Discover how starting child therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
7 therapists available in Seattle
As a child of immigrant parents (both from different countries), I understand some of the challenges that families face as they ad...
About
As a child of immigrant parents (both from different countries), I understand some of the challenges that families face as they adjust to a new culture and different generations.
Mary Lou Macarius is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who specializes in treating anxiety, depression, ADHD, behavioral issues, grief, parenting issues, school issues, stress, women's issues, and child therapy. She has more than 20 years of experience, working at institutions such as the Pacific Lutheran University Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic and Good Samaritan Behavioral Health Care Center, as well as in public schools serving students K-12th grade, working independently in Comfort Counseling. She also has experience serving individuals from six years old to 65 years old from her time at the Renton Counseling Center. She is a clinical member of The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.
Mary Lou received a Bachelor of Social Work from Eastern Washington University and a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pacific Lutheran University. She utilizes multiple treatment approaches including, but not limited to, solution-focused therapy, narrative therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and structural family therapy. Mary Lou's dominant practicing theories are those of structural family therapy, which focuses on the ways in which families function and the changes that need to be made in the family structure to help them function more effectively, and solution-focused theory, which looks at the solutions that the client brings to therapy for coping with problems and builds on the client’s successes. She also likes to use some narrative therapy, which is focused on changing the way that you look at your life or problems.
Mary Lou is a trauma survivor and comes from an immigrant family, both of which influence the work that she does on a day-to-day basis. This, along with her clinical experience, allows her to support and understand her clients in unique ways.
Education and training
View more therapists in Seattle
I provide inclusive, evidence-based mental health care grounded in empathy, respect, and collaboration....
I provide inclusive, evidence-based mental health care grounded in empathy, respect, and collaboration.
I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with 4 years of experience providing comprehensive mental health care across the lifespan. I specialize in psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and psychotherapy for conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, mood disorders, schizophrenia, conduct disorders, and insomnia. I focus on evidence-based treatment designed to reduce symptoms, improve functioning, and promote lasting emotional well-being in outpatient and telehealth settings.
I earned my Doctorate in Nursing from Arkansas State University. My approach combines clinical expertise with empathy to support individuals as they navigate life’s challenges. I tailor each treatment plan through careful evaluation, medication management, and therapy to help clients build resilience, balance, and overall well-being.
I understand the challenges of living with mental health conditions and strive to create a safe, judgment-free space where clients feel heard and supported. My goal is to provide compassionate, personalized care that encourages healing and growth, helping each person take meaningful steps toward recovery and emotional stability.
As an ally of the LGBTQ community and a proud member of a multiracial family with African American, Korean, and Mexican heritage, ...
As an ally of the LGBTQ community and a proud member of a multiracial family with African American, Korean, and Mexican heritage, I value diversity, inclusivity, and cultural understanding in both my personal and professional interactions.
I am a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) with 34 years of experience. I have spent my career serving vulnerable individuals, providing therapy for adults navigating depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bipolar disorder. My background includes extensive work within community mental health systems, emergency departments, and community healthcare centers. I am passionate about supporting individuals experiencing serious mental health and crisis concerns.
I hold a master’s in social work from Michigan State University. My approach to care is holistic and strength-based, integrating cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused therapy. I tailor treatment to meet each person’s goals, empowering them to build resilience and achieve lasting wellness.
I find my work deeply fulfilling and am honored to witness the dedication clients put into their healing. I value collaboration, compassion, and authenticity in the therapeutic relationship and enjoy walking beside individuals as they rediscover balance, purpose, and hope on their journey to recovery.
I worked pediatrics and maternity before I found transferring to a psychiatric inpatient department very interesting and rewarding...
I worked pediatrics and maternity before I found transferring to a psychiatric inpatient department very interesting and rewarding.
I am a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with 43 years of experience, and I am dedicated to helping individuals understand their symptoms and find relief through compassionate, collaborative care. I work with clients who need medication support for conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety disorders. I strive to approach each person with kindness and respect, ensuring we create a treatment plan together so clients stay actively involved in their own healing.
I earned my Master’s in Mental Health Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh, and I use a thoughtful, structured approach to guide each assessment. I take time to understand medical and treatment histories, educate clients on how I reach a diagnosis, and work carefully to identify the most effective medications, especially for those experiencing complex or psychotic symptoms.
I encourage anyone whose symptoms are shrinking their world or limiting their ability to enjoy life to consider taking the next step toward care. You deserve support, clarity, and the opportunity to feel better than you do today, and I am here to help you move toward a fuller, healthier future.
