Meet Kelly Lackey, LCSW: Play Therapy, TraumaPlay & EMDR for Kids and Teens
· Team Spotlight · By The CCD Clinical Team · Clinically reviewed by Lisa R. Savage, LCSW
Meet Kelly Lackey, LCSW — a Delaware child and teen therapist trained in play therapy, TraumaPlay, and EMDR. How she helps kids heal, and how to get started.
If your child has been through something hard — or just feels bigger emotions than they know what to do with — the person sitting across from them matters. We want families to actually know the clinicians on our team, so reaching out doesn't feel like a leap of faith. So: meet Kelly Lackey, LCSW.
Kelly works with kids of every age at The Center for Child Development™ — from little ones under five all the way up to teenagers. What ties her work together is a simple belief: children heal when you meet them where they are, in a way that makes sense to them.
Why play is how young children heal
Young kids don't always have the words for what they're carrying — and even when they do, "let's talk about your feelings" rarely gets you far with a five-year-old. Play is their language. Through play therapy, children act out what's happened, try on different endings, and slowly make sense of it somewhere that feels safe.
Kelly is formally trained in TraumaPlay — a play therapy model built specifically to help children heal after difficult experiences. It gives that play structure, so it isn't just fun and games; it's real therapeutic work, happening in the one way a young child can actually use it.
Kelly's approach
Alongside play, Kelly draws on several evidence-based approaches and matches them to the child in front of her:
- EMDR — research-backed therapy that helps kids and teens process painful memories so they stop running the show.
- TraumaPlay — a play-based model for healing after hard experiences.
- CBT — practical tools for noticing and shifting the thoughts that fuel anxiety and stress.
- TF-CBT (trauma-focused CBT) — a structured approach for children and families working through trauma.
In the office or by telehealth
Kelly sees families both in our Newark office and through secure telehealth — the drive in, or the couch at home. Both are real therapy; it comes down to what actually fits your week.
Getting started with Kelly
We accept most Delaware Medicaid plans, as well as Aetna and Highmark. To get started, you can complete our new client enrollment form online, or call the office and we'll walk you through it.
Ready to get started with Kelly?
Complete your new client paperwork online, or call us at 302-292-1334.
Start new client enrollment →Reaching out for your child isn't a sign something's gone wrong. It's one of the most ordinary, loving things a parent can do.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages does Kelly Lackey work with?
Kelly sees children of all ages, from little ones under five through the teen years.
What is TraumaPlay?
TraumaPlay is a structured play therapy model designed to help children heal after difficult or traumatic experiences. It uses play — a young child's natural language — to help them process what happened at a pace that feels safe.
Does Kelly offer telehealth?
Yes. Kelly sees families both in person at our Newark office and through secure telehealth, so you can choose whatever fits your schedule.
What insurance does CCD accept for Kelly's services?
We accept most Delaware Medicaid plans, along with Aetna and Highmark. Call 302-292-1334 if you're not sure whether your plan is covered.