Vanessa M. Sanford is a bilingual therapist and was awarded the 2007 Texas Mental Health Professional of the Year for Child Advocacy Centers of Texas and has been included in educational films bringing awareness to child abuse, including “The Little Voice” made by Texas Young Lawyers Association. Vanessa is Licensed Professional Counselor/Supervisor, Registered Play Therapist/Supervisor, National Certified Counselor, and Certified Daring Way Facilitator based on the research by Brené Brown. Vanessa recently completed the minimum requirements to become EMDR trained and is working towards becoming EMDR certified. Mrs. Sanford is currently in training to become a Yoga Instructor. Mrs. Sanford is not a symptom-based therapist and prefers to focus on core issues of shame resilience, vulnerability, courage, self-trust, and self-worth. Vanessa incorporates expressive art, music, animals, yoga/mindfulness, and media in treatment. Vanessa’s favorite word is “integration”. She likes to help her clients move what they know in their head into their heart and daily life. Vanessa views herself as a student and if you listen to her for 5 minutes, there will be definite details about what books she is reading, what podcast she is listening to, and of course, Yoga.

Mrs. Sanford has spoken locally, statewide, and nationally on topics of addiction, anxiety, wholehearted living, court prep for therapists, trauma, animal assisted therapy, and abuse. Mrs. Sanford has also been a co-author for two books and written a handful of blogs and articles as well as been blessed to be invited to speak/train CASA volunteers, SMU counseling practicum students, Frisco ISD, and local church events. Mrs. Sanford has been a mentor for Frisco ISM students, been on the advisory council for Frisco Gifted Association, and is a proud member of Frisco ARTS.

Vanessa Sanford lives a brave life full of courage, compassion, creativity, and kindness. She enjoys collaborations and co-facilitating with amazing teachers to offer more diverse service to the community.

Areas of Specialty:

• Kids
• Teens
• Families
• Adults
• Trauma Victims
• Sexual Abuse
• Drug Endangered Children
• Children of Alcoholic/Addicts
• Adult Children of Alcoholics/ Addicts
• Divorce
• Grief/Lose
• Eating Disorders
• Domestic Violence

Affiliations and Organizations:

• Association of Professionals Sexually Abused Children(APSAC)
• American Counseling Association (ACA)
• Texas Counseling Association (TxCA)
• Association for Play therapy (APT)
• Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC)
• National Counselors Certification (NCC)

“A child can always teach an adult three things: to be happy for no reason, to always be busy with something, and to know how to demand with all his might that which he desires.”
~Paulo Coelho