Parenting Support in Wilmington, NC - You Don't Have to Figure It Out Alone
Licensed clinicians serving Wilmington families - offering compassionate, practical support for toddler behavior, teen communication, co-parenting, parenting burnout, and more. In-person and telehealth available.
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Free 15-min consultation - no commitment needed.
Support for the Hardest Job You'll Ever Love
At Fresh Breath Therapy, our Wilmington clinicians provide a warm, judgment-free space for parents to catch their breath, get honest support, and learn tools that actually work in real family life. Whether you're wrangling toddler tantrums, decoding a withdrawn teenager, or trying to co-parent peacefully after a separation - you deserve real support, too.
Parenting doesn't come with a manual, and most parents who reach out to us aren't failing - they're exhausted and want to do better. Our licensed clinicians, including a counselor who works directly with kids, adolescents, and teens, help you understand what's driving your child's behavior and respond in ways that build connection instead of conflict.
We believe you are the expert on your own family. We're not here to tell you what you're doing wrong - we're here to walk alongside you with practical strategies, encouragement, and a plan that fits your real life.
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Common Reasons Wilmington Parents Reach Out
You don't need to be in crisis to benefit from parenting support. Many parents come to us simply wanting to yell less, connect more, and feel confident again.
Toddler & Young Child Behavior
Tantrums, defiance, bedtime battles, and big feelings in little bodies - learn responses that de-escalate instead of escalate.
Parent-Teen Communication
Slammed doors, one-word answers, and constant arguments - rebuild trust and open real conversations with your teenager.
Parenting Burnout & Overwhelm
Running on empty, snapping more than you'd like, and losing yourself in the demands of parenting - you can't pour from an empty cup.
Co-Parenting After Divorce
Reduce conflict, keep kids out of the middle, and build workable communication and consistency across two households.
Blended Family Parenting
Step-parenting roles, new partners, and merging family cultures - navigate the transitions with less friction and more connection.
Parenting Kids with ADHD or Anxiety
Strategies tailored to kids whose brains work differently - structure, routines, and responses that support rather than shame.
School Struggles & Homework Battles
Morning meltdowns, homework standoffs, and school avoidance - turn daily battlegrounds into calmer, more cooperative routines.
Setting Healthy Boundaries
Learn to set consistent, loving limits without power struggles - and how to follow through when they're tested.
Parenting a Neurodivergent Child or Teen
Affirming, practical support for parents of neurodivergent kids and teens - understanding their needs and advocating with confidence.
Practical Tools, Personalized to Your Family
No single approach fits every family. Our Wilmington clinicians draw on multiple evidence-based methods so we can adapt to your child's age, your family's situation, and your goals.
Parent Coaching & Skill Building
Hands-on, practical guidance for the situations you actually face at home - with concrete strategies you can start using this week.
CBT-Informed Parenting Strategies
Understand how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors connect - for you and your child - and reshape the patterns that fuel daily conflict.
Coping Skills for Parents & Kids
Age-appropriate coping strategies that help children manage worry, fear, and big emotions - and help you stay grounded alongside them.
Family-Involved Sessions
When it helps, we bring your child, teen, or co-parent into the room - working on the relationship itself, not just one person's part of it.
Communication Skills Training
Learn to talk so your kids listen and listen so your kids talk - age-appropriate communication that keeps connection and boundaries intact.
Mindfulness for Parents
Notice your own triggers, pause before reacting, and parent from a calmer, more intentional place - even in the heat of the moment.
Your First Session: What to Expect
Why Wilmington Parents Trust Us
Support for the Parent, Not Just the Child
Your wellbeing matters, too. We help you manage stress, identify your own triggers, and parent from a more grounded place - not just fix behavior.
Child & Teen Clinician on Staff
Our Wilmington team includes a counselor who works directly with kids, adolescents, and teens - so support can extend to your child when it helps.
Licensed Clinicians Only
Every member of our Wilmington team is licensed, supervised, and committed to the highest standards of ethical, compassionate care.
