President
Kristy Goodwin, LPC-S, RPT-S™
Up for ReElection February 2026
Kristy Goodwin is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist. She earned her undergraduate degree at Williams Baptist University, in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas in Psychology, graduating in 2013. She received her Master’s of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy at John Brown University, in Siloam Springs, Arkansas in 2018. Kristy completed her play therapy training from Heartland Play Therapy in 2021.
Before coming to Water’s Edge she worked in the school-based setting in Bentonville for three years with a variety of presenting issues ranging from but not limited to anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, relationships, grief, stress, adjustment, trauma, and impulse control.
“I want to reach those who are hurting and help them find healing and grow into healthy individuals and families by guiding and walking alongside them through their difficult and challenging times through a positive therapeutic relationship. I also believe in the power of play and that when words fail, play will speak of the importance that it has played in both my professional and personal life, and at the end of the day, I hope my clients leave knowing they are loved, valued, cared about and worthy of belonging.
Kristy is an Arkansas native from Northeast Arkansas and has lived in the Northwest region for the past 8 years. Kristy loves to spend time with her Chihuahuas and family back East. When Kristy is not seeing clients she can be found engaging in a variety of interests that range from arts and crafts, building model kits, playing musical instruments, and watching movies. She is also a fan of Star Wars, video games, and anime which may come as a surprise to some of her younger clients.
Currently attend PhD School at the University of Arkansas
Secretary
Melissa Cook, LPC, RPT™, TBRI
Up for ReElection 2028
Melissa Cook is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapist, Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI) practitioner and trainer, and a 500-hour registered yoga instructor. With a deep passion for helping children, teens, and families reconnect with themselves, she employs play and attachment-based interventions to address individual, behavioral, and family struggles.
Melissa strongly believes in the importance of education in play therapy. As an RPT, she understands the specialized training required to effectively meet children's emotional, social, and behavioral needs. With the proper education, therapists can create safe, supportive environments that promote healing, emotional growth, and stronger family connections.
In addition to her therapeutic practice, Melissa is a dedicated community advocate. She works with collaborative mental health and educational groups in Texas and Arkansas. Her involvement in these initiatives allows her to influence and shape mental health services at a broader level, ensuring that children and families have access to quality care and resources. Through these partnerships, Melissa works to create a more supportive, inclusive community for those facing mental health challenges.
For the past seven years, she has served her native Texarkana area through private practice and within the public school system, providing therapy services and parent/staff training. She also shares her knowledge with other professionals, promoting effective practices in play therapy and beyond.
When not working, Melissa enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, exploring the outdoors with her therapy dog, Tullia, and practicing yoga.
Director Position 3 (Central Arkansas)
Lisa Lucero Bailey, LCSW, RPT™, ICST
Up for ReElection February 2027
Lisa is a Licensed Certified Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist (RPT), and an Internationally Credentialed Sandtray Therapist (ICST). She earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree in 2004 and her Master of Social Work from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 2005.
Lisa has extensive experience providing therapy in residential, outpatient, and school-based settings, with a focus on children, adolescents, and families. She is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), and CPP (Child-Parent Psychotherapy), allowing her to offer a range of approaches tailored to her clients’ needs.
Lisa currently works in private practice at Create Healing Counseling, where she specializes in trauma-informed, play-based, and expressive therapies. She also serves as the Clinical Coordinator for Treatment Homes, Inc., supporting trauma-focused services for children and families in therapeutic foster care. In addition, she supervises social work interns pursuing clinical licensure, helping mentor and develop the next generation of mental health professionals.
In her free time, Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband and their animals. She loves exploring estate sales, gardening, and finding beauty in everyday moments.
Vice President
Josh Everett, LCSW, RPT™, RIST
Up for ReElection February 2027
Josh is a licensed clinical social worker and registered play therapist, as well as a Registered Integrative Sandtray Therapist. He received his undergraduate degree in psychology at Ouachita Baptist University and his master’s degree in social work from Arkansas State University. He has been working in the therapeutic field for over 10 years.
He is currently at Open Book Wellness Center where uses play therapy for children all the way through adulthood in a variety of ways. He loves witnessing clients come in and make small changes to their lives that have eternal impacts.
He is a native of NEA (Paragould) and has a wonderful wife, Kayla, and three children- Knox, Nash, and Nora. He spends most of his time coaching sports, traveling, and watching his kids play sports. He also enjoys teaching a Sunday school class at his church, Harvest Baptist.
Director Position 1
Marcie Groover, LPC-s, RPT-S™,
Up for ReElection
Marcie is a licensed professional counselor-supervisor, and a registered play therapist- supervisor.
