Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

20,925 people sought child therapy help in Virginia in the last year

Discover how starting therapy with a child can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

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Sam Cowart

Hear from Sam Cowart, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

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What is your go-to approach for child therapy?

My go-to approach for helping kids in child therapy is creating an environment that welcomes play and feels like a safe space.

What tools do you teach in child therapy?

I utilize art, music, play, and exploration in child therapy.

How do you know when a client is making meaningful progress in child therapy?

I know a child is making meaningful progress in therapy when they are able to express their emotions or feel confident in themselves.

What can clients do in their personal time to supplement child therapy?

Clients and parents can supplement their time in child therapy by practicing skills learned in therapy at home or school, encouraging conversations about struggles, and engaging in positive interactions. Another powerful tool for parents is educational books or research that is often recommended by therapists to help provide further support to the family.

What should someone do to prepare for starting child therapy?

To prepare for their first child therapy session, a parent/guardian can share the benefits of therapy and explain how therapy works, and a child can prepare by bringing a comfort item to the session and preparing to share about themselves (hobbies, friends, school).

Starting Child therapy

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 Blacksburg.

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 Blacksburg, 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 Blacksburg, 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?

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.

Need more help deciding?

Child Therapy and Counseling in Blacksburg, VA

Some of the things a child mental health professional will look at to determine if the behaviors are problematic.

  • Is the child’s behavior very intense?
  • Do some behaviors continue after the situation has passed?
  • Is the behavior typical for the child’s age level?
  • Is the behavior upsetting to the child or other family members?
  • Does the behavior interfere with the child’s friendships or school performance?
  • Is the behavior inappropriate to the situation?
  • Does the behavior happen for no obvious reason?
  • Do you or your child avoid important social, school or family activities because of the behavior?

All children are different, and even the most typical child may engage in occasional “problematic” behaviors, particularly when they are tired, stressed or sick. However, if your child repeatedly engages in inappropriate or undesirable behaviors, consider meeting with our highly trained, experienced child therapist here at Thriveworks Blacksburg.

Many of the behavioral problems or mental health symptoms that can keep children and adolescents from leading happy, successful lives can be effectively treated with evidence-based therapies. With these treatments, mental health providers can help parents and children learn how to get along better with others, and to build the skills and habits that help them succeed in school and in life.

Not all mental health therapies for young people are effective, and some treatment options do not work the same for all behavioral and mental health disorders. Our evidence-based therapies use techniques that are based on scientific evidence to understand and treat various behavioral and mental health issues in young people. These techniques offer parents and child alike, the hope of successful treatment, enabling your child to thrive.

Call 540-376-3348 today to schedule an appointment or book online to begin.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Blacksburg therapists and counselors accept 34 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Connecticut | BCBS

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | Exchange

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas HMO

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

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Self-pay costs at Blacksburg
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

4.7 Thriveworks Blacksburg reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
So nice, reassuring, helpful for what I needed. Explained everything very well. I feel I don’t have a bunch of questions I should have asked.
Read more So nice, reassuring, helpful for what I needed. Explained everything very well. I feel I don’t have a bunch of questions I should have asked.
Blacksburg May 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Turns out our councilor in Blacksburg is working out great! This was a good idea. Highly recommend! Kudo's to Kelly.
Read more Turns out our councilor in Blacksburg is working out great! This was a good idea. Highly recommend! Kudo's to Kelly.
Blacksburg Jan 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
We have been providing the billing services to Thriveworks Blacksburgs for a good period of time now, we have had excellent professional relationship with all the staff there. They are true professional, always provide us the helping hand. And are very efficient is providing response to any query of questions. It is truly amazing working with them.
Read more We have been providing the billing services to Thriveworks Blacksburgs for a good period of time now, we have had excellent professional relationship with all the staff there. They are true professional, always provide us the helping hand. And are very efficient is providing response to any query of questions. It is truly amazing working with them.
Blacksburg Jun 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
When I arrived at the Blacksburg office for counseling I got a peaceful feeling. The paper work was not daunting and my counselor greeted me in a friendly and professional manner.
Read more When I arrived at the Blacksburg office for counseling I got a peaceful feeling. The paper work was not daunting and my counselor greeted me in a friendly and professional manner.
Blacksburg Aug 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I appreciated the location of the Blacksburg office. It's a pleasant place, just off the highway and feels safe. While I waited I was met by pleasant staff and refreshments.
Read more I appreciated the location of the Blacksburg office. It's a pleasant place, just off the highway and feels safe. While I waited I was met by pleasant staff and refreshments.
Blacksburg Aug 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
The waiting room was so inviting and the counselor had recognized me that made me feel very comfortable. I was tense from the unknown of therapy and it was so good to be "humanized."
Read more The waiting room was so inviting and the counselor had recognized me that made me feel very comfortable. I was tense from the unknown of therapy and it was so good to be "humanized."
Blacksburg Aug 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I met the Thriveworks owner to inquire about the services offered. She was very helpful with her answers, she was very patient as she gave me her time and focus, and made me feel entirely at "home."
Read more I met the Thriveworks owner to inquire about the services offered. She was very helpful with her answers, she was very patient as she gave me her time and focus, and made me feel entirely at "home."
Blacksburg Apr 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Close to downtown Blacksburg and easy to get a hold of. Just what is needed for this area.
Blacksburg Dec 2017
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

We share a building with several other businesses including Fresenius Kidney Care Montgomery County, the Islamic Center of Blacksburg, and Thermostats Service and Repair Company. Next door to us Robinson, Farmer, and Cox Associates, an account service. Nearby is also a Courtyard by Marriott hotel and Park Commercial Realty.

Phone number

(540) 361-6270

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • English
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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