Sara Minges, LPC, RPT
 
 




Sara is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Registered Play Therapist.  In 1994, she began her career in the mental health field, volunteering in an After School program for at-risk youth.  Since then, she has received a B.A. in psychology from the University of Tennessee, a M.S. in counseling psychology from Avila University and completed play therapy certification through the KC Play Therapy Institute.  In 2010, she became a Registered Play Therapist through the Association for Play Therapy. 

In 2007, she received extensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and created a mindfulness based program for adult female survivors of domestic violence.  She has given DBT presentations at the Mental Health Center for East Central Kansas and Avila University.  She also has an extensive knowledge of attachment issues and combines Child Centered Play Therapy, Sand Tray Therapy, Theraplay and DBT approaches in her work with children, adults and families.  

In 2009, Sara created Playful Awareness, LLC, a private practice integrating play, creative expression, neurodevelopment and sensory integration and DBT approaches to treat attachment, relationship and emotion regulation issues.  Most recently, she created a 16 week DBT skills training program integrating play therapy and superhero metaphors in teaching clients ways to overcome attachment issues and develop healthy relationships.  

Since starting Playful Awareness, Sara has given presentations on stress management using play therapy and attachment to various agencies including:  Success by Six, NAMI of Douglas County, Parents as Teachers, Mental Health Center of East Central Kansas, Avila University, KVC Behavioral Healthcare and the University of Kansas.  In April, 2011, she was nominated for a board member position for the Kansas Association for Play Therapy.  In October, 2011, she participated in a panel on providing tips to Alternative Break Students on working with terminally ill children. 

Sara loves using creativity, playfulness and teaching DBT skills to help clients live engaging, satisfying lives and believes this is possible for all people.  She is constantly reviewing current research and evidence based practices and plans to begin research on using play therapy and DBT to improve brain development and overall functioning.