​student.stlpti@gmail.com
314-207-8589

kira@heartsatplaycounseling.com
(314) 695-7650

Jasmine Berger, MSW, LCSW
Registered Play Therapist

Jasmine is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist, who graduated with her Master of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis. Jasmine has experience working with children from her experience as a school social worker, where she focuses on helping children learn about emotional identification and regulation, while also allowing for a safe space to be themselves and heal. Before becoming a school social worker jasmine worked as a community therapist for children ages 3-5 where she gained experience working with children that have experienced early childhood trauma. The majority of her sessions are play based allowing children to use play as a medium for communication, emotional expression and processing. When she’s not working Jasmine enjoys walking her dog Jack, hiking and reading a good book.

Melissa Brennan, Counseling Intern

Melissa is a counseling intern with STLPTI and is working towards her master’s degree in clinical mental health at Missouri Baptist University. She has two semesters left in her program and is excited to graduate and start clinical work. Last semester, Melissa completed her practicum with the St. Louis Crisis Nursery where she engaged in group and individual play therapy sessions with children ages 3-12. The majority of her sessions focused on emotional identification and expression, coping skills, and self-esteem building. In addition to her counseling experience, Melissa also has over 5 years of experience working as a preschool teacher and has her degree in elementary education. She loves working with kids because of their humor, honesty, and creativity. Melissa enjoys yoga, reading, art, and music in her spare time and also loves incorporating these activities into sessions when possible.


Fee $25 a session
Availability: Tuesdays and Thursdays-all day, Wednesdays 12-5

Kira Collins, MSW, LCSW, Registered Play Therapist

Kira has a passion for working with children, youth and families. Kira obtained her undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Family Studies from University of Missouri – Kansas City in 2010. She received her Masters Degree in Social Work from University of Kansas in 2014. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, as well as under supervision to obtain a certification as a Registered Play Therapist.

By day, Kira currently works for Special School District of St. Louis County providing individual and group counseling services to students with Individualized Educational Plans who's mental health affect their educational success. In previous roles, Kira has also provided individual, group and family counseling to elementary and middle school aged students as a School Based Therapist with Youth in Need, preschool-aged children and their families at the Therapeutic Preschool with Family Forward (previously Family Resource Center). Kira has clinical expertise in trauma, grief and loss, child development, and divorce/separation.

Insurance accepted: Cigna, Optum, and Anthem
​Website: www.heartsatplaycounseling.com
​Private Pay Rate: $90 per 50 min session

April.STLPTI@gmail.com
​(314) 492-4009, ext 0

student.stlpti@gmail.com
314-207-8589

Robin@mindsrealm.net
314-265-6852

 Crystal.Kwentus@gmail.com
314-596-2054

student.stlpti@gmail.com
314-207-8589

AmandaLappeLCSW@gmail.com
314-252-8696

student.stlpti@gmail.com
314-207-8589

April Duncan, MSW, LCSW Registered Play Therapist

Do you have a child or teen who is struggling with things such as anxiety, depression, anger? Do you have a young child who has tantrums and difficulty listening at home and school? Are you a parent who needs help managing your child's behaviors? As a Registered Play Therapist, I work with children, teens and adults to decrease negative behaviors, using play, art and sand-based activities.

Play therapy is a hands-on way to help people learn better ways to manage their emotions and behavior. This form of therapy is helpful for those who may be struggling with anxiety, depression, aggression, grief and more. Techniques to address these issues include board games, art activities, sand tray and more!

I have experience working with children as young as three years old, as well as teens and adults. You're never too old to learn..or play! My clinical specializations include: Trauma and abuse, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, grief and loss, and ADHD. 

Insurance accepted: Cigna, Anthem (BCBS), and Optum (UMR & UnitedHealthCare)
Private Pay rate: $125
Sliding Scale: Yes

Megan Hollander, Counseling Intern

Megan is a counseling intern at STLPTI dedicated to working with youth in the St. Louis area. She graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2016 and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Missouri – St. Louis (UMSL).
 
Megan has years of experience working with youth between the ages of 3-16 as a result of her internship with Missouri’s Division of Youth Services, her time as a Community Support Specialist for Youth at Comtrea, Inc., and her current position as a nanny to a young boy. Additionally, she recently completed her practicum at UMSL’s Counseling and Social Advocacy Center, where she utilized play therapy to counsel children and adolescents. Megan is passionate about the use of play therapy and looks forward to one day being a Registered Play Therapist.

