Leslie R. Robinson

Leslie R. Robinson

Founder & Visionary of Play to Heal Hub™

Leslie R. Robinson is a visionary therapist and award-winning social entrepreneur with more than three decades of experience working with underserved and marginalized populations. As Founder & CEO of Trance4mation Games, she has developed therapeutic, game-based tools that have impacted over one million lives. Her work addresses trauma, grief, addiction, social isolation, and much, much more—bringing innovative, accessible healing solutions to communities often overlooked by traditional mental health systems.

Trance4mation Nation

Trance4mation Games

Helping over one million people to FEEL, DEAL and HEAL with people in their own lives, our games are LOVE, UNDERSTANDING & CONNECTION INFUSIONS. No therapist needed. Click to learn more →

Play to Heal Hub logo

PLAY TO HEAL HUB™

Play to Heal Hub™ is a human-centered platform designed to help people of all ages connect, share, and heal through guided conversation games. It creates safe, accessible spaces where individuals can open up, feel heard, and build meaningful connections.

Over 1 million lives impacted

Grounded in therapeutic dialogue, the platform helps users:

Reduce isolation and break through loneliness

Lower stigma around mental health

Build resilience through authentic connection

Develop lifelong skills in communication, empathy, and well-being

Accessible anytime and designed to meet people where they are, the platform shifts the focus from reactive crisis response to proactive connection, prevention, and empowerment — creating stronger individuals, communities, and a more human-centered approach to healing.

Faraaz Ali

Faraaz Ali

Tech Lead @ Trance4mation Games

Software Engineer and Illustrator, always looking to turn complicated problems into artistic solutions. Faraaz is dedicated to making the internet a kinder place.

“Play to Heal's mission resonates with me and I'm honored to work on a project that'll help build bridges between people.”

Meet the Interns

“I am incredibly proud to be working alongside brilliant CUNY students — most of whom come from first-generation families and proudly identify as Americans. Their dedication, passion, and sense of purpose are truly inspiring. They are playing a vital role in building the Play to Heal Hub platform from the ground up. Their commitment to mental health, innovation, and community healing embodies the very spirit of this initiative, and reminds me daily that the future is in powerful, compassionate hands.”

— Leslie R. Robinson
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Kamila Karshieva

Kamila Karshieva

Team Lead

Brinta Kundu

Brinta Kundu

Developer

I’m excited to be part of this project because it brings together technology and purpose in a meaningful way. It’s been really rewarding to contribute to something that has the potential to positively impact people, and to collaborate with a team that is passionate about making a difference.

Anthony Tommaso

Anthony Tommaso

Developer

I am excited to be a part of this project because I want to contribute to a mission that makes a difference in people’s lives, and programming gives me the opportunity to build those solutions.

Nava Nizard

Nava Nizard

Team Lead

I’m especially excited to be working on the PlayToHeal projects because they bring together my interest in technology and software development with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Being able to contribute to improving access to mental health services in a more accessible and approachable way is something that really resonates with me.

Jafrul Amin

Jafrul Amin

Developer

Zuzanna Wichowski

Zuzanna Wichowski

Developer

I am excited to be part of a team that builds safe spaces for anyone in need of one! Collaborating with my team for an impactful project has been a memorable experience.

Nafisa Tabassum

Nafisa Tabassum

Team Lead

I’m especially excited about this project because, as a team lead, I am able to express my creativity while collaborating with engineers. I’m also proud to contribute to work that has a meaningful impact on many communities.

Cierra Blackett

Cierra Blackett

Cyber Security

Ramzy Elshabasy

Ramzy Elshabasy

Web Developer

I'm excited to be a part of this project because I am able to use my passionate coding and design skills for a great cause, to help those in need.

