Community Highlights: Meet Megan Numbers of Play Therapy of the Pines, PLLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Numbers.

Hi Megan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love foyou to start by introducing yourself.
I am a play therapist, though I didn’t start as one. I am originally from Colorado, but married a guy who was in the Army, so we moved around every couple of years. I graduated with a BA in psychology, and my first job in my field was at a residential treatment facility for juveniles. I truly loved working there, but once I got pregnant with my first son, I decided not to work and focus on school. So, I got my Master’s Degree in Counseling (I had my son after my second semester), and I remember thinking that I only wanted to work with adults because “kids couldn’t have conversations.” The first job I got was as a School-Based Behavioral Health Specialist at an intermediate school in Hawaii because we PCSd (military term for “move’) right after I graduated. I loved working at the school because I had wonderful co-workers and learned so much about mental health, counseling, and myself! Our department sent us to a lot of professional developments that were mostly centered around play therapy. This is where my love for play therapy began to blossom. My second son was born in Hawaii, and when he was 18 months old, we PCSd to Maryland. I applied to the Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision program at George Washington University and was accepted! But, we got orders to move again (1o months after being there) 1 week before the semester started. I was devastated. We PCSd to Fort Bragg, NC, and I applied for a hybrid-online program at Adams State University. We bought a house in Southern Pines, and I worked on Fort Bragg with the military families. I began to notice that there were not any mental health professionals who specialized in working with kids in Moore County, so I quit my job and opened my private practice. At that point, I was the only registered play therapist in Moore County, and many of the pediatricians and schools referred clients to me. It has been 6 years since I opened my practice, and I haven’t looked back!

You wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
The road from where I was to where I am today was relatively bump-free (aside from normal life challenges such as moving and having kids) until 2018. I found out in April 2018 that my oldest son, who was 8 then, had terminal cancer. I also discovered during the same week that I was pregnant (surprise!). When I found out, I was working full-time, finishing up courses from my Ph.D. program, and raising kids in a split-custody home. From the beginning, I knew his diagnosis was terminal, but I could have never anticipated that I would only have 6 months left with my first baby boy. After doing a couple of rounds of chemo with no results, my ex-husband and I decided that we wanted our son to live his final months being a kid. He loved to laugh and make people smil, he never met an animal or a person who was a stranger, and his smile could light up a room. So we spent the summer making memories with him. My daughter was born 2 months after he passed away (October 2018), and it was the most challenging thing I have ever and will ever experience. I didn’t think I would be able to work with kids again. I thought I would look at every child I worked with and be angry that my son was no longer with us. I thought I would be filled with rage, hate, hurt, and sadness. But when I kept getting calls and emails from potential clients about when I would be returning to work, I knew I had to. I started back slowly and only saw a few clients a week. And it was so triggering for me. I fought back the tears during every session and came home emotionally depleted. After a few months, I started noticing a shift within myself.

I wanted to see more clients. I was excited to work more because I found my work profoundly healing. Sitting and playing with kiddos during their most challenging times is an honor and a privilege, and they chose me to help guide them on their healing journey. There were (and still are) many moments when I don’t know who helped heal who more, and that is the beauty of how the therapeutic relationship is able to transform hurt, pain, grief, and sadness into love, hope, and healing. However, the most profound moment I experienced was when someone told me that my son was looking down on me, proud of the work I was doing and even doing it himself in Heaven.  In that momment, I knew that not only was working with kiddos my passion, but it was my purpose – my soul’s purpose.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Play Therapy of the Pines, PLLC?
I have a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision and am a licensed clinical mental health counselor and registered play therapist. My practice specializes in working with kiddos ages 3 and up and is designed for kids with adults in mind! I offer a unique experience for kiddos in that I am their advocate. I am here to help and support them in every way. From the second they enter my office to the moment they leave, their time with me is empowering, nurturing, accepting, and healing. I am currently working on recording on-demand videos about anything and everything child mental health, parenting, and play therapy related so that people can access the videos about topics specific to their needs. I also conduct child custody evaluations, but would much rather play with kiddos!

Who else deserves credit for your story?
So many people in my life deserve credit! First and foremost, my children. The best title I will ever have is mommy, and everything I do is for my children. Secondly, my clients. I wouldn’t have a passion and a purpose in this field if it weren’t for the kiddos and families who trust me to do what I do! I am in awe of the amazing kiddos I work with and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Lastly, I have an incredible tribe of family and friends who have supported, encouraged, loved, accepted, and challenged me along my journey. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my tribe of incredible people.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @playtherapy_ofthepines
• Facebook: Play Therapy of the Pines, PLLC

Image Credits
Renee Coleman Photography