Meet Kristen Sandine | Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristen Sandine and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristen, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The mental health field can be somewhat unpredictable and demanding. I wanted to work in a way that I could control my hours and boundaries a bit more and still be able to help and advocate for children who need it. I also wanted to make sure I had a workspace that was created for children that feels comfortable, safe, and playful! I wanted children to walk in and say, “this place is for me” and by starting my own business and private practice, I was able to do that!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist in private practice under Courageous Counseling Colorado PLLC.

I’ve built a private therapy practice focused on serving children, teens, and families through play therapy and other experiential therapies. I’ve found that it’s so important to reach others where and how they’re able to connect and express themselves whether that’s through, art, music, literature, storytelling, or play! Using these styles of therapy in the healing process has been a rewarding and effective way to help those that come see us to grow and learn more about themselves.

There are many challenges that therapists run into that not all businesses must consider, and so many that a child therapist runs into compared to therapists who see adults! Ethics, legal considerations, equity, consent for therapy, insurance versus private pay – these are all issues I regularly discuss with my community. I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned is to keep learning: there is so much to know to become an expert in your field and so many ways to approach business. I want to continue to learn how I can best serve those in my community in a welcoming and equitable way.

Working with children has always come naturally to me. After having many roles caring for and teaching children, I earned my degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling so that I can focus on children’s psychological and emotional needs, as well as the safety that comes with that. It warms my heart to see families understanding how their words, approaches, and attitudes affect others they love and those in their community and choosing to address and heal the things that trouble them within themselves or in their relationships. My work is my way of bringing hope and healing to my small corner of the world!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love the serenity of taking a drive in the mountains and visiting a hot spring! We’d stop at local coffee shops, boutiques, and restaurants, and visit seasonal activities and maybe a concert – from the symphony to Red Rocks!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The Denver Boss Babe Collective and Denver TRUE groups have been so vital to my business. I’ve been able to connect with colleagues for both business and personal support and I’ve learned so much and feel I’m part of a community! 

Website: denverplaytherapist.com

Instagram: @denverplaytherapist

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-sandine-lpc-rpt-54850667/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/courageouscounselingcolorado

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiM6iR0aJe2GD523TufLLWw