availability-icon

Offered in-person & online

Play therapy in Charlotte, NC

Get in-person or online care, and cover the majority of the costs with your insurance.

All Charlotte services

Connect with a therapist, psychiatrist or counselor near you
Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

Discover how starting therapy with a play can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Good news! We have 42 therapists in North Carolina available for an online or in-person session.

Starting Play therapy

What is play therapy?

Play therapy is a therapeutic technique used for children and young teens. It involves the use of toys, art, and games to help young individuals process mental health challenges they encounter throughout their childhood like trauma, behavioral problems, divorce, or bullying.

How does play therapy work?

Thriveworks play therapists in Charlotte work with young individuals to help them express themselves, release stress and other emotions, learn about their emotions, and heal from difficult experiences by using toys, games, and art to work through these issues in more digestible and accessible formats.

Is play therapy conducted in person or online?

Thriveworks therapists in Charlotte conduct play therapy both in person and virtually through online therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you and your child.

How long does play therapy last?

Play therapy, on average, can take around 20 sessions to effectively address a young individual’s mental health concerns. However, therapy is a very individualized process, meaning that more or fewer sessions might be required depending on the client’s condition and symptoms.

Need more help deciding?

Play Therapy—Counselors and Therapists in Charlotte, NC

Play therapy can effectively help children express their thoughts and feelings, process experiences, and integrate them into their understanding of life. At Thriveworks Charlotte, our experienced licensed professionals are here to support your child’s healing journey through therapeutic play.

Call us at (980) 217-6901 to schedule your appointment.

What is Play Therapy?

Play therapy uses therapeutic play techniques to explore and address a child’s needs in a developmentally meaningful way. It involves activities such as:

  • Using a playhouse and family dolls to explore family relationships
  • Creating sand tray scenes to represent fears
  • Playing games to learn impulse control and social skills

These tools help children learn, process, heal, and grow.

How Can Play Therapy Help?

Play therapy is suitable for children between the ages of 3 and 12 and can address various issues, including:

  • Anxiety and depression
  • Grief and loss
  • Sleep problems
  • Social skills difficulties
  • Impulse control issues
  • Behavioral problems
  • Fears and phobias
  • Separation and divorce
  • Trauma and abuse

Our play therapists also provide coaching and guidance for parents on handling their child’s difficulties, making the healing process a team effort.

Book a Play Therapy Session at Thriveworks Charlotte

If your child is facing any of these challenges, play therapy at Thriveworks Charlotte can help. New clients often see their provider within 7 business days of their first call.

Contact us today to book an appointment and support your child’s journey to healing and growth. (980) 217-6901

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Charlotte therapists and counselors accept 27 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina | BCBS

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina | BCBS Medicare Advantage

  • Carelon

  • Caresource

  • Carolina Behavioral Health Alliance (CBHA)

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

Show more
Self-pay costs at Charlotte
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

4.7 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
I have been seeing Terryn Maher for a couple of months now and she is awesome!! Very knowledgeable, attentive, thorough, thoughtful, caring, etc. I could go on for awhile. I’ve been in counseling with another therapist for about 14 years but I already feel like I’m getting so much more from working with Terryn. Thriveworks on a whole has been great to work with as well. They are easy to work with and schedule appointments with. I was nervous about working with a company over directly with just the therapist but it has actually worked out well. I highly recommend them!
Read more I have been seeing Terryn Maher for a couple of months now and she is awesome!! Very knowledgeable, attentive, thorough, thoughtful, caring, etc. I could go on for awhile. I’ve been in counseling with another therapist for about 14 years but I already feel like I’m getting so much more from working with Terryn. Thriveworks on a whole has been great to work with as well. They are easy to work with and schedule appointments with. I was nervous about working with a company over directly with just the therapist but it has actually worked out well. I highly recommend them!
Jennifer Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Clarissa is a true professional and I love working with her!
Charlotte Aug 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Dr Patricia shows her professionalism by having a positive attitude, using time effectively, and providing excellent service. Dr. Patricia's communication is wonderful when showing her active listening skills. Dr. Patricia shows compassion because she is passionate about what she brings to this field.
Read more Dr Patricia shows her professionalism by having a positive attitude, using time effectively, and providing excellent service. Dr. Patricia's communication is wonderful when showing her active listening skills. Dr. Patricia shows compassion because she is passionate about what she brings to this field.
Charlotte Aug 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Gabrielle is an amazing therapist. She is very empathetic to her clients and their needs. She can help you through what ever you are going through. Schedule with her! You will not be disappointed.
Read more Gabrielle is an amazing therapist. She is very empathetic to her clients and their needs. She can help you through what ever you are going through. Schedule with her! You will not be disappointed.
Charlotte Feb 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I have had the pleasure of working with Clair Crow professionally and can attest to what an incredible therapist she is! She has a calm demeanor and creates safety with her clients. She balances that safety and care with clear boundaries. I highly recommend her and have often referred clients to her for her expertise.
Read more I have had the pleasure of working with Clair Crow professionally and can attest to what an incredible therapist she is! She has a calm demeanor and creates safety with her clients. She balances that safety and care with clear boundaries. I highly recommend her and have often referred clients to her for her expertise.
Charlotte Oct 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I've worked with Mrs. Matson for close to a year now and I can say with certainty that she's a great counselor to go to for help with emotional regulation and understanding, grief management, and processing trauma in healthy and beneficial ways. Her use of meditation techniques to get to the root of my emotions and habits have helped me understand so much about myself and why I operate the way I do. I'd definitely recommend her to anyone just starting out looking for a good counselor, or anyone looking for a friendly empathetic professional who listens well and draws from a wealth of information to provide really quality services.
Read more I've worked with Mrs. Matson for close to a year now and I can say with certainty that she's a great counselor to go to for help with emotional regulation and understanding, grief management, and processing trauma in healthy and beneficial ways. Her use of meditation techniques to get to the root of my emotions and habits have helped me understand so much about myself and why I operate the way I do. I'd definitely recommend her to anyone just starting out looking for a good counselor, or anyone looking for a friendly empathetic professional who listens well and draws from a wealth of information to provide really quality services.
Charlotte Feb 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I have seen Dr. Daniel Stillwell for a year for individual and couples counseling and I trust him immensely. He is a skilled, authentic, and highly competent professional. I’ve also referred him to others and they described the same. Thriveworks staff have been very helpful with insurance and appointments.
Read more I have seen Dr. Daniel Stillwell for a year for individual and couples counseling and I trust him immensely. He is a skilled, authentic, and highly competent professional. I’ve also referred him to others and they described the same. Thriveworks staff have been very helpful with insurance and appointments.
Charlotte Jan 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Adriana Blanco is wonderful. I never felt any judgement from her during our sessions. She is compassionate, firm and extremely knowledgeable. I could not see myself opening up as much with another counselor, thank you for putting her in my path.
Read more Adriana Blanco is wonderful. I never felt any judgement from her during our sessions. She is compassionate, firm and extremely knowledgeable. I could not see myself opening up as much with another counselor, thank you for putting her in my path.
Charlotte Apr 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Child Therapy Charlotte is near the corner of Park Road and Woodlawn Road. We are across the street from Starbucks and Exxon. Sharonview Federal Credit Union is the building next to our office.

Phone number

(980) 217-6901

Languages spoken by NC providers

  • English
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

7 photos