Claire Barton Richards is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Registered Play Therapist (RPT) who provides compassionate, trauma-informed therapy for children, adolescents, adult women, and families.

Specialties

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Trauma

• Behavioral Challenges

• Emotional Regulation

Claire has a particular passion for working with children and families navigating developmental, behavioral, and school-related concerns, including ADHD, social challenges, and life transitions. She also supports parents and caregivers in strengthening family relationships, improving communication, and building effective coping strategies.

Her clinical approach incorporates evidence-based modalities such as play therapy and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), along with strengths-based and person-centered interventions tailored to each client’s unique needs.

Approach

Safe, Supportive, and Engaging Care – Claire believes that healing begins with feeling safe, understood, and supported. She creates a warm, engaging therapeutic environment where clients—especially children—can express themselves freely and build emotional awareness through developmentally appropriate interventions like play therapy.

She takes a collaborative approach, working closely with clients, parents, and caregivers to develop individualized treatment plans that foster resilience, emotional growth, and long-term success. Claire also values coordination with schools, medical providers, and community resources to ensure comprehensive, well-rounded care for every client.

More About Claire

Claire is a lifelong Arkansan with extensive experience working with children and families across clinical, school, and medical settings. She currently serves as a Children’s Mental Health Coordinator, where she collaborates closely with pediatric providers and supports integrated care for children and families.

She earned her Master of Social Welfare from the University of Kansas and her Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Science from the University of Arkansas. Claire is a Registered Play Therapist™ and is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), reflecting her commitment to providing high-quality, evidence-based care.

In her work, Claire is known for bringing warmth, creativity, and a calm, grounded presence to sessions—helping clients feel empowered, supported, and capable of meaningful change.