WE’RE HIRING!
Come join our team of 2000+ clinicians
FEATURED ARTICLE
A comprehensive guide to starting therapy
Book my first session
96% of clients feel supported and understood by their therapist
Get expert medication support, tailored to you
Check my copay estimate
Sessions cost $17 on average with insurance
166 licensed therapists & providers in Virginia—6 in Alexandria. Available as soon as today, in person and online
Our providers work with individuals, couples, families, & teens for anxiety, depression, grief, & more
We accept UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, BCBS Plans, Humana, Aetna, & many more. Self-pay options available, no membership fees
94% of patients feel truly understood by their provider. 3 out of 4 see improvement in depression & anxiety symptoms within 3 months
Discover how starting child therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
I approach mental health care with humility and cultural awareness, recognizing that each person’s journey is unique and deserving...
About
I approach mental health care with humility and cultural awareness, recognizing that each person’s journey is unique and deserving of individualized, holistic support.
As a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with eight years of nursing experience spanning multiple specialties, I bring a broad clinical perspective to mental health care across the lifespan. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, trauma-related conditions, mood disorders, burnout, and difficult life transitions. My approach is compassionate, holistic, and rooted in evidence-based practice—combining psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and supportive therapy to treat the whole person, not just symptoms. I partner with each client to build personalized treatment plans centered on resilience.
I earned my Master of Science in nursing from Walden University. My approach is collaborative and individualized, combining comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and thoughtful medication management with psychoeducation, mindfulness-based strategies, and strength-based coping skills.
If you've been carrying more than you let others see, you don't have to do it alone. I offer a warm, respectful, judgment-free space where we can identify patterns, build practical tools, and restore clarity and confidence. When you're ready, I'm here to help you take that next step toward meaningful, sustainable change.
Education and training
View more therapists in Alexandria
With over 30 years of counseling experience, I look forward to assisting you in working through your issues to achieve positive ou...
With over 30 years of counseling experience, I look forward to assisting you in working through your issues to achieve positive outcomes.
Mary Alice Fields is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who has 30 years of experience counseling couples, families, and individuals. Mary Alice completed her Master of Education (MEd) at Lindsey Wilson College.
Mary Alice believes most people do the best they can with the knowledge and experience they possess. At times in our lives, our knowledge and experience are not enough to solve problems and live our most productive life. At times like this, collaboration with a licensed professional counselor can help us discover ways to solve issues and achieve our full potential. Changing our perception of issues can be most helpful. By adjusting our thought process, we can begin to see our problems in a new light, and discover solutions to seemingly insurmountable issues.
Again, collaboration with a counselor can assist in this process. Old thought patterns can be replaced with new, healthier thought patterns that help us live our best life. The most important thing necessary to get you on your way to a more productive life is an open mind and a willingness to change. As a counselor, Mary Alice is your partner in ushering in this change. She cannot solve your problems, but she can and will assist you in learning new ways to achieve your goals.
As a woman of color, I understand the complexities of culture and mental health issues....
As a woman of color, I understand the complexities of culture and mental health issues.
Beatriz Morales is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has clinical practice treating adolescents, families, and children with mood disorders, ADHD, and trauma, as well as treating adults with depression and anxiety. Beatriz completed her Master of Mental Health Counseling at Nova Southeastern University. She immigrated to the United States at a young age, giving her ample experience navigating the stressors and joys of moving to a new country. This, coupled with her professional experience, enables her to provide the guidance and support her clients are seeking.
Beatriz integrates multiple treatment approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy, narrative therapy, and solution-focused techniques. Beatriz takes a holistic approach to counseling and meets the client where they are at. She includes CBT, solution-focused techniques, and TF-CBT when needed in order to assist clients dealing with a variety of issues.
We all face challenges in life. Beatriz is confident that she will be able to support you on your journey to gain insight, find new perspective, and build on the strengths you possess that will enhance your coping skills for any challenges that you may be facing. If you are ready to improve your quality of life, schedule an appointment today.
I have endured many hardships that have equipped me to show compassion for my clients and to empower them to overcome life’s chall...
I have endured many hardships that have equipped me to show compassion for my clients and to empower them to overcome life’s challenges. I have also learned that barriers are just in our minds, and they can keep us from moving from a victim mentality to an overcomer mentality.
I am an LPC with over 4 years of experience and 10 years of experience in nursing. I have a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. Through counseling and nursing, I have cared for people with mental health issues, including PTSD, addictions, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, dementia, Alzheimer’s, and palliative and hospice care. I have lived in many European and Middle Eastern countries, which means I have interacted with a wide variety of cultures and ethnicities. As a result, I understand that everyone has varying beliefs and values and appreciate that uniqueness.
I am the wife of an Army veteran, and everyone in my family has served in the military. As a result, I am skilled at handling stressful situations, especially trauma and PTSD. I am certified in EMDR therapy. My personal experiences, combined with my professional trauma training, enable me to provide the support that my clients need.
Tough times are usually only here for a season, but you can overcome these difficulties because you have an ally in me. We can work together, at your own pace, to manage your concerns and find solutions that align with your goals. I look forward to collaborating with you as you take this significant step toward growth and healing.
As a birthmother and survivor of rape and domestic violence, I understand the unique, complex issues surrounding unexpected trauma...
As a birthmother and survivor of rape and domestic violence, I understand the unique, complex issues surrounding unexpected trauma.
Kelly Clemente is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 8 years of experience in the mental health field. She is passionate about helping adolescents, adults, couples, and families address their unique challenges and live more fulfilled lives. Kelly specializes in treating special needs children, drug-addicted youth, pregnant teens, struggling birthmothers, eating-disordered adults, grieving widows, sexual trauma survivors, and victims of domestic violence. Kelly utilizes multiple treatment approaches including mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and solution-focused therapy.
