Dr. Megan N. Long

I believe children do well when they feel safe, understood, and supported in their relationships. When anxiety, big emotions, behavioral challenges, or life transitions begin to disrupt daily life, it can leave families feeling unsure of what their child needs or how to help. My role is to offer a steady, compassionate space where children can grow skills and where parents feel empowered, informed, and supported every step of the way.

My clinical work is grounded in play therapy, attachment-based care, and nervous system–informed approaches. Children communicate naturally through play, long before they have the words to explain what they are feeling. Through developmentally responsive, evidence-based play therapy interventions including play, sandtray, and creative expression, I help children explore emotions, practice regulation, and build confidence in ways that feel safe rather than overwhelming. I am also certified in AutPlay Therapy, a play-based approach specifically designed to support Autistic children and their families by honoring neurodiversity, strengthening connection, and building meaningful skills through relationship and play.

I view behavior as communication. When a child is struggling, I work to understand what their nervous system is experiencing and what unmet needs may be showing up through behavior. A significant focus of my work involves helping children develop regulation skills while supporting caregivers in responding with clarity, confidence, and connection. Therapy is most effective when parents are part of the process, so I collaborate closely with caregivers and offer practical, realistic strategies that can be used at home and at school to reinforce growth outside of sessions.

At the heart of my work is the relationship between children and their caregivers. I believe healing happens within safe, nurturing relationships, and many of my interventions focus on strengthening attachment, improving emotional attunement, and helping families better understand one another. Along the way, I help families notice and celebrate the small but meaningful moments of progress, because those moments are often where lasting change begins.

In addition to my clinical practice, I am actively involved in advancing the fields of counseling and play therapy through teaching, research, and professional leadership. I am a Subject Matter Expert for the National Board for Certified Counselors, where I contribute to national standards that help ensure counselors are prepared to serve families ethically and effectively. My research on play therapy practice and ethics has been published in the International Journal of Play Therapy. I currently serve on the Ethics Committee for the Association for Play Therapy and the Research Committee for the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. I am also the editor of the monthly newsletter for the Louisiana Association for Play Therapy, helping translate research and ethical guidance into accessible, practical information for clinicians across the state.

I am an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at Emporia State University, where I teach future counselors foundational clinical skills as well as advanced coursework in play therapy and neurodiversity-affirming counseling. Teaching and supervising other clinicians allows me to stay closely connected to current research, best practices, and ethical standards, all of which directly inform the care I provide to children and families in my practice.

I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of New Orleans with University and Departmental Honors, followed by a Master of Health Sciences in Clinical Rehabilitation and Counseling from LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans. I completed my doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision in 2024. My doctoral research focused on ethical and legal decision-making in play therapy and I received The Dr. Larry Stokes Outstanding Quantitative Dissertation in Counseling Award. I have presented and published at the state, national, and international levels, including at the American Counseling Association Conference, National Law and Ethics in Counseling Conference, the Louisiana Association for Play Therapy Conference, and the Kansas Association for Play Therapy International Play Therapy Week Celebration, among others.

I am licensed in Louisiana as a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor and hold credentials as a National Certified Counselor, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor.

Reaching out for support takes courage. My hope is that families leave therapy feeling more confident in their parenting, more connected to one another, and better equipped to navigate challenges with compassion, understanding, and trust in their child’s capacity to grow.

You have already taken the next step. Reach out today to continue on your path to wellness.