Insurance & Self-Pay
We accept major insurance plans including BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, and United Health. Call us to verify your specific benefits before your first appointment.
No Long Waitlists
Parenting struggles can't wait. We work hard to offer rapid access - often same-week or within a few days of your first inquiry.
Telehealth Statewide
Not near our Cinema Dr office? Connect from anywhere in North Carolina via our secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform.
Supporting Parents in Wilmington, Leland, Hampstead & Surf City
Our Wilmington office is located at 140 Cinema Dr, Unit E - easily accessible from downtown Wilmington and surrounding communities including Leland, Hampstead, and Surf City. Telehealth available statewide.
Our Wilmington team - Catherine (Cay) Fulop, LCSW, LCAS; Kailyn Mattingly, LCSWA; Lisa McCormick, LCMHC; Shelby Paske, LCMHCA; and Jenna McGinnis, LCSWA - brings experience across trauma, addiction, anxiety, depression, child and adolescent counseling, neurodiversity, and life transitions.
Each clinician is licensed, supervised, and committed to the highest standards of ethical, compassionate care. Sessions are available Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 7 PM.
Book Your Appointment →Meet the Wilmington Team
Our licensed Wilmington clinicians bring clinical expertise, warmth, and genuine investment in your family's wellbeing.
Catherine (Cay) Fulop
Extensive expertise in trauma, addiction, and complex mental health. Brings evidence-based, compassionate care to parents navigating life's most difficult challenges.
Kailyn Mattingly
Creates warm, welcoming environments for anxiety, depression, and personal growth - supporting parents through stress, overwhelm, and meaningful change.
Lisa McCormick
Helps kids, adolescents, teens, and adults navigate worry, fear, trauma, and life challenges with CBT, mindfulness, and coping strategies.
Shelby Paske
Creates a supportive space for adolescents and adults navigating anxiety, depression, neurodiversity, life transitions, and interpersonal challenges.
Jenna McGinnis
Works with children, teens, and families through family conflict, trauma, anxiety, and the stress of parenting transitions using TF-CBT, IFS, and ACT.
Serving These Needs Across Wilmington & North Carolina
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between parenting support and family therapy?+
Parenting support focuses on you as the parent - your strategies, communication, boundaries, and stress - often without your child in the room. Family therapy brings family members into sessions together to work on the relationships themselves. Many families benefit from a blend of both, and your clinician will help you decide what fits your situation.
Do I come alone, or should I bring my child?+
Either can work. Many parents start with parent-only sessions to build strategies and get support for themselves. When it's helpful, sessions can involve your child or teen - our Wilmington team includes a clinician who works directly with kids, adolescents, and teens. We'll figure out the right format together in your first session.
Does insurance cover parenting support?+
Coverage varies by plan and by the type of service provided. We accept major insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, and United Health, and self-pay rates are also available. Call us at (919) 300-6717 to verify your specific benefits before your first appointment.
Can I do parenting support sessions online?+
Yes! Our telehealth service is available to anyone in North Carolina. Sessions are conducted via a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform - a convenient option for busy parents. All you need is a private space, a smartphone or computer, and a reliable internet connection.
How many sessions will I need?+
It depends on your goals. Some parents come for a handful of focused sessions to work through a specific challenge; others find ongoing support valuable through a longer season of family life. Sessions are typically 50-55 minutes, and your clinician will work with you to find the cadence that fits your goals and your schedule.
Is what I share confidential?+
Your privacy is strictly protected under HIPAA. What you share in session - including the honest, messy parts of parenting - stays private. If you use insurance, the insurer may receive a diagnosis code for billing purposes, but session content is never shared without your written consent.
Parenting Is Hard. Getting Support Shouldn't Be.
Wilmington parents don't have to figure it out alone. Our clinicians are ready to help you trade daily battles for real connection - starting with a free 15-minute consultation, no commitment required.