5,749 people sought child therapy help in Florida 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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Alice Gilsinan

Hear from Alice Gilsinan, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)

View Alice Gilsinan's profile

What is your go-to approach for child therapy?

I find the best approach for helping kids in child therapy is to create an inviting and safe space in which to form a trusting relationship. I believe it is important to meet the child in an age-appropriate manner using language and resources that speak the language and spark the interest of children.

What tools do you teach in child therapy?

I use a developmental approach and teach children the following tools in child therapy:

  • Taking initiative: Through play and other social interactions, teaching preschool children to assert their power and control in their personal worlds. Success is measured by preschoolers achieving a sense of purpose as opposed to a sense of guilt, self-doubt, or lack of initiative.
  • Developing industry: Through social interactions, teaching children from ages 5 to 11 to develop a sense of pride in their accomplishments and abilities. Success is measured by elementary school-age children achieving a sense of competence as opposed to feelings of inferiority. Competence is a resiliency or protective factor that helps children develop a belief in their abilities to handle the tasks assigned to them.

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

I know a child is making meaningful progress in child therapy based on developmental assessments, parent reports, teacher reports, and collateral reports.

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

Parents, family members, siblings, teachers, and school or community members may encourage and support children promoting a sense of optimism, belief, and expectation in each child's ability to succeed at every stage of development.

What should someone do to prepare for starting child therapy?

To prepare a child for their first therapy session, parents may explain the reason for the appointment and encourage their child to express themselves through talking, drawing, and playing as they feel comfortable. Parents may stay in the session with their child depending on their child's comfort level and the child will always go home with mom and dad.

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 Tallahassee.

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 Tallahassee, FL 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 Tallahassee, FL 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 Tallahassee therapists and counselors accept 22 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Florida Blue | BCBS | Blue Cross Blue Shield

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

  • Humana Medicare Advantage

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Self-pay costs at Tallahassee
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
★★☆☆☆
Their billing is horrible. I signed a payment agreement and they did not honour it. They charged my card for way more than the agreed amount making my account go negative. Cancelled all my appointment and wont be using this service again.
Read more Their billing is horrible. I signed a payment agreement and they did not honour it. They charged my card for way more than the agreed amount making my account go negative. Cancelled all my appointment and wont be using this service again.
Sean Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
A very positive positive experience . She was very helpful, knowledgeable, warm, and thoughtful. We would highly recommend her again and thriveworks! Thank you
Read more A very positive positive experience . She was very helpful, knowledgeable, warm, and thoughtful. We would highly recommend her again and thriveworks! Thank you
David Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Always on time. Greatest sessions I’ve attended! Thankful for the opportunity to be part of the satisfied community! Thank you so much! Therapist: Sindy Castro
Read more Always on time. Greatest sessions I’ve attended! Thankful for the opportunity to be part of the satisfied community! Thank you so much! Therapist: Sindy Castro
Emmanuel Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I’m 3 times better, because of the instructions and medication. I never was a medicine, trusting person. But after seeing my Psychiatrist, and him explaining the benefits, I trusted the process. And thank God I did.!
Read more I’m 3 times better, because of the instructions and medication. I never was a medicine, trusting person. But after seeing my Psychiatrist, and him explaining the benefits, I trusted the process. And thank God I did.!
Emmanuel Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I’ve been dealing with a few stressers before reaching out for help in the psychology space. I reached out mainly because the pain being caused in my relationship. Sarah welcomed me into her network here with such professionalism I felt instantly comfortable with having open and candid conversation. Since then my life has gone through and still going through major changes some good and some bad. I would like Thriveworks and Sarah know that this couldn’t have been a better time for someone like Sarah to open her door for me and coach me through some of things I’ve been going thru and point me in the right direction of how to be the best version of a person I can be. You can tell she is passionate about her work and cares deeply for clients like myself. If there’s ever a time where someone I know needs to talk to someone I will recommend Thriveworks and specifically Sarah if it’s possible. Sarah, keep up the good work. You’re making a positive difference in my life.
Read more I’ve been dealing with a few stressers before reaching out for help in the psychology space. I reached out mainly because the pain being caused in my relationship. Sarah welcomed me into her network here with such professionalism I felt instantly comfortable with having open and candid conversation. Since then my life has gone through and still going through major changes some good and some bad. I would like Thriveworks and Sarah know that this couldn’t have been a better time for someone like Sarah to open her door for me and coach me through some of things I’ve been going thru and point me in the right direction of how to be the best version of a person I can be. You can tell she is passionate about her work and cares deeply for clients like myself. If there’s ever a time where someone I know needs to talk to someone I will recommend Thriveworks and specifically Sarah if it’s possible. Sarah, keep up the good work. You’re making a positive difference in my life.
Brandyn Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My therapist Dr. Connally Barry has helped me so much. I couldn’t be more happy with her.
Lori Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I'm 1000% better than I was 3 weeks ago...
Emmanuel Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My therapist, Kathy, is fabulous and very patient with me. I feel amazing each time I get off line from her - baby steps !!
Read more My therapist, Kathy, is fabulous and very patient with me. I feel amazing each time I get off line from her - baby steps !!
Linda Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Tallahassee is located just off of Capital Cir NE – you must take a right off of this road onto Remington Green St, and we are on the outside of the shopping circle. The closest business to us is Action Business Coach, and then within the shopping circle, you’ll see Believe Hope Inspire Wellness Services LLC, Big Bend Area Health Education Center, and Haven Spa and Wellness Studio, among others.

Phone number

(850) 749-2313

Languages spoken by FL providers

  • English
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
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

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
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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