Elizabeth Whanger

Elizabeth brings over 20 years of experience as a professional nanny, a role that inspired her to pursue a Master of Arts in Counseling at Regis University’s School of Mental and Behavioral Health, with an emphasis on children and adolescents (expected August 2027). She often jokes that her nanny career was “field research,” and there is meaningful truth in that perspective. Elizabeth’s extensive work with children and adolescents has provided her with a nuanced understanding of their worldviews. Combined with her graduate training, it has fostered a deep interest in and a strong appreciation for play as a natural language of expression and processing for young people. 

Through the evidence-based modality of Play Therapy, Elizabeth supports children and adolescents in making sense of their experiences in ways that are both developmentally appropriate and therapeutically effective. Elizabeth values the collaborative nature of working with families and seeks to actively involve parents and caregivers in the counseling process to promote meaningful and lasting outcomes. Outside of her clinical work, Elizabeth enjoys her own forms of play, including hot spring hopping, river rafting, and traveling near and far.

Pronouns: she/her

Supervisor: Kristy Howlett, LCSW