​Esther Smith, MS, LPC, CCPT, CPRT, NCC, EMDR

Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Child-Centered Play Therapist, Certified Child-Parent Relationship Therapist & Trauma Therapist

Call: 940-294-7061 ext. 701

My specialties:

Children’s & Teens’ Issues, Anxiety & Depression, Trauma & PTSD, Parenting & Family Issues, ADHD, School & Daycare Issues, Couples & Marital Issues

Who I work with:

Children (starting at age 3), Teens, Adults, Couples & Families

More about me:

It’s been a while since you’ve felt like your authentic self in all areas of your life, or perhaps you’ve never felt fully comfortable in your own skin. You hear messages of “I’m not good enough”, or “I should be doing more”. Somehow elements of perfectionism have snuck into your daily life trying to steal your happiness because of these constant conditions you, or others, have place upon yourself. These conditions of worth you’ve placed on yourself have led to anxiety, sadness or depression, feelings of loneliness or not belonging, a sense of hopelessness, or just not feeling worthy. And now you are here. You’ve taken the hardest, scariest step by seeking out someone to be vulnerable with. The most important part of the counseling process for me is the therapeutic relationship. It is my goal to provide you with a safe, non-judgmental environment to be vulnerable in. It’s your space to utilize in your healing process.  

Parents, you’re feeling increasingly frustrated with your child’s tantrums, their inability or refusal to follow directions, and it feels like most things turn into a battle of the wills with you waving a white flag just to find some sort of peace in the house. Your child is receiving negative feedback at daycare/school regarding their inability to control their behavior. Perhaps you find yourself unable to leave your child due to them experiencing separation anxiety, you are concerned they are feeling anxious in general, or that their self-esteem/confidence is suffering. Maybe the above concerns have left you feeling disconnected from your child and you’re wanting to strengthen your relationship with your child. Sometimes, these concerns can lead parents to feeling hopeless. You are not alone. Through play therapy, my goal is that your child feels “heard, seen, and understood”. When your child feels these elements, my hope is that your child is able to gain self-responsibility, self-esteem, and self-confidence throughout their time in the playroom. Parent consults are also an important part of play therapy. This is when I will check in with you regarding your child’s progress, what you are noticing, as well as provide you with resources, and psychoeducation regarding skills that you can utilize outside of the playroom to help your child in their healing process. For a more intense educational experience, I offer group and individual Child-Parent Relationship Training curriculum to teach you some basic play therapy skills and help you strengthen your relationship with your child.  

I obtained my bachelor's degree from Angelo State University and after over a decade of serving the mental health community in multiple capacities through community agencies, the judicial system, and inpatient facilities, and taking a break to be a stay-at-home mom, I was finally able to finish what I was called to do. I completed my master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis in adult and play therapy from the University of North Texas. I have had the opportunity of working with children and adults with presenting concerns such as trauma, depression, anxiety, parent/child relationship issues, marital/relationship issues, crisis, codependency, and externalizing behaviors preventing children from integrating into school/daycare settings.  

I am committed to helping each client reach their therapeutic goals, which I believe is very much a collaborative process. I see each one of my clients’ needs as individualized and will work with you to move towards self-compassion, self-understanding, and authenticity throughout our time together. My counseling approach for children and adults is similar. When working with children, I utilize a Child Centered Play Therapy approach, and with adults, I practice from a Person-Centered approach, meaning counseling sessions are guided by my client's unique needs. My goal is to empower you to utilize the qualities that you already possess in order to get UNstuck and move towards a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle! Additionally, I am trained as a Level I Gottman Method clinician, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Trauma Therapist, Certified Child-Parent Relationship Therapist, Sand Tray Play Therapy, Art Therapy with Children, and Certified Child-Centered Play Therapist. 

While I was born and raised in a small West Texas town, I have called the Denton area home for over ten years. My family is important to me and when I am not working, my time is spent with my daughter, whether it be creating memories at home, attending extracurricular activities, or out finding our next adventure together. Some other things that bring me joy in life are reading for pleasure, traveling to new places, spending time cultivating my friendships, and good food.  

I am deeply honored to be trusted as your clinician and I look forward to helping you along your journey to living life to its fullest!

“In the play therapy experience, toys are like the child’s words, and play is the child’s language.” 

—Garry Landreth

Contact Esther