Does this sound like your child?
You expected some ups and downs, but the transition has been harder than you thought. Maybe your child just started at a new school, or you recently moved. Maybe there is a new baby in the family, or a shift in routines that has thrown things off balance.
Instead of settling in, your child seems more anxious, moody, or withdrawn. The smallest things trigger big reactions, and the confident kid you knew suddenly feels lost.
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Kids and teens adjusting to big changes may:
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Have more meltdowns or outbursts than usual
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Struggle with sleep, appetite, or school performance
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Complain of stomachaches or headaches
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Show more clinginess or separation anxiety
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Withdraw from friends or activities they used to enjoy
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Seem worried, sad, or restless most of the time
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If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Many kids need extra support when facing life’s big transitions.
At PlayWorks, We Help Kids and Teens Navigate Change With Confidence
Transitions like a move, a new school, or a new sibling can trigger stress because kids lose a sense of safety and control. Play therapy gives them a safe space to process change and practice new coping skills.
Change is hard, even for adults. For kids, it can feel overwhelming without the right tools. At PlayWorks, we use play therapy and neuroscience-informed strategies to help children process change and build resilience.
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Through play and evidence-based approaches, we help kids and teens:
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Understand and express feelings about the change
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Build calming and coping strategies that work in real time
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Strengthen problem-solving and flexibility when routines shift
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Develop confidence in navigating new environments and expectations
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Reconnect with family and friends during times of stress
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Find hope and stability even when life feels uncertain
Based on research by Bratton & Ray (2000), play therapy significantly reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression in children experiencing life stressors, the very skills kids need to adjust to transitions like moves, new schools, or family changes.
Why is Play Based Therapy So Effective for Transitions?
Change activates the brain’s stress response. With guided play, kids strengthen pathways for resilience, flexibility, and problem-solving, helping them adjust more smoothly to life’s transitions.
Because change can feel overwhelming. When kids act out or withdraw during transitions, they are showing us how uncertain or unsafe they feel inside. Play therapy allows children to work through those feelings in a safe, supportive way while practicing flexibility and resilience.
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The brain’s stress systems, especially the amygdala, can go into overdrive during big changes. Play therapy helps calm these systems, making space for kids to think, regulate, and adapt to new routines.
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Over time, kids learn to:
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Put words to their feelings about change
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Use coping strategies instead of meltdowns or withdrawal
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Stay flexible when plans or routines shift
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Rebuild confidence and trust in themselves
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Find stability and safety even during uncertainty
Why Wilmington Parents Choose PlayWorks for Support With Change
We see beyond behavior
We know that acting out or shutting down during transitions is not misbehavior. It’s a child’s way of coping with stress. We help uncover the “why” behind the behavior.
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We are neuroscience-informed
Our therapists use brain-based, evidence-informed strategies that help children regulate emotions, process change, and adapt with confidence.
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We support YOU too
Parents get check-ins, progress feedback, and simple strategies that make transitions smoother at home.
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We honor the whole child
We don’t just treat symptoms of anxiety or sadness. We nurture confidence, identity, and resilience so your child can thrive in new environments.
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We’re inclusive and affirming
Our therapists are trained in trauma-informed care, LGBTQ+ affirming care, and neurodiversity-affirming approaches.
You’re Not Alone & It’s Not Too Late
Watching your child struggle with change can be painful. You may worry about their happiness, their confidence, or whether they will ever adjust. The good news is that with the right support, kids can learn the tools to handle transitions, regain stability, and even grow stronger through the process.
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At PlayWorks, therapy is child-first, family-focused, and grounded in neuroscience. Together, we will help your child move past fear and into patterns of confidence, resilience, and connection.
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.