Kelly earned a Master of Arts in School Counseling at Regent University. As a mother who placed her child up for adoption at 18, sister of 2 adoptees, and survivor of rape and domestic violence, Kelly has navigated trauma, unexpected pregnancy, adoption, depression, anxiety, grief, and loss, as well as the impact of these things on one's faith/spirituality.
Most of us have experienced trauma and loss, at varying degrees. No matter what you’ve lost or been through, Kelly will listen to you, empathize with you, teach you coping skills, and encourage you through your healing journey.
I have many years of experience which makes me confident in my ability to help you achieve your goals and improve your life....
I have many years of experience which makes me confident in my ability to help you achieve your goals and improve your life.
Nicole Reybok is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has 19 years of experience partnering with adults, adolescents, couples, and families seeking help with depression, anxiety, relationship and communication issues, life transitions, stress management, grief and loss, trauma and recovery, anger management, adjustment to illness, and alcohol and substance use disorders.
Nicole completed her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology at the University of Delaware and her Master of Social Work (MSW) at Rutgers University. She utilizes solution-focused, cognitive-behavioral, person-centered, strength-based, collaborative, and mindfulness approaches. Nicole also utilizes motivational interviewing and family systems when appropriate. She believes in the ability for everyone to grow, heal, and learn.
Nicole brings unique experience to therapy due to the majority of her career being in the medical field. She hopes that working together will bring positive energy to improve your life. Nicole uses tools and strategies to help resolve conflicts and stressors. She does this while conveying advocacy, compassion, empathy, and patience. Nicole exhibits warmth and unconditional acceptance. She is sensitive to her clients' needs. Nicole encourages clients to express their thoughts and feelings, set goals, and develop positive and healthy behaviors and attitudes.
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 for helping kids in child therapy is creative arts therapy because my child clients appear least distracted and most invested when I use this approach!
I teach the following tools in child therapy: evidence-based assessments (e.g. GAD-7, PHQ-9, PCL-5), emotion identification (e.g. feelings wheel), breathing techniques (e.g. box breathing), worksheets (e.g. 'Evaluate Your Worries' CBT worksheet), DBT skills (e.g. 'let's create a DBT STOP sign!'), identity and personal values exploration (e.g. Myers-Briggs personality test, 5 Love Languages test, ACT Personal Values assessment), confidence-building (e.g.“positive affirmation Doritos” where client writes affirmations on pieces of paper shaped like Dorito chips), assertiveness training (e.g. DBT DEARMAN role-play), grounding skills (e.g. 'curves and corners'), relaxation skills (e.g. progressive muscle relaxation), and more.
I know a client is making meaningful progress in child therapy when they show up to sessions prepared to discuss situations that occurred that week and they report how they were able to identify and manage difficult emotions.
Clients can supplement their time in child therapy by listening to therapy podcasts with their parents, journaling/drawing, expressing emotions through art, practicing coping skills learned in therapy on their own, and reading child-friendly books on therapeutic topics.
To prepare for their first child therapy session, a child can take the GAD-7 + PHQ-9, think of what they want to improve upon, and explore what type of support they want/need from their caretakers and clinician.
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 Alexandria.
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 Alexandria, VA 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 Alexandria, 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.
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.
Childhood is often depicted as a period of carefree fun. In reality, childhood and adolescence are often filled with challenges that kids and teens aren’t sure how to handle. Do your best to think back to these years: a time when we’re still learning the necessary tools to understand our emotions, manage stress, and communicate well with others. It proves difficult for kids and teens to navigate the challenges that arise as they grow and develop.
The good news is that there is professional help for children and adolescents. A child therapist’s job is to work with these young individuals to understand and address the problems they are experiencing as well as equip them with effective tools for managing problems they may face in the future. If your child or teen is struggling—if they’re reluctant to go to school and you don’t know why, they are showing signs of a mental illness; if they’re grieving the loss of a loved one; or they’re struggling with something else entirely—a child therapist or psychologist at Thriveworks Alexandria can help. Reach out today to get started.
You might be hesitant to say that your child needs therapy. Rather than deciding if your child needs therapy, think about whether or not your child could benefit from therapy. Many children and teens could benefit from therapy, from those with a mental illness like depression or ADHD to those who are having trouble adjusting to life in a new town and at a new school. Remember, the end goal of therapy is for the client to be happier, healthier. Here’s a more comprehensive list of children who might find value in working with a therapist (starting with those we’ve already covered):
This list does not include every single child or teen who might benefit from therapy. In fact, we believe that all young individuals could benefit in some way from working with a counselor! If you are interested in child therapy and want to book an appointment or hear more about our services, call Thriveworks Alexandria.
As with therapy for adults, child therapy can vary between one client and the next. A counselor at Thriveworks Alexandria will first work to understand the child and then develop an individualized plan for helping them find success in therapy. Therapy might involve the following:
These are just a few techniques used in child therapy. Again, each child’s experience in therapy is dependent on the problems they present and other individual factors.
Do you think your child could benefit from working with a therapist? Call Thriveworks Alexandria to schedule an appointment. Our therapists and counselors are dedicated to helping their clients live happier, healthier, more successful lives. They can’t wait to make a difference in your child or teen’s life. Call today and a scheduling specialist will get you set up with one of our providers.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Alexandria is located near Colvin St and Duke St, off I-395. It is close to the Bishop Ireton High School and just around the corner from the African American Heritage Park.
Shown in ET
28 photos
166 therapists available in Virginia, including 6 in Alexandria
Call to book
We'll help you find the right provider and get you scheduled.
Book online
Find the right provider for you and book your first session in minutes.