I’m Vanessa Pruitt — a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner and Registered Play Therapist™ (RPT™), as well as co-owner of Alfrey and Pruitt Counseling, a group practice serving children, teens, adults, and families in Grand Island, Nebraska.

My clinical work focuses on helping children and families heal from trauma, anxiety, behavioral challenges, and life stressors using developmentally responsive approaches. I integrate play therapy, sand tray therapy, EMDR-informed trauma treatment, and attachment-focused interventions to help clients process difficult experiences, build emotional regulation, and strengthen resilience. I also frequently work with families navigating complex systems such as schools, healthcare providers, and court-involved family situations, helping children maintain stability and support during periods of change or conflict.

In addition to my clinical work, I supervise and support therapists within our practice and develop professional resources for clinicians interested in integrating creative, ethical, and developmentally informed approaches into their work.

🌱 Professional Background

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Nebraska–Kearney and my Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Emporia State University.

My experience includes individual and group counseling, ADHD and learning disorder assessment, and trauma-focused interventions across the lifespan. I hold the Registered Play Therapist™ credential through the Association for Play Therapy, reflecting advanced training, supervision, and clinical experience in the use of play therapy with children.

I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and integrate trauma-informed, neuroscience-informed approaches into my work with both children and adults.

My professional development continues to focus on trauma treatment, neurodivergence-affirming care, culturally responsive therapy, and the ethical practice of therapy within complex systems such as schools, healthcare environments, and court-involved family situations.

🔑 Supporting Therapists

Through Seven Stones Mental Health, I develop educational resources and consultation opportunities for therapists who want to deepen their work in:

• play therapy and child-centered treatment
• trauma-informed clinical practice
• neurodivergence-affirming therapy
• ethical and effective documentation in complex or court-involved cases
• creative and emerging therapeutic modalities

These resources are designed to help clinicians strengthen ethical decision-making, integrate research-informed practices, and build sustainable and meaningful therapy work.

💡 Guiding Principles

Clinical Intuition
Integrating evidence-based knowledge with reflective clinical judgment and professional ethics.

Neuroplasticity and Growth
Recognizing the brain’s capacity for change and healing across the lifespan.

Mind–Body Integration
Supporting emotional regulation and resilience through awareness of the nervous system, embodiment, and relational safety.

🌟 Beyond the Therapy Room

As a mother of four, I understand the complexity of family life and the importance of empathy, resilience, and balance. These experiences shape both my therapeutic work with families and the way I support fellow clinicians in their professional growth.