Our Story

Before we found Groundplay, my husband and I felt completely lost. We were frustrated — Greta, our younger daughter, was struggling with big emotions, sensory sensitivities, and behaviors that felt impossible to manage. We’d tried Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and while the techniques were helpful in theory, they didn’t seem to work with Greta the way they had with our older daughter. We felt like we weren’t parenting the way we wanted to — that we weren’t helping her in the way she needed.

The Challenge


We knew we needed help, but the uncertainty was overwhelming. We worried about how much support we could get with our insurance, and whether anything would actually make a difference. It was hard not knowing where to turn next or whether we’d ever feel confident as parents again.

Why We Chose Groundplay


Honestly, we first looked into Groundplay because they accepted our insurance and were close to home. But what truly made the decision easy was our first interaction with Stefanie. Her email was warm, validating, and insightful. She understood our concerns right away and was flexible with our schedule. After that initial contact, I knew—we were in the right place.

What We Hoped to Achieve

Our goal was simple but significant: we wanted Greta to feel successful in her body and emotions. We wanted her to learn how to manage sensory sensitivities and anxiety in a more regulated, healthy way. And we wanted to feel confident in how we supported her.

What it was like

Working with Groundplay was seamless. From the beginning, it felt like a natural fit. Greta absolutely loved OT. She’s a sensory-seeking kid—she needs to move to regulate—and the sessions were exactly what she needed.

Her therapist helped us understand Greta’s sensory processing in a way no one else had. She gave us the tools and language to support our daughter, both in and outside of sessions. Greta opened up to her quickly. She felt safe, understood, and engaged—and that made all the difference.

The Ups and Downs

One of my personal challenges was not being able to attend every appointment. I wanted to soak up everything our therapist was teaching so I could reinforce it at home. And like many families, we were worried about insurance limits — what if we needed more sessions? What if Greta didn’t respond?

But the successes far outweighed the challenges. Greta learned to articulate how she felt, to identify what helped calm her body, and to use strategies to self-regulate. She wanted to share what was and wasn’t working with her therapist, which showed us how invested she was in her own growth. Because the progress was so evident, we were able to successfully appeal our insurance denial for additional sessions.

How It Changed Our Family

Groundplay gave Greta a space to move, express, and be herself. Once she felt comfortable, she was ready to listen, grow, and develop real coping skills. As a parent, watching that unfold each week was invaluable. I learned it was not only okay but necessary to let Greta express herself—even through difficult behaviors—in order to help her learn to manage them.

Now, she can self-regulate during tough moments. We’ve seen a transformation—not just in her, but in our entire family dynamic.

Moments I’ll Never Forget

There were so many little victories that felt huge. I remember the day she put on her own socks. Or the first time she wore jeans without needing to brush her legs first. She started sitting with us at the dinner table while others were chewing—something that used to overwhelm her so much she had to eat in another room. And instead of 45-minute meltdowns, she began telling us what she needed to calm down. These were the milestones that changed everything.

What I’d Tell Other Parents

Groundplay’s team goes above and beyond for your child and your whole family. Be patient—the progress doesn’t happen overnight. But with consistent care over 6 to 12 months, the change becomes not just noticeable, but life-changing. For us, it became our new normal—and we’re so grateful for that.