Play Therapist Charlotte
Providing in person child directed play therapy in Belmont and the Charlotte area.
Supporting Children Through Growth, Emotion, and Play
Early childhood is a time of tremendous growth and discovery. New emotions, big transitions, and challenges at home or school are common — but sometimes what a child is experiencing goes beyond what they can make sense of on their own. When this happens, working with a trained play therapist can provide the support children need to process and grow.
Identity Formation
Children begin exploring what they like, how they relate to others, and where they fit in their world. They try out new roles through play, experiment with different ways of expressing themselves, and learn how their actions affect those around them.
This exploration is healthy and expected, but young children don’t yet have the cognitive skills to understand consequences, manage impulses, or communicate complex feelings. Play therapy provides a safe, structured space for them to explore who they are while building the emotional and behavioral skills they need to navigate these early stages of identity development.
Emotional & Behavioral Issues
Play therapy gives children a safe way to express feelings they can’t yet put into words. Through play, they process stress, learn healthier coping skills, and practice new behaviors in a supportive environment. This helps reduce outbursts, anxiety, defiance, and other challenging behaviors while strengthening emotional understanding and regulation.
Social Development
Through guided play, children practice sharing, turn-taking, problem-solving, and reading social cues. This supportive setting strengthens communication and cooperation, helping them form healthier relationships at home, school, and beyond.
ADHD or Autism
Child directed play therapy offers a developmentally appropriate approach for children with ADHD, Autism, and other neurodevelopmental differences. It helps them build attention, communication, emotional awareness, and flexible thinking at their own pace. Through structured, supportive play, children can practice new skills, reduce frustration, and strengthen their ability to navigate daily routines and social situations.
Meet Our Team
Find The Right Therapist For You
Meet the therapists at Restore Counseling Therapy—appointments in Belmont for child directed play therapy.
Children need to feel heard, understood, and supported — especially when they’re struggling in ways they can’t easily express with words. Play therapy offers a safe, supportive space where children communicate through play rather than language, allowing them to share their inner world even when they aren’t ready or able to talk openly with parents or other adults.
- Managing Big Emotions
- Reducing Anxiety and Worry
- Improving Behavior and Impulse Control
- Building Social Skills
- Strengthening Confidence
- Coping With Major Changes
- Processing Trauma
- Supporting Attention and Focus
- Easing Separation Anxiety
- And More
Play therapy provides children with a safe, structured environment to express themselves, work through challenges, and develop emotional and behavioral skills that support everyday life with confidence.
What Child-Directed Play Therapy Is and Who It Helps
Who It’s For
Child-directed play therapy creates a safe, structured environment where your child leads the play in a way that feels natural to them. The therapist follows the child’s cues, reflects emotions, and gently supports them in working through challenges they may not yet have the words to describe.
Through this process, children develop emotional awareness, confidence, problem-solving skills, and healthier coping strategies.
This approach is especially helpful for children ages 3–10 who are experiencing emotional, behavioral, or social challenges. It can also be adapted to support neurodivergent children, including those with ADHD or Autism, based on their unique needs.
Child-directed play therapy is well-suited for children ages 3–10 who are experiencing:
Big emotions or frequent outbursts
Anxiety, fears, or excessive worry
Social challenges or difficulty connecting with peers
Behavioral issues at home or school
Changes such as divorce, moves, or new siblings
Trauma, grief, or stressful experiences
Difficulty expressing thoughts or feelings verbally
It is also helpful for neurodivergent children, including those with ADHD or Autism, when adapted to support their unique needs.
Our Approach To Child Directed Play Therapy
The child therapy approach at Restore Counseling & Therapy is trauma-informed and deeply collaborative. We focus on creating a safe, engaging environment where children can explore their emotions, practice new skills, and discover coping strategies that feel natural and accessible. If you’re ready to take a supportive step forward, contact us today for a consultation.
ABOUT US
Why Work With Restore Counseling & Therapy
Everyone has a story. We’re here to listen to yours.
Life can feel overwhelming when you’ve tried many options without success. Many clients come to us exhausted by their efforts, feeling trapped in the same challenges, unsure of where to turn next.
We recognize that you are more than your past experiences and challenges. We know that you have dreams, goals, and aspirations. We actively listen to your story and build bridges from where you are now to where you want to be.
With over a decade of experience, we built our practice on individualized, trauma-informed therapy that gets results. We help you make connections, identify patterns, and guide you through those “lightbulb” moments to unlock real, lasting change.
At Restore Counseling & Therapy, we believe therapy should be:
Effective
Therapy is an investment of time, effort, and money, so it should bring real, lasting results. We always keep effective, results-based therapy as the goal.
Individualized
Every person is unique, so we personalize therapy to meet your needs. Your flexible treatment plan evolves with you, staying relevant as you make progress.
Trauma-Informed
Many people carry trauma without realizing it. By treating trauma for what it is—rather than seeing it as a flaw or weakness—you can make lasting, meaningful change.
Restore Counseling & Therapy
How To Get Started
If you’re ready to take the first step toward real, lasting change, you can book online using our secure booking platform. Alternatively, reach out via the contact form below or give us a call. We’ll gladly schedule your appointment or free 15-minute consultation at a time that suits you best.
info@restorecounselingtherapy.com
7105 Wilkinson Blvd, Belmont NC 28012
In-person therapy sessions are available at our Belmont office. Online therapy is available across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
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