About Me
Vanessa M. Sanford is a bilingual and bi-cultural therapist who has almost 30 years experience working with families in crisis. Mrs. Sanford was awarded the 2007 Texas Mental Health Professional of the Year for Child Advocacy Center's of Texas. Mrs. Sanford has been included in several educational films bringing awareness to child abuse, including "The Little Voice" made by Texas Young Lawyers Association.
Vanessa graduated with her Master's of Science in Rehabilitations Counseling from the University of North Texas. Vanessa is a licensed professional counselor/supervisor specializing in trauma survivors of abuse, children of addicts (COA's), high conflict divorce, anxiety, grief, eating disorders, and includes their families through play therapy, individual, group, and family therapy in private practice, Support System, PLLC located in Frisco, TX. Vanessa was previously on Steering Committee of the Texas Alliance for Drug Endangered Children.
Vanessa’s background experience includes working at the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center offering therapy to sexual abuse victims and their families. Mrs. Sanford also worked as a Children's Counselor at the Betty Ford Five Star Kids program working with kids who are affected by their parent's addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. Vanessa has experience working with Parkland Oncology Unit as well as the Dallas Independent School District Youth and Family Centers Special Education students and their families. Mrs. Sanford also worked as a Milieu Therapist at Children's Medical Center Inpatient Psychiatric Unit specializing in working with eating disorders, emotional disturbance, and autism. Mrs. Sanford also was involved in research studies at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School involving high-risk adolescents.
Vanessa is Licensed Professional Counselor/Supervisor, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™, and Certified Daring Way Facilitator based on the research by Brené Brown. Vanessa is an EMDRIA certified therapist and a Registered 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, 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 ordinary practices.. 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 Drug Endangered Children, Keeping your Kids Safe, Expert Testimony for Therapists, Animal Assisted Therapy, Therapeutic Interventions for Traumatized Children, Children of Alcoholics/Addicts, impact of sexual abuse, anxiety, wholehearted living, court prep for therapists, and trauma. Mrs. Sanford has also been a co-author for two books and written a handful of blogs and articles focusing on mental health. Mrs. Sanford has facilitated retreats and groups for organizations focusing on support for burnt out staff. Vanessa has been invited to present to CASA volunteers, SMU counseling practicum students, school districts, and local churches. Mrs. Sanford has been interviewed on a local radio show, 3 podcasts, been a guest on Savvy miniseries, and a mentor for Frisco ISM students. Vanessa has been on the advisory council for Frisco Gifted Association and is a proud member of Frisco ARTS. Vanessa was on the National Association for Play Therapy IDEA Team (inclusivity, diversity, equity, awareness) and was the last President for the North Texas Chapter of the Texas Association for Play Therapy. Mrs. Sanford was awarded the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award for 2024 by the Texas Association for Play Therapy. Vanessa is honored to currently be serving on the board of Yena.
Vanessa Sanford wants to live a brave life full of courage, compassion, creativity, kindness, and social justice. She enjoys collaborations and co-facilitating with amazing teachers to offer more diverse services to the community.
