Dempsey Rupe, LCSW

 Dempsey Rupe is a licensed clinical social worker, currently in the process of becoming a registered play therapist.  Dempsey has a master’s degree in social work from Florida State University.  Dempsey utilizes play therapy techniques in her work with children and teens.  Dempsey prefers challenging cases and works best with children who have not responded well to prior therapy.  Dempsey is trained in Theraplay, an evidence-based approach to child and family therapy that focuses on building and supporting the child-caregiver attachment to improve the child's self-esteem and trust in others.  Dempsey is also trained in EMDR therapy, including EMDR with play therapy techniques.  

Dempsey facilitates therapy groups for both middle and high schoolers that teach social skills, copings skills, and ways to maintain healthy relationships with peers and family members.  

Dempsey’s social work experience ranges from family case management in early childhood court, to grief work in a hospice setting, to counseling homeless, ungovernable, and truant youth and their families.  Dempsey’s background includes work with family conflict, depression, anxiety, communication issues, trauma, parenting, co-parenting, attachment repair, self-esteem, grief and loss, as well as behavioral issues with children and teens.  One of Dempsey’s greatest strengths is her ability to see beyond what meets the eye and establish therapeutic relationships with resistant youth and challenging personalities.  She has a knack for de-escalating high-conflict situations. 

“When we are struggling with our life’s problems it is easy for all of us to forget our own resiliencies.  I believe that by honing in on our own resilience and celebrating our differences we are able to build a healthier life.” – Dempsey