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16,520 people sought teen counseling help in Virginia in the last year

Discover how starting teen counseling can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS HMO, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO, +22 more
Anger, Behavioral Issues, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, +7 more

As an African American woman with a PhD who was raised by two parents in the military, I understand diverse cultures and extreme pressures that indivi... As an African American woman with a PhD who was raised by two parents in the military, I understand diverse cultures and extreme pressures that individuals experience. Read more

192 more therapists available in Virginia

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Ife Milligan

Hear from Ife Milligan, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

View Ife Milligan's profile

What is your go-to approach for teen counseling?

My go-to approach for helping people in teen counseling is cognitive behavioral therapy or dialectical behavioral therapy. I find the best benefit of cognitive behavioral therapy is that it helps the client identify negative thinking patterns that may trigger their issues and teaches them how to replace negative thinking with positive thoughts to improve self-esteem.

My go-to approach for helping those in teen counseling is that of empowerment and utilizing skills to support self-confidence and pride. I find the most benefit in this because it creates a space for clients to improve their self-esteem and deepen their understanding of self in relation to others. This also allows them to feel more confident with decision-making and areas of independence.

What tools do you teach in teen counseling?

I teach the following tools in teen counseling:

  • Education on emotions, symptoms, triggers
  • How to identify emotions
  • Triggers to emotions
  • Emotional regulation
  • Coping techniques
  • How and when to apply coping skills
  • Mindfulness
  • Identifying social supports

I find the tools most useful for teens are those that are rooted in CBT and DBT, as well as creative therapies. Tools that provide skills to regulate and understand emotions, learn relaxation exercises, enhance independence, explore positive coping skills, reframe thoughts, shift perspectives, improve their sense of perception, and provide opportunities to gain techniques in mindfulness.

How do you know when a client is making meaningful progress in teen counseling?

I know a client is making meaningful progress in teen counseling when the client presents or reports consistent positive moods, decreases sessions, increases their social engagement with others, and returns to a normal level of life activities.

I know a client is making progress when they are able to feel more confident, improve their sense of worth, demonstrate improved relations with others, practice coping skills, regulate their emotions, and access techniques that provide opportunities for them to better navigate daily situations they encounter in the home with parents and family, as well as in school with peers, and in community.

What can clients do in their personal time to supplement teen counseling?

Clients can supplement their time in teen counseling by communicating with social supports, participating in support groups, journaling, or exercising.

Clients can supplement their time in teen counseling with strength-building exercises and activities that promote improved self-confidence, independence, self-reflection, and discovery, as well as utilize skills that create empowerment, highlight talents, and support positive thinking.

What should someone do to prepare for starting teen counseling?

To prepare for their first teen counseling session, a teen can identify goals they desire to achieve through therapy.

To prepare for their teen counseling session, a teen can begin to establish that which they feel is of most importance to them. They can identify and prioritize that which they feel is of concern. This will create spaces for them to feel more engaged in sessions. They will benefit from actively participating in the goal-making process. It’s important to establish creative and empowering methods to engage them so that treatment is more meaningful.

Starting Teen counseling

What is teen counseling?

Teen counseling helps young individuals better understand and manage the challenges that affect their mental health. Common challenges amongst teens include anxiety, depression, ADHD, and problematic relationships with food.

How does teen counseling work?

Teen counseling works by using multiple techniques, tailored to fit the teen’s unique needs — based on their age group, their challenges, and the severity of their challenges. It might involve cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, art therapy, and others for varying ages. In any case, Thriveworks teen therapists in Chesapeake have the expertise and experience to help young individuals at their level.

Does my teen need therapy?

Signs that teens might need Teen counseling can be very subjective, as they are experiencing many changes and can have intense reactions to them. As parents, you know your child best and are best equipped to judge whether certain reactions are standard behaviors for your teen or whether they might be hinting at a larger problem. Even so, there are a few common signs and events that often point to a need for therapy, such as experiencing divorce or loss, grief, consistent low moods, teens distancing themselves and becoming isolated, losing interest in hobbies, excessive anger or irritability, substance use issues, and suicidal ideation, among others.

Is teen counseling conducted in person or online?

Teen counseling providers at Thriveworks in Chesapeake, VA offer both in person and online therapy by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does teen counseling last?

The length of teen counseling depends on your teen’s needs as well as the goals that you and their therapist might have for them. Generally, teen counseling sessions will last for several months.

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 Chesapeake therapists and counselors accept 24 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | Exchange

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Carelon

  • Carelon | Medicare Advantage

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

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Self-pay costs at Chesapeake
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
★★★★★
I don't know what you can do to approve. I like the fact that Brittany keeps good notes and gives me good feedback
Robert Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I thought everything was grest
Matthew Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I have been in and out of therapy for decades until I came to Thriveworks and got placed with my current therapist. Over the past year and a half, she has changed my life in so many positive ways there aren't enough words to describe it.
Lori Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My therapist provided excellent guidance and I would recommend her to my friends and family.
Carroll Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My provider, Tami is very knowledgeable and experienced. I appreciate her willingness to fit me in during difficult times. I'm becoming a more aware woman through understanding. I love the convenience of telehealth. With my mental health diagnosis, at times it's hard to leave my house .
Read more My provider, Tami is very knowledgeable and experienced. I appreciate her willingness to fit me in during difficult times. I'm becoming a more aware woman through understanding. I love the convenience of telehealth. With my mental health diagnosis, at times it's hard to leave my house .
Latanya Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Attention to detail. Great report
Candy Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Alise is wonderful. She is a fantastic listener and her empathy is felt in each of our meetings. She is patient with me even when I realize I'm rambling on. I like that she is direct and forthright. I definitely need that…. I feel once we've met that a load is off of my shoulders and heart… My mind is at ease.. at least for a while. She gives me plans and activities that help me in a tremendous way. I greatly appreciate her and would recommend her. I know with her counseling I'm getting better soon.
Read more Alise is wonderful. She is a fantastic listener and her empathy is felt in each of our meetings. She is patient with me even when I realize I'm rambling on. I like that she is direct and forthright. I definitely need that…. I feel once we've met that a load is off of my shoulders and heart… My mind is at ease.. at least for a while. She gives me plans and activities that help me in a tremendous way. I greatly appreciate her and would recommend her. I know with her counseling I'm getting better soon.
Paulina Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I love it here. I feel heard and not judge.
Calteshia Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Chesapeake is near Zero’s Subs, and shares an office building with Pamela Smith MD. We off of Poplar Hill Road, and across from Bedei Compounding Pharmacy Services.

Phone number

(757) 210-9381

Languages spoken by VA providers

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

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

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