Meet our licensed trainers

Region: Mexico

Lourdes studied psychopedagogy and special education, and then continued her studies by pursuing a master's degree in psycho-socio-educational research with adolescents in school contexts. She is now pursuing a PHD in education and behavioural sciences. For the past 13 years, Lourdes has been dedicated to the field of autism. She founded Autismo Puebla where she is now Operational Director. Lourdes has also been on the board of the Instituto de Investigación Científica del TEA (Autism Spectrum Disorder). Through Play Included, Lourdes found that learning and teaching while having fun is possible and she now wants more professionals to experience this through the Brick-by-Brick® programme.

Region: Mexico

Mariel is a co-founder of Autismo Puebla. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla and a Master's degree in Pedagogy from UPAEP in Puebla. She completed a Master’s Programme in Disability Integration at the University of Salamanca, Spain. Mariel has received training in various specialized intervention programs for autistic individuals and is accredited in many diagnostic tests. Mariel is a director at Autismo Puebla where she oversees the educational inclusion programme, social skills workshops, and also conducts diagnostics, family guidance, and research.

Region: New Zealand

Camilla is a highly skilled Clinical Psychologist who completed her doctorate degree in the UK. As part of her doctoral thesis, she researched into the effectiveness of LEGO brick based therapy for high functioning children and adolescents. She was trained in LEGO brick based therapy by Dr Gina Gomez de la Cuesta. Camilla moved to New Zealand several years ago where she continues to spread her enthusiasm in training professionals in the Brick-By-Brick® Programme as well as running her own Brick Clubs. In her spare time, Camilla enjoys spending time painting and spending time outdoor with her beloved dogs Keke and Charlie.

Region: US (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)

John serves as the Head of Partnerships at the Center for Transformational Play and Director of Educational Engagement at the Entertainment Technology Center at Carnegie Mellon University, also his Alma Mater. John’s work has led to the creation of numerous student and teacher initiatives incorporating interactive experiences which explore the creative design and development process, whether it be for hardware, software, or analog interactions. John has nearly a decade’s experience in the classroom and has presented on the national and international stage on topics related to engaging educational experiences. As one who has devoted his career towards progressing play as an integral part of learning and as an avid builder since his youth, John was naturally drawn to the inspiring work of the Play Included® team. The Brick-By-Brick® training has deeply impacted how John approaches his work and he wants to share that experience with everyone! John facilitates a Brick Club within CMU and it brings him much joy to visit the other Brick Clubs in the region. Outside of the day-to-day, John loves time with his growing family. He also enjoys building MOCs in Studio, cooking, and playing disc golf & Pokémon GO.

Region: US (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)

Emily has served in k-12 education in the United States of America for the past 23 years in capacities as a teacher, administrator (school leadership), technology director and for the past two years as an Assistant Superintendent at Beaver Area School District in Pennsylvania. She also serves as Matt's Maker Space Professional Development Director and works closely with educators to provide a multitude of STEAM/Maker Learning workshops in the greater Pittsburgh region. Additionally, she has been an adjunct professor at Waynesburg University since 2015. She has first hand knowledge of how students across all age groups have suffered through the pandemic and is tasked with helping classroom teachers to facilitate programs and activities to improve students social and emotional wellbeing as well as their basic academic and communication skills. Through running several Brick Clubs at Dutch Ridge Elementary School she has been reconnected with younger students and appreciates how the Brick by Brick Program is centered around the facilitation of play while at the same time reinforces critical skills. In Emily's spare time she enjoys long walks with her dogs, going to the gym and attending live music events with family and friends.

Region: US (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)

Matt is an educator of 25 years in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education (K-6), a Master’s degree in Teaching and Curriculum and a Master’s degree in Technology Education. Matt also has certifications in grades 7-9 for Civic Education and certification for K-12 Administration. He teaches Engineering and Technology at Mellon Middle School. Matt was trained by Dr. Gina Gómez de la Cuesta to facilitate the Brick-by-Brick® program/LEGO brick based therapy and is currently the only teacher in the United States trained as a licensed trainer in the Brick by Brick® Program. He has introduced and runs multiple Brick Clubs with his 6th, 7th and 8th grader’s. Matt believes the Brick-by-Brick® Program helps students become the best versions of themselves and change the world one person, one day at a time. In his spare time, Matt enjoys spending time with his wife of 28 years and their children. He also loves hanging with his goats, chickens and peacock.

