Today we’d like to introduce you to Jill Smith.
Hi Jill, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Early in my career, I supported individuals experiencing domestic violence and saw firsthand how education can be a key to financial independence. At the same time, I noticed how young children—especially early elementary age children showing behavioral concerns—could quickly develop a negative relationship with school, putting their long-term success at risk. Their behaviors were a way of communicating what they could not with words. That realization led me to work more intentionally with young children in educational settings. I became passionate about working with children in their early childhood years when significant brain development happens and children are learning about how to identify, communicate and handle emotions.
Since the mid-2000s, I’ve served in a variety of school-based roles—School Social Worker, Special Education Social Worker, Behavioral Mental Health Interventionist, and Mental Health Consultant. One of the many reasons I enjoyed working in schools is you get to see children grow over a couple or even several years. Across all of these positions, in suburban and urban schools one challenge remained consistent: families facing barriers to accessing mental health services, and the educators doing their best to meet those unmet needs.
In 2022 a trusted mentor who I respect greatly, started conversations exploring the idea of me entering the private practice world. She was encouraging for sure, however I still was very unsure. In March of 2022 she suggested that I talk with The Buffalo Roam Therapy Group. My mentor said she thought we would be a good fit for each other and she was aware they were wanting to share their therapy suite with someone serving younger children. I visited with the owners of The Buffalo Roam Therapy Group the first week of April 2022. I felt their energy and an immediate sense of this is where I belong. Each of their professional missions aligns with mine. Providing trauma informed care, striving to serve our community and providing a welcoming space for people who may be facing a storm in their lives. I was concerned about taking this leap into private practice, I knew nothing about running a business. My husband fully supported me in all ways of this opportunity, encouraging me all along this journey. Within a time frame of three weeks, I went from private practice being a suggestion to an attitude of I am doing this. By June of 2022, I was phasing out of my job as Child and Family Therapist with a local not for profit educational organization and seeing children in my private practice playroom.
In part I started Partners in Play—to be a small piece of the solution.
The name reflects my approach: I partner with caregivers, educators, and other key adults in a child’s life—especially in school settings, where children spend much of their time. Often during the initial consultation with caregivers school is mentioned, mainly because this is where children spend most of their weekdays. The work children do with me in the playroom helps them better understand what their behaviors are communicating, including behaviors at school. When behavior concerns arise at school, it’s most helpful for the child when caregivers, the school and I communicate on different parts of a shared goal. While districts and each school operate differently, I speak the general language of education systems and have an understanding of the school environment to be able to be curious about the concerns being addressed and mentioned by the caregiver. And at times, I can serve as a bridge between caregivers and the school.
Throughout my professional journey, I have found myself growing into positions I never thought about doing. Volunteer work in my late teens led me to an interest in a bachelors in social work degree. I never considered graduate school. Until I decided I wanted to spend my work days in a school setting using my social work skills. I never thought I would work towards a clinical license or become a therapist, until I experienced the barriers with families to therapeutic services for children. And I most definitely, never thought I would own a private practice providing play therapy and running the business side of things. I smile when I think about my professional path. I am most thankful for the people in my life who encouraged the nervous me to take a chance and walk through the door of opportunity each time that one was presented to me!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Challenges to families accessing play therapy services is part of why Partners In Play Therapy Services was created. Being in private practice has allowed me freedom to work with children, families, schools in ways that is in the child’s best interest. I am probably my biggest challenge, I say that with a smile on my face. My nervousness at times gets in the way of professional growth. I am learning to go with the ebb and flow of business.
I have been fortunate that the network I built on my professional path and how I have surrounded myself with supportive, wise people has lessened challenges in starting my practice. I am grateful for all the people who have educated me, guided me and been my cheerleaders.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Currently, I get to work with children ages 2 through the end of elementary school, using primarily child-centered play therapy. I meet with clients in my private playroom and also serve as a contract therapist in elementary schools in a public school district and in Head Start early childhood centers based in public schools and community based centers. For contract therapy I bring in a portable playroom into a school to provide therapy during a child’s school day. This model helps remove key barriers—like transportation to and from sessions, caregivers time off work, and cost—making therapy more accessible for families.
In addition to one-on-one sessions, I provide whole class social-emotional learning, small groups, and support for parent engagement—both in public schools and community-based early childhood centers.
I commonly support children dealing with anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, ADHD, peer and social issues, abuse, behavioral concerns, self-esteem challenges, and life experiences. No matter the reason for referral, I take a strengths-based and holistic approach to help children and families build connection, increase emotion regulation, and add joy in their daily lives.
I’m a private-pay provider. Caregiver consultations are free and flexible. Consultations look different for each family, in-person, by phone or telehealth whichever is preferred by the family. I offer after school, early evening session times as well as day time sessions. The most important piece to therapy is the relationship between the child and clinician. It is important to me that each child is with a therapist that they connect with, when I am not this person I work with caregivers to find someone who is the best fit for the child. My office is located in Corporate Woods in Overland Park, within The Buffalo Roam Therapy Group Suite. I mention this because we work together to serve families, referring to each other and collaborating session times to create ease in a families schedule.
My mission is simple: to partner with caregivers, educators, and child care providers to support growth and healing in children’s social and emotional wellbeing—meeting them right where they are.
I am grateful for way too many things to mention pertaining to the work I get to do. The thing I am most grateful for is the children and adults I serve. I do not take their trust lightly and I feel privileged they choose to share their story with me.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I do not think I can speak of a specific memory but more of the way my family had ways of connecting with each other through normal weekly activities as well as celebrations and traditions. Such as weekly Sunday dinners at my grandparents, Saturday morning doughnuts with my mom, sister, grandma and my moms cousins and their kids, game nights, those are a few favorites. My family had traditions for every holiday and birthdays. Many of these traditions we continue today. My heart is happy that I have heard my young adult children say they want to continue some of the same activities that we refer to as our family traditions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.partnersinplaykc.com/
