Compassionate Therapy for Children, Adults, and Families in Denver

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair smiling outdoors, wearing a white V-neck shirt, with a blurred natural landscape in the background.

Welcome! I am Sarah Smith, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist

You may be here because your child is struggling to express big feelings, or because parenting has started to feel overwhelming and lonely. Maybe you’re carrying your own emotional pain and are ready for meaningful healing. Whatever brought you here, you’re looking for a space where you and your family can feel understood, supported, and guided toward lasting change.

At Sarah Smith Counseling, I offer Child Play Therapy, Trauma Therapy for adults, and parent coaching in Denver.

My trauma-informed, relational approach helps children express what words can’t, supports parents in feeling more confident and connected, and guides adults through their healing journey.

Together, we’ll create a path toward growth, and lasting emotional well-being.

Contact Me to Learn More

My specialties include: Anxiety- Trauma- Emotional Regulation Concerns- High Sensitivity- Adoption- Sensory Issues- Grief- Divorce- Relationship Struggles- Behavioral Issues - Attention Difficulties - Depression - Self-Esteem - Social Struggles - And More

My Services

Silhouettes of two children playing and jumping on rocky terrain during sunset or sunrise.

Child Play Therapy

Play therapy is more than just kids having fun with toys—though that’s part of the magic! It’s a way for children to express their feelings, process experiences, and work through challenges in a language they know best: play.

Person sitting on a rocky outcrop overlooking clouds during a colorful sunset or sunrise.

Adult Trauma Therapy

Trauma happens any time we experience something overwhelming—when emotions flood us too fast for our system to process or cope with in the moment. When that happens, our body shifts into survival mode, activating “fight or flight” just to get through the experience… sometimes for a moment, sometimes for a day, and sometimes for much longer.
Four children standing in a line wearing rain boots and jackets on a muddy trail.

Parent Coaching 

Through practical tools and empathetic guidance, parent coaching empowers you to approach challenges with confidence, patience, and understanding, ensuring that both you and your child thrive.
Open notebook with the word 'Notes' at the top, a fountain pen lying on the page, and a pair of black eyeglasses in the background on a wooden surface.

Clinical Supervision

Are you a therapist seeking clinical supervision that fosters growth, confidence, and ethical practice? Whether you’re working toward licensure or refining your skills as an experienced clinician, I offer personalized, supportive, and insightful supervision to help you navigate the complexities of therapy with competence and care.
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What is the difference between a Registered Play Therapist and a Child Therapist?

A Registered Play Therapist (RPT) is a therapist who has undergone specialized training, supervision, and clinical experience specifically in play therapy. They also have been certified and approved by the Association for Play Therapy (APT), ensuring they meet rigorous professional standards.

Why Does this Matter?

Through my extensive training in Play Therapy, I have cultivated a deep understanding of the therapeutic power of play. I have been trained to use play effectively to help children process emotions, trauma, and behavioral challenges. While other therapists may integrate play techniques into their work, they may not have the specialized skills, supervision, or theoretical grounding that make play therapy a transformative intervention.

Learn More about The Association For Play Therapy

Testimonials

  • When our foster son began therapy with Sarah six years ago, the change has been remarkable. He is now a happier, confident child, no longer angry, distrustful and thriving at school. Through therapy she has helped him grow and workout unresolved issues from his early childhood. Therapy has been so successful, our youngest has begun seeing Sarah due to some emotional issues of his own. We can’t thank Sarah enough for all she has done and all the good that has come out from therapy.

    Father of former client

  • Sarah has helped me so much for the past year and 9 months. I was afraid to start therapy, but her professionalism and welcoming energy made it easy to start loving therapy. She creates a safe and non-judgmental space where I feel comfortable to open up. I have done EMDR therapy with her, and it has proven very helpful even when I was a bit skeptical about it. She is kind, understanding, and an amazing listener. I look forward to continue working on my mental health with her as my mental health counselor.

    Adult EMDR Client

  • I have been seeing Sarah for years now and she truly is a gem! She has helped me through so much trauma with EMDR and talk therapy. We have also done co-parenting therapy with my sons father and that was transformational for our relationship. If you’re looking for a therapist as an individual or family, I highly recommend Sarah!

    EMDR and Parent Coaching Client

  • I have worked with a few therapists in the past, but I have had the most success with Sarah. I am incredibly grateful to have found her! I have been so supported by her and have gained skills that have changed my life.

    Adult Client

  • Sarah provides insightful and thought provoking conversations around consultation and supervision. She is a compassionate, authentic and skilled practitioner in the field of mental health therapy.

    Mental Health Colleague

  • Sarah is a skilled and thoughtful therapist.  She creates a warm and welcoming environment for each of her clients. Her empathic approach and expertise in child development allows children to feel heard and supported in their process of navigating complex emotions. 

    Mental Health Colleague

  • Sarah is such an amazing therapist. I had been to countless others before her and never felt heard or seen the way I did when I met Sarah. She is an incredible listener, very empathetic, and you can tell she genuinely loves what she does. She’s also extremely knowledgeable and helped me uncover things I didn’t even realize I was holding on to. I’d recommend her to anyone looking for therapy!

    Adult EMDR Client

  • A cozy living space corner with a blue armchair featuring a white patterned fabric, a wooden side table holding a potted plant, a dark coffee mug, and a stack of books. The wall behind has two decorative round shelves with small plants.

    Waiting Room with Coffee, Tea, and Seltzers

  • A cozy corner with a round wooden table holding a book titled "Many Ways to Say I Love You" by Fred Rogers, a potted plant, and two small coasters. Next to the table is a black bean bag chair with a white arrow pattern. Above the chair, a wall-mounted bookshelf displays children's books, including "One Big Thing," "Possum Magic," and other colorful titles. The wall behind features a pink and white rainbow mural.

    Waiting Room for kids or siblings to relax

  • A cozy living room corner with a gray upholstered sofa, an orange floral cushion, a side table with a lit lamp, an alarm clock, and framed artwork on the wall.

    Adult Therapy Room

  • Children's play kitchen with colorful storage drawers on the left, a sink and stovetop in the middle, and a wooden shelf with toy cash register, baskets, and toys on the right. Art hung on the beige wall above.

    Play Therapy Room

  • A small table with a geometric patterned tablecloth, surrounded by two chairs with patterned seat cushions, near a large window with a view of buildings outside. On the table, there are cups filled with colorful markers. Behind the table, there is a large potted plant and a wall-mounted organizer with colored folders.

    Play Therapy Room

  • Display of three framed animal illustrations above white shelves filled with various toys and figurines, with additional toys and containers on the floor and table in a children's playroom.

    Play Therapy Room

  • A cozy reading nook with two black and white patterned armchairs, a navy blue rug, a white bookshelf filled with books and toys, a colorful abstract wall art, and a tall floor lamp providing warm lighting.

    Play Therapy Room