About ACPT

Advanced Counseling and Play Therapy (ACPT) was founded in 2021 by Shawn Morton, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor with over 15 years of experience. ACPT is focused on providing empirical, cutting-edge, and compassionate therapy services for children, teens, and their families. The mission of ACPT is to create a caring, therapeutic environment where new strategies can be learned, difficult issues can be addressed, distress can be reduced, and self-worth can grow.

Shawn Morton, M. Ed., NCC, LCMHCS, RPT-S

Founder & Clinical Director

Shawn Morton is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor who received both his bachelor's degree in Psychology and master’s degree in Counselor Education from the University of Mississippi. During that time, he worked and trained at UM's Counseling Center and the Oxford Play Therapy Training Institute. Shawn has now been a licensed therapist for over 15 years and is also a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor(RPT-S). Shawn is an active member of the Association for Play Therapy and has served on the Board of Directors of the

NC Association for Play Therapy.

Shawn previously served as Clinical Director for an inpatient psychiatric hospital providing individual, group, and family therapy to children ages 6-21 who were struggling with mood instability, Autism Spectrum Disorder, depression, anger management, Bipolar disorder, ADHD, peer/family relationship issues, and a variety of other issues and diagnoses. He was then part of a private counseling practice for ten years in Hampstead, North Carolina, working primarily with children, parents, and families from all backgrounds including extensive work with military families. He also provided in-school mental health services for clients in the Pender County School District.

Shawn employs Play Therapy, EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral, and Reality Therapy approaches to help children challenge irrational thoughts and reduce negative behaviors.