About Erin Bennetts, LCSW RPTS
Registered Play Therapist in Denver, CO
Therapy for Your Child Was Not on Your Parenting Bingo Card
And Yet Here You Are, and You Are Not Alone
If you're reading this, you’ve likely tried everything short of enrolling in a full-time parenting PhD. There have been meltdowns (probably your child’s, maybe your own), parenting books piling up on the nightstand, and that 3 a.m. Google spiral, “Does my child need play therapy?” followed by “Is it me?”
Erin Bennetts, LCSW RPTS
This wasn’t what you pictured when you became a parent. You love your kid with your whole heart. And if you’re being really honest? Some days, you don’t like them all that much. Parenting isn’t exactly living up to the hype or the highlight reels on social media. Instead of sweet snuggles and peaceful routines, you’re navigating tantrums, isolation, sass, power struggles, and a never-ending loop of worry, fear, embarrassment, shame, and guilt. You're not failing. You're just maxed out. And somewhere deep down, you're still hoping there's a way to make this easier.
You’re not alone. You’re not broken (and neither is your child/or family). You’re here, and that’s where things can begin to shift.
Hi, I’m Erin. I’m a Play Therapist in Denver CO (Littleton to be exact)
I help overwhelmed parents and their sensitive, strong-willed kids with vulnerable nervous systems move from survival mode to finding ease and ways to thrive! The children I work with are described as ones who feel deeply, react strongly, and often get labeled as “too much.”
Whether this vulnerability is in part due to is neurodivergence, trauma, or life’s big challenges, I use play therapy and grounded support from the Raising Kids with Big Baffling Behaviors model to help families move from chaos to connection. Through an integrated approach of support: child-led play sessions and parent consultation, we work together to understand what’s really going on beneath the behavior, build skills, and respond with clarity, compassion, and confidence.
My Approach: Integrated Child Therapy Services
Rooted in Neuroscience, Relationship, and Real Life
I support families of kids with vulnerable nervous systems. Whether the challenge is neurodivergence, trauma, depression, anxiety, or just life feeling really hard lately, I believe all kids (little, middle, and big) all deserve a space to be seen, heard, and helped. These are the kids who often feel big, react fast, and get labeled as “too much.” But that’s not the full story.
I became certified in Synergetic Play Therapy because I wanted an approach that truly honored the brain, body, and nervous system — not just behavior on the surface. And while I’ve always loved working with children (because let’s be honest, they’re endlessly insightful and funny), I quickly learned something important: no matter how strong my connection is with a child, therapy doesn’t go nearly far enough without including the parent.
That’s why I also completed the Baffling Behaviors Institute immersion program. It gave me the framework to bring interpersonal neuroscience into the playroom and into your home. I help parents understand what behavior is actually telling us, and how to create the felt safety, connection, and co-regulation that’s truly transformative.
My work blends child-led therapy sessions with parent consultation and coaching, so we’re always working together. You’ll be supported, not blamed. Informed, not overwhelmed. And reminded that you already have what it takes. I’m not here to fix your child. I’m here to help your whole family feel more connected.
Also, more important than any credential, who I am as a human being (aka real person) is part of every therapeutic relationship. So I think it is important that you know I believe humor belongs in therapy. And honesty. And keeping myself off the expert pedestal. Because parenting is hard, and connection doesn’t need to be perfect to be powerful.
The Messy Middle of Parenting: I’ve Been There
Training helps. Living it changes everything.
At home, I’m still raising two of my greatest teachers, now a high schooler and a college student. I’m on the tail end of the parenting lift (although let’s be real, launching a young adult and navigating high school come with their own brand of hard). Even with all my professional training, I’ve still found myself in the thick of it: navigating bedtime battles, sensory overload, strong-willed standoffs, executive functioning chaos, and those big, baffling meltdowns that leave everyone drained.
The hard stuff is more common than we admit
And here’s the truth: the intensity, the struggles, the day-to-day battles, they’re more common than people talk about. That doesn’t make them any less exhausting. And it doesn’t stop you from wondering, Why is this so hard?
You don’t have to parent perfectly to feel connected
My own parenting journey has reshaped how I show up as a therapist. I’ve used the tools I teach, some days with calm and clarity, and other days while muttering “deep breaths, deep breaths” behind a bathroom door. I don’t expect perfection from you. I don’t hold it for myself either.
This isn’t about performing as the “right kind of parent.” It’s about staying attuned, connected and (mostly) regulated (not calm) in the middle of the mess. It’s about understanding what your child’s behavior is really trying to say and helping you feel equipped to respond with compassion, not confusion.
