Dr. Alison Sheesley, PhD, LPC, RPT
Clinical Director and Co-Founder

Stephanie Jones, MS, iO-Trained Improviser
Comedy Director and Co-Founder

Shelsea Ochoa, BA, Social Work Intern
Comedy Therapist, Play Therapy Trainee, and Community Organizer

Alison Lee, MS, LPC, RPT-S
Parenting Coach

Shelsea Ochoa is an educator, trainer, and social worker, who has worked in over 30 different countries with participants from every inhabited continent. She spent eight years at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, inspiring wonder and curiosity about our natural world on the Experience Development and Performance Team. Shelsea has expertise in experiential education, diversity and inclusion, intercultural competency, and self-compassion. She practices a unique therapeutic form of improv theater known as Playback Theater, which explores themes and real life stories shared by audience members. Her passion for play and self-discovery have driven her to pursue a clinical social work license, and she will be graduating in May from Metropolitan State University in Denver with her master’s degree in social work.

Alison Lee is also available via telehealth to provide excellent parenting advice to the parents of the children who come to our office. You can schedule with her through her website: https://www.denverhealingplay.com/contact

Here is her bio…

I'm an explorer, yet I recognize that I have limits. I stand up for what I believe in. I dislike being stagnant and somehow always find myself delving into new things. These last few years have been taxing, however they have also filled me with gratitude and motivation. I want to use every second that I have on this earth. So I live: wholeheartedly and as true to myself as I know how to be.

I am a mother to a five year old boy. He and my husband both challenge me to be a better human being, to slow down and enjoy the small things, and to never stop learning. They've taught me a love that is deep and unconditional. Being a parent has shown me that I still have a lot of growth to do. I'm working hard on my own shadow, both for myself and for my family. It's a daily struggle to change patterns that keep me stuck, but I find encouragement in knowing that the effort is worth it; which is evident in my loving, gentle, amazing little boy. I have extreme empathy and compassion for parents who are struggling to raise their children in a scary and unpredictable world.

I'm from a very small mid-western town. Growing up in the country taught me the beauty of nature, the need for peace, and the importance of community and family. I have lived in several different states, each one teaching me new life lessons. I have a strong love and empathy for all living creatures. I love learning, teaching and helping others. My self-care includes last minute mountain trips, long showers, playing with my son and husband, dancing to live music, scuba diving, gardening, and cooking.

I am a licensed professional counselor and a registered play therapist-supervisor. I have over 12 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families. I received my B.A. in psychology from Nebraska Wesleyan University and my M.S. in community counseling (play therapy track) from the University of North Texas. I am a professional member of the Association for Play Therapy, as well as the owner of Healing Play LLC.  In addition, I was previously an Honorarium Supervisor at the University of Colorado-Denver Counseling Center and supervised new clinicians in the field.

I worked for several years at Judi's House as a grief counselor and clinical supervisor where I became specialized in grief. I have experience working with children diagnosed with life-limiting illnesses and have served as an in-home counselor for children and families experiencing difficulties such as abuse, anxiety, and developmental delays. I'm very interested in working with children and adults who are diagnosed as gifted and twice exceptional (2E). I have become knowledgeable in the struggles and intensity that come with being gifted and enjoy helping clients sort through these complexities. I also am passionate about working with parents through their own difficulties as well as through parenting concerns.

This year, I began training in psychedelic-assisted therapies at Naropa University. In my work with children, I have noticed that there is often a long line of generational trauma in many families. Even with the support and love of parents, children often feel the burden of these long-ago hurts. My intention with this training is to use plant medicines and MDMA-assisted therapy (when they become legal in the state of Colorado) to clear some of this ancient trauma and produce healthier families and future generations. I also want to use this modality to heal adults' inner-children that never had a voice. I truly believe these medicines will make a huge difference in the lives of many.