Meet Your AST Board Members
President
Amy Flaherty, LPEI-RPT
Amy is the Founder and Director of Southern Sandtray Institute, which trains sandtray therapists from all over the world. She owns a group private practice in Arkansas. Amy is a lover of all things sandtray therapy and believes in the power of sandtray to change the world.
Contact info: amyf@southernsandtray.com
Vice President
BETH MOORE, LPC, ICST-P
Hi Ya’ll, I’m Beth Moore and I love Sandtray Therapy!! It all started for me when I did my first sandtray in graduate school for counseling. Voila, I had immediate insight into my reality by looking at my little miniatures in my world. My heart was changed and I knew this is what I wanted to specialize in as a counselor. So, here I am, diving in as a RIST (Registered Integrative Sandtray Therapist) and finishing up my provisional license hours for LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor). I love using Sandtray Therapy and Play Therapy with clients in Louisiana, teaching about integrative therapies, and finding new ways to heal our whole mind-body-spirit. I am honored to be on the AST (Association of Sandtray Therapy) Board of Officers and hope to get to know you all better to serve you.
Contact info: beth@moorewellness.life
Secretary
Virginia Willis, LCSW, ICST
Contact info: virginia.willis1077@gmail.com
Treasurer
Nicole West, LCSW, ICST
Nicole West, LCSW, RIST is a member of the therapy team at True Hope Counseling in Jonesboro, AR. She is working towards her Registered Play Therapy credential and works in the sandtray with clients of all ages. Nicole is a member of the 2016 RIST cohort from the Southern Sandtray Institute.
Contact info: nikkiw@truehopecounseling.org
Director of Communications
Megan Cinnamon, LPCC, ICST-P
Megan is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Registered Integrative Sandtray Therapist practicing in Somerset, KY. Megan utilizes sandtray therapy in her daily practice with clients of all ages and backgrounds with a variety of presenting concerns. Megan is passionate about helping others and sharing the power of sandtray therapy. She is a member of the 2018 RIST cohort from Southern Sandtray Institute
Contact info: megan@sandscapesofky.com
Director of Multicultural Affairs
Carmen Jimenez Pride, LCSW, RPT-S, ICST
Carmen Jimenez-Pride is the founder, and Executive Director of Outspoken Counseling and Consulting. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, Internationally Credentialed Sandtray Therapist, Certified EMDR Therapist, Internal Family Systems Therapist, Registered Yoga Teacher, Registered Children Yoga Teacher and a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator.
Carmen is the developer of Diversity in Play Therapy Inc.; and creator/organizer of the 2020 Diversity in Play Therapy Summit.
Carmen received her Bachelor of Social Work with a certificate in Child Protective Services from Benedict College. She was then accepted into the advanced standing program at the University of South Carolina earning a Master of Social Work with a focus on communities and organizations. Carmen’s passion is youth/ children, and she has dedicated herself not only to enrich the lives of children but also providing the tools and curriculum for clinicians to ensure her goal to reach others has an even farther span in society.
Carmen is experienced in the clinical treatment of children, adolescents, and adults with culturally diverse backgrounds addressing a wide range of concerns. Carmen’s career in the mental health field spans more than 15 years.
Carmen has extensive training in sandtray, play therapy, EMDR, Internal Family Systems, and Adlerian Play Therapy.
Her experience as a therapist, consultant, trainer, educator, coach, and author encompasses Carmen’s approach to practice, which is “Together We Will Grow”
Director of International Relations
Nidhi Kirpalani, M.Sc., M.sc, ICST-P
Nidhi Kirpalani is an ICST-P, owner and founder of Carribean Sandtray Institute. She is a Clinical & Counseling Psychologist based in Trinidad and Tobago working in a child protection agency with kids, adults, families, foster care, adoption, and doing forensic interviews. Nidhi’s private practice is primarily adults with symptoms of depression or anxiety, but over 90% reveal a history of trauma or abuse, especially sexual abuse. Nidhi studied Clinical Psychology at the University of West Indies and Counseling Psychology at the University of the Southern Carribean. She loves working with clients in the sandtray and sharing these trainings with persons internationally, or in her home town, near the oceans in Trinidad & Tobago.
Virginia is a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Arkansas. She has been employed by Families Inc. in Paragould, AR since 2010. Virginia is a Registered Integrated Sand Therapist (RIST) as well as being trained in Trauma Focused – Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT). Virginia was in the first RIST group and was the first person to complete RIST certification. She has applied to be a Registered Play Therapist –Supervisor (RPT-S) and is expecting the paperwork to be approved very soon. Virginia works with children all the way up to senior citizens using the sand tray to assist them with identifying and working out their problems.