About Lindsey
Hello!
For a long time, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life.
I graduated with a degree in Journalism from the University of Maryland because I loved writing, but I quickly realized that the world of journalism wasn't quite the right fit for me. I wasn't particularly interested in being pushy or aggressive, and I struggled to find a Features writing position (this was before blogging and social media!) So, I spent some time wandering, working as a waitress and taking on various other jobs, before eventually moving across the world and spending two years teaching English in Thailand. It was this experience that really reminded me how much I loved and appreciated children.
I was convinced I was going to remain in Southeast Asia as a long-term expat, but life had other plans, and eventually I found myself back in the United States.
At this time, I knew one thing: I wanted to work directly with children and families. I loved connecting with people and supporting children, but I didn't love the idea of being confined to a traditional classroom environment. That's when I discovered social work and eventually found my calling.
I earned my Master's Degree in Clinical Social Work from Rutgers University in New Jersey in 2014, with a focus on Violence Against Women and Children and Childhood Separation and Loss. I also completed an Adoption and Foster Care Certificate Program through Rutgers.
My own experience with neurodivergence and attachment trauma have also shaped the way I understand and support children and families. My parents divorced in the 90s when it was still relatively unusual, and then I was diagnosed with ADHD, Combined Type, and Dyscalculia, a math learning disability, in high school. While the conversation around neurodivergence has certainly evolved since the 90s and early 2000s, I know firsthand how easy it can be for children to feel misunderstood when the adults around them don't yet understand how their brains work.
Over the years, I have worked as an in-home play therapist, outpatient child and adolescent therapist, and school-based social worker supporting children with significant emotional and mental health needs. I then spent six years working in a group play therapy practice before opening my own private practice in Centennial in May 2025.
My Approach
My approach to play therapy is integrative, meaning I draw from different therapeutic approaches based on each child's unique needs rather than expecting every child to fit into the same model.
My work is grounded in mindfulness, authenticity, and attachment, with an emphasis on understanding the relationship between the brain, nervous system, body, relationships, and behavior. I incorporate psychoeducation about the brain and nervous system and draw from Relational Neuroscience and Polyvagal Theory.
I am fully trained as a Synergetic Play Therapist™ and a Certified AutPlay® Therapist. My work is also strongly influenced by Child-Centered Play Therapy, Emotionally Focused Family Therapy, and Attachment-Centered Play Therapy.
I am currently enrolled in the Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy Program through Embody Lab, continuing to deepen my understanding of family and intergenerational dynamics and the ways trauma and stress can show up in the nervous system.
I primarily work with children ages 3–12 who are navigating challenges related to:
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Anxiety and OCD
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Depression
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Grief and loss
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Aggression and emotional dysregulation
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Trauma
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Adoption, foster care, and kinship care
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Divorce and separation
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ADHD, Autism, PDA, and other forms of neurodivergence
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Sensory processing differences
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Medical trauma
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Relational and attachment wounds
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Self-esteem and self-worth
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Other significant life stressors
Children do not live and exist in a vacuum, and I incorporate a lot of parent involvement in the work that I do. I have experience working with many different family structures, including biological, foster, kinship, adoptive, separated and divorced, blended, same-sex, and multigenerational families.
I Get It
Originally from Central New Jersey (right smack in the middle between Philadelphia and New York City) I've called Colorado home for more than a decade. I live with my husband, our two children, and our cat, Figaro.
My work with families is also informed by my own experiences as a parent. My own family has navigated sensory and behavioral challenges and the many supports that can come with them. I know what it is like to spend your days coordinating appointments, communicating with medical and educational professionals, sitting in meetings, advocating for your child, and trying to figure out which recommendations actually work.
I also know how frustrating it can be to receive well-intentioned suggestions that sound great on paper but simply don't work for your family.
That experience has shaped how I work. I don't believe there is one right way to parent, one right way to regulate, or one right way for a child to develop. My goal is to understand the child and family in front of me and help find strategies that are realistic, supportive, and actually fit their lives.
A Little More About Me
When I'm not working, I love gardening and spending time with friends and family. My happy place will always be at the ocean (which is especially hard since I live in a land-locked state).
And one of my favorite reminders, both personally and professionally, is "progress, not perfection."
About Play Therapy
Play is the natural language of children, and if viewed through the right lens, it can teach us so much about a child’s world.
There are many benefits to play that have been widely accepted by a variety of organizations, such as the American Association for Pediatrics, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and the Association for Play Therapy. Play is instrumental for development - allowing children to develop autonomy, empathy, self-regulation, and social skills. Play relieves stress, helps us learn and connect, develops brain function, helps release intense emotions, and brings joy and energy to our lives.
