Courtney Spaulding

Through my experience working with children, I have found great success through Play Therapy, Nature-Based Therapy and Animal-Assisted Therapy. I have experience working with children ages 5+ and their parents to improve behavioral concerns, ADHD, family changes, learning differences, anxiety, and trauma. My experience includes working in a school environment and with educational professionals.

I am very passionate about helping couples navigate life changes, relationship dynamics, and communication concerns. I can provide relationship counseling utilizing an integrative Emotionally Focused approach. Sessions can be online or Nature-Based.

I have experience working with individuals experiencing anxiety from a variety of age groups. Nature-Based and Animal-Assisted therapies are often effective treatment modalities to alleviate anxiety, learn the source, and develop new coping mechanisms. Online sessions can also be effective for those who do not want to be seen in person. Utilizing an integrative approach, we can work together to lessen anxiety symptoms.

My passion is Animal-Assisted Therapy. In the past, I have been a horseback riding instructor, Emotional Support Animal Consultant, and currently, I utilize dogs to provide an enthusiastic partner in our therapy session. My Bachelor's degree in Animal Science provides a basis of animal understanding that I utilize in my therapeutic practice to help clients understand how animals can be beneficial in our understanding of ourselves.

My Clinical Supervisor and myself are Ecotherapists. After extensive self-directed study on Ecotherapy, I am currently writing my Master's thesis on Ecotherapy practices. Through my work, I have been able to apply my knowledge of Ecotherapy practices to assist with a variety of concerns and populations.

My belief is that Play Therapy is the most effective method for helping children to process, heal, and communicate in therapy sessions. I offer Nature-Based Play Therapy which includes exercise and elements of nature to assist in the therapeutic process. I have experience with Play Therapy in private and school settings for a variety of concerns including behavioral and learning challenges, communication challenges, anxiety, trauma, life changes, and family changes.

I have experience helping couples heal their attachment wounds and develop secure attachment in their relationship partner(s). Through the emotionally-focused framework we can identify and heal attachment wounds, recognize the pattern they create, and develop new relationship strategies that lead to a healthy, secure attachment.

Often when introducing a baby into a relationship, it can have vast impacts beyond those that people expect. I am experienced in helping new families navigate these life changes while developing a new self and relationship identity.

Utilizing integrative Emotionally Focused Therapy, I can help couples navigate a variety of struggles. I have experience assisting couples with developing a deeper understanding of self, their partner(s), and their relationship while learning to communicate in a healthy, effective way. Through a focus on empathy and understanding, we begin to address attachment wounds to develop a secure attachment base.