Region: US (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)

Sarah serves as the Coordinator for Innovation and Design at Intermediate Unit 1 (IU1), a school service agency nestled in the heart of southwestern Pennsylvania. With a passion for educational innovation, Sarah's role encompasses a myriad of responsibilities, including spearheading student outreach programs, scouting grant opportunities, and nurturing digital fabrication and maker initiatives. Her dedication extends beyond the confines of the school walls as she actively engages in connecting the community, fostering collaboration and inclusivity. Through the Brick-by-Brick® Program, Sarah is committed to empowering learners and cultivating creativity to instill confidence and connection in future generations.

Region: London and Scotland, UK

Erin & Jessica are Early Intervention and Behaviour Consultants. Their backgrounds are rooted in developmental psychology with further training and education in Applied Behaviour. They set up Hatchlings to be a safe and supportive educational space for parents seeking early intervention for their child. Even prior to setting up Hatchlings London both Erin and Jessica ran individual sessions using Lego bricks with clients and also enjoyed running group Brick Clubs together. Hatchlings London has grown and now run termly LEGO brick based therapy Brick Clubs using the Brick-By-Brick® Programme which are a high highlight in their week. In their spare time, Erin and Jessica both enjoy travelling and spending time with their family and friends. As a native Aussie, Jessica loves a good BBQ! Erin enjoys exercising, particularly a run in the rain… an easy thing to come by living in Scotland!

Region: South of England and Midlands, UK

Jean is an experienced trainer having trained in the Brick-by-Brick® programme in 2019 and run Brick Clubs in International Schools in Hong Kong.  Jean loves sharing her knowledge of LEGO brick based therapy with Facilitators and continues to support them to run Brick Clubs in their settings.  Starting out as a primary school teacher, Jean’s further study and training led to her complete her Masters in Inclusion and Special Educational Needs and, later, her doctorate in Educational Child Psychology. Jean worked as a School Psychologist in Hong Kong, where she really enjoyed running Brick Clubs! Jean now trains education and health professionals in the Brick-By-Brick® Programme alongside her Educational Psychology work. In her spare time, Jean loves going on adventures, BBQs, swimming, and spending time with her family.

Region: South East, UK

Katie started her career as a Secondary PE Teacher. She joined a School Sports Partnership as an SSCO which saw her working with primary schools in a different capacity developing PE across a number of schools. She progressed to the School Games Organiser role in Sutton where she formed the Sports Partnership in 2014. During the next eight years Katie worked with both primary and secondary schools in the borough to upskill teachers and other school staff to deliver high quality PE and lead a team to become a trusted organisation, forging strong professional relationships along the way with schools and external partners. Katie is passionate about empowering others to feel confident and knowledgeable and believes there is an intrinsic link between physical activity and mental health. This led her to explore other opportunities to deliver training and through her own CPD trained to deliver both Youth Mental Health First Aid and Brick-By-Brick® Programme training. Both add a new dimension to her skill set and her courses are interactive, informative and fun. Katie now delivers Brick-By-Brick® Programme training courses and PE consultancy. Katie has three grown up children and loves walking in the Surrey Hills and cooking (not at the same time!).

Region: Northern Ireland

Sinead is Clinical Director and Senior Accredited Play Therapist at The Play Therapies Centre in Northern Ireland.  She runs three therapy centres across the region in Derry, Belfast and Newry with her team of Play/Art psychotherapists. For the last twenty years Sinead’s experience has been with working with children who have, emotional/behavioural difficulties, or who require positive affirming support around social navigation. This work has allowed Sinead to gain experience of working with statutory agencies within the health trusts and education authorities, as well as with various voluntary organisations from across Northern Ireland. Sinead has been on the training team within her organisation for 13 years and has delivered Brick by Brick® programme training to Health & Social Care Trusts, Schools, colleges, and voluntary organisations across the region. Sinead is passionate about people and building relationships to ensure she facilitates the best possible learning outcomes to meet the needs of both children and organisations. In her spare time Sinead loves to read, as well as taking her two children to football and enjoying family days out.

