Meet Dr. Denise Gilstrap, LPC-S, NCC, Registered Play Therapist
Owner & Clinician, MindZen NOLA, LLC
Dr. Gilstrap works with helping professionals and caregivers to untangle the impact of stress, trauma, and overwhelm
Help you balance, build emotional resilience, and reconnect with your sense of purpose.
The Path to Healing
"I believe that as adults, many of us carry childhood wounds that run quite deep and sometimes interfere with how we interact with the world. At some point those childhood experiences that we’ve held down for so long emerge, and we find ourselves struggling to process the past while navigating the present. My role is to help you gain insight into your experience and process those painful or forgotten memories. Using an integrated approach tailored to you, I will help you rewrite your story and find the strength to heal."
About Dr. Denise Gilstrap
Dr. Denise Gilstrap is a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and Registered Play Therapist with advanced clinical training in play therapy, EMDR, and Clinical Hypnotherapy. With over 15 years of experience in education and mental health, Dr. Gilstrap is passionate about empowering individuals and families to navigate life's challenges and thrive.
Dr. Gilstrap holds a PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), a Master of Science in Counseling from Texas A&M University-Commerce, and both a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Texas Woman’s University. Her professional journey includes eight years as a college professor in higher education and seven years of service in K-12 schools in Dallas and New Orleans. She has published in professional journals and presented nationally on the topics of school-based mental health, play therapy, and the clinical treatmentment of mood disorders in children.
15 YEARS EXPERIENCE
mental health and wellness advocate
Dedicated educator & researcher
D
r. Gilstrap currently serves as counseling faculty and clinic director and is managing a multi-million dollar federal grant aimed at decreasing barriers to mental health services for children and families in New Orleans.
Specializing in treating PTSD, ADHD, mood disorders, and executive dysfunction, Dr. Gilstrap also offers therapy, coaching, and consultation to parents and schools. Her expertise extends to training and development in wellness and Neurodiversity-affirming practices for schools and nonprofits. Drawing from her extensive background as an educator and counselor, Dr. Gilstrap is uniquely equipped to address the challenges faced by women balancing multiple roles in their personal and professional lives.
Dr. Gilstrap practices from a psychodynamic, trauma-informed approach. Her services are tailored to women in caregiving and helping professions—mothers, teachers, therapists, school administrators, and others—who seek improved mental health and greater life balance. Dr. Gilstrap especially understands the multifaceted challenges of women of color who care for others. She creates a supportive space where women can work toward showing up authentically and fully for themselves and those they care for.
Committed to practicing the wellness she advocates, Dr. Gilstrap enjoys self-care through yoga, jogging, quality time with loved ones, and her beloved fur baby, Bella. With care, expertise, and a deep commitment to holistic health, Dr. Gilstrap is dedicated to helping others lead more balanced and fulfilling lives.
