Discover how starting child therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
6 therapists available in Worcester
I believe that healing is possible no matter how hard your life experiences have been, and I’m honored to serve you on that journe...
About
I believe that healing is possible no matter how hard your life experiences have been, and I’m honored to serve you on that journey.
I am a Mental Health Counselor seeking licensure with 8 years of experience providing trauma-informed support to adolescent and adult clients. I have a background in holistic healing modalities that address all aspects of wellness, including physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. I feel honored to work with clients who dare to explore themselves and embrace vulnerability as they move toward healing, balance, and emotional well-being.
I earned my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Southern New Hampshire University. I use trauma-informed approaches that honor each client’s unique needs, including eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, person-centered talk therapy, psychodynamic techniques, strengths-based parts work, somatic therapy, and mindfulness.
I believe each of us has the inner wisdom and strength to create meaningful change, but sometimes it takes the right guide and tools to get there. My goal is to walk beside you with compassion and understanding as you rediscover your resilience, heal from within, and move toward a life of greater peace and fulfillment.
Education and training
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As a young woman, I understand the challenges that academic, work, and family stress can present....
As a young woman, I understand the challenges that academic, work, and family stress can present.
Alyson Burchfield is a Resident-in Counseling (RIC) with over two years of internship experience in the mental health field. She provides therapeutic care to adults and couples who are seeking help with depression, anxiety, stress management, difficult life transitions, adjustment disorder, LGBTQ issues, mindfulness, and meditation. Alyson is a strong and empathetic ally who regards individuals as the experts of their own experience.
Alyson completed her Bachelor's degree in Psychology at Franklin Pierce University and received her Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University. She utilizes an eclectic and collaborative strengths-based, narrative-based, mindfulness-based, solutions-focused, and person-centered approach to therapeutic care. Alyson is always fostering a therapeutic alliance that allows for individuals and clients to grow at their own pace while providing a safe and welcoming environment.
Alyson seeks to establish a compassionate and warm relationship with you to assist in building upon your strengths, and to collaborate with you on meeting your goals, processing challenges, and developing tools and techniques to help you grow even outside of counseling.
In consideration of a work-life balance, my work is very meaningful to me. I am culturally competent, evidence-based and think abo...
In consideration of a work-life balance, my work is very meaningful to me. I am culturally competent, evidence-based and think about client needs, which helps create a successful therapeutic alliance.
Irene is a licensed mental health counselor with a combined 8 years of experience in mental health and related fields and 20 years of experience in working with public schools and family systems. She is interpersonally rooted in practice and has on strong focus on creating a successful therapeutic alliance. She believes that the quality of the client-therapist relationship should align with clients’ needs. Irene specializes in several areas that support children and adults who face challenges with school, behavior, family life, ADHD, ODD, self-esteem, bullying, anxiety, depression, abuse, and trauma.
Irene completed her Master of Science in Clinical Psychology degree at Bay Path University and was teacher-nominated as Class Speaker. She has provided counseling services for inner city children in crisis in residential settings as well as for adults.
Irene believes rapport is of utmost importance in the clinical setting and that a strong sense of trust helps build an alliance between the client and therapist. Irene has a sensitive view of client culture, respect, and confidentiality and places high standards on client safety and rights.
As a former member of a special operations military unit, I understand and can empathize with directly- and indirectly-related iss...
As a former member of a special operations military unit, I understand and can empathize with directly- and indirectly-related issues.
Lee Walker is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), and a former member of a military Special Operations unit with 45 years of experience in mental health/addictions treatment. He is very concerned regarding the impact of trauma (frequently underrated) and the disease course of addictions (also frequently underrated). He is optimistic that significant life improvement is possible for his clients, and is committed to working with them to see that potential. Leon’s specialties are PTDS, trauma, and addictions.
Lee earned his Bachelor's in Abnormal Psychology at Clark University and Master's at Assumption University. His military background exposed him to a wide range of life circumstances and difficulties that impact people—many of whom have given up hope. Lee teaches his clients to use rational emotive therapy and reality therapy to manage symptoms on their own.
Lee believes that all clients have the potential to conduct self-therapy so they have clinical tools and interventions at all times.
As someone who values the story that each person holds, I will never take for granted the trust it takes to open up and share the ...
As someone who values the story that each person holds, I will never take for granted the trust it takes to open up and share the deepest and hardest parts of life in therapy.
Megan Yeo is a mental health professional in the process of becoming a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC). She has 4 years of experience working with clients who are suffering from anxiety, depression, and trauma, As a therapist, she'll help you find the answers that are already within yourself.
Megan earned her Master's degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. She uses a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and solutions-focused therapy to help you to feel empowered to target the daily stressors and anxieties that may come your way. She provides an empathetic approach that helps people to feel seen, known, and understood. She always strives to help her clients work towards the freedom and healing that therapy can provide. She always views clients through the lens of resilience.
Whatever the reason, Megan is honored that you would choose her as your therapist. Megan values each person and hopes that you leave each session feeling a little more free, while also feeling fully seen and valued.
