Maggie Jennings, Play Therapist

Hello!

I am so glad you are here!! My name is Maggie and I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in North Carolina and a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas. I also hold the certification of a Registered Play Therapist. I obtained my bachelor’s degree in psychology at The University of Alabama (RTR!) and my Master’s of Science in Counseling from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

I have 10 years of experience working with children struggling with anxiety, depression, and transitions. I specialize in working with highly sensitive children. I frequently see kids that are having a hard time with anger, tantrums, rigidity, low self esteem and power struggles. I work with kiddos as young as 3 and into college age. I utilize child-centered play therapy with younger children, and when developmentally appropriate I incorporate activity therapy, CBT, or expressive arts into session. I ensure we are looking at the entire family system, not just the child. I like parents to be very involved in treatment as they are the experts on their child! In my holistic and personalized approach, I meet every client where they are and create a treatment plan that works best for the child and their parents. 

I am very passionate about parenting – it’s something none of us are given a handbook to when we have kids! I frequently have parents reaching out as their child is needing a different type of parenting than their older children. It not only feels frustrating as your tried-and-true approach somehow stopped working, but can knock your confidence at your ability to support your kid. It’s so important to me that all parents can quiet their “shark music” and feel well equipped to support their children. I like to work with parents 1×1 for parent consultation work to combine a bottom-up (co-regulation/nervous system work) and top-down (specific strategies) approach that fit best for your parenting style.

When not working you can find me wrangling my two daughters at the park, trying a new recipe with my husband or reading a book! My favorite way to recharge is at the beach so we go whenever we can! Something about the salty air and ocean really centers me. I am learning Mah-Jong and absolutely love it!! I am a native Charlottean and love to support the families and kids in my hometown!