Dr. Denise Gilstrap is a dedicated educator, clinician, and researcher. She earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from The University of Mississippi (2016), specializing in play therapy. She also holds a Master of Science in Counseling from Texas A&M University-Commerce (2009), a Master of Arts in Teaching (2006), and a Bachelor of Arts in English (2004) from Texas Woman’s University.
Dr. Gilstrap is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S), National Certified Counselor (NCC), Registered Play Therapist, and Professional School Counselor (Texas). With extensive clinical experience in community mental health and private practice, she has served as a school-based therapist, family therapist, crisis counselor, and assessment therapist. Before transitioning to the mental health field, she spent seven years as a middle school language arts and reading teacher in Dallas and New Orleans. She remains deeply committed to K-12 public education and continues to support schools through her consulting work.
Clinically, Dr. Gilstrap specializes in treating trauma, neurodevelopmental disorders, depression, anxiety, and relational challenges. She is trained in EMDR, trauma-focused play therapy, and clinical hypnotherapy. Her research interests focus on mental health in school settings, the impact of mood disorders in youth, directive play therapy approaches, evidence-based classroom interventions for executive functioning, and caregiver wellness.
Dr. Gilstrap's has published articles in peer-reviewed journals, including the International Journal of Play Therapy and Play Therapy Magazine, and she has presented at numerous state and national conferences. She is a member of Chi Sigma Iota (2009) and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society (2014), a former ACES Emerging Leader (2015), and a graduate of the Association for Play Therapy Leadership Academy (2018).
Encompassed in her departmental work is Dr. Gilstrap’s role as project director and principal investigator of LCCE’s early childhood program, which aims to reduce barriers to mental health access for children and families in Greater New Orleans.
Dr. Gilstrap currently serves as Board President of Wellness Project New Orleans. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.