What Working Together Really Looks Like
It’s not about perfection, it’s about connection
Your child will have a space where they can explore big feelings through play because play is how kids process what’s too big or confusing to put into words.
What Therapy Really Is Infographic provided by Robyn Gobbel
But here’s the thing: I don’t just “fix the kid.” I work with you, too. Through one-on-one parent consultation sessions, we’ll dive into what’s driving the behavior, help you feel more confident, and support the connection you’re craving with your child. All with practical tools that actually make sense on a Wednesday afternoon when everything's falling apart, and someone just spilled applesauce on the dog.
This is work that goes deep, but it doesn’t have to feel heavy all the time. We’ll make space for the hard and celebrate the awkward, hilarious, heart-melting wins too.
It’s okay to reach out before it gets worse
You’ve probably felt afraid to reach out for help because somewhere along the way, shame crept in and whispered, You should have this figured out by now.
That voice? It’s lying. You’re here because you care deeply, and because you haven’t given up. That matters more than you know.
There’s no perfect time to start therapy; there’s just the moment you decide you don’t want to do this alone anymore.
Questions You Have (But Maybe Weren’t Sure You Were Allowed to Ask)
Let’s be honest. Inviting a therapist into your child’s life isn’t just about your child, it’s about your whole family. It’s personal. Vulnerable. And sometimes, it can feel a little one-sided. You’re sharing stories, worries, and the behind-closed-doors moments that most people don’t see… while I sit there knowing a lot about you and you know almost nothing about me.
That’s why I think it’s important to be transparent. While I absolutely believe in holding strong professional boundaries (don’t worry, I’m not going to spill my own stuff on you), I am a real person. I’m a parent. I’ve had hard days and beautiful ones. And I believe that a little bit of humanness goes a long way in building trust. So here’s a glimpse into who I am, beyond the degrees and certifications, because connection starts with knowing who’s in the room with you.
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Yes. I have two kids! One teenager in high school and one young adult navigating college. Both competitive swimmers, and one also plays water polo. So yes, I spend a lot of time on pool decks, likely with a coffee in hand and a sharpie at the ready (IYKYK)! Parenting has been equal parts joyful and humbling. I used to feel awkward when asked this before I had kids, but now I get it. While parenting isn’t required to do this work well, it definitely adds a new lens (and a lot of empathy).
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Honestly? I thought I was going to be a teacher. I spent my childhood playing school with stuffed animals who were exceptionally well-behaved students. When I realized teaching wasn’t quite the right fit, I pivoted to social work and never looked back. I’ve always been drawn to kids and families. And while the more I work with children, the more I realize how essential parent support is, I still think the playroom is way more fun than a consultation or conference room.
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Think calm energy with a healthy dose of curiosity, humor, and a no-big-deal attitude about big feelings. I’m steady, real, and not easily thrown. Kids seem to relax around me, and parents often say they feel seen, not judged. I’m not trying to be perfect or polished. I’m just trying to show up with honesty and heart.
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Nope. Not even a little. If you’re here, it means you care, which already says a lot. I believe most parents are doing the best they can with what they’ve got. My role isn’t to critique, it’s to support, inform, and walk with you while you figure out what works for your family.
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Totally normal. Some kids jump right in, others need time. I meet them where they are. We might start with a snack, a familiar game, or listening to music. Trust and connection can’t be rushed and thankfully, therapy doesn’t have to look like sitting on a couch and talking about feelings!
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Not at all. I work with parents as part of the process, because lasting change doesn’t just happen in the playroom. I take an integrated, phased approach that includes regular parent check-ins, a structured series of parent consultation/coaching sessions, shared insights, and support you can actually use at home. I believe therapy should be collaborative, not mysterious.
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No one has it all figured out, including therapists. I value connection over correction and perfection. I believe all parents can learn to decode behaviors, set loving boundaries, and support their child’s emotional growth. There’s no secret club, just tools, practice, and support.
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I’m a lifelong Colorado native and have lived here all of my life (except for a brief detour to Indiana for college). I love the sunshine, fresh air, and still have a long list of places in this beautiful state I want to explore. Most of my family life is structured around swim practice and swim meets, driving my kids all over the place, good food, cheering on my favorite Denver Sports Teams (Broncos, Nuggets, and Avs) and dreaming about future travel. On the rare day when I have “downtime” with the house completely to myself and zero responsibilities? I stay in my favorite pajamas, talk to absolutely no one, and it’s heaven.