Hi, I’m Machen!

My name is Machen Champion and I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Supervisor (LPCC-S), Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S™). I am passionate about providing relationally-focused, neuroscience informed play therapy to children ages 3 to 10 who are struggling with big feelings and big behaviors. I provide high quality, brain-based training for mental health and helping professions.

I serve as the President of the Ohio Association for Play Therapy and graduated from the 2022 Association for Play Therapy Leadership academy. In addition, I am a 2024-2025 Chi Sigma Iota Leadership Fellowship and serve as President for the University of Cincinnati’s CSI Chapter. I am currently pursuing my Doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Cincinnati, with research interests in preparing counselors to work with children, counselor supervision, and playful pedagogy in higher education.

A Cincinnati native, I earned my master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling at Xavier University and my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Cincinnati. I have been working with children for over 10 years in a variety of settings including teaching first grade, working in an inpatient psychiatric unit at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, and counseling children and their families in outpatient community mental health.

Outside of counseling, I am an avid reader, coffee drinker, and love spending time with my three dogs and husband.