Now Accepting New Clients
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Now Accepting New Clients 〰️
Child & Teen Therapist in Centennial, CO for Anxiety, Neurodivergence & Play Therapy
Behind every behavior is a child trying to communicate something. I help children, teens, and parents understand what's beneath the surface so everyone feels more connected, confident, and supported.
Child & Adolescent Therapy | Play Therapy | Parent Support
Serving families in Centennial, Cherry Hills, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, Greenwood Village, and South Denver.
Hi! I’m Lindsay Stenzel, LCSW and Certified Synergetic Play Therapist
When your child's behavior stops making sense, it's easy to feel overwhelmed, second-guess yourself, and wonder how to help. I help children, teens, and parents understand what's beneath the behavior so you can respond with confidence, strengthen your connection, and help your child thrive.
As a Certified Synergetic Play Therapist, I use play, curiosity, and a nervous system-informed approach to help children express what they often can't put into words. Together, we'll make sense of anxiety, perfectionism, emotional overwhelm, and neurodivergence by looking beyond the behavior to understand what it's communicating.
My goal isn't to give you a perfect parenting script. It's to help you understand your child so deeply that you feel more confident navigating the hard moments, your child feels more understood, and your whole family feels supported every step of the way. It’s an honor to be a part of your village!
Authentic, Compassionate Care
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Authentic, Compassionate Care 〰️
How I Can Support Your Family
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Therapy isn't just for your child—it's support for you, too. You don't have to figure this out alone. Together, we'll make sense of what's beneath your child's behavior so you can feel more confident, connected, and supported.
Together we'll:
Understand what your child's behavior is communicating
Respond with more confidence during meltdowns, shutdowns, and big emotions
Support regulation at home and at school
Strengthen your connection with your child, even during the hardest moments
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Young children often communicate through behavior long before they have the words to explain what they're feeling. Through Synergetic Play Therapy, I help children express what's happening beneath the surface while helping parents better understand their child's unique nervous system and emotional needs.
I support children experiencing:
Anxiety, panic, and phobias
Perfectionism and high self-pressure
ADHD, autism, and twice-exceptional (2e) profiles
Emotional overwhelm, masking, and after-school restraint collapse
Depression and low self-esteem
Trauma, grief, and loss
Gender-expansive and trans identities
Suicidal thoughts and self-harm
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The teen years can look surprisingly different from the outside than they feel on the inside. Many of the girls I work with appear capable, thoughtful, and successful—but beneath the surface they're carrying anxiety, perfectionism, self-doubt, or the exhaustion of masking who they are. Therapy offers a place where they don't have to keep holding it all together.
I support girls navigating:
Anxiety, panic, and phobias
Perfectionism, high self-pressure, and negative self-talk
ADHD, autism, and twice-exceptional (2e) profiles
Emotional overwhelm, masking, and after-school restraint collapse
Depression, low self-esteem, and withdrawal
Trauma, grief, and loss
Suicidal thoughts and self-harm
Friendship struggles, identity development, and life transitions
Frequently Asked Questions
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Many parents reach out because they don't know if their child needs therapy—they just know something doesn't feel quite right. Maybe you're noticing more anxiety, frequent meltdowns, perfectionism, emotional overwhelm, or a child who seems to hold it together at school but falls apart at home.
You don't have to wait for things to get worse. If you're wondering what your child's behavior is trying to communicate or feeling unsure how to help, it's a good time to reach out. Trust your intuition—you know your child best.
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For younger children, therapy is play-based because play is how children naturally communicate and process their experiences. For pre-teens and teens, therapy combines conversation, curiosity, and practical tools to help them better understand themselves and navigate life's challenges.
Throughout the process, I partner closely with parents so you feel more confident in understanding and supporting your child outside of sessions. My work is deeply collaborative, and children are best supported when we work as a team.
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Every child and family is different, so there's no one-size-fits-all timeline. Some families come for support around a specific challenge, while others benefit from longer-term therapy as their child grows and develops.
We typically begin with weekly sessions to build momentum and adjust the frequency over time based on your child's needs and your family's goals. Throughout the process, we'll regularly check in to make sure therapy continues to feel supportive and meaningful.
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I am a private pay practice and do not bill insurance directly. My intake and session fee is $155.
A limited number of reduced-fee slots are available, and I also partner with the Second Wind Fund, which provides fully funded therapy for youth ages 19 and under who are at risk for suicide.
While I don't bill insurance, I can provide a superbill that may be eligible for out-of-network reimbursement depending on your plan.
We’ll talk through all fees and options during your consultation so you feel clear and informed before getting started.
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Synergetic Play Therapy is a neuroscience-informed approach to play therapy that helps children express what they’re experiencing, regulate their nervous system, and process difficult emotions through play and relationship.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, it doesn't rely on children putting their feelings into words. Instead, it meets them where they are developmentally, using play as their natural form of communication.
In this approach, I stay deeply attuned to your child’s nervous system while also partnering with you as a parent, so you can better understand what your child’s behavior is communicating and feel more confident supporting them at home.
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Over time, many families notice their child is better able to understand and regulate their emotions, with fewer or less intense meltdowns, shutdowns, or periods of overwhelm. Children and teens often become more able to notice what they're feeling and express it in ways that feel more manageable and healthy.
Parents also tend to feel more confident responding to their child’s needs and more connected in their relationship, even during challenging moments. Many describe home as feeling more understandable, more regulated, and less reactive overall.
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I offer in-person therapy in Centennial, CO, as well as virtual sessions for teens and parents when appropriate.
Younger children tend to benefit most from in-person, play-based sessions, while virtual therapy can be a good fit for some older kids and teens depending on their needs.
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This is very common, especially with teens. We’ll start by talking through what you're noticing and thinking together about how to introduce therapy in a way that feels less overwhelming for your child.
The foundation of my work is building a safe, trusting relationship, so children and teens feel genuinely seen and heard. My work is child-led, meaning I move at their pace, follow their strengths and interests, and include them in shaping goals whenever possible.
Let’s make sense of what’s going on.
Click the button to schedule a free 15-minute parent consultation so we can explore what’s going on and whether therapy with me feels like a good fit for your child and family.