Ava Szafranski, LCMHC

Child + Adolescent + Young Adult therapist
 Play Therapist

Ava is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. She earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Play Therapy from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Ava specializes in providing Play Therapy for children ages 3-12 who are impacted by anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, family changes, and life transitions. She believes in tailoring the therapy experience to each child and draws from her background in Child Centered Play Therapy, Person Centered Talk Therapy, Expressive Arts, and directive play techniques. She partners with families through parental support sessions to understand and modify children’s maladaptive behaviors.

Ava has previous experience as a Preschool Teacher, a Clinical Research Specialist at the Duke Center for Autism, a Counselor in the behavioral health unit of a hospital, and as a Play Therapist in the private practice setting. She believes that children are vulnerable yet resilient and that the foundation created in therapy can have a positive impact across the rest of a child’s life. Ava would be honored to partner with your child and family!