Marcie has a 30 year background in non-profit ministry and work. She spent 15 years in a ministry position with The Salvation Army, an international organization, and 15 years with Ozark Guidance/ Arisa Health. In both of those positions, the opportunity for education, leadership, and service to others was a driving force in her life and career. She is now in private practice in Northwest Arkansas.
Marcie has an associate's degree in Behavioral Science from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, and bachelor's degrees in Christian Education and Organizational Management from Evangeline Booth College, Atlanta, GA, Logos University, FL, and John Brown University. She received her Master's Degree in Counseling at John Brown University, and received a post-graduate certification in Autism Studies from University of North Dakota. Marcie received a doctorate in counseling through Logos University. She has a post-graduate certification in educational Autism Studies. Additionally, Marcie has certifications in Autplay, Trauma Focused-CBT, Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, and is currently working on certification as an approved clinical ADHD provider.
She grew up in Louisville, Ky, but has lived in a variety of cities as a result of her career. She moved from Houston, TX to Northwest Arkansas in 2001, and has called it home, ever since.
Marcie is married and is mom to four bio children and two bonus sons, along with five "grands" that she thinks are amazing! She also includes her two doggy companions as family, a Miniature Schnauzer named Cloe, and a Wheaten Terrier named Bailey.
Marcie believes that assisting others in developing HOPE is the main focus of counseling, and utilizes both Attachment and Adlerian Theories in her counseling work with children, adults, families or couples.
Director Position 4 (NWA)
Up for ReElection February 2027
Dr. Chulyndria “Lyn” Laye is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Arkansas, a National Certified Counselor (NCC), a 2022 Doctoral Minority Fellow for the NBCC Foundation, and a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Arkansas. Lyn has extensive training in child centered play therapy and rehabilitation counseling. She primarily works with children, adolescents, and adults in private practice settings, but has experience working in community agencies, school-based settings, and in-patient facilities. She has a strong passion for advocating for the advancement of mental health in the Black community, particularly among Black girls and women. In addition to working with Black women, she has worked diligently to break generational curses and beliefs associated with accepting the identity of the Strong Black Woman, as well as assist Black women and girls in resetting these narratives and liberating themselves from the stigma associated with mental health.
Treasurer
Dr. Hailey Frost, PhD, LPC, RPT™
Up for ReElection February 2026
Hailey is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Registered Play Therapist (RPT). She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Central Arkansas in 2017 and went on to earn her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Arkansas. In 2024, She earned her Doctorate in Counseling Education and Supervision at the University of Arkansas.
Hailey has experience in working with children using play therapy, adolescents, and adult clients with trauma, attachment issues, life transitions, and relationship issues. She is trained in Child Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT), Eating Disorder Therapy, and Play Therapy. Hailey practices from a Gestalt lens, where clients can expect sessions to be focused on the here and now (present moment), a holistic approach, and increasing insight and understanding of the client’s experiences and how meaning is formed from them. She has a passion for working with children and their families as well as working to strengthen the client-counselor relationship to set the foundation for change.
Hailey was born and raised in Arkansas. Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with her two dogs - Ben who is a Labrador, and Baylor who is a golden retriever - and spending time with her fiancé. She loves time with her family and friends and enjoys trying new things and traveling. She is refreshed by being outside hiking, skiing, biking, or running.
Director Position 2 (River Valley & NWA)
Donna Morgan, LPC-S, RPT-S™, AAT-I
Up for ReElection 2028
Donna is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, and an Animal-Assisted Therapy Interventionist. She owns Fort Smith Therapy, Health and Wellness, a group practice located in Fort Smith. She earned her B.S in Human Services from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia and her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and Community Counseling from John Brown University in Siloam Springs.
Donna has worked in outpatient and school-based settings with children, adolescents, families, and couples. She currently teaches courses at SAU as an adjunct faculty member and provides supervision for LACs and those pursuing credentialing in play therapy as an RPT-S. Recently,
Donna and her husband launched a nonprofit organization called River Valley Community Outreach, which focuses on improving access to quality mental health services in the River Valley.
Additionally, she has become a published author with her children's therapeutic book titled "Josh's Mom Went to Heaven."
In her spare time, Donna enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren. Her hobbies include baking, gardening, embroidery, decorating, and DIY projects.
Director Position 5
Smruthi Chintakunta,
director5arapt@gmail.com
Up for ReElection
Smruthi Chintakunta works at the University of Arkansas and conducts play therapy sessions through the Office of Play Therapy. Through her dissertation research, she developed the SEA-PLAY instrument to examine equitable access within training and credentialing structures in the field of play therapy. Smruthi seeks to support equity-driven initiatives within the Arkansas Association for Play Therapy, contributing to conversations and strategies that promote inclusive training pathways and broaden access to credentialing opportunities.