Dr. Elyssa Smith Ph.D., LPC, NCC, RPT-S, ACS

My Background & Approach:

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor & Psychotherapist, Approved Clinical Supervisor, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, and Scholar. I approach the counseling process by building a strong therapeutic alliance and strive to join clients in discovering their needs and desires. I am focused on being with rather than doing in psychotherapy.

I draw upon a psychodynamic framework and my post-graduate continuing education in Modern Psychodynamic Psychotherapy.

Additionally, I completed specialized play therapy training, earning a Mindfulness-Based Play Family Therapy certification. I also invested in training in Sandtray (Family & Play Therapy Center) and Sandplay (Intensive Training Week ISST).

I have extensive experience providing play therapy to children (ages 3-18) and families across schools, community mental health centers, group private practice, and partial hospitalization programs.

Beyond my clinical practice, I served as a tenure-track core faculty member in a graduate-level counseling program, contributing to the training and education of future mental health professionals. I am an engaged leader in my field, having presented at various professional conferences and with my research both published and cited in peer-reviewed journals.