Being a black woman, I have a unique perspective as a therapist, and hope to normalize therapy for clients black and people of col...
Being a black woman, I have a unique perspective as a therapist, and hope to normalize therapy for clients black and people of color in order to expand mental health services to these communities.
Jamiere Trifilio is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 5 years of experience in outpatient therapy. Jamiere believes in client-centered therapy where clients are actively involved in their treatment. Jamiere also believes in an empathetic approach to therapy where a client feels safe, heard, and seen. Being a black woman in America gives Jamiere a unique perspective on life and growth. It has helped her grow as a therapist and have compassion toward humanity. Jamiere specializes in women's mental health for depression, anxiety, mood disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, LGBTQ+ issues, pregnancy, postpartum, and stress.
Jamiere completed her undergraduate degree at Houghton College and her master's degree at Eastern Nazarene College. Jamiere has been trained in multiple modalities such as narrative therapy, solution-focused therapy, person-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and trauma-based work.
Life can come with many challenges and unexpected changes that affect us all in different ways. Jamiere will create a safe space of hope and compassion to support your journey of life. We all have stories, and Jamiere believes that you can write the story of the future your way and find freedom in your new story.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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It is important to meet children where they are. Child therapy is different in that children are often not seeking out therapy for themselves, so it is important to make sure they feel comfortable and have a positive experience. That way, when they have developed more and have the desire to continue to work on their mental health, they will feel safe enough to do so on their own in the future. To do this, I use a lot of play and creative art therapy combined with psychoeducation. I also think it is important to involve parents in therapy so that I am able to address everyone's concerns and also address underlying issues that may be contributing to behavioral problems.
I teach a lot of emotional identification skills as well as ways in which children can express those emotions in a healthy way. I teach coping skills to help children manage “big emotions” as well as learning how to identify when they are feeling dysregulated and when to implement the coping skills they have learned about. One popular technique I use is emotional thermometers to help children identify the intensity of the emotion they are feeling and match that with coping skills that best fit with that level of intensity.
I know a client is making meaningful progress in child therapy when they are sharing more without as much prompting. Since most children are in therapy because an adult in their lives thinks they need it, they often either don't want to be there or don't know what to talk about. Once they start talking more openly on their own, that is progress in itself. I also see progress when children use more emotion-based language correctly, or when their parents report improvements at home.
Clients can supplement their time in child therapy with daily mindfulness practice (which can be found on YouTube), or increased structure and routine at home (if that is necessary). Sometimes I will ask children to practice a certain skill in between sessions as well.
To prepare for their first child therapy session, it is important for the child to have an understanding of what therapy is and the purpose for it. It can be helpful for the parent and therapist to have a conversation first in order to prepare everyone for the first meeting. There should be goals for therapy, so if the child does not have their own goals, it is important they understand what goals the parent has for the child's 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 Worcester.
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 Worcester, MA 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 Worcester, MA 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.
Being a child means playing outside, making forts, and riding bikes around the neighborhood until you can hear your mom yell that it’s dinner time. As they age into adolescence, kids start to ask to venture out to see movies with their friends or go to amusement parks from open to close. Once they turn into teenagers or young adults, they start to drive, go to sporting events, take day trips, and dip their toes into the dating world. Whatever stage of childhood your kid is in, life isn’t always as picture-perfect as we described. The world will throw obstacles and challenges at children as they grow up. Although this is normal, it’s crucial to know when these challenges start to take a negative toll on their mental development and seek professional help when times get tough.
Whether your child is dealing with divorce, bullying, or coping with a learning disability, a licensed psychologist can help. At Thriveworks Counseling in Worcester, our child counselors are experienced and highly qualified to diagnose and treat the issues that children of all ages may be facing. If you feel like your child could benefit from speaking with a professional, call (508) 409-6134 to schedule an appointment.
All parents can relate to some sort of shift in their children when something is off. Maybe it’s puberty and a change or hormones. Maybe they are getting picked on at school for how they dress. Maybe they are arguing with a close friend and haven’t told you about it. Whatever the situation is, a licensed child therapist can help them work through concerns such as:
These are just some of the areas in which a Thriveworks in Worcester child therapist could help. In addition to the above list, we can help diagnose underlying medical or psychological conditions. If you aren’t sure of what’s really going on with your child, a psychologist can help identify the real issue at hand and help you and your family work through it together.
Much the same as regular adult therapy, child therapy focuses on creating a specific plan of care based on individual needs. During the first initial sessions, your child’s therapist will perform assessments to better understand what is going on. At Thriveworks in Worcester, MA, our psychologists have the ability to speak on a level in which your child understands best. To do so, they may use a variety of different methods including:
When you are ready to seek help for your child, our counselors are here to help. We pride ourselves on our compassionate and accessible care. To schedule an appointment, go to our online booking portal or call (508) 409-6134 to be connected with a scheduling specialist. If you need anything, we’re here. We offer evening and weekend sessions, accept most major insurances, provide in-person and online options, and offer additional benefits.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
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