In play therapy, children are able to use play to express and process difficult, challenging, or traumatic experiences. Since children are often unable to explain or verbally talk about their struggles, they can use their natural language of play to show me, the therapist, how they are viewing these challenges in their lives.
Through their play, children might indicate feelings of sadness, frustration, loss, anger, or fear while I respond by helping them feel seen, heard, understood, and accepted.
As their play therapy process evolves, they will learn and practice healthier, more effective ways to deal with their perceived challenges. As they practice these skills, they begin to integrate new patterns of behavior and new ways of relating to themselves and others that carry over into their lives outside of the play therapy process as they continue to navigate life’s challenges. Play therapy promotes healing and growth by addressing a wide range of issues commonly experienced by children, fostering resilience and self-confidence.
In my work with children, I use Synergetic Play Therapy™, a research-informed model of play therapy combining the therapeutic powers of play with nervous-system regulation, interpersonal neurobiology, physics, attachment, mindfulness, and therapist authenticity. This model of play therapy helps rewire the lowest regions of the brain and supports children in finding new ways to respond to stress and challenges in their lives. My work is also highly influenced by Autplay Therapy, Child Centered Play Therapy, Emotionally Focused Family Therapy and Attachment Centered Play Therapy. I am constantly looking to learn new techniques and strategies and expand my understanding of child development.
You, as the parent or guardian, know your child best, so I strive to work closely with you to create meaningful goals and monitor your child’s progress. Although every child is unique, my goals for your child might include developing healthy coping skills, regulation techniques, and healthy social interactions at home and at school. I seek to create a safe, non-judgmental, non-intrusive atmosphere for children to truly express their emotions and desires.
Sessions with the child typically last 40 minutes and may include a parent when deemed therapeutically appropriate. A 10-minute parent check-in usually follows immediately after the session, unless extenuating circumstances arise, in which case these will be discussed and addressed.
About Parent Coaching
and Support
Parenting is hard! Admitting that things aren’t working or that you need additional support is tremendously brave.
The majority of us did not receive co-regulation or emotional support as children, which means that learning how to do this while also offering it to your children at the same time is extremely challenging. Learning any new skill is hard. I often tell parents I work with that the fact that you are worried about being a good parent means that you already are one.
Parent engagement and willingness to try new things is pivotal in the play therapy process with your child.
I offer ongoing parent and caregiver coaching throughout the parenting and/or play therapy process. The level of support is determined in collaboration between us and personalized to each family. Coaching is provided immediately following each session and can be given in person or over the phone. The level of support can always be adjusted or shifted. In addition to the 10-minute check in immediately following child session, I also can provide 1:1 support, either virtually or in person.
I also provide a deep understanding of what feelings and challenges are being processed and explored in the playroom and then discuss various responses or techniques to be implemented for that week.
Some common topics that come up include:
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Nervous system regulation
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The different parts of the brain and their functions
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Polyvagal Theory (the Science of Safety)
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Modeling and teaching co-regulation
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Reframing negative behaviors
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Emotional repairs
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Setting developmentally appropriate expectations
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Improved communication skills
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Healthy boundaries
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Inner child healing from your childhood
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Relationship rituals with your child
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Self-care
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Mindfulness techniques
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Issues related to divorce and co-parenting and many other topics.
You are the expert on your family! If you are interested in learning more about this process, please contact me.
Rates and Insurance
My rate is $155 per 50 minute session, including all intake sessions, child sessions and parent coaching sessions.
I accept all credit cards and FSA/HSA cards.
I am private pay only currently. There are limited reduced rate sessions - please discuss this further with me if you are interested.
I work with families to submit superbills/CMS 1500 forms to insurance companies to determine whether any out of network benefits exist. Please notify me in the intake if this is something you are interested in.
Questions to ask your insurance provider when determining out-of-network benefits
1. Does my policy cover out-of-network services provided by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)? My provider is located in Colorado.
2. What documentation is required to determine medical necessity for reimbursement? I will be paying for services at the time of service, and the provider will then provide a superbill that will include the date of service, the CPT code, the location, and the diagnosis code.
3. What CPT codes are covered? These are codes that the time and type of service.
4. Are there any diagnoses that are not eligible for reimbursement?
5. How many sessions are covered per year?
6. Is there a lifetime maximum on benefit?
7. What is my out-of-network deductible and when does that restart (enrollment year or calendar year)?
8. What percentage of the session fee is eligible for out-of-network reimbursement?
9. What is the payment schedule or turnaround time from claim received to payment sent?
10. What is the number for claims if a claim is denied?
