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2,103 people sought child therapy help in Illinois in the last year

Discover how starting therapy with a child can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

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Amy Marshman

Hear from Amy Marshman, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

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What is your go-to approach for child therapy?

My go-to approach to working with kids in child therapy is to engage them through the use of activities, games, fidgets, and/or coloring. I find that this works best to put them at ease and help them be less worried about engaging in therapy.

What tools do you teach in child therapy?

I teach the following tools in child therapy:

  • Self-advocacy - how to ask for what they need at school or home (such as a break or more instruction)
  • Coping skills - breathing, sometimes how to use a silent fidget
  • Communication - ways to say things that help people understand you and hear you better

How do you know when a client is making meaningful progress in child therapy?

I know a child is making meaningful progress in therapy when they are starting to understand their behaviors and use self-advocacy or coping skills. Also, when their parents or teachers are starting to notice positive change.

What can clients do in their personal time to supplement child therapy?

Children can supplement their time in therapy by using the skills they learn in therapy. This can be through using skills taught when they get upset, or through completing any tasks discussed in therapy.

What should someone do to prepare for starting child therapy?

To prepare for your child's first therapy session, the parents can explain to their child where they are going and why they are going to therapy. This will help the child understand why they are meeting a new person and put them at ease.

Starting Child therapy

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 Hoffman Estates.

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 Hoffman Estates, IL 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 Hoffman Estates, IL 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.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Hoffman Estates therapists and counselors accept 26 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois BCBS | HMO - Essential Health Partners IPA

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois BCBS | HMO - Essential Health Partners Kane County

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois BCBS | HMO - Essential Health Partners Silver Cross

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois BCBS | PPO

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois | BCBS Medicare Advantage (HMO | PPO)

  • Choice Care (Humana)

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

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Self-pay costs at Hoffman Estates
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

4.5 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
My session is wonderful. I feel good about how it's going.
Patricia Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Therapist was able to help me become a better person and defeat the many shells I had to break
Leonardo Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I just want to thank you for all of your help.
Patricia Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★☆☆☆
I had 6 or 7 sessions with Nancy Fredricks. A lovely lady. However, I had to end my sessions with her. I started becasue I was going through a depression,which was not normal for me. I had never had councelling on my own before. I'd had marriage councelling, but never individual councelling. Nancy did not ask a lot of questions or offer much in the way of practical solutions. Also, Nancy spends a lot of time scratching her head. I'm not sure what her condition is, but it is very distracting to watch during a therapy session. I'm not saying that talking to Nancy didn't help me. But it was not offering enough of a value that I would continue on with it. I wish her a lot of success in the future.
Read more I had 6 or 7 sessions with Nancy Fredricks. A lovely lady. However, I had to end my sessions with her. I started becasue I was going through a depression,which was not normal for me. I had never had councelling on my own before. I'd had marriage councelling, but never individual councelling. Nancy did not ask a lot of questions or offer much in the way of practical solutions. Also, Nancy spends a lot of time scratching her head. I'm not sure what her condition is, but it is very distracting to watch during a therapy session. I'm not saying that talking to Nancy didn't help me. But it was not offering enough of a value that I would continue on with it. I wish her a lot of success in the future.
Linda Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Love my Doctor. Love all the reminders I get for appointments.
Legina Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I feel very comfortable with my Dr. Very easy to talk to.
Patricia Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★☆☆☆
Absolutely unbelievable..I would never on my life have thought that the therapist needs a therapist for her own issues with dealing with people and client feedback. I'm very disappointed with nancy Frederick. She is no where qualified to act as a financial advisor or medical doctor and give unprofessional and non solicited advice.
Read more Absolutely unbelievable..I would never on my life have thought that the therapist needs a therapist for her own issues with dealing with people and client feedback. I'm very disappointed with nancy Frederick. She is no where qualified to act as a financial advisor or medical doctor and give unprofessional and non solicited advice.
Anthony Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Thriveworks is a phenomenal resource and their counselors are so helpful; I am doing so well because of them and the affordability of pertinent care.
Read more Thriveworks is a phenomenal resource and their counselors are so helpful; I am doing so well because of them and the affordability of pertinent care.
Kara Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks in Hoffman Estates, IL is located off of W Higgins Rd. We currently share a building with Quest Diagnostics and Bedrose Pediatrics, and East Branch Poplar Creek runs on the backside.

Phone number

(224) 267-9477

Languages spoken by IL providers

  • English
  • Spanish
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in CT

Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in CT

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