Does this sound like your child?
You’ve read the books, joined the groups, and tried to reassure your child that they belong. But no matter what you do, they may still feel “different” or struggle with big feelings tied to adoption and identity.
It’s not just “normal growing pains.” Kids and teens navigating adoption and identity often experience:
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Big emotions and emotional outbursts
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Questions about belonging and self-worth
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Confusion or frustration around their family story
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Trouble trusting or attaching to caregivers
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Anxiety about being “different” from peers
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Difficulties with identity as they grow older
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Grief or loss they can’t always put into words
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Feeling misunderstood or “too much”
These challenges are often tied to how children process attachment, identity, and stress, not to “bad behavior".
Many adoptees also carry incredible resilience, empathy, and self-reflection, but those strengths can get buried under confusion, grief, or pressure to "be thankful" or "just be okay".
Whether your child is asking hard questions, withdrawing from family, or struggling to feel like they belong, adoption and identity issues can leave families feeling overwhelmed. You’re not a "bad parent". Your child isn’t "just difficult". They need support that’s grounded in neuroscience, attachment research, and play, so they can grow into their full, authentic selves.
At PlayWorks, We Help Kids and Teens With ADHD Thrive
Adopted children may show grief and loss through play long before they can put words to those feelings. That doesn't mean they don't love their families - it means they need time to safely process their story. Play therapy gives them space to do just that.
At PlayWorks, therapy is tailored for kids and teens who are exploring adoption, belonging, and identity. We use developmentally appropriate, evidence-informed approaches to help them feel safe, understood, and confident in who they are.
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Build coping strategies for big emotions
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Explore identity in safe, age-appropriate ways
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Strengthen attachment and trust in relationships
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Express grief, loss, or confusion through play
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Develop resilience and pride in their unique story
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Reduce shame and increase self-esteem
No long lectures. No judgment. Just real tools for real kids!
Play therapy supports adopted children in making sense of their story, strengthening attachment, and building a secure sense of self.
- Based on findings from research on play therapy & adoptive family support (Ryan, 2017; Jennings, 2019)
Why is Play Based Therapy So Effective for Adoption & Identity?
Research shows adoption can influence brain regions tied to attachment and stress regulation. With the right support, children can rewire these pathways and build secure attachment & lasting resilience.
Because play is the language of children. Through play, kids can explore their story, express grief and loss, and experiment with what belonging means in a safe, nonjudgmental space. Play therapy strengthens the same brain regions that process attachment and emotional regulation (like the limbic system and prefrontal cortex).
When children feel safe and engaged, their brains are more open to healing and growth. With play therapy, they can learn skills like:
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Naming and working through complex feelings
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Practicing trust and building stronger connections
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Exploring identity without pressure
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Processing grief and loss in healthy ways
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Reducing shame and increasing confidence
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Strengthening communication with family and peers
Why Wilmington Parents Choose PlayWorks
for Adoption & Identity Support
We’re neuroscience-informed
Our therapists stay up to date with the latest brain research and use it to guide interventions that actually work!
We make therapy playful and effective
From puppet shows to Pokémon, every session is tailored to your child’s age, interests, and needs so they feel engaged, not embarrassed.
We support YOU too
We offer parent check-ins, progress feedback, and practical strategies you can use at home (without adding to your plate).
We honor the whole child
We don’t just reduce “symptoms”, we support emotional growth, identity development, and resilience for a lifetime.
We’re inclusive and affirming
Our therapists are trained in LGBTQ+ affirming care, trauma-informed care, and neurodiversity-affirming approaches.
You’re Not Alone & It’s Not Too Late
We know that parenting a child navigating adoption and identity can feel overwhelming. We also know that therapy can feel like one more thing on your plate. At PlayWorks, therapy is child-first, family-focused, and actually fun. Plus, it works.
Together, we'll help your child build confidence, calm, and the skills to thrive at home, school, and in life.
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.