of Missouri as the Missouri Association for Play Therapy.