What is child therapy?
Child therapy, also known as counseling for kids, helps young individuals better understand and manage the challenges that affect their mental health. Common challenges amongst kids include behavioral issues, trauma, bullying, depression, and anxiety. All ages of children can attend and benefit from child therapy at Thriveworks Cambridge.
How does child therapy work?
Child therapy works by using multiple techniques tailored to fit the child’s needs based on their age group, their challenges, and the severity of their challenges. It might involve play therapy for younger kids or cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, art therapy, and others for varying ages. In any case, Thriveworks child therapists in Cambridge, MA have the expertise and experience to help kids at their level.
Play therapy vs. child therapy
Child therapy is a type of therapy meant for clients within a specific age group, while play therapy is an approach to therapy that helps children with self-expression and stress relief, among others. Play therapy is a technique that is often used in child therapy to help children express what’s running through their minds when they do not have the words to express their thoughts and emotions. It can get children to express what’s wrong, what might be causing unwanted behaviors, or what they might need in a way that is accessible to them so that therapists can then work to treat the issue.
How to tell if my child needs counseling
It’s not always obvious when a child should see a therapist for their behavior, though in the midst of challenges like divorce, loss, bullying, and other mental health conditions, it’s often a good idea to seek it out. Common behaviors that can indicate a need for child therapy include separation anxiety, bedwetting (at inappropriate ages), and agitation/excessive irritability — especially if it reaches a point of physical violence.
What type of therapy is best for children?
Cognitive behavioral therapy at Thriveworks in Cambridge, MA is one of the best types of therapy for children. However, it can be administered in child therapy sessions in a variety of ways that are more accessible to young minds, such as play therapy.
Is child therapy conducted in person or online?
Child therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
How long does child therapy last?
The length of child therapy depends on your child’s needs as well as the goals that you and their therapist might have for them. Generally, child therapy sessions will last for several months.
How much does child therapy cost?
At Thriveworks, we accept most major insurance plans, allowing many clients to pay as little as $0–$50 per session with their co-pay. We also offer self-pay options for those out-of-network or without insurance. Self-pay rates for talk therapy range from $160 to $240 for intake sessions and $135 to $195 for follow-ups, depending on your state. For psychiatry services, self-pay intake sessions are $255–$375, with follow-ups ranging from $175–$300, also varying by state. More information on current self-pay costs is available on our pricing page.
Need more help deciding?
Your child may be struggling causing you to wonder if you should seek counseling, discussing the possibility with your loved ones. Alternatively, perhaps there has been a very sudden and traumatic incident in your lives and you wonder how you can pick up the pieces and return to normalcy. Or maybe your child is simply having trouble concentrating in school, and you feel that discussing some of these issues with a trained counselor or psychologist would be helpful for your child to function at the best of their ability.
In any case, if you think your child could benefit from child therapy, reach out to Thriveworks in Cambridge today. We’re looking forward to helping.
Why Consider Counseling for Your Child?
The reasons that parents pursue counseling for their child vary but can include:
- Autism concerns or diagnosis
- ADHD/ADD concerns or diagnosis
- Disruptive behavior in school
- Abuse or neglect
- Violent or criminal behavior
- Life change, such as parent’s divorce
- Trouble with bullying
- Addictions to drugs or alcohol
- Eating disorders
- Loss of a loved one
- Difficulties with friends
- Emotional or psychological problems
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
Child Therapy Methods
Methods of child therapy may include:
- Traditional talk therapy
- Behavior modification techniques
- Play therapy
- Family therapy
- Teaching relaxation methods
- Cognitive and behavioral therapy
- Art therapy
- Narrative therapy
- Teaching coping methods
- Identifying and treating underlying medical issues
- Identifying and treating underlying psychological issues
Thriveworks counselors will be able to create a specialized blend of these methods to be able to best help your child. It may take some trial and error to determine what your child is most comfortable with in the counseling office, but we are committed to finding the best way for him or her to communicate.
It is not always easy to help children communicate their deepest and most private thoughts and feelings, but it is always worth the effort. Thriveworks counselors and therapists will help your child learn to communicate more clearly, and create opportunities for positive change.
Schedule Child Therapy at Thriveworks in Cambridge
Our counselors are ready to help with whatever your child is dealing with, whether at home or at school. Whether they are simply having trouble navigating the social scene at school or if you fear that they may be suffering from a serious psychological disorder, we are here to help.
At Thriveworks, we pride ourselves on not operating with a waiting list. We understand that it may be very difficult for you to make that first call for your child. It may be a decision you have been struggling with for quite some time. We have appointments available the same week for most new clients.
We are just a phone call or a message away. We are ready and able to help you and your child process and cope, and function and thrive in home and school.
