HEADFIRST COUNSELING THERAPISTS
Laura McLaughlin, M.Ed., LPC-S, RPT-S
Founder, HeadFirst Counseling
Child & Adolescent Therapist
Licensed Professional Counselor- Supervisor (LPC-S) and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S)
ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP)
Certified AutPlay Therapy provider for Autism Spectrum Disorders
Specialties:
Play Therapy
Attachment Disorders
Parenting Support
Parent-Child Relationships
Oppositional or Defiant Behaviors
Potty Training Concerns
Extreme Emotional Dysregulation in Children
ADHD, Impulsivity, Self-Management
Trauma
Highly Sensitive and/or Gifted Children
Sensory Processing Disorders
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Services Offered:
Individual, Sibling, and Group Play Therapy
Pre-Teen/Teen Activity Therapy
Parent Consultations
Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT)
Group Parenting Talks and Community or School Presentations
Supervision for Therapists and Play Therapists working towards full licensure
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
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​Laura began her counseling career in non-profit agencies working with children and adult survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse (heavy stuff!). After getting her feet wet for a couple of years, Laura founded HeadFirst Counseling to provide an approach to counseling in which clients are given the freedom to explore all aspects of themselves and while being fully supported and accepted.
Laura utilizes evidenced-based play therapy and activity techniques and incorporates recent developments in neuropsychology to utilize brain-based approaches for cognitive processing and emotional regulation in children and adolescents. Laura blends child-centered play therapy with other modalities of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), reciprocal social skills training, executive functioning skill development, expressive arts therapies, and attachment-based techniques in session depending on each client's specialized needs.
Laura believes that no two situations are exactly the same, and an openness to learning about the individual client and his or her specific needs is necessary in order for therapy to be beneficial. In the therapy sessions, Laura focuses on helping her clients feel heard, understood, and accepted. Once the client is able to feel accepted for who they are at this moment, they begin to become more of their authentic self. As the client begins to heal, the need for unhelpful or destructive coping skills diminishes and the client is able to move towards more positive, helpful, forward moving, and authentic ways of being.
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Laura specializes in working with children displaying social or emotional difficulties, behavioral concerns, sensory sensitivities, attachment concerns, rigidity and high functioning autism spectrum disorders. Laura is equipped to work with clients that have experienced any type of physical, psychological, or emotional trauma, including but not limited to: neglect, sexual abuse, physical abuse, adoption, medical conditions, and family violence.
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Laura also specializes in work with parents and offers consultations and support for parents that are struggling with the parent-child relationship. Laura helps parents identify their child's needs, and works with parents to brainstorm ways to help meet the needs of both the child and parent in order to bring back peace at home. Laura provides encouragement for biological and adoptive parents at HeadFirst Counseling and helps them find healthy ways of establishing trust, safety, and attunement within the child-parent relationship.
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Around the Dallas Community:
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Laura obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Promotion from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master's degree in clinical counseling from the University of North Texas. As a young adult, Laura spent a brief stint living in New York City working at the prestigious Child Mind Institute and studying psychopharmacology under Dr. Roy Boorady before returning to Dallas. Growing up as a competitive soccer player and gymnast for 15 years, Laura now gets her exercise by chasing her 6 year old around the house and doing family outings at the Dallas Arboretum.
Laura previously worked with Community Partners of Dallas (http://www.cpdtx.org) as part of their HEART program to provide group therapy services to child victims of sexual abuse in Dallas County. Laura currently serves on the board of the North Texas Chapter of the Texas Association for Play Therapy (www.txapt.org) as the Member-At-Large, connecting play therapists in the Dallas area with resources to expand the knowledge and impact of play therapy in the community. Laura is also an advocate with Dallas CASA (dallascasa.org), advocating for child victims of abuse and neglect so they can grow up in safe and nurturing homes where they can reach their full potential.
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In 2022 Laura founded a 501c3 nonprofit, the HeadFirst Mental Health Initiative, aimed at providing free mental health treatment to families who would otherwise not have access to services due to financial burdens or inability to pay. More information about the non-profit can be found through the website at www.hmhidallas.com
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Lexie Sikes, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
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Specialties:
Anxiety
Depression
Grief and Loss
Divorce
Self-Worth Issues
Life Transitions
Foster Care
Social Skills
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Services Offered:
Child and Adolescent Therapy Services
Parent Consultations
Social Skills Groups
In-Home Intake Assessments
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
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Lexie obtained her Bachelor and Master of Social work from The University of Oklahoma, specializing in Child Development and Child and Family Therapy. Before joining the HeadFirst Counseling team, Lexie worked in Oklahoma City at a local non-profit agency doing grief therapy. It was there that she found her passion for working with families experiencing significant loss. Lexie specializes in grief in the forms of death and divorce, anxiety, obsessive thoughts, and compulsive behaviors.
