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About Quinn

Welcome to my website. You have taken a very courageous step in seeking therapy.

 

Since 2013, I have counseled children, families, and individuals at all stages of life. Over the course of my career, I have worked in urban, rural, and suburban communities, under government-funded grants, and through private funding in homes, schools, and residential treatment. 

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I am trained in the neurobiological effects of trauma, family systems, and existential and humanistic approaches to counseling, and bring these perspectives, along with my background in attachment research to the counseling process.

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​I am licensed to practice in Texas, Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. I completed my Ph.D. in Counseling and Human Development at The George Washington University and Master’s degree in Professional Counseling with a focus in Play Therapy at Texas State University. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin where I graduated Phi Beta Kappa. I am a Registered Play Therapist and National Certified Counselor.  

Picture of Dr. Quinn Smelser

In addition to my clinical practice, I currently serve on the faculty at St. Edward's University. I am a nationally recognized expert and published author on play therapy, family therapy, ethical practice, trauma informed care for children, LGBT and gender identity, grief and loss, and spirituality.

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As a counselor, I believe that when people feel physically, emotionally, and psychologically safe, we have an innate capacity to grow towards a better sense of belonging and significance in this world. Additionally, I believe each person has a story to tell and that parts of this story may have gone off course. When we go off course, we feel disconnected, discouraged, and cope in unhealthy ways. What is defined as “off course” differs depending on the person, the environment, and the person’s cultural community.

 

My priority for clients, children, adolescents, caregivers, and families is to create an environment that feels safe and without judgment in which to guide them back to the course they want to be on. I value and believe that learning about your cultural and ethnic background is vital to our therapeutic relationship as is an acknowledgement of my own levels of privilege. 

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Using an integrative approach that is trauma-informed, evidence-based, and family systems oriented, I draw from attachment theory, neurobiology research, systems theory, cognitive-behavioral theory, and existentialism.

 

If we are working through traumatic experiences of yours, that rarely takes only a few sessions. It is likely that we will work together for some time. Additionally, children will likely need to reprocess their experiences as they reach new developmental stages.

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Professional Licenses and Certifications

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  • Licensed Clinical Professional Counseling (LCPC), Maryland, #LC11053

  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Virginia, #0701007878

  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Texas, #72069

  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), District of Columbia, #PRC200001235

  • Registered Play Therapist (RPT) 

  • National Certified Counselor (NCC) 

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Memberships and Affiliations 

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  • American Counseling Association (ACA)

  • Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES)

  • Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES)

  • Association for Play Therapy (APT)

  • Maryland/DC Association for Play Therapy (MDDCAPT)

  • Chi Sigma Iota International Counseling Honor Society (CSI)

  • National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC)

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Download a copy of Quinn's full Curriculum Vitae here. 

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