Kara Carnes-Holt (she/her), Ph.D., LPC, RPT-S, CCPT-S, CPRT-S, is a Professor and the Department Chair for the Department of Counseling and Human Services at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. She earned her PhD. in counseling at the University of North Texas. Kara is a professional counselor, a registered play therapist, and an approved play therapy supervisor (RPT-S). She is also the founder and former director of the Rocky Mountain Center of Play Therapy Studies. Kara has special interests in utilizing humanistic play therapy, CPRT, and expressive arts interventions as they utilize the therapeutic relationship as the primary and foundational agent of change for children, adolescents, and their families. She has a personal and professional passion for supporting adoptive and foster families.