Play Therapy therapists in Wilmington, North Carolina NC
Play Therapy
Linda Friedman
Psychologist, Psy.D.
I am a warm, supportive, clinician who will tailor the therapeutic experience to your unique needs. You will find me to be a trusted partner dedicated to your well-being. I specialize in empowering individuals and families to overcome challenges related to anxiety, trauma, depression, executive functioning, self-esteem, and behavior problems. With a compassionate and collaborative approach, I tailor evidence-based interventions to each individual and family I work with. Contact me today for a free consultation and we will work toward making positive changes and personal growth.
20 Years Experience
Play Therapy
Stegall Counseling PLLC
Licensed Professional Counselor, LCMHC, NCC, LRT, CTRS
I’m different than most therapists out there. What makes therapy with me different?
Well in order to understand that, let me tell you the quick story of why I became a therapist.
After graduating from college, I felt lost. I bounced from job to job, but struggled to find my true passion in life. I was scared I would never find what I was supposed to do in life and this caused me intense anxiety.
I didn’t feel like myself.
My family and friends were really concerned about me because I stopped laughing all the time and instead I wanted to stay home and avoid people.
I kept trying to keep my thoughts positive, but I found that when working in a toxic work environment it was hard to keep my thoughts positive. Instead I would find myself checking my heart rate, having feelings like I want to pass out, and wanting to RUN to my car to get home ASAP. These emotions were exhausting and draining.
My mom was the one who told me that I really needed to go see a counselor to talk about what was going on with me, since I was constantly irritable and never happy.
I struggled with the idea of having to call to set up an appointment.
I thought to myself… “A therapist won’t understand me and she will just judge me!”
After struggling for a couple more weeks with complete misery, I could no longer live with so much anxiety anymore and I made the call to set up my initial appointment.
On my way to the appointment, I almost had a panic attack in the car. I was crying the whole way there so scared of what she might think or say.
Once I arrived, I sat in my car for a few minutes, but decided I needed to go into the office.
I was breathing so hard that I was afraid I was about to have a panic attack.
After checking in with the front desk, I had to get some water and sit down while trying to make myself relax.
Once I sat down in her office, she was the most genuine person I have ever met.
Therapy was nothing like I had expected.
She helped to make me feel accepted and to understand that my emotions are important. She helped me to understand that my emotions help to guide me in life, but when they become so intense they become ineffective.
The more I understood what emotions I was feeling such as sadness, upset, frustrated, angry, irritated, mad, resentful, and embarrassed, the more I realized there were so many things I didn’t know about MYSELF or really didn’t want to admit to myself.
I attended therapy weekly for several months and began to identifying that the job I was working was NOT what I wanted to do for a living AND not where my TRUE PASSION was in life.
I decided that I could no longer continue to live in this state of HIGH INTENSE ANXIETY. I knew that my mental health was first priority.
I found the experience to be the complete OPPOSITE of what I expected it to be. I expected judgement but instead she gave grace, compassion, and empathy. She helped to ask me questions which caused me to be real with myself in what I truly wanted from life – HAPPINESS, COMPASSION, PEACE, LAUGHTER, AND EMPATHY FOR OTHERS.
I realized that by going to counseling personally, I wanted to become a counselor so that I could help others in their personal struggles and for them to know someone is there to walk with them through this thing called life.
7 Years Experience
Play Therapy
Ailyn Payan, Psy.D.
Psychologist, Licensed Psychologist
Hey there. My name is Dr. Payan and I am happy to speak with you to better understand your unique needs before embarking in the therapeutic journey. I specialize in various mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, behavior problems, and autism, and have offered services to children, adolescents, and adults both in-person and online. Being a mother myself, I understand first-hand the challenges of motherhood and the accompanying overwhelming feelings that many experience. Throughout the years, I have helped parents improve their relationships and communication with their children to foster a closer and stronger relationship. I invite you to call or email me so we may discuss how I can best help you.
14 Years Experience
Play Therapy
Dr. Lauren Chase
Counselor/Therapist, PhD, LCMHC, NCC, BC-TMH
I use the phrase “climbing mountains” to discuss big challenges we must overcome. I also like recognizing the smaller challenges we face daily and how we overcome them. The name “Climbing Hills Counseling” represents my passion for supporting women in the small (and big) life challenges they might face.
Hi, I am Dr. Lauren Chase, the founder of Climbing Hills Counseling. I help high-achieving women and girls raise their self-esteem, overcome anxiety and self-doubt, and reach their full potential.
Come sit down on your favorite chair, grab a cup of coffee or tea, and let’s talk about the stress with work, friends, school, or relationships you have been experiencing.
Balancing multiple roles and responsibilities can be so exhausting!
Whether you are in your favorite workout leggings or business casual trousers, we can work together towards your goals.
As a fellow beautifully anxious person, I understand what it is like to exist in constant survival mode until the next challenge and not enjoying your accomplishments because it is hard to feel “good enough.”
Let’s work together to fight that anxiety, people-pleasing, and that bully in your head telling you that you’re just not “enough.”
I believe that you can overcome your challenges and be your true self, but sometimes we need a little guidance and push up the hill.
Once we understand, “how” and “why” we do what we do, we can become brave enough to break these patterns and start living life differently.
I believe in approachability, authenticity, and empowerment in the counseling process.
Feel comfortable coming as you are.
Bring your whole self to the session.
Throughout the counseling process, you will feel empowered to work towards those goals you have been pushing to the side.
7 Years Experience
Play Therapy
Groves Counseling Center
Counselor/Therapist, LCMHC-S, LCMHC, LCAS, MDIV
We are a non-profit Christian Counseling Center that specializes in marriage, family, individual and children's counseling.
8 Years Experience