PlayWorks Child & Teen Therapy
Our Mission
At PlayWorks, our mission is to help children and teens in Wilmington, NC grow into confident, compassionate, and resilient individuals. We use play-based therapy, which is an evidence-based approach that allows kids to process emotions, build coping skills, and strengthen relationships in ways that feel natural and engaging.
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Through play, children discover new ways to understand themselves, express their feelings, and connect with others. As they grow in therapy, they gain tools for handling big emotions, improving behavior at home and school, and building the confidence to face life’s challenges.
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What We Do
PlayWorks is part of Valid Love Therapy Collective PLLC, a progressive practice known for high-quality, inclusive mental health care. While our focus is children, teens, and families, we share the same core commitment: every person deserves access to safe, affirming, and effective therapy.
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We reject discrimination in all its forms, including racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, and ableism, and actively work to remove barriers that prevent families from getting the support they need.
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Parents come to us when their child is struggling with:
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Anxiety, worries, or fears
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ADHD and focus challenges
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Anger, defiance, or behavioral struggles
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Social skills, friendships, or bullying
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Grief, trauma, or big life changes
Our therapists help children build resilience, compassion, and problem-solving skills—tools that carry into adolescence and adulthood.
Core Values
Play
We believe play is one of the most effective ways for children to heal, learn, and grow. In our sessions, play becomes the bridge to self-expression, emotional regulation, and problem-solving.
Inclusion
We honor every child’s identity, culture, and story. We ensure families of all backgrounds have access to therapy that is respectful, inclusive, and just.
Collaboration
We partner with parents, schools, and communities so that progress continues beyond the therapy room. When families feel supported, children thrive.
Our Commitment to Families in Wilmington, NC
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At PlayWorks, every child should feel seen, accepted, and celebrated for exactly who they are. We welcome adoptive families, blended families, LGBTQIA+ families, and families navigating neurodiversity, grief, or transition.
Our promise is to create a space where children feel safe to be themselves, parents feel supported, and therapy provides real tools that make a difference at home, at school, and in the community.
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At PlayWorks, we combine the power of play, the strength of collaboration, and the commitment to equity so that children and teens in Wilmington, NC can grow, connect, and thrive.