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8,221 people sought child therapy help in Georgia 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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Elizabeth Mooney

Hear from Elizabeth Mooney, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)

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What is your go-to approach for child therapy?

My go-to approach for helping kids in child therapy is by using play therapy techniques and engaging the family in treatment. Play therapy allows a strong therapeutic rapport to be established and maintained more quickly and easily because play is a language we all speak. Through play therapy, I am able to introduce and review helpful strategies that children can learn to apply in situations they may be struggling with. I encourage family involvement as well to help parents reinforce use of strategies their child(ren) will be learning in therapy. Family involvement is also helpful in case there may be patterns that may have unintended consequences (i.e. maintaining or contributing unwanted behaviors). I find that family members usually have the same goal so having everyone on the same team is imperative.

What tools do you teach in child therapy?

The tools I teach in child/play therapy varies depending on the age and presenting problem of the child. Specific tools I can teach are usually reviewed with the client and their family. My process of working with children and families is very collaborative.

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

I know a client is making meaningful progress in child therapy when the client and their family each report improvement in relationship dynamics or decrease in unwanted behaviors or behavioral cycles.

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

Clients can supplement their time in child therapy by enforcing skills and tools reviewed in therapy to help encourage and promote desired changes. I find that tools can be helpful for the parents/grown-ups as well to self-regulate and model preferred responses from their child(ren).

What should someone do to prepare for starting child therapy?

To prepare for their first child therapy session, a family can find age-appropriate books to discuss what a therapist/therapy is. For younger children, I love the book “Some Bunny to Talk To.” Also validating any feelings children may have about starting therapy is extremely helpful.

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 Kennesaw.

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 Kennesaw, GA 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 Kennesaw, GA 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 Kennesaw therapists and counselors accept 24 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia | BCBS - HMO

  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia | BCBS - PPO

  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia | Medicare Advantage

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

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Self-pay costs at Kennesaw
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

5.0 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
Having him as an unbiased, professional ear to listen to my situations has proven to be invaluable. So, many people in my life have tried to convince me to act in their interest and not my own.
Read more Having him as an unbiased, professional ear to listen to my situations has proven to be invaluable. So, many people in my life have tried to convince me to act in their interest and not my own.
Marcus Sep 2024
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★
My child is a little more relaxed and happy after 5 sessions with Andrew. He will continue the therapy and we are confident he will getting better every day
Read more My child is a little more relaxed and happy after 5 sessions with Andrew. He will continue the therapy and we are confident he will getting better every day
Qingqing Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My therapist has been one of the best! He has been attentive and has provided great actionable steps to helping me be my best self.
Read more My therapist has been one of the best! He has been attentive and has provided great actionable steps to helping me be my best self.
Keon Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I could not be happier with my psychiatric nurse she’s very thorough, responsible, and caring individual. I appreciate that if I fail to reach out to her on the minute, she takes the time to reach out to me to get our meeting started, and is very attentive to any notice that I give her And I appreciate her recommendations
Read more I could not be happier with my psychiatric nurse she’s very thorough, responsible, and caring individual. I appreciate that if I fail to reach out to her on the minute, she takes the time to reach out to me to get our meeting started, and is very attentive to any notice that I give her And I appreciate her recommendations
Gregory Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I have had a wonderful experience He is kind and listens.
Heather Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Don’t feel judged and receive encouragement
Amberly Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Jill is very understanding, listens very well and offers reasonable and easy to do exercises and things to try. I feel very comfortable with her.
Read more Jill is very understanding, listens very well and offers reasonable and easy to do exercises and things to try. I feel very comfortable with her.
Eileen Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I enjoy my visits w Mrs.Walters. She seems to really care, and she’s easy to talk to.
Amberly Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Kennesaw is located off of Cherokee St NW, west of Bozeman Lake and around the corner from the Kroger on Jiles Rd. Our building is right next to Todd Immigration and Shoemaker Pediatric Dentistry, and across the street from J & S Air Conditioning Heating and Electrical.

Phone number

(770) 343-4919

Languages spoken by GA providers

  • English
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 ET

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 ET

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