Lexie strives to create an environment that is comfortable and free of judgement. Her goal is to empower each client by highlighting their individual strengths and she hopes to make the therapy experience warm and safe for everyone. Lexie believes that the therapist is the greatest tool, and sometimes we just need someone to listen. Using empathy with a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, strengths-based, and solution-focused therapy, clients are welcomed to process their emotions and take control of their thoughts to help determine the best route for change.
Lexie is a mom, therapist, wife, foster mom, and friend, and she thrives when being active in her community. Outside of work you can find her enjoying family outings with her two young kids and husband, reading, trying new restaurants, or going on walks with her two wheaten terriers. Growing up, Lexie was a competitive gymnast for many years and she believes this experience shaped her into the person she is today. Gymnastics taught Lexie many lessons, though most notably, the importance of dedication and consistency. These are the very skills that Lexie uses when developing the therapeutic relationship, allowing clients to explore their thoughts and feelings in a safe way.
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Lexie specializes in working with children and adolescents cope with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, divorce, and self worth issues. She has lead children, adolescent and teen support groups to find resolution to issues such as moving, changing schools, bullying, and other difficult adjustments. Additionally, Lexie has experience with school counseling, adoption, and foster care.
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Lexie’s first focus is building a trusting therapeutic relationship so that her clients are able to receive the support and guidance they need to create change in a healthy way. Lexie strives to create an environment that is safe, comfortable and free of judgement. She is intentional with her structure of the therapeutic environment and works to make sure each client feels heard and understood. Lexie believes in a strengths-based approach that is guided by the individual needs of each client. Lexie uses tools and interventions that are unique to each child to bring out the best in them.
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Claire Colgrove, M.S., LPC-Associate
Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate
Supervised by Laura McLaughlin, M.Ed., LPC-S, RPT-S
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Specialties:
Play Therapy
Adolescent and Teen Activity Therapy
Parent-Child Relationships
Attachment trauma
Neurodiverse identities
LGBTQIA+ identities
Life Transitions
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Services Offered:
Child and Adolescent Therapy Services
Parent Consultations
Child-Parent Relationship Training
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CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
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Claire obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Child Learning and Development and Psychology from the University of Texas at Dallas and her Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a Play Therapy focus from the University of North Texas. Claire is currently providing counseling services under a provisional license status in the state of Texas as an LPC-Associate and is working toward full licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) by receiving supervision from Laura McLaughlin, M.Ed., LPC-S, RPT-S.
Claire believes all behavior is purposeful and focuses on child-centered play therapy and utilizes other evidenced-based techniques to address the unique needs of each client while conducting play and activity therapy. Claire approaches each family with curiosity, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard and feels it is imperative to provide a safe, affirming, and inclusive environment for each child, adolescent, and parent/caregiver that she works with. Claire believes the most important aspect to therapy is the relationship between her and her client. By establishing a strong, supportive, and trusting therapeutic alliance, the client gains a sense of control and authenticity that will promote safety and healing.
Claire has experience supporting children, adolescents, and families across diverse backgrounds and a wide range of presenting concerns, including by not limited to: emotional difficulties, behavioral concerns, aggression, divorce, loss of parent/caregiver, terminal illness, life transitions, sensory sensitivities, attachment concerns, autism spectrum disorder, self-injurious behaviors, and passive and active suicidal ideation.
Claire also offers support for parents that are struggling with the parent-child relationship by providing consultations to help foster the relationship without placing blame and focusing on the foundation already built between parent and child, not what is missing. That way we are not just treating symptoms but working collaboratively to support further growth and healing for the client and family.
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Jake Peden
Graduate Counseling Intern (Master's Level)
Supervised by Laura McLaughlin, M.Ed., LPC-S, RPT-S
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Services Offered:
Child and Adolescent Therapy Services
Play and Activity-Based Therapies
Individual Talk Therapy (CBT)
Parent Consultations
Group Therapy
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CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
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Jake Peden is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, pursuing licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). In his graduate training he has focused on child development, play-based interventions, and building strong therapeutic relationships with children and families.
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Jake currently works as a kindergarten teacher at The Lamplighter School in Dallas, where he has developed a deep understanding of early childhood development and the importance of trust, respect, and connection when working with young clients. His calm presence, relational style, and background in education allow him to meet children where they are and support them in a safe, nurturing environment.
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Jake will be completing his internship at HeadFirst Counseling under the supervision of Laura McLaughlin, M.Ed., LPC-S, RPT-S, a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S), Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S), and trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Laura specializes in trauma, play therapy, adolescent and teen therapy, and parenting support.
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Jake will also be under the supervision of his graduate faculty supervisor, Dr. Michael Maxwell, a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S), with extensive experience in psychotherapy, counseling education, and working with diverse populations across the lifespan. Jake is excited to begin working with children and families at Head First, offering compassionate care while integrating evidence-based practices under close supervision.