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Discover how starting child therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
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I don’t counsel young children anymore, but my typical approach to helping children was fundamentally the same across all modalities—meeting them at their level and their readiness for change. I find this works best because even as children, they are the experts on themselves. They need to be motivated or the actions won’t be meaningful, so a touch of fun is always helpful. With the child population, I also make sure I also meet with the caregiver(s) or have them complete an intake form to gain the adult perspective of the child.
I teach many tools in therapy with children that are catered to each person’s needs and level of functioning. For example:
I know clients are making meaningful progress in therapy when they start reporting improvements in their lives and/or relationships. It’s important to help clients recognize and celebrate their successes, no matter how small. Rewards as little as a pat on the back can be meaningful and motivating.
Children can supplement their therapy by practicing some fun self-care, practicing the coping tools discussed, or merely considering how the concepts from sessions can be applied. Sometimes, children don’t realize the fun things they do are also coping tools—like listening to music and playing sports and games. In therapy, consistent practice of tools is the foundation of forming new and healthier habits.
To prepare for their first session, parents can help children consider what their goals for therapy might be and encourage them to keep an open mind for their new journey. It’s important for children to be able to differentiate their goals from their parents’ goals as well, though sometimes this can be difficult to do. Therapy can open doors to new concepts and methods of approach if clients are ready to open those doors.
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 Irvine.
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 Irvine, CA have the expertise and experience to help kids at their level.
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.
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.
Cognitive behavioral therapy at Thriveworks in Irvine, CA 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.
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.
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.
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.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
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 |
Shown in PT
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 |
Shown in PT
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