Play-Based Child Therapy in the South Bay
Helping Kids Navigate Big Feelings So Families Can Find Their Peace
Warm and affirming support for kids and teens ages 4 to 17, so your child feels understood and your home feels calm again.
Your Child Isn't Bad.
They're Trying to Tell You Something.
If you're here, you're probably tired. You've tried the sticker charts, the timeouts, and the long talks at bedtime. You love your child fiercely, and some days it still feels like nothing is working.
Here's what I know after nearly a decade with kids and families: behavior is communication. Underneath every meltdown, anxious spiral, or hard day on the playground is a child carrying more than they can handle alone. My job is to help you both find a way through.
Big Reactions at Home
Every transition turns into an hour-long meltdown, and big emotions are running the household.
Friendships That Feel Out of Reach
Your child wants friends but doesn't know how to join in, and ends up feeling left out at recess.
A New ADHD or Autism Diagnosis
You want to support your child's sensory and emotional needs, and you're not sure where to start.
Worry That Takes Over
Anxiety is so loud that your child is missing school, sleep, and the simple joy of being a kid.
What Changes When Your Child Feels Understood
More Peace at Home
Fewer power struggles and less walking on eggshells. More cooperation, calm, and laughter.
Words for Big Feelings
Kids learn to notice what's happening in their bodies and express it safely, instead of acting it out.
Confidence With Friends
Practical social tools help kids speak up for themselves, build real friendships, and feel secure in who they are.
How I Support South Bay Families
Individual Play Therapy
One-on-one therapy for ages 4 to 17 that uses play, art, and games to build coping skills and emotional regulation. In person in Redondo Beach or by telehealth.
Social Skills Groups
Small, play-based groups for kids 6 and up, with all-girl and all-boy options. Now waitlisting for January 2027.
Meet Michelle
Hi, I'm Michelle Stobaugh, LMFT.
I've spent my career in classrooms, early intervention programs, foster care nonprofits, and private practice, all with one goal: helping kids not just cope, but thrive. Today I bring that experience to families right here in the South Bay.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
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M.A., Pepperdine University
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TF-CBT Trained
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10+ Years With Kids and Families
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Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist | M.A., Pepperdine University | TF-CBT Trained | 10+ Years With Kids and Families |
Why Families Choose The Playful Path
Relationship First, Always
Inspired by collaborative problem-solving and the work behind The Explosive Child and Raising Your Spirited Child, I look beneath the behavior to understand what your child needs.
Care That Honors How Your Child's Brain Works
I specialize in ADHD, autism, and social-pragmatic differences. Instead of forcing kids into rigid molds, we build real-world skills that fit who they are.
Therapy Kids Actually Want to Go To
I blend play therapy with evidence-based CBT and my TF-CBT training, so sessions feel engaging while the work stays grounded and effective.
Your Next Step Is a 15-Minute Conversation
You don't need to have it all figured out before you reach out. Book a free consultation call, tell me what's happening at home, and we'll decide together if The Playful Path is the right fit.
My office is on Pacific Coast Highway in Redondo Beach. I'm a private-pay practice and provide superbills for PPO out-of-network reimbursement.