Argosy University Professor Named Head of OC Chapter of The Association of Play Therapy

SANTA ANA, Calif. — Anaheim resident Dr. Kim Vander Dussen has been named president-elect of the Orange County Chapter of the Association Play Therapy. Currently, an officer in the organization, her term goes into effect in January 2008.

The Orange County Chapter of the Association of Play Therapy is made up of psychologists, therapists, social workers and counselors who are interested in play therapy. There are 300 members of the California Chapter of the Association of Play Therapists.

“Play therapy is a developmental-based treatment approach to working with children 12 and under,” Vander Dussen said. “Because children process their emotional experiences differently than adults, they can’t verbalize their emotions, the same way. Clinicians are trained to use play activity to help children work through their psychological issues.”

Vander Dussen is a professor in the psychology department at Argosy University’s Orange County campus. An instructor for three years, Sshe teaches courses such as Child and Adult Development, Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Therapy Practicum, and a first-year orientation class.

Vander Dussen has a bachelor’s degreesa bachelor ’s degree in psychology and human services from California State University, Fullerton, and master’s and doctorate degrees from the California School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles. She has been a professor at Argosy University for three years and also has her own private practice. Vander Dussen also previously worked as a community mental health provider in Orange County.

“We are very proud of Dr. Vander Dussen’s accomplishments with the Orange County Chapter of the Association of Play Therapy,” said Dr. Jeb Egbert, president of Argosy University’s Orange County campus. ““It is a testimony to the quality of our campus and programs that we have a faculty member of Dr. Vander Dussen’s stature and expertise.”

As president of the organization Vander Dussen is responsible for overseeing regional and local training for play therapists. “It takes about two years for therapists to become registered play therapists,” Vander Dussen said. She said that certified play therapists have to take 150 educational hours. “There are additional requirements related to supervision and play therapy experience in addition to 150 hours of training, supervision and experience,” Vander Dussen said.

Vander Dussen teaches courses in the doctorate in Clinical Psychology program. “Students graduating from the program are going into careers as clinical psychologist,” , she said. “There is high demand in the career field. ” she said. “Our students haven’t had any issues finding employment.”

The Orange County Chapter of the Association of Play Therapy’s next professional education workshop is scheduled from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Saturday, June 30, at Argosy University’s Orange County campus located at 3501 W. Sunflower Ave., Suite 100, Santa Ana.

For more information about Argosy University’s Orange County campus call (714) 338-6200 or go to http://www.argosyu.edu/orangecounty. For more information about the Orange County Chapter of the Association of Play Therapy call Debra Solseng at (949) 701-5930.


Argosy University’s Orange County Campus is one of 18 Argosy University (www.argosyu.edu) locations in 12 states. Argosy University offers doctoral and master's degree programs in psychology, business, counseling, and education. Argosy University also offers bachelor's degree completion programs in psychology and business, and associate's degree programs in various health sciences fields. Argosy University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (NCA) (30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602, (800) 621-7440; www.ncahlc.org).