Fee: $25 dollars a session
Availability: Mondays 2-7pm, Tuesdays 3-6pm, Wednesdays 3-5pm, Fridays/Saturdays: if needed

Robin House, M.Ed., LPC
Registered Play Therapist

I have experience working with young children beginning at age 3 and adolescence through the teen years. I have worked as a school counselor in the St. Louis Public Schools for the past 15 years and as a Group facilitator with the Incredible Years parenting program through places for people for the last six years. On a personal note, I enjoy yoga, hiking, nature, reading, and writing

Areas of Expertise:
School related difficulties, trauma, attachment, grief and loss, aggression, ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, and separation /adjustment; parenting, caregiver support and coaching

Availability:
Tuesdays and Wednesdays after 5:00 PM
Saturdays between 9:00 AM and 12 o’clock noon
Open during summer months

Crystal Kwentus, LPC, ATR-BC

Crystal Kwentus is a Board-Certified Art Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor. She has over 10 years of experience serving children, adolescents and adults from a variety of settings, including hospitals, residential placements, school and community based. Crystal has dedicated her career to help individuals of all ages overcome difficulties related to mental health concerns, behavioral issues, and struggles related to life disruptions; including trauma, domestic violence and divorce.


In addition to her art therapy background, Crystal is trained in DBT, EMDR, TF-CBT and Play Therapy. She pulls from this wide variety of experiences to creatively integrate approaches to meet each individual where they are. Crystal believes in the power of art, creativity and play to aid children and parents to work collaboratively, break down communication barriers and aid in the healing process. This integrative approach provides wholistic treatment to best aid the whole family in healing from life’s problems.

Private Pay rate: $90-$140
Sliding Scale: Yes

Sarah LaBruyere, Counseling Intern

Sarah is a compassionate, diligent graduate student at Missouri Baptist University.  She is currently in her last year pursuing her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She graduated from Maryville University with a Bachelors in both Psychology and Criminal Justice. She fell in love with the Psychology side, particularly focusing on youth.  She has a strong background in working with youth of all ages and families thanks to her work at the YMCA and Comtrea, Inc.  She recently completed her practicum at Foundations for Change, LLC.  counseling adults and is currently interning at STLPTI.  She continues to pursue her dream of becoming a LPC and Registered Play Therapist.  


Private Pay rate: $25 per session. 
​No insurance needed.

Amanda Lappe, MSW, LCSW
Registered Play Therapist

Amanda has been working with children and families since 2007 in a variety of settings including schools, the child welfare system, and community mental health.  She obtained her undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Saint Louis University in 2006.  She received her Master's Degree in Social Work from UMSL in 2012.  She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Registered Play Therapist who believes that all children and families have inner strengths to pull from when life gets hard.  

She sees children from all backgrounds and uses a variety of creative, play-based approaches to help improve relationships, develop coping skills, and solve problems.  Amanda has experience with trauma, anxiety, depression, behavioral concerns, educational issues, grief, and family changes (divorce, blended families, foster/adoption, etc.).  Amanda sees children from three to teenagers.

​Insurance accepted: Optum (UMR & UnitedHealthCare), soon to accept Cigna and Anthem

Julia Swanson
​MSW Practicum Student

Julia is a social work practicum student at St. Louis Play Therapy Institute and is passionate about supporting youth and families. Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, she completed her bachelor’s degree in Social Work at Olivet Nazarene University. Julia is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in Mental Health at Washington University in St. Louis.
​

During her undergraduate practicum, Julia worked at a therapeutic day school with elementary and middle school students in multi-needs classrooms, behavioral health, and autism services. She led group sessions that developed social-emotional learning, self-efficacy, and social skills. At this practicum, Julia discovered the importance of play therapy as she co-facilitated sessions with clients ages 5 – 10. In addition to clinical practice, Julia has a wide variety of experience with children, which includes roles as a nanny, preschool teacher, elementary school mentor, and youth outreach event intern. She is also a lead presenter for the End the Silence program at the National Alliance for Mental Illness, which presents middle and high school students with basic mental health information. In her spare time, Julia enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.

Private Pay Rate: $25 per session