FORT COLLINS
BRITTANY, MA LPC rpt
Therapist, Supervisor
Brittany (she/her) works with children, adolescents, and families, with a strong focus on strengthening connection, understanding, and regulation within the family system. Through play therapy and collaborative family work, she helps families look beneath challenging behaviors, such as emotional outbursts, shutdowns, or intense resistance to understand the nervous system stress and unmet needs driving them, while building practical tools for regulation and resilience.
Her work is grounded in interpersonal neurobiology and centers on understanding each child’s emotional and sensory thresholds. Brittany supports families in responding to children’s protective or stress responses in ways that build safety, trust, and long-term regulation skills rather than power struggles.
Brittany is a neurodivergent-affirming therapist who highlights children’s strengths while supporting challenges related to executive functioning, emotional regulation, and social connection. She has specialized experience supporting children with Autism and PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) profiles, helping families and schools reduce demand-related stress, support autonomy, and create collaborative, relationship-based strategies that honor each child’s nervous system while maintaining safety and connection.
She frequently partners with schools and other providers to build cohesive, individualized supports so children can thrive across environments.
Brittany is also an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist, committed to creating an inclusive and nurturing space where children and families feel seen, respected, and valued.
Within this supportive environment, children develop emotional awareness and regulation skills that help them grow with confidence at home, at school, and in their broader communities.
Olivia (she/her) has worked with children and families in a variety of settings; including in-home care, foster, and intact care, and residential facilities. She has a passion for working with children of all ages, especially our younger demographic. Olivia has a background in Human Development and also has her Master's in Social Work from the University of Illinois. She has loved experiencing firsthand how incredible kids are from the very beginning stages. She aims to help guide them in understanding the world around them, navigate their big emotions, and empower them to continue to discover who they are. Olivia is also very dedicated to working with parents and caregivers and being another support and resource for those raising little ones. She aims to create a safe space for children and adults alike to continue to learn, grow and be authentically themselves.
Olivia, lsw
Therapist
Cecily, lpcc
Therapist
Cecily (they/she) is a therapist who is here to walk alongside individuals and families with curiosity, playfulness, and a hopeful spirit. Her approach to therapy is rooted in trauma-informed and neurodivergent-affirming care and she works with kids of all ages, adolescents, and adults.
They studied Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Psychology at Naropa University and are well versed in contemplative practices and engage a "whole person" lens in their therapeutic work. They are passionate about creating a supportive space where clients can dismantle shame, explore emotional expression, work on regulation, and build resilience. Cecily understands that everyone communicates differently, and is skilled at attuning to folks unique ways of expressing themselves, making sure that every voice is heard and valued.
Cecily believes in everyone's right to heal and is invested in helping folks remember and reconnect to their wholeness (weirdness, awkwardness, and all!). She has an ongoing commitment to understanding and deconstructing oppressive forces that keep people stuck and isolated in their lives. They are committed to using identity-affirming language to help create a safe AND brave environment for all clients.
Carly (she/her) graduated with her MS in Clinical Psychology in 2025. Through this program, she has gained experience with children in a variety of settings. She uses her experience to create trusting, understanding and empathic relationships with each child.
Through her extensive background in collegiate athletics and coaching, Carly is well versed in the mind-body connection and places a high value on the benefit of physical activity in processing emotions. She believes that in this way, play is a priceless tool used to meet children where they are and to create an environment where all emotions are welcome.
Carly believes that everyone deserves to feel valued and empowered, no matter their age. She is passionate about recognizing each child’s uniqueness and creativity, as well as encouraging them to recognize themselves in this way, too.
carly, lpcc
Therapist
Anisa
Intern Therapist
Anisa Guajardo is pursuing her MA in Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling at Naropa University and is honored to serve as a counseling intern at Empowered Play. She supports children and families through play-based, relational, and mindfulness-informed therapy.
Play is central to Anisa’s understanding of self-expression and healing. Through her roles as a professional athlete, soccer coach, and contestant on competitive reality TV, she has experienced firsthand how play, movement, and teamwork build resilience, confidence, and connection. She brings this embodied understanding into the playroom, where creativity and expression become pathways to emotional growth.
Anisa integrates mindfulness and self-compassion into her work, gently supporting clients in befriending all parts of themselves- even the ones that feel overwhelming, confusing, or hard to love. Her approach is strengths-based and grounded in the belief that each child and family holds innate wisdom and capacity to heal themselves.
Anisa feels deeply honored to walk alongside clients of all ages as they reconnect to their authentic selves, explore new emotional landscapes, and do what we’re designed to do- freely express ourselves through play!
Kira (she/her) is a graduate student pursuing a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She has worked with children and their families in a variety of settings. Drawing from her time volunteering with Make-A-Wish, Kira values empathetic listening and meeting each child and family exactly where they are, with compassion and curiosity. Kira has a trauma-informed lens and aims to provide a safe environment where children can explore their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors, and feel heard. Her goal is to support children in navigating challenges, understanding their emotions, practicing self-regulation, and connecting with themselves and others. She believes in honoring each child’s unique strengths, and uses play-based strategies to promote growth.
Kira recognizes the bravery it takes for caregivers to reach out for support, knowing how much they care about their child’s well-being. She believes that caregivers know their children best and fosters a collaborative relationship grounded in trust, mutual respect, and shared commitment to support the child’s healing.
kira
Intern Therapist
Magnolia & Juniper
Play partners
Our therapy dogs, Magnolia and Juniper, work alongside Brittany, who is Level 1 Animal Assisted Play Therapy® trained. Animal Assisted Play Therapy® is a unique intervention that integrates the animal’s natural behaviors into the therapeutic process in a respectful, playful, and healing way.
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Magnolia, an experienced therapy partner, offers warmth and comfort to those she meets.
Juniper is newer to play therapy and brings a spirit of curiosity and engagement, eagerly learning and responding to children in the playroom.
They individually enrich sessions by supporting co-regulation, playfulness, and relational safety in both indoor and outdoor settings.