Does this sound like your child?
Children with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) often carry invisible struggles. What looks like “quirky habits” or “perfectionism” on the outside may actually be exhausting rituals that your child feels they cannot control.​
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Kids and teens with OCD may:
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Repeat behaviors like handwashing, checking, or counting
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Become extremely upset if routines are disrupted
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Ask the same questions over and over for reassurance
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Avoid certain places, people, or activities due to fear
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Struggle with intrusive or scary thoughts they cannot turn off
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Spend so much time on rituals that daily life is disrupted
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Experience guilt, shame, or anxiety about their behaviors
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These challenges are not about stubbornness or “bad behavior.” They are the brain’s way of trying to find safety and control in the middle of overwhelming thoughts and feelings.
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Many kids with OCD are also creative, thoughtful, and highly empathetic. Those strengths can get buried under shame and anxiety when rituals and worries take over.
At PlayWorks, We Help Kids & Teens With OCD Thrive
OCD rituals are not about “wanting” to do something. They are the brain’s way of trying to reduce anxiety. Therapy helps kids break the cycle.
At PlayWorks, therapy is tailored to help children understand and manage the cycle of obsessions and compulsions. Through play, creative expression, and evidence-informed techniques, kids learn how to reduce anxiety and reclaim their freedom.
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Understand how intrusive thoughts and compulsions work together
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Practice calming strategies for overwhelming feelings
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Build confidence and reduce shame around OCD symptoms
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Strengthen coping skills for everyday life
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Reconnect with family and friends without rituals getting in the way
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Develop resilience and self-compassion
Play therapy can significantly reduce anxiety and compulsive behaviors in children, helping them regain a sense of control and calm.
- Research on play therapy and childhood disorders (Bratton et al., 2005; Knell & Dasari, 2006)
Why is Play Based Therapy So Effective for OCD?
OCD is linked to overactive brain circuits between the fear and decision-making centers. Play therapy helps calm these pathways and strengthen new, healthier responses. Our therapists are also trained to use Play Therapy in conjuction with ERP therapy to best target OCD.
Because children express themselves through play. Rituals and intrusive thoughts can feel overwhelming, but in play therapy, kids can safely explore their fears, rehearse new coping strategies, and practice flexibility without judgment.
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OCD is linked to over-activation of brain circuits that connect the amygdala (fear center) and prefrontal cortex (decision-making). Play therapy helps calm these systems, giving kids more space to think, cope, and choose. Over time, they learn to:
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Recognize intrusive thoughts without acting on them
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Build strategies to tolerate discomfort and uncertainty
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Reduce compulsive behaviors in a safe, supported way
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Strengthen emotional regulation and resilience
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Rebuild confidence and joy in daily life
Why Wilmington Parents Choose PlayWorks for OCD Therapy
We are backed by science
Our therapists use research-based strategies to address OCD while keeping sessions developmentally appropriate and child-friendly.
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We make therapy engaging and safe
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
OCD can feel overwhelming, but there is hope. At PlayWorks, therapy is child-first, family-focused, and grounded in neuroscience. We give kids the tools to manage intrusive thoughts, reduce compulsions, and reconnect with the things they love most.
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Together, we will help your child feel safe, confident, and free to thrive.
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.