Playful Therapy Connections | Virtual & In-Person Therapy for Children, Teens & Adults | Individual & Groups
Celebrating Neurodiversity, Building Connections & Affirming Identities

Meet Laura

Laura Morlok, LCPC, LPC, RPT-S

 
 

Laura Morlok, LCPC, LPC, RPT-S

 

she/her

founder

Serving Maryland, Virginia & DC Clients

I am a licensed clinical professional counselor and registered play therapist supervisor based in Maryland. Since earning my masters in counseling in 2010, I have had amazing experiences as a therapist for children, adolescents and families in multiple settings, including private practice, acute inpatient treatment and a partial hospitalization program. In addition to being a therapist, I provide supervision to recent graduates and other clinicians.

Before my life as a counselor, I had the honor of being invited to be a part of a handful of families as their nanny, as well as been an Office Manager for a counseling practice and a long-time head counselor for a summer camp. Oh, and the standard-issue customer service/retail/food-industry jobs too.

I’m also a late diagnosed ADHD’r!

What does my experience mean for you as my client? It means I know for a fact that you are not the only one. It means that I have listened to all types of caregivers (adoptive, foster, biological, guardians, grandparents, step-parents, life partners…), who are parts of all types of families, describe situations so similar to yours it’s almost uncanny.

So when I say to your kid,

You know, you really can talk to me about anything; I can almost guarantee you won’t embarrass me or scare me off.

it’s true. I’ve talked about a lot of things other people might consider to be unexpected!

Or when I tell you,

Nope, I don’t think your kid is crazy. And I don’t think you’re a bad parent either.

it’s because I believe you when you tell me what it’s been like at home and I know - it isn’t just you.

And when I smile and invite your kid into session and we start talking about the hilarious shenanigans on the playground that happened earlier that day or we explore the nuances of [insert current must-have-or-no-one-will-be-my-friend-item/video game/app here]…

I’m really listening and I’m genuinely interested.

 

Portrait by Nathan McConnell

When not practicing therapy, I am most likely to be found hanging out with my family (a creative husband, a clever 6 year old, a pair of cats, and two rambunctious pups!), playing video games, creating spreadsheets (seriously), or reading fantasy or science-fiction novels.

Even on their toughest days - I already think your kid is awesome and that they are fighting to show their best selves.

 
 

Frequently Asked Questions…

 

  • What is your favorite color?

    • I have two - orange & pink.

  • What are your favorite books?

    • J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings & Octavia Butler’s Parable Series.

  • Do you have any kids?

    • Yup - 1 tiny but feisty human and 4 fur babies.

  • Do you really play videogames?

    • Absolutely. Current/recent favs: FFXI (Legacy Server), Overwatch (#mercymain), FFXIV, Minecraft, Link’s Awakening, Stardew Valley & Spiritfarer.

  • Why did you decide to be a therapist?

    • It’s sort of a long story but it all started when a cat fell from the balcony above my condo. No, really! (You can ask me when we meet.)

    • Also, I’ve always loved working with kids - they have all the best ideas.

    • Our brains are amazing and fascinating. Did you know that therapy actually changes your brain?!? Whaaaaat? I know! Awesome.

 

The Nitty-Gritty Details

 

Education

THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
M.S., Counseling (2010)

THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
Play Therapy Certificate (2010)

LOYOLA UNIVERSITY
B.A., Psychology, Minor in Sociology (2007)

Professional Affiliations

The American Counseling Association
The Association for Play Therapy

Credentials

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, LC4646 (2012)
Board-Approved LCPC Supervisor, Maryland Board of Professional Counselors (2016)

Licensed Professional Counselor, PRC200001238 (2021), District of Columbia Board of Professional Counselors

Licensed Professional Counselor, 0701010844 (2021), Virginia Board of Counseling

Registered Play Therapist - Supervisor, S2501*, The Association for Play Therapy (2014 / 2019)

*This means that I have completed over 100 hours of Play Therapy training and spent at least 50 hours with a RPT Supervisor to discuss over 500 hours of Play Therapy sessions!

I’m not just casually interested in Play Therapy - I’m passionate, invested and highly educated.

 
 
 
 
 

Training Highlights

For Therapists: if I took a training that was particularly fantastic or consulted with a practitioner I would highly recommend, I’ll include a link so you can dive in too! If a recording is available, I’ll link directly to it when possible.

Neurodiversity Affirming Assessment & Care

Nerd Stuff

2SLGBTQIA+ Affirming Care

Play Therapy / Child & Teen Therapy

  • Autism and Trauma: AutPlay Therapy and Beyond (Robert Jason Grant, LPC, RPT-S - 6 CEUs)

  • Play Therapy from the Heart with the Brain in Mind (Robyn Gobbel - 12 CEUs)

  • Embodying the Neurobiology of Attachment in Play Therapy (Robyn Gobbel - 18 CEUs)

  • Polyvagal Theory Applied: Therapeutic Use of Digital Tools in Play Therapy (Jackie Flynn, LMHC, RPT - 7 CEUs)

  • Engaging the Powers of Play to Grow as a Culturally Attuned Play Therapist (Next Place Therapy Services: Sabra Starnes, LCSW-C, RPT-S - 3 CEUs)

  • Helping Children and Teens with Executive Function Challenges: Interventions for Emotional Regulation and Organizational Skills (Alvord, Baker and Associates - 3 CEUs)

  • Building Social, Emotional & Cognitive Development in Children (PESI - 6.25 CEUs)

  • Animal-Assisted Play Therapy (MD/DC Association for Play Therapy - 6 CEUs)

  • Self-Regulation: Proven Strategies for Children with [Insert Ableist Description of “Disorders” Here] (PESI - 6.25 CEUs)

  • Cross-Cultural Competency & Efficacy in Play Therapy (MD/DC Association for Play Therapy - 6 CEUs)

  • Filial Family Therapy Workshop (NIRE - 13 CEUs)

  • Brainstorm: A Clinician’s Guide to the Changing and Challenging Adolescent Brain (PESI - 6.25 CEUs)

Supervision

  • Clinical Supervision Training (LCPCM - 18 CEUs)

  • Supervision Can Be Playful: Techniques for Child and Play Therapist Supervisors (Athena Drewes, RPT-S - 8 CEUs)

  • A Playful & Organized Guide to Play Therapy Supervision (VA Association for Play Therapy - 3 CEUs)

  • CBT Supervision and Education (Alvord, Baker and Associates - 3 CEUs)

  • Providing Multiculturally Competent Supervision (Messiah University - 1 CEU)

  • Society, Systems & Supervision (University of the Cumberlands - 1 CEU)

  • Considerations for a Feminist LGBTQIA+ Responsive Approach to Supervision (University of the Cumberlands - 1 CEU)

Other Topics

This person has completed Becoming a Neurodivergent Affirming Clinician 18-hour intensive training on ADHD and Autism. Presented by Cascadia Training and B Lourenco.