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6,431 people sought child therapy help in Massachusetts 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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Raef  Sengupta

Hear from Raef Sengupta, Counselor (Resident In Counseling)

View Raef Sengupta's profile

What is your go-to approach for child therapy?

In child therapy, I first use psychoanalytic and play therapies. These approaches focus on both nonverbal and verbal communication as essential to establishing enjoyment, interest, and trust, and through those elements making space for what's really on your mind.

What tools do you teach in child therapy?

The most important tools are whichever ones you want to use. I am happy to explore any tools you wish, but the ones I tend to gravitate to most are ones you have already been practicing every day:

  • Mindfulness: Feeling in the moment; feeling all your feelings
  • Fantasy: Embracing fully your hopes and fears in your mind's eye
  • Assessing expectations: What would happen if...?

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

You will know you are making progress when you feel good! As therapy is oriented towards your goals, you will feel good when you make progress, and if you don't then tell me! If you are a parent, you should feel it too—indirectly. We will also be in close contact to address whatever concerns and needs may come up.

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

Whatever they like! Some people like to keep it to themselves and go about their life as usual, while others like to write or read or talk to family and friends. Whatever you do, know the therapy is moving right along.

What should someone do to prepare for starting child therapy?

If you are unsure about starting, there are a few things to think about.

  • First, as I mentioned earlier, it is always good to assess your expectations. Why would you want to start? Why would you not want to? With questions like this it can be helpful to talk to someone who either is a therapist themselves or has had therapy.
  • Second, know that in all child therapy, there is at least some degree of parent involvement. Child therapy is a private matter between the child and therapist where the child leads the way on how much parents are involved. Some children prefer to have regular discussion with their parents while others prefer to keep mostly private. However, there are instances in which a therapist does need to communicate with parents—to talk about payment or scheduling, to name a couple. In these cases, I will always communicate this to you first.
  • The third thing is to know you are already taking steps towards feeling better! Whether you enter into therapy or not, being curious about it is already putting you on the right path forward.

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 Boston.

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 Boston, MA 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 Boston, 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.

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.

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 Boston therapists and counselors accept 28 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS Medicare Advantage (HMO | PPO)

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Compsych

  • Fallon Health

  • First Health Network

  • Harvard Pilgrim

  • Humana Exchange

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Self-pay costs at Boston
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

5.0 Thriveworks Boston reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
Working with Samantha has been an excellent experience over the past 9 months. She is a passionate, dedicated professional who was a huge help in alleviating my anxiety and holistically improving my mental health. Her insights were clear and actionable, and improved my daily quality of life. I would highly recommend Sam to anyone who is struggling with interpersonal relationships, family issues, or anxiety.
Read more Working with Samantha has been an excellent experience over the past 9 months. She is a passionate, dedicated professional who was a huge help in alleviating my anxiety and holistically improving my mental health. Her insights were clear and actionable, and improved my daily quality of life. I would highly recommend Sam to anyone who is struggling with interpersonal relationships, family issues, or anxiety.
Boston Feb 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Dr cavallaro provides excellent care. If I could give more than 5 stars I would.
Boston (South End) Mar 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Kimberly is one of the most passionate and compassionate social worker I have had the pleasure of working with. She is non judgmental, emphatic and has a great sense of humor. Kimberly embodies all the qualities of an amazing clinician.
Read more Kimberly is one of the most passionate and compassionate social worker I have had the pleasure of working with. She is non judgmental, emphatic and has a great sense of humor. Kimberly embodies all the qualities of an amazing clinician.
Boston Feb 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
My experience of Kimberly Wabik as a colleague was wonderful. She was extremely hard-working, went the extra mile for her clients, and was very down to earth, practical and real. To my knowledge, her clients (adolescents and adults) loved working with her.
Read more My experience of Kimberly Wabik as a colleague was wonderful. She was extremely hard-working, went the extra mile for her clients, and was very down to earth, practical and real. To my knowledge, her clients (adolescents and adults) loved working with her.
Boston Feb 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Kimberly and she is a compassionate and emphatic social worker. She is passionate, non judgmental and has a great sense of humor. She embodies all the qualities of a great clinician.
Read more I’ve had the pleasure of working with Kimberly and she is a compassionate and emphatic social worker. She is passionate, non judgmental and has a great sense of humor. She embodies all the qualities of a great clinician.
Boston Jan 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Boston is located on Massachusetts Ave where it intersects with Columbus Ave. We share a building with Salon 428, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston.

Phone number

(617) 958-5365

Languages spoken by MA providers

  • Cantonese
  • English
  • Spanish
  • Mandarin
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
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

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
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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