Therapists > Dr. Joyce Mills

Dr. Joyce Mills

Dr. Mills

Joyce Mills, Ph.D. is a spellbinding storyteller and an internationally recognized authority on the Ericksonian approaches of hypnotherapy. Considered an expert in the use of hypnosis with children, Dr. Mills' hypnotically based bed-time stories have been published by Magination Press, a division of the American Psychological Association.

Known for her warm, playfully dynamic and inspirational style, Dr. Mills is an internationally recognized storyteller, keynote presenter, workshop leader, consultant, trauma specialist, and program developer for health-care, psychological, educational and community organizations. Founder of The StoryPlay Center and Co-director of the Phoenix Institute of Ericksonian Psychotherapy, Dr. Mills is the recipient of the 1997 Play Therapy International Award for outstanding career contributions to the field of Play Therapy and Child Psychology.

A licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and Registered Play Therapy Supervisor, Dr. Mills is the author and co-author of seven books including the award-winning Therapeutic Metaphors for Children and the Child Within, Reconnecting to the Magic of Life, Sammy the Elephant and Mr. Camel, Gentle Willow, and Little Tree.

Products by Dr. Mills

Sammy the Elephant and Mr. Camel - end bedwetting and enhance self-control

Education and Professional Details

EDUCATION

• B.A., Psychology, Antioch College West, Los Angeles, CA
• M.A., Psychology, Antioch College West, Los Angeles, CA
• Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, International College, Los Angeles, CA

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES

• IBECPT Professor of Child Psychotherapy & Play
• Registered Play Therapy Supervisor - 0259
• Licensed Marriage, Family and Child Counselor, CA and AZ

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
• California Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
• American Counseling Association
• Association for Humanistic Psychology
• Association for Play Therapy
• Arizona Association for Play Therapy
• Play Therapy International
• National Organization for Women

BOOKS

• Mills, J. (1999). Reconnecting to the Magic of Life: A tapestry of healing stories & practical steppingstones that inspire our natural abilities to rekindle joy and embrace change. Kauai, Hawaii: Imaginal Press.
• Mills, J. (1994). Gentle Willow: A book for children about dying. Washington, DC: Magination Press.
• Mills, J. (1992, 2003 2nd ed). Little Tree: A book for children with serious medical problems. Washington, DC: Magination Press.
• Mills, J. (1989). Stories of the Dreamwalkers. Limited edition.
• Mills, J. and Crowley, R. (1988). Cartoon Magic. Washington, DC: Magination Press.
• Mills, J. and Crowley, R. (1988). Sammy the Elephant and Mr. Camel. Washington, DC: Magination Press.
• Mills, J. and Crowley, R. (1986). Therapeutic Metaphors for Children and the Child Within. . Philadelphia: Taylor & Francis Publishing Group. Translated into: French, German, Italian, Russian.
• Mills, J. and Crowley, R. (1985). Fred Flintstone Helps Protect the Vegetables. A therapeutic comic book commissioned by Childhelp USA.

PUBLICATIONS

• Mills, J. (1999). "Ericksonian Play Therapy: The Spirit of Healing with Children and Adolescents," In The Handbook of Ericksonian Therapy. Phoenix: Zeig, Tucker & Co., Inc.
• Mills, J. (2000). "Cartoon Magic: How to Help Children Discover Their Rainbows Within," and "Dreaming Pots: A Natural Healing Approach for Helping Children with Fears and Trauma." In 101 More Play Therapy Techniques. Jason Aronson, Inc.
• Mills, J. (2000). "Tadpoles as Teachers" column: Life in Balance, in premiere edition of Spa Magazine, Carpinteria, CA: Islands Media.
• Mills, J. (2000). "Gems of Change" column: Life in Balance, in premiere edition of Spa Magazine, Carpinteria, CA: Islands Media.
• Mills, J. (1991). Is It My Period or Is It My Life?: Looking at your Cycle in a New Light. Shape Magazine 11:86-90.
• Mills, J. (1989). No More Monsters and Meanies: Multisensory Metaphors for Helping Children with Fears and Depression. In Brief Therapy: Approaches to Treating Anxiety and Depression, Yapko, M. (ed.) New York: Brunner/Mazel.
• Mills, J. (1988). A Multidimensional Approach to the Utilization of Therapeutic Metaphors for Children and Adolescents. In Developing Ericksonian Therapy: State of the Art. J. Zeig, J. and Lankton, S. (eds.), New York: Brunner/Mazel.
• Mills, J. PMS: Symptom, or Source of Transformation. Psychological Perspectives 19(1):101-111.
• Mills, J. and Crowley, R. The Nature and Construction of Therapeutic Metaphors for Children. The British Journal of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis 3(2), 69-86.
• Mills, J. and Crowley, R. (1983). Positive Effects of Cartoon Images. Telemedia (magazine of the National Association of Broadcasters), September/October 1983 issue.

AWARDS

• 1997 "Outstanding Contribution to the Field of Child Psychotherapy and Play Therapy. Awarded by Play Therapy International.
• 1988 Winner of the Clark Vincent Award for an "Outstanding Contribution to the Profession Through a Literary Work" for Therapeutic Metaphors for Children and the Child Within.

Professional Experience

CURRENT

• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Scottsdale, AZ
• Registered Play Therapy Supervisor, Scottsdale, AZ
• Private practice, Scottsdale, AZ
• Professional Speaker, seminar and workshop leader: Private Practice International
• Board of directors: Turtle Island Project, AZ

PAST

• Playroom manager and consultant, Nana's Children Mental Health Foundation, Inc., Phoenix AZ
• Trauma specialist/consultant: Program Development & implementation in response to WTC attack, Sept. 11, 2001.
• Clinical consultant/supervisor - Alaka'i Na Keiki, Inc., Honolulu, HI
• Clinical consultant/therapist for Hale 'Opio, Kauai, Inc. Kauai, HI
• Contributing columnist for Spa Magazine: Life in Balance column
• Clinical consultant and trainer for Nana's House Project, Kauai, HI
• Mental health specialist. Westside for Iniki 'Ohana Project, Child and Family Services, Department of Mental Health, Hawaii (Post Hurricane Iniki-Kauai)
• Training supervisor for the Crisis Intervention Center at Temple Beth Hillel, North Hollywood, CA
• Staff member of Julia Ann Singer Preschool Psychiatric Center, Family and Child Psychiatry, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA

ACTIVITIES

• CampPlayMore: A playground of learning, discover, and rejuvenation: 6 hr. preconference. 21st Annual Association for Play Therapy International Conference: Denver, CO
• Women's Healing Journey: sponsored by The Turtle Island Project: Amado, AZ
• Lecturer, Division of Humanities and Social Sciences: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
• "How to Hug a Porcupine: Approaches that work for Treating Difficult and Challenging Children & Adolescents." Advanced Training: 3-day intensive: Chichester, England
• Camp PlayMore - A workshop co-presented Teri Krull: Sedona, AZ - 15 hrs. CE's.
• "Changing Woman: An Honoring Approach to the Transition and Challenges of Adolescent Girls and Women." Scottsdale, AZ. - 6 hrs.
• "Using Multi-sensory metaphors in Play Therapy to help ADHD, Bipolar, and Traumatized Children AzAPT." Evening education series: Phoenix, AZ
• "Ericksonian Play Therapy: The Spirit of Healing with Children & Adolescents." Psychology Conference St. Olaf's College, Northfield, IL

Products by Dr. Mills

Sammy the Elephant and Mr. Camel - end bedwetting and enhance self-control