Does this sound like your child?
When families go through divorce, separation, or major changes, kids feel the impact in big ways. Even when parents do their best to make the transition smooth, children often show their stress through behavior, emotions, or withdrawal.​
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Kids and teens experiencing family changes may:
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Struggle with big emotions like anger, fear, or sadness
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Act out at home or at school
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Worry about being “in the middle” between parents
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Have sleep problems, stomachaches, or headaches
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Show drops in grades or motivation
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Withdraw from friends or activities
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Seem clingy, anxious, or shut down emotionally
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Ask difficult questions about loyalty, fairness, or love
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These challenges aren’t signs of a “bad kid.” They reflect how a child’s brain and body are trying to process stress, loss, and change.​
At PlayWorks, We Help Kids and Teens Through Divorce & Family Changes Thrive
Even with all the reassurances from parents, children still blame themselves for divorce or family changes. Therapy helps them process it’s not their fault and builds a stronger sense of security.
At PlayWorks, therapy is designed to give children a safe, neutral place to process feelings about divorce, separation, and family transitions. Through play and creative expression, kids can work through their worries and learn coping skills that bring them comfort and stability.
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Build emotional regulation and calming strategies
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Strengthen attachment and trust in caregivers
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Express grief, loss, or confusion safely
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Reduce anxiety about new routines or relationships
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Rebuild confidence and sense of security
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Improve communication with family members
Play therapy provides children with a safe way to process grief and transition, while supporting emotional regulation and resilience.
– Based on findings from play therapy research on children experiencing family transitions (Landreth & Bratton, 2006; Ray, 2011)
Why is Play Based Therapy So Effective for Divorce & Family Changes?
Stressful family transitions can over-activate a child’s stress response, making it harder to regulate emotions. Play therapy helps calm the nervous system and rebuild healthy coping pathways.
Because play is the natural language of children. Kids may not always have the words to explain their feelings about divorce or shifting family roles, but they can act them out, explore them, and process them through play.
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Play therapy helps regulate the brain’s stress systems (including the amygdala and prefrontal cortex), which makes it easier for kids to feel calm and safe. With the right support, children learn skills like:
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Naming and managing difficult feelings
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Processing grief and loss without shutting down
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Building problem-solving and resilience skills
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Practicing communication and boundaries
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Strengthening bonds with caregivers on both sides
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Rebuilding confidence and stability during change
Why Wilmington Parents Choose PlayWorks for Divorce & Family Changes Support
We’re neuroscience-informed
Our therapists use the latest brain research to guide interventions that truly work for kids under stress.
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We make therapy playful and effective
From art and storytelling to video games and sand tray, every session is tailored to your child’s needs so they feel safe and engaged.
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We support YOU too
We provide parent check-ins, progress updates, and practical tools you can use at home to support your child’s growth.
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We honor the whole child
We don’t just target “bad behavior” or “symptoms.” We support resilience, empathy, and emotional growth that lasts a lifetime.
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We’re inclusive and affirming
Our therapists are trained in trauma-informed care, LGBTQ+ affirming care, and neurodiversity-affirming approaches. Every child and family belongs here.
You’re Not Alone & It’s Not Too Late
We know divorce and family changes can leave kids feeling unsettled, and parents feeling overwhelmed. At PlayWorks, therapy is child-first, family-focused, and rooted in neuroscience. Plus, it’s playful and effective.
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Together, we’ll help your child feel secure, supported, and ready to thrive, no matter how family life changes.
We’re located in Wilmington, NC and work with children, teens, and families across the Cape Fear region.Schedule your free 20-minute parent consult or start the intake process here.