Licensed Professional Counselor & Registered Play Therapist in Northwest Arkansas.
Laura Simmons, LPC, RPT
I’m Laura — a Licensed Professional Counselor and child & family therapist based in Rogers, Arkansas. I offer compassionate, evidence-based therapy for children, teens, and parents.
I specialize in play therapy, parent coaching, and family counseling to support emotional regulation, anxiety, behavior challenges, and life transitions.
My goal is to walk alongside you —helping your child heal, grow, and thrive while restoring hope and connection to your family.
My Services
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Play Therapy
Play is how young children process the world. Through developmentally appropriate play therapy, expressive arts, and sandtray techniques, I create a safe, supportive space where kids can feel understood and develop tools for confidence, emotional regulation, and resilience.
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Counseling for Teens
Adolescence is full of transitions. I support teens and pre-teens facing anxiety, low self-esteem, life changes, or relationship struggles—helping them build emotional resilience and a stronger sense of self.
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Parent Coaching
You don’t have to do this alone. I offer parent counseling and coaching to help you better understand your child’s behavior, respond with confidence, and create more connection and calm at home.
I’ll be a partner in your parenting journey.
As a parent myself, I know that you are an important part of the healing process and you need ways to support your child at home. That’s why I use a family centered approach and work closely with the adults to provide tools, parenting support, and regular updates throughout your child’s therapy.
What You Can Expect as a Parent:
— A safe, warm space in a fully equipped playroom where your child or teen feels unconditionally accepted.
— Ongoing collaboration and regular check-ins.
— Honest and supportive communication about your child’s progress during our parent meetings.
My Credentials & Training
MS, Clinical Mental Health Counseling (LPC)
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Honors
NC State University
Registered Play Therapist
150+ hours of specialized education and 500+ hours of supervised experience focused on children.
This is beyond the educational, internship, and supervision requirements (2000+) of a licensed professional counselor
Professional Affiliations
Arkansas Association for Play Therapy Board Member
Association for Play Therapy Board Member
EMDR, TF-CBT, and Child-Parent Psychotherapy Certification (CPP)
Common Reasons Parents Reach Out for Child or Teen Therapy
Every child faces challenges—but when those challenges begin to impact their daily life, therapy can help. I work with families navigating a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and relational concerns, including:
Anxiety, excessive worry, or frequent fears
Trouble focusing, impulsivity, or hyperactivity (ADHD symptoms)
Intense emotions, tantrums, or frequent meltdowns
Difficulty adjusting to divorce, moves, or school transitions
Grief and loss, including death of a loved one or pet
Trouble making or keeping friendships
Ongoing sibling conflict or family tension
Perfectionism or academic stress at school
Behavioral challenges in the classroom
Difficulty identifying or expressing emotions and needs
Social struggles or relationship issues
Concerns about school readiness or emotional development
Trauma, scary experiences, or past events that still affect them
Book an Appointment
Ready to take the next step? We’ll work together to create a therapy plan that feels right for your child and brings more ease and connection to your family.
In-Network Insurances
Frequently Asked Questions
My goal as a counselor is to make the process feel clear, collaborative, and supportive, so you feel confident taking the next step toward your child’s emotional well-being.
If you don’t see your question answered here, feel free to reach out. I’m happy to help guide you.
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Play is a child’s natural language.
Play therapy is a type of counseling that helps children express their emotions and work through challenges using toys, art, and activities.
As a Registered Play Therapist, I specialize in this approach to help children who struggle to talk about their feelings. In a safe and supportive environment, I help them to process anxiety, trauma, behavior issues, and big life changes in a way that feels natural and comfortable.
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Counseling helps children and teens learn to understand and manage anxious thoughts and feelings. In therapy, we build coping skills, explore what triggers anxiety, and develop strategies to feel more calm and in control. Parents also receive tools and support to help their child at home.
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You and your child will attend together. While your child explores the playroom, I’ll gather background information and listen to your concerns. This session helps your child feel safe and gives us a chance to see if we’re a good fit.
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Parental involvement is essential. While sessions with your child are confidential, I’ll share tools, progress updates, and meet with you regularly (about every 4–5 weeks) to review goals and support your parenting journey.
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Yes — just like with adult counseling, your child’s therapy sessions are private. Confidentiality builds trust and makes therapy more effective.
While sessions with your child are private, I provide regular updates and tools to support you. We’ll meet for parent consultations every 4–5 weeks to track progress and adjust goals.
If safety concerns arise, I will always communicate with you. We’ll review these exceptions during the intake.
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Yes, I’m in-network with several major insurance providers. I’ll verify your benefits and let you know your copay or out-of-pocket costs before scheduling. I also provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement if needed.
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Absolutely—some families benefit more from parent coaching or family sessions. We’ll explore which option fits your family best at the intake session and tailor the plan accordingly.
Laura Simmons Counseling
1814 S. 26th Street
Rogers, AR 72758
Hours
Monday–Thursday
8:30am–5:30pm
Phone
(479) 966-9895
“Enter into children’s play and you will find the place where their minds, hearts, and souls meet.”
— Virginia Axiline