Clinical Program Manager & Therapist

 Denise Gilstrap, PhD, LPC, NCC, Registered Play Therapist


​Olymar Oceguera is a senior at Tulane University majoring in psychology and sociology. She volunteers at OPS Family Care and assists the agency with intake registrations, referral processing, and administrative tasks such as digitalizing the intake process and website development. Olymar enjoys connecting clients to OPS staff members and helping make mental health care accessible and beneficial for people in her community. Olymar is interested in trauma-informed care in school settings and looks forward to continuing her education to further assist her community.​

Cassandra is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Board Approved Supervisor in the State of Louisiana.  She received her Bachelor of Social Work Degree from Clark Atlanta University and her Master of  Social Work from Tulane University.  During 20 years of diverse practice experience, her developed specialty is work with high risk children and their families.  She has a specific expertise in treating children who have experienced trauma and adverse childhood experiences.  Cassandra is one of the only clinicians in the State of Louisiana with advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy from the world renowned Beck Institute founded by Aaron Beck in Philadelphia. In addition, she is Nationally Certified as a Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapist.  She serves as a board member for the Louisiana Association of Clinical Social Workers and is actively involved in ensuring mental health policy across the state provides access to quality care to marginalized people in Louisiana. Her passion for advocacy, her commitment to Social Justice and her dedication to serving the under served have driven her vision for OPS Family Care, LLC.


Ms. Smith provides Clinical Supervision for candidates obtaining Social Work Licensing as well as Agency Staff Training, Supervision, and Consultation.  


Dr. Gilstrap is a part-time Clinical Program Manager and therapist for OPS Family Care, LLC. In her full-time role, she is a faculty member and clinical director in a graduate counseling program. Dr. Gilstrap holds credentials as a Licensed Professional Counselor (Louisiana and Mississippi), Registered Play Therapist, and National Certified Counselor. Dr. Gilstrap is also certified in telemental health counseling. She received a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Ole Miss and a Master of Science degree in Counseling from Texas A&M University-Commerce. She additionally has a Master of Arts in Teaching and Bachelor of Arts in English from Texas Woman’s University. She has several years of clinical counseling experience and has taught for over a decade in both K-12 and university settings in Texas and Louisiana. Dr. Gilstrap specializes in play therapy and child & family counseling and has training in EMDR, applied behavior analysis, and TF-CBT. 


Agency Volunteer

Olymar Oceguera


Executive Director & Clinical Program Director

Cassandra D. Smith, LCSW-BACS