Care without the wait

38 licensed therapists & providers in California. Available as soon as today, in person and online

Therapy for every life stage

Our providers work with individuals, couples, families, & teens for anxiety, depression, grief, & more

#1 for in-network coverage †

We accept UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, BCBS Plans, Humana, Aetna, & many more. Self-pay options available, no membership fees

Patients who get better

94% of patients feel truly understood by their provider. 3 out of 4 see improvement in depression & anxiety symptoms within 3 months

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3,401 people sought child therapy help in California in the last year

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

Meet with a child/teen therapist as soon as this week

Irvine, CA

As a mental health nurse practitioner I understand that every person is unique in their own way. I strive to combine advanced cli...

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La Habra, CA

As someone who has walked alongside countless individuals through trauma, self-doubt, and life's unexpected turns, I am passionate...

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Irvine, CA

As someone passionate about mental health, I combine evidence-based treatment with a supportive, real-world approach to help clien...

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Irvine, CA

As one who has experienced personal trauma and loss, I have an authentic understanding of how painful life circumstances impact us...

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Thousand Oaks, CA

Having personally known the impact of hardship and poverty, I bring a deeply empathetic, trauma-informed approach to walking along...

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We don’t have any providers with availability. Our schedules change daily. We’ll reach out as soon as a spot opens up.

Child therapy FAQs

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 California.

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 California, CA 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 California, CA 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 insurance and we offer self-pay options too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling at Thriveworks.

Our therapists and counselors in California accept 39 insurance plans

  • Adventist Health Associates | Employee Health Plan

  • Adventist Health Associates | Non-Employee Health Plan

  • Aetna

  • Alignment Health Plan

  • Anthem Blue Cross of California | Commercial

  • Anthem Blue Cross of California | Medicare Advantage

  • Blue Shield of California | BCBS

  • Blue Shield of California | Medicare Advantage

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Compsych

  • Firefly Health Plan | Cigna PPO Network

View more
Self-pay costs at California
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 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
My therapist listened well and understood me.
Zoe Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My therapist is very professional and has taught me essential and useful tools to deal with my depression and anxiety
Sofia Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Ms. Scott was very professional and easy to speak with.
Layla Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I really appreciate the ease of use of Thriveworks in the digital sessions. I have taken calls from my office and at home without any issue or interruption. I also appreciate the opportunity to connect to someone who is clinically capable of adapting to my present needs and hold space for me to work through my conflicts with measured and tailored interventions.
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Precious Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Really nothing
Reagan Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My experience with my therapist through Thrive works has been life changing for the better. I have learned better coping skills and ways to express my feelings to truly heal. I look forward to my appointments and going over what I have felt are wins and losses and how I got through them or find new ways to work through them. She has been a blessing and I’m forever grateful to her.
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Logan Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
She helps me at every visit. Remembers my situation and asked questions to help me a lot.
Davina Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Alan gives me honest practical solutions on how to set healthy boundaries
Deja Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
8 of 355 reviews

Where to find us

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Phone number

(628) 600-7682
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Languages spoken by CA providers

  • Urdu
  • Swedish
  • Punjabi
  • Hebrew
  • Hindi
  • Arabic
  • Filipino
  • Farsi
  • Spanish
  • English
  • Tagalog
  • Armenian
  • Mandarin
  • Vietnamese
  • Creole
  • Turkish
  • Cantonese
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Support Hours

Saturday 8:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 6:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 11:00pm

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