Kailey Rosario

Kailey Rosario

Web Developer

I’m very excited to work on this project because I have been thinking about enhancing my web development skills since that is something I’m thinking of pursuing for a career as a computer science major and my goal is to make sure this website is a safe place to help people grow physically, mentally, and emotionally

Sevenne Singh

Sevenne Singh

Web Developer

Brian Garcia

Brian Garcia

Web Developer

Andony Ariza

Andony Ariza

Web Developer

I've often found mental health and trauma to be difficult subjects to discuss, let alone understand. Which is why I admire Trance4mation Games for creating resources for people to engage with at their own pace, through games, activities, and podcasts. I find this to be really thoughtful, and for me to a small part in achieving this fills me with a genuine sense of joy and purpose.

Inzamamul Moon

Inzamamul Moon

Developer

Kindness begets kindness. And I’m happy to be part of this project that allows me to pay back the kindness that was given to me and let this cycle continue.

Shiqi Chen

Shiqi Chen

Marketing

I've often found mental health and trauma to be difficult subjects to discuss, let alone understand. Which is why I admire Trance4mation Games for creating resources for people to engage with at their own pace, through games, activities, and podcasts. I find this to be really thoughtful, and for me to a small part in achieving this fills me with a genuine sense of joy and purpose.

Erfath Mohammed

Erfath Mohammed

Marketing

Julianne Clare Sta Maria

Julianne Clare Sta Maria

Marketing

I’m excited to use content to create real connection and meaningful conversations. Being part of something that supports people’s healing and growth is what makes this so important to me.

Gordon Mo

Gordon Mo

Co-Lead

"I am excited to contribute to this project because I want to foster a place for people to heal and grow from their trauma. This project offers a rare opportunity to learn through playing board games."

Michael Coleman

Michael Coleman

Developer

"I am excited to use my technical skills to help create games that will engage people in meaningful ways."

Aleksandra Shifrina

Aleksandra Shifrina

Developer

"I am excited to work on this project because Trance4mation Games mission resonates with my goal to make accessible, meaningful applications for those that may not have many resources at their disposable. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to directly contribute to such a significant project this semester. "

Kelvin Chen

Kelvin Chen

Developer

"I am excited about this project because I get the chance to be able to help create therapeutic games that could help people to improve their mental health and build connections. I am excited about being part of a team that is improving the world through innovative solutions."

An Van

An Van

Developer

"I am excited to work on this project because I want to make impactful projects that are helpful to people in need. I think helping people with mental health issues with games is a perfect solution."

Zhen Tao Pan

Zhen Tao Pan

Developer

"To gain real-world experience while helping Leslie achieve her mission!"

Wahab Ahmed

Wahab Ahmed

Team Lead

"I am excited to create this platform as it focuses on CUNY students and students everywhere, such as myself!"

Ragib Asif

Ragib Asif

Co-Lead

"I am passionate about working on games that promote mental health because speaking openly is often the hardest step. If a game can make that step feel natural, safe, and even enjoyable, it can help people express what they are carrying and feel less alone. "

Efti Saroare

Efti Saroare

Developer

"I am super excited for this project because I believe what we're building has the potential to make a real impact. I look forward to continuing to work with my amazing team and contributing to something truly meaningful."

Kevin Li

Kevin Li

Developer

"I am excited to work on this project to hone my game development skills and am proud to contribute towards the effort to foster connection and healing on college campuses. "

Khadeja Ahmar

Khadeja Ahmar

Developer

"I am excited to be working on this project since I love utilizing my skills in tech to assist other people. I’m fascinated by all the work Trance4mation Games is doing to create awareness and help people through untraditional pathways, and would love contributing to that effort!"

Paulo Zapata

Paulo Zapata

Developer

"I am excited to collaborate on this project because it combines my passion for software development with a mission that really matters. I believe technology can play a powerful role in creating positive experiences."

Jan Calle-Ortiz

Jan Calle-Ortiz

Digital Engagement

Jin Wang

Jin Wang

Developer

"I'm excited to learn, develop, and be a part of a mission that aims to make a huge impact on everyday lives"