Dr. Alison Sheesley,
PhD, LPC, RPT-S
Founder and Clinical Director
As a mom of two wonderfully wild children, I know firsthand that parenting can be both incredibly joyful and incredibly challenging at the same exact time. Raising children today comes with unique pressures, and I believe that parents deserve support, encouragement, and practical tools to help their families thrive.
I have been a practicing play therapist in Colorado since 2013, and there is nothing I love more than helping children feel understood, connected, and emotionally resilient.
Through the language of play, children can express feelings, process difficult experiences, build decision-making skills, and strengthen their relationships with the important adults in their lives.
Research on child-centered play therapy consistently shows that early intervention can make a profound difference on emotional well-being, in childhood and throughout adulthood. In many ways, an ounce of prevention truly is worth a pound of cure when it comes to mental health. By supporting children and families early, we can prevent behavioral struggles from becoming even bigger challenges later on.
Our goal at SchoolPlay is to create non-judgmental, accepting relationships where children can thrive and parents can feel supported. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Warmly,
Dr. Alison
Education:
PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Northern Colorado in 2017, specializing in Child and Adolescent Counseling
MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Loyola University New Orleans in 2013
BA in Political Science and American Studies from Tulane University in 2006, cum laude
Additional Training:
Registered Play Therapist - Supervisor*
*Requires 3,000 direct client hours post-licensure; 150 hours of play therapy specific education; 36 hours of supervision training
Special Projects:
Dr. Alison was the PI on a project that secured $100,000 to provide 80 children in Adams 12 Five Star Schools with free play therapy for the entire 2025-2026 school year, with plans to continue the program in the 2026-2027 school year. Part of the funding for this program involves writing a manual for implementing child-centered play therapy in schools (in progress).
Dr. Alison was also the PI on a project that secured $328,335 to train and provide supervision to 6 new Spanish-speaking Registered Play Therapists in Denver.
See her most recent publication: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1737007/full
Team bios coming soon!