Dora Michelle Howe LPC, IMH, NCC

09/04/2025

This month reminds us to pause, connect, and check in with one another. Su***de is often preventable when people feel seen, heard, and supported. 💛

Let’s work together to break the stigma, spread hope, and remind others they are never alone. If you or someone you love is struggling, please reach out, help is available, and healing is possible. 💙💚

📞 479-222-0420 ext. 730
📞 988 – Su***de & Crisis Lifeline

08/20/2025

✨ “So, you just play?” — Understanding Play Therapy ✨

I hear this question often, and it’s a great opportunity to explain what play therapy really is. While it may look like “just playing” on the surface, play therapy is actually a powerful, evidence-based form of counseling, especially for children.

🧸 Why play?
Children don’t always have the words to explain what they’re feeling inside. Play becomes their language, and toys become their words. Through play, children can safely express emotions, process experiences, and practice new ways of coping.

💡 What happens in play therapy:
A child might build a scene in the sand tray that shows their worries. They may use art or dolls to express family conflicts they can’t say out loud. Role-play or games give them space to practice social skills, problem solving, or emotional regulation.

👩‍⚕️ My role as a play therapist isn’t to “just play”, it’s to notice patterns, reflect emotions, set safe boundaries, and guide the play in ways that help the child heal and grow. Every activity is purposeful and tailored to the child’s developmental and emotional needs.

📚 Research shows play therapy reduces anxiety, helps children manage trauma, builds self-esteem, and improves relationships at home and school.

So yes, we play. But it’s never “just play.”
It’s therapy in a child’s language. 💛

Look in the comments to learn more!!

08/19/2025

🌟 Children don’t often say “I’ve had a hard day, can we talk?”
Instead, they say… “Will you play with me?” 🎨🧸⚽

That’s why I use Play Therapy in my work with children and teens. Play becomes their language, and in a safe space they can process emotions, heal from hard experiences, and build confidence. 💛

In my office play isn’t “just play”, it’s therapy! Through sand trays, art, games, and imaginative play, kids learn to express themselves, regulate emotions, and feel truly understood. 🌱

It’s an honor to meet children where they are and help them grow through the power of play. 💬✨

📍 Ascent Therapy of Ozark

08/05/2025

🎉 A couple of spots just opened on my schedule! 🎉
Now accepting new clients ages 0 to 17 for play therapy and adolescent counseling! 💬🧠💛

Play therapy isn’t just “playing”—it helps children:
🧸 Express emotions in a safe way
💪 Build confidence and problem-solving skills
🤝 Develop healthy relationships
🧠 Improve emotional regulation and focus
🌱 Heal from trauma or big life changes

I offer a supportive, nonjudgmental space where children and teens can grow, connect, and feel understood. 💛

📍Located in Ozark, Arkansas
📞 Message me to learn more or schedule a consultation!

💙👧🧒🧑

07/14/2025

🥰

📚✏️ School is starting soon, and with it comes big changes and transitions, new teachers, new friends, new routines, and maybe even a new school! These shifts can feel exciting, but also a little overwhelming for some kids. 💭💬

At Ascent Therapy Ozark, we're here to support your child every step of the way. 💙 Our team offers individualized therapy, and school-year readiness support focused on:

🧠 Managing anxiety and big emotions
🤝 Building social skills and friendships
🗣️ Improving communication and confidence
🎯 Strengthening focus, attention, and self-esteem
🎨 Engaging in creative therapies like play, art, and AutPlay
🏫 Supporting transitions to new grades or schools

🚗💼 Can’t make it to the office? That’s okay!
We also offer school-based therapy opportunities in several of our local area schools, so your child can receive the same high-quality, trauma-informed care right where they are! 📚🎒

We work directly with schools to support:
💬 Emotional regulation & coping skills
🤝 Peer relationships & social development
🧠 Focus, behavior, and self-confidence

✨ Ask us today if we’re already in your child’s school or how we can help connect the dots! 🧩📞479.222.0420
Let us help your child feel safe, seen, and strong as they head into the new school year! 🛡️🌈

Sign up here, no referral needed!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc49bOMLIcf8rK95Ak2g7oxGoJVjbyWfL28d9JnSMkFzp9BMA/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0

💙📘🧠💫

06/27/2025

🎉 A couple of spots just opened on my schedule! 🎉
Now accepting new clients for play therapy and adolescent counseling! 💬🧠💛

Play therapy isn’t just “playing”—it helps children:
🧸 Express emotions in a safe way
💪 Build confidence and problem-solving skills
🤝 Develop healthy relationships
🧠 Improve emotional regulation and focus
🌱 Heal from trauma or big life changes

I offer a supportive, nonjudgmental space where children and teens can grow, connect, and feel understood. 💛

📍Located in Ozark, Arkansas
📞 Message me to learn more or schedule a consultation!

💙👧🧒🧑

06/23/2025

💛 Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) is now available at Ascent Therapy Ozark! This evidence-based therapy helps young children and their caregivers heal together after stressful or traumatic experiences. 🧸💬

✨ Want to know more? Check out our original post below to learn how CPP supports emotional connection, safety, and healing for your family. 💛👇

05/29/2025

Summer groups are starting now!!

05/09/2025

Send a message to learn more

05/04/2025

Mental Health Awareness for Kids & Teens

🧠✨ Kids and teens have big feelings too—and they matter.

From school stress to friendships, growing up isn’t always easy. Let’s remind the young people in our lives that it’s okay to talk about emotions, ask for help, and take care of their mental health.

Whether it’s a deep talk, quiet time, play, or just being present—showing up makes a difference.

🌈 Mental health matters at every age.

04/12/2025

For Parents:

🌈 Rainbow Grounding: A Simple Mindfulness Tool for Parents Too

Parenting is beautiful—but it can also be exhausting, stressful, and overwhelming. Rainbow Grounding isn’t just for kids—it works wonders for grown-ups too.

🫁 Start with a deep breath.
Inhale slowly… hold… exhale completely.

👀 Now find:
🔴🔴 2 red items
🟠🟠 2 orange items
🟡🟡 2 yellow items
🟢🟢 2 green items
🔵🔵 2 blue items
🟣🟣 2 purple items

🫁 One more slow, intentional breath. Feel your feet. Feel this moment.

✨ Why this helps:
✅ Calms the nervous system
✅ Refocuses the mind when parenting feels intense
✅ Easy to use during meltdowns, transitions, or tough days

You're doing an amazing job. Take a breath—you deserve this moment.

04/12/2025

For Teens:

🌈 Rainbow Grounding for Teens: A Quick Mindfulness Reset

Feeling anxious, stressed, or overwhelmed? You’re not alone—and there’s a simple way to bring yourself back to now using color and breath.

💨 Start with a deep breath.
Inhale slowly through your nose, hold it for a beat, then exhale fully through your mouth.

👀 Then look for:
🔴🔴 2 red things
🟠🟠 2 orange things
🟡🟡 2 yellow things
🟢🟢 2 green things
🔵🔵 2 blue things
🟣🟣 2 purple things

💨 End with another calming breath.
Let your shoulders drop. Feel your feet on the ground.

💭 Why it works:
✅ Grounds you in the moment
✅ Distracts from racing thoughts
✅ Can be done anywhere—school, home, before a test, or when things feel too heavy

✨ You’ve got this. One color at a time.