LCSW, 25 years of experience
New to Grow
My name is Cheryl Mansell, LCSW, and I am honored to serve both adults and children in their journey toward healing and growth. In my practice, I provide a safe, supportive, and compassionate space where clients can explore challenges, build on their strengths, and discover new ways of coping. Whether I am helping a child express themselves through play, guiding an adult through processing trauma, or teaching practical tools for managing stress and emotions, my goal is always the same—to empower individuals to feel understood, develop confidence, and create meaningful change in their lives.
Our first session together is a chance for us to get to know each other and begin building a safe, supportive space for your healing. During this time, I’ll ask questions to learn more about you, your background, and what brought you to therapy. We’ll talk about the challenges you’re facing, your goals, and what you hope to gain from our work together. I’ll also gather important information about your history, strengths, and supports so I can better understand your unique needs. The goal of this session isn’t to solve everything right away, but to lay the foundation for a strong therapeutic relationship and to create a plan tailored just for you.
What sets me apart is the combination of my professional training, my lived experiences, and my genuine passion for helping others. I bring advanced training in evidence-based therapies—including Play Therapy, EMDR, DBT, and Cognitive Processing Therapy—while also approaching each person through a person-centered lens that honors their individuality. Having personally navigated the challenges of ADHD, anxiety, and depression, I understand how isolating and overwhelming those struggles can feel. This allows me to connect with clients not only as a therapist but also as someone who deeply “gets it.” My experience in both individual and group practice settings, along with my certification as a Registered Play Therapist and extensive work with adults, and children, equips me to meet a wide range of needs. Clients benefit from my ability to blend structure with creativity—whether that’s offering practical skills to regulate emotions, guiding trauma processing, or using play and creativity to help children feel safe and understood. I don’t see therapy as a one-size-fits-all process; instead, I tailor each approach to the person sitting across from me, helping them feel heard, valued, and empowered to grow.
My ideal clients are people who want to feel understood, who may be tired of “white-knuckling it” alone, and who are ready—sometimes nervously, sometimes with hope—to try new ways of coping, growing, and creating balance in their lives.
This approach is rooted in providing a nonjudgmental, supportive space where you feel heard and understood. I see you as the expert in your own life, and I work alongside you to foster growth, self-discovery, and positive change.
CPT focuses on helping clients understand and reframe unhelpful thoughts related to trauma. Together, we identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck and work toward building healthier perspectives, reducing distress, and regaining a sense of control.
In DBT, I teach practical skills for managing strong emotions, improving relationships, and increasing mindfulness. These skills can help you regulate reactions, build resilience, and create balance between acceptance and change.
With EMDR, I guide clients through a structured process using bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements or tapping) to help the brain reprocess painful memories. This method reduces the emotional intensity of past experiences, allowing for healing and relief from trauma symptoms.
In play therapy, I use toys, games, and creative activities to help children express feelings and experiences that may be difficult to put into words. Play gives children a safe, supportive way to work through challenges and develop healthier ways of coping.