Lacy Overley

Dr. Lacy Overley has been practicing counseling for 15 years and in academia as a professor for 11 years. Prior to coming to The Chicago School, Dr. Overley was at Arkansas State University where she was a tenured associate professor in their Clinical Mental Heath Counseling program. While at Arkansas State, she developed and coordinated a graduate certificate in play therapy and help develop and co-direct a student led mental heath clinic, which was recognized as an approved center through the Association for Play Therapy. She has been focused on supervision of practicing counselors working towards becoming Registered Play Therapists, working with students, and directing a student clinic. Recently, she has begun to focus on practicing again, and is seeing a few clients a week at a joint practice, Chenal Family Therapy. In addition, Dr. Overley and one of her colleagues are working toward opening their own clinic with emphasis on play therapy across the lifespan, training, supervision and supporting new counselors in the area who are looking for a play therapy and expressive arts focus in a small practice. Dr. Overley is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in Mississippi, a Licensed Professional Counselor in Arkansas, a National Certified Counselor, and a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor. Here research interest include play therapy with children who experience trauma, play therapy with children diagnosed with Autism, creativity in counselor education, and DEI issues in supervision and counselor education.