“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly and rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” —Maya Angelou...
“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly and rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” —Maya Angelou
Nanette Guild is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with 25 years of experience supporting individuals navigating depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, relationship transitions, identity concerns, and chronic illness. She brings warmth, humor, and a collaborative spirit to her work, helping clients feel empowered and understood. Nanette creates a safe space that honors each person’s story, promoting healing through trust and emotional connection.
Nanette earned a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Kansas. Her approach integrates cognitive behavioral therapy, behavioral activation, mindfulness, distress tolerance, and solution-focused techniques to support emotional regulation, resilience, and well-being.
Nanette values diversity, equity, and justice and believes in the deep connection between mind, body, and spirit. She uses a strength-based, interactive, and often humorous style to support long-term growth. Clients often appreciate her humility, open-mindedness, and deep respect for their lived experiences. Reach out to Nanette today!
I come from a multidisciplinary and multicultural background and am particularly conscious of the importance culture can play in t...
I come from a multidisciplinary and multicultural background and am particularly conscious of the importance culture can play in therapy.
My name is Lonnie Renteria, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with 9 years of experience. I provide a safe, judgment-free, supportive space for individuals, couples, and families. I take an experiential approach, helping clients discover truths about their needs, expectations, and hopes. I also specialize in working around trauma and attachment injuries.
I received my Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University. I am well-versed in emotion-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), narrative therapy, & trauma work. I am continuing to enhance my training in internal family systems models, to be a more patient and empathetic therapist.
I have a genuine interest in your process, and I encourage you to be the best you can be. I believe we all have the capacity to heal and build the life that we want to live. I view therapy as a collaborative partnership and a forum for gaining a better understanding of ourselves, not a place to "get rid of" or "fix" something. Get started today!
I have been practicing therapy for more than a decade and have a lot of experience in a variety of settings helping individuals, c...
I have been practicing therapy for more than a decade and have a lot of experience in a variety of settings helping individuals, couples, and families deal with very diverse needs.
Cindy Johnson is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 13 years of experience working with individuals, families, and couples. She specializes in depression, anxiety, adjustment disorders, relationship conflicts, grief and loss, and has worked with people from a variety of backgrounds. She is open, friendly, and enjoys using humor to help with the healing process. She sees the complexities of life and strives to assist in identifying patterns and empowering people to grow. She did her internship at Mesilla Valley Psychiatric Hospital and completed her first 5 years of training working in community mental health centers.
Cindy completed her Master's Degree at New Mexico State University. She practices an eclectic approach of treatment modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy, solution-focused couples therapy, and motivational interviewing.
The world is full of chaos and trials, and none of us are exempt from challenges. Cindy is capable and competent at helping people understand that they are not broken and do not need to be "fixed;" they need to be understood, seen, validated, and encouraged to see the value and opportunities for change in their lives. Book your appointment with her today!
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
Not ready to book? Contact me
Look for a confirmation email in your inbox shortly. We'll help find you a provider and guide you through everything you should know about starting care at Thriveworks.
No membership fees or subscriptions
Evening and weekend sessions
Award-winning therapy & psychiatry
What support are you seeking?
You acknowledge that by submitting this form, you are providing what may be considered “sensitive data” and consent to Thriveworks Privacy Policy & Terms. By submitting this information, you consent to receive communication from Thriveworks about our services via automatic calls, artificial or pre-recorded messages, or texts at the phone number provided, or by email at the address provided. You have the option to opt out of communications.
We will contact you with availability updates based on the preferences you provided for up to six months.
My go-to approach to helping kids in child therapy is narrative therapy. I find the best benefit in using narrative therapy because it helps children tell and retell their new evolving story of competency, which is empowering and can create possibilities. It is important to take into account children's strengths and resources, as well as the parents’ availability and capability to facilitate the child’s maturational process.
I teach the following tools in child therapy: I feel statements/communication, strategies for dealing with conflict, ways to calm down/cope with anxiety-including situations (i.e., breathing exercises), friendship skills, etc.
I know a client is making meaningful progress in child therapy when I am able to hear about the changes in the way that they view their experiences.
Clients can supplement their time in child therapy by practicing the tools that they learn each week.
To prepare for their first child therapy session, a child can work with their parent to talk about what it is they want out of therapy/what problems they want to work on.
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 Seattle.
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 Seattle, WA 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 Seattle, WA 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
Shown in PT
6 photos
Call us to book
Our team is happy to help you schedule your first session.
Book online
Find the right provider for you. Book your session online yourself in just a few easy steps.