Brianne Daubenspeck

Welcome! I'm Brianne (many of my younger clients know me as Ms. Brie), founder of Imagination Grove Play Therapy.

I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist with more than 20 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, adults, and families.

Throughout my career, I've specialized in helping individuals navigate anxiety, ADHD, autism, emotional regulation challenges, trauma, relationship concerns, life transitions, and social difficulties. My background as a school social worker has provided extensive experience collaborating with families, educators, physicians, and multidisciplinary teams to support children across home and school settings while also deepening my understanding of the unique challenges families face.

Whether you're seeking support for your child, yourself, or your family, I know reaching out for help can feel overwhelming. My goal is to provide a warm, welcoming space where every client feels safe, understood, and empowered to grow. I believe healing happens through connection, curiosity, and meeting each person where they are. Together, we'll build on strengths, navigate challenges, and create meaningful, lasting change.

Children don't always have the words to explain what's happening inside, but they almost always know how to express themselves through play. Sometimes talking is hard, but play feels safe, natural, and easy.

As a Registered Play Therapist, I use child-centered play therapy to help children process big emotions, build confidence, strengthen coping skills, and work through challenges in a way that is both developmentally appropriate and deeply meaningful. Through the therapeutic relationship and carefully selected play materials, children can safely explore their feelings while developing healthier ways to navigate life's ups and downs.

I also believe parents are an essential part of the healing process. I work alongside families to deepen their understanding of what their child's behaviors may be communicating and help them respond to big feelings with confidence, connection, and compassion. Together, we'll develop practical strategies that strengthen your relationship and support continued growth beyond the playroom.

While play therapy is best known for helping children, it can be a powerful and effective approach for adolescents and adults as well. Play, creativity, and expressive activities can help access thoughts, emotions, and experiences that are sometimes difficult to put into words. Healing doesn't always happen through conversation alone.

Every person is unique, so therapy should be too. Whether I'm working with a young child, teenager, or adult, we'll create a plan that builds on strengths, honors your experiences, and helps you move toward meaningful, lasting growth.

Starting therapy can feel like a big step; for children, teens, adults, and parents alike. Whether this is your first experience with therapy or you're searching for the right fit, my goal is to make your first visit feel welcoming, relaxed, and free from pressure.

Our first session is about getting to know you (or your child) as a whole person, not just the challenges that brought you to therapy. We'll talk about strengths, concerns, relationships, daily life, and your goals so I can create an individualized plan built on existing strengths.

For children, the first session includes time to explore the playroom at their own pace. There is no expectation that they will "open up" right away. Children build trust differently than adults, and I honor that process. As they play, I begin learning how they naturally communicate, express emotions, solve problems, and experience the world around them.

For teens and adults, we'll focus on building rapport, understanding your story, and identifying meaningful goals. If appropriate, therapy may also incorporate expressive and play-based techniques, because healing doesn't always happen through conversation alone.

When working with children, parents are an essential part of the process. I partner closely with families to better understand what a child's behaviors may be communicating, navigate big feelings together, and develop practical strategies that support continued growth at home.

By the end of our first session, you'll have a clear understanding of my approach, initial goals for therapy, and plenty of time to ask questions. My hope is that you leave feeling seen, supported, and hopeful, you don't have to navigate this journey alone.