Child Counseling
Helping your child build confidence, manage emotions, and thrive
What is Child Counseling?
Child counseling, also called child therapy or play therapy, is a specialized form of mental health support designed for children ages 4-11. Because children often lack the vocabulary to express complex emotions, our child therapists use play, art, and creative activities to help kids communicate what they're experiencing.
Through child therapy, kids learn to understand their feelings, develop healthy coping skills, and work through challenges in an age-appropriate way. Our therapists create a safe, supportive environment where children feel comfortable expressing themselves.
- Play-Based Approach - Using games, art, and activities children naturally engage with
- Emotional Vocabulary - Teaching kids to identify and express their feelings
- Coping Skills - Building tools to manage big emotions and stress
- Parent Involvement - Guidance for supporting your child at home
Is Child Therapy Right For Your Child?
Child counseling can help if your child is experiencing any of these challenges
Frequent tantrums, meltdowns, or difficulty managing emotions
Anxiety, excessive worry, or fears that interfere with daily life
Persistent sadness, withdrawal, or loss of interest in activities
Difficulty making friends or trouble with social situations
Major life changes like divorce, moving, or a new sibling
Processing a trauma, loss, or frightening experience
Meet Our Child Therapists
Our therapists specialize in working with children and use developmentally appropriate techniques to help kids feel safe and understood.
Insurance & Payment
We work with two major insurance providers to make child therapy accessible. We handle all the paperwork so you can focus on your child.
How Insurance Works With Us
Submit Your Insurance Card
Provide us with a photo or copy of your insurance card when you book your appointment.
We Verify Your Benefits
Our team contacts your insurance company to verify your mental health benefits and coverage details.
We Handle the Paperwork
We submit all necessary claims and documentation directly to your insurance provider on your behalf.
You Pay Your Copay
Simply pay your copay or deductible amount at the time of service - we take care of the rest.
What to Expect from Child Counseling
Parent Consultation
We start with a phone consultation with you (without your child) to understand your concerns, your child's history, and what you're hoping to achieve through therapy.
Initial Assessment
The first session focuses on building rapport with your child and understanding their perspective. We use play and conversation to help your child feel comfortable with their new therapist.
Weekly Play Therapy Sessions
Through play, art, games, and age-appropriate activities, your child works through challenges and builds new skills. Sessions are tailored to your child's interests and developmental level.
Parent Collaboration
We provide regular updates on your child's progress and teach you strategies to reinforce what your child is learning in therapy at home.
Ready to Help Your Child Thrive?
Take the first step toward supporting your child's emotional wellbeing. Schedule a free consultation to discuss how child therapy can help your family.
Child Counseling FAQs
What ages do you work with for child counseling?
Our child therapy services are designed for children ages 4-11. For adolescents ages 12-18, we offer teen counseling which uses approaches better suited to their developmental stage.
What is play therapy and how does it work?
Play therapy uses toys, games, art, and creative activities as the primary way children communicate and process their experiences. Since children often can't articulate complex emotions verbally, play becomes their natural language. A trained child therapist observes and engages with your child's play to understand their inner world and guide them toward healing.
How do I know if my child needs therapy?
Consider child counseling if your child is experiencing persistent anxiety or worry, frequent emotional outbursts, difficulty with transitions or changes, trouble making or keeping friends, sleep problems, regression in behavior, or if they've experienced a trauma or major life change. When in doubt, a consultation can help determine if therapy would be beneficial.
Will I know what happens in my child's sessions?
We provide regular parent updates on themes, progress, and strategies you can use at home. However, like adult therapy, children need some confidentiality to feel safe expressing themselves. We balance keeping you informed while respecting your child's therapeutic space. We always inform parents of any safety concerns.
How long does child therapy typically take?
Every child is different. Some children see improvement in 8-12 sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support. We regularly assess progress and adjust our approach based on your child's needs and your family's goals.
Do you involve parents in child therapy?
Yes, parent involvement is essential for lasting change. We start with a parent consultation, provide regular updates, and teach you strategies to support your child at home. Some sessions may include parent-child activities, and we may recommend family counseling if family dynamics are contributing to your child's challenges.
Can child therapy help with school problems?
Absolutely. We work with children on school anxiety, difficulty with peers, behavioral issues in the classroom, and academic stress. With your permission, we can coordinate with teachers or school counselors to support your child across settings.
What if my child doesn't want to go to therapy?
It's normal for children to feel uncertain about something new. Our child therapists are skilled at helping hesitant kids warm up through play and activities they enjoy. Most children come to look forward to their sessions once they've had a chance to experience the playroom and build a relationship with their therapist.
Do you offer telehealth for child therapy?
We offer virtual sessions via telehealth for children throughout Arizona. While in-person play therapy is often ideal for younger children, telehealth can work well for some kids, especially those who are comfortable with technology. We can discuss which format might work best for your child during your consultation.
How is child counseling different from family counseling?
Child counseling focuses primarily on your individual child, using play and age-appropriate techniques. Family counseling brings the whole family together to work on relationships and communication patterns. Many families benefit from both—individual support for the child alongside family sessions to address dynamics at home.