Region: Hong Kong

Dorothy is the founder of Stage Edu Net Foundation Limited (“Stage Edu Net”). She holds two Bachelor’s degrees in Education (Special Needs) and Social Work and a Master’s degree in Parent Education.

Dedicated to neurodiversity, Dorothy founded Stage Edu Net and is committed to helping neurodiverse children find their own opportunities to shine using LEGO® bricks with the Brick-by-Brick® programme.

As a LEGO® super fan, Dorothy took her passion to the next level, she trained to be a trainer of the Brick-By-Brick® programme in 2019 and has run Brick Clubs for over ten years in her settings to support children’s social and emotional development. She also delivers Brick-by-Brick® programme training to teachers and social workers in Hong Kong, and lends her full support to Facilitators who regularly run their Brick Clubs.

In her spare time Dorothy enjoys travelling and immersing herself in building colourful LEGO®!

Region: Hong Kong

Canace Yee, the founder and director of yNOTplay Play Therapy Social Enterprise Hong Kong is a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor and the author of a play therapy book titled "Play with your Child”. Canace also invented a number of proprietary patented therapeutic tools helping professional practitioners, institutions and schools to offer assistance to children with special educational needs, one of which also won the Excellence Award of Therapeutic Games for ADHD 2017 of the Association for Taiwan Play Therapy. Canace and her partners, Anna and Fiona, have developed a Brick Club in Hong Kong utilizing LEGO brick based therapy since 2018 to help children in building up social and communication skills and the Brick Club has over 250 members.

Regions in which Brick-By-Brick® Programme training provided: Hong Kong

Anna Lau is a Registered Play Therapist with a post-graduate qualification in Psychology, helping children with their emotional and behavioural challenges. Her therapy experience has laid a solid foundation in identifying children’s needs and help them in a creative therapeutic way. Through establishing a Brick Club in Hong Kong with her partners, Canace and Fiona, Anna is dedicated to using LEGO brick based therapy to provide a welcoming, assertive, and fun environment for the children to learn and to enhance their social and communication skills positively and effectively. Anna’s passion in working with children has led to various volunteering posts in the past decade. In her spare time Anna enjoys nature and exercise to strengthen and prepare her mind and body to continue her work.

Region: Hong Kong

Fiona Chan has more than a decade of experience designing and leading games in private and school settings.  She became a Play Therapist in 2015 and helped to promote interactive games that enable preschoolers to learn social skills and enhance their collaboration and social competence. Fiona also promotes play therapy to not for profit organisations and helps neurodiverse children through play in Hong Kong. Fiona became a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education in 2023. With her colleagues Canace and Anna, Fiona has established Brick Clubs of which there are now over 200 members. The members aged 4-10 come to the club weekly to practice social-emotional skills through LEGO brick based therapy. The transformation children make through play therapy makes Fiona’s work very rewarding. When she is not working, Fiona enjoys playing Bridge and spending time with her friends and family. 

Region: North East England, UK

Rob is a Speech and Language Therapist by background who specialises in working with autistic children. Rob has been running Brick Clubs since qualifying as a therapist over ten years ago and more recently trained with Play Included® to become a Facilitator and Trainer in the Brick by Brick® Programme. Having worked and lived in South-East Asia, Australia and Spain, Rob still has a love of travel and experiencing different foods and cultures but now spends a lot of time travelling and experiencing things closer to home with his family in the North-East of England.

Region: North West England, UK.

Anne spent the first 10 years of her teaching career as a Primary school teacher before moving into specialist provisions where she undertook qualifications in ASD. For the last 10 years she has been working as an Advisory Teacher, identifying and supporting pupils with Social Communication needs, and delivering training to staff and parents (Cygnet, AET and LEGO brick based therapy). Anne is ADOS trained and feeds assessments and observations into the Local Authority`s Neuro Developmental Pathway. She is the Lead Teacher in the North West delivery of the Autism in Schools Project and regularly completes environmental audits of settings. In her spare time Anne enjoys long distance walking, swimming and spending time with her grown-up children.