Hayley Stulmaker, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S

Hayley Stulmaker, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S, is a licensed professional counselor and owner of HLS Counseling, PLLC. Stulmaker is the past president of the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling — an ACA division — and she discusses her work with adolescent clients.

Why did you decide to become a counselor?

I always knew that I wanted to work with kids in some capacity. During high school, I had the opportunity to participate in an elementary school teaching internship. I enjoyed this experience, but I realized it felt more powerful and meaningful to have one-on-one connections with children. This led to my decision to study psychology in undergrad, and I continued my love of learning about humans — and children more specifically — as I furthered my graduate studies.

Tell us about your professional background and your areas of specialty.

I received my bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Texas, my master’s degree in counseling and development from Texas Woman’s University, and my doctorate in counseling from the University of North Texas. I have worked with non-profit agencies, in school settings, university settings and private practice throughout my career. My specialty is working with anxiety across the lifespan, incorporating play therapy through talk therapy.

What do your licenses mean and who does it qualify you to provide counseling to?

The LPC-S license means I am a licensed professional counselor supervisor that allows me to serve both the general public and to supervise counselors in training. RPT-S stands for registered play therapist supervisor, demonstrating my training in counseling children ages 3-10, and my ability to supervise play therapists working towards their RPT credentials. CCPT-S/T means I’m a certified child-centered play therapist, supervisor and trainer. It’s a more specialized play therapy certificate in child-centered play therapy that allows me to teach and supervise others pursuing this certification.

If someone is searching for a counselor with expertise in working with adolescents, how would they find you or someone like you?

There are community agencies that provide services to adolescents that can be a more affordable option but sometimes with long waits and turnover of counselors. Additionally, your insurance provider can help you find counselors who are credentialed with your specific insurance, are in your location and work with adolescents. Oftentimes, word of mouth is the strongest referral source, both for in-person connections and also for recommendations in parent social media groups. Lastly, online search platforms can also help narrow the focus of counselors who specialize in working with adolescents in your zip code.

What do you think is the biggest misconception about counseling?

The biggest misconception is that we give our clients advice and that is the purpose. Thankfully, it seems like the general public is becoming more informed overall, but I still encounter some clients and many acquaintances who believe that the role of the counselor is to decide for clients what they should do in various situations.

What role do you think counseling plays in the delivery of mental health services in today’s society?

Counseling plays a huge role in the delivery of mental health services, although not the loudest or most outwardly facing role. In many parts of the country, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and social workers seem to be more widely known as mental health professionals, but I see counselors as highly important in this work. Counseling degrees are primarily focused on students developing the skills to provide mental health services. Many other professions within the scope of mental health have additional areas of educational focus, providing a comprehensive approach to care beyond direct counseling intervention. Counselors, more uniquely, are well prepared to facilitate the counseling process, which is an integral portion of the load of mental health services.

Why is it important for people to take their mental health seriously?

There are tons of research demonstrating the negative impact of not treating mental health as a priority. Not only does this neglect impact someone emotionally, but it can also result in physical decline and other huge consequences. Aside from basic needs, mental health is one of the most influential pieces of someone’s ability to function and thrive.

How do you think your work with adolescent clients helps them cope with their obstacles?

Adolescents are in a unique position where they are trying to assert their independence, but they don’t always have the ability to do so completely as they are still minors and bound by a few systems. Working with and helping them determine what ways they can change their circumstance, either internally or externally, seems to be hugely helpful for them. The adolescents that I work with seem to value being heard and understood as they are. Many times, that experience is enough to help them get through the experiences they are going through in a more adaptive way.

What gives you the most satisfaction in being a counselor and serving adolescent clients?

Adolescents are wonderful in that they are typically at a place cognitively where they can verbally dive deeply into the therapeutic process. They can have huge insights and understand themselves more fully in a way that feels satisfying and different from working with younger children. They also have their lives ahead of them, which is very exciting to witness their growth and imagine the impact this counseling experience might have on their future selves.