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 Richmond.
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 Richmond, VA 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 Richmond, VA 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?
For talk therapy, intake sessions range from $160 to $240, and follow-ups range from $135 to $195, depending on your state. For psychiatry, intake sessions range from $255 to $375, and follow-ups range from $175 to $300, depending on your state. More information on current self-pay costs is available on our pricing page.
Need more help deciding?
Richmond Child Counseling – Teens, Adolescents, Children
There is no greater pain for a parent than a child who is not well, whether physically or emotionally. Worrying about your son or daughter can make every day nearly unbearable. It can be difficult for you, as a parent, to think about much else. Your fears and concerns may have been building for some time and you cannot ignore them any longer. Perhaps there is an intense and immediate event in your child’s life that is extremely concerning and you feel unprepared to cope or help your child recover.
Unfortunately, when dealing with emotional or psychological problems, this is not usually the case. Some problems in life require the help of a professional. Seeking professional help for your child may be the best way to help them face the issue. Thriveworks Richmond child therapists and psychologists are happy to help today. Reach out today to get started.
Why Pursue Child Therapy?
The reasons to consider therapy for your child vary depending on the child’s age. Dealing with a trauma for a toddler is significantly different than dealing with this same issue with a teenager. A trained child therapist can work with any age child, using different techniques to communicate with them, identify the problem, and work towards a solution.
Common reasons to pursue child therapy may include:
- Autism concerns or diagnosis
- ADHD/ADD concerns or diagnosis
- Disruptive behavior in school
- Abuse or neglect
- Violent or criminal behavior
- Life change, such as parent’s divorce
- Addictions to drugs or alcohol
- Eating disorders
- Loss of a loved one
- Emotional or psychological problems
- Anxiety
You may have read this list and not immediately seen your child’s problem. Thriveworks Richmond child therapy can still help. It may be difficult to clearly identify the problem for you as a parent, but you know your child would benefit from therapy. This is the first step in helping your child live a more full, happy life. Realizing that you and your child need help coping with a trauma, or establishing new ways of communicating, is an important step in the healing process.
Child Therapy Techniques
There are many unique and important ways that a child therapist can help deal with the problems of this age group. As any parent knows, talking with a toddler is very different than talking with a teenager. A trained counselor or therapist will use several techniques to find what works best for your child.
These methods of child therapy may include:
- Traditional talk therapy
- Behavior modification techniques
- Play therapy
- Family therapy
- Teaching relaxation methods
- Cognitive and behavioral therapy
- Art therapy
- Narrative therapy
- Teaching coping methods
- Identifying and treating underlying medical issues
- Identifying and treating underlying psychological issues
A combination of methods is often used to best treat the combination of problems and issues that a child presents in the office. We will work with your child to find what works best and helps foster clear communication and progress.
Scheduling Child Therapy at Thriveworks Richmond
Our child therapy professionals are ready and able to help you and your child. They have experience dealing with the same issues you and your child are grappling with right now. They are ready to help with whatever your child is dealing with, whether big or small.
At Thriveworks, we pride ourselves on not operating with a waiting list. We have appointments available in the next week. We also offer evening and weekend sessions, and we accept most major insurances.
We are ready and able to help you and your child process and cope, and function and thrive in home and school. Call Thriveworks Richmond child therapy at 804-554-0356. It would be our honor to walk with you on this journey of healing.
