Meet Zoe Mulkey, LCSW – Child & Adolescent Therapist at Cognitive Solutions LC

With a client-centered and collaborative approach, Zoe Mulkey brings warmth, patience, and creativity to her work with children and adolescents. She focuses on building trust at each client’s pace, creating a safe, supportive space where young people feel heard, empowered, and capable of navigating life’s challenges. Drawing from DBT, ACT, and Narrative Therapy, and often incorporating creative techniques like art, writing, and role play, Zoe helps clients and families find practical strategies that fit their unique needs. Read Zoe’s full bio here. 

What inspired you to become a therapist, and what did your career path look like to get here?  

My path to becoming a therapist was a bit unconventional. When I first started school, I was convinced I did not want to be a therapist and intentionally sought out roles that kept me out of traditional therapy spaces. After earning my master’s degree, I accepted a position at an agency where providing therapy was required—and that experience completely shifted my perspective. I fell in love with the work and quickly saw the impact that a validating, compassionate therapeutic relationship could have on a child. Being able to show up consistently, create safety, and support meaningful growth felt incredibly rewarding, and I felt honored to step into that role. 

How would you describe your therapeutic style to someone considering starting therapy with you?  

I use a flexible and creative therapeutic style, grounded in the belief that therapy should be individualized for each client. I meet clients with patience and begin where they are, adjusting my approach to fit their needs and readiness. I believe therapy can be creative not only through modalities like art or writing, but also in the ways we problem-solve and build coping strategies. I incorporate a significant amount of skills-based work to support symptom management while also honoring that healing is a long-term process. I view myself as a long-term therapist and value providing consistent care that allows clients to move at their own pace and heal in a way that feels sustainable and supportive. 

 

Are there specific issues or concerns you feel especially skilled or confident in supporting?  

I feel especially confident working with children and adolescents who are navigating life transitions and emotional dysregulation. This often includes experiences such as grief, parental divorce, and other significant changes. I view behavior as a primary way children and teens communicate what they are feeling and needing, and I consider it a privilege to support both youth and their caregivers in developing a shared language of understanding. Working collaboratively with families to improve communication and emotional safety is a core part of my work. 

Are there any specialty trainings, certifications, or techniques that strongly influence your practice?  

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) serve as a foundational framework in my practice, as it supports flexibility, values-based growth, and meeting clients where they are. ACT allows space for creativity and integrates naturally with play-based and expressive approaches, which is especially important in my work with children and adolescents. Alongside this foundation, I incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)-informed strategies to support skills-based work related to emotional regulation, and distress tolerance. I also draw from play and creative therapy techniques to help clients engage in ways that feel developmentally appropriate, accessible, and meaningful.  

What steps do you take to build rapport with clients to ensure clients feel respected and seen as individuals?  

I prioritize helping clients feel comfortable by showing up as a real, genuine person and creating an environment that feels safe and approachable. With children and adolescents, this often includes incorporating board games, art, and creative activities to build connection and ease into the therapeutic process. I value being engaging and fun, and I am always willing to move at a slower pace if that’s what a client needs. For clients who are guarded or have experienced provider distrust, I work intentionally to create a space that feels safe, consistent, and respectful. Privacy is of the utmost importance to me, and I take that responsibility very seriously. 

What do you hope clients experience or gain from working with you?  

I hope that by the end of our work together, clients feel empowered and equipped with insight to make the best decisions for themselves. While clients come to me with a wide variety of concerns, my goal is always that they leave feeling more confident, capable, and ready to navigate the complexities of life. I also want my clients to know that my support doesn’t end when they leave a session; they can always return if needed, and I am honored to be a part of their journey whether it is for a few weeks or over the course of several years.   

What do you find most rewarding about being a therapist?  

I feel honored to witness each of my clients grow and change. Every week, clients and their families place their trust in me, and without their willingness to be vulnerable and engage in the work, my job wouldn’t be possible. I am grateful to provide a safe, welcoming space where clients can work toward meaningful change, gaining clarity, insight, and tools that have a real impact on their lives. Being a part of that process is what makes this work so rewarding.