Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

2,103 people sought child therapy help in Illinois in the last year

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

No current openings

All IL providers are fully booked, but check back tomorrow — sessions become available daily!
Jenelle Thompson-Keene

Hear from Jenelle Thompson-Keene, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)

View Jenelle Thompson-Keene's profile

What is your go-to approach for child therapy?

My go-to approach to therapy is using child-centered play to help the client feel comfortable, speak more openly, and want to attend sessions.

What tools do you teach in child therapy?

In therapy with kids, I teach:

  • Expressing feelings (sometimes using a scale of 1-5 or colors, helping kids learn and expand their understanding of emotions and names of specific emotions)
  • Coping skills (like asking for a hug, help, space to reset, etc.)
  • Creation of safe spaces (quiet spot, space with art supplies, comfort item to take along, etc.)
  • Family skills and collaboration—kids can't learn and utilize new skills without practice and support, so involving family members is critical
  • Making time for fun (how to laugh, enjoy activities, and make time for your favorite things, even when you are struggling)
  • Mindfulness and deep breathing (how to stop and reset in the moment with breathing and grounding techniques)
  • Developing and utilizing a support system (Who do you have to ask for help and support? How can we broaden and expand this network for each client at home, school, and in the community?)

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

When clients are more content at school, home, and in the community and adults in their lives report fewer difficulties and issues in daily life, I know a client is making meaningful progress.

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

Clients can practice expressing feelings and utilizing coping skills, and adults can help model these skills as well.

What should someone do to prepare for starting child therapy?

When kids are starting therapy, please remind them that everyone wants them to be happy and successful at home, school, and in their daily lives. When kids come in expecting to play, have some fun with activities, and feel better, they come in with a much better mindset to get started.

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 Champaign.

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 Champaign, IL 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 Champaign, IL 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 take most major forms of insurance, which means that many of our clients only pay a $0-$50 co-pay per session. However, there are also self-pay options that sit around $200 per session, depending on the service and location, for those who are out-of-network.

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 Champaign therapists and counselors accept 26 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois BCBS | HMO - Essential Health Partners IPA

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois BCBS | HMO - Essential Health Partners Kane County

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois BCBS | HMO - Essential Health Partners Silver Cross

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois BCBS | PPO

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

  • Choice Care (Humana)

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

Show more
Self-pay costs at Champaign
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

Thriveworks Champaign has no reviews yet, but check out these reviews from locations in Illinois.

4.5 Thriveworks Champaign reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
Thriveworks helped me realize that I do believe people can change. I’m not the person I was three months ago, broken and fearful. I’m healthy and happy and for the first time being kind to myself. Thank you for giving me my life back.
Read more Thriveworks helped me realize that I do believe people can change. I’m not the person I was three months ago, broken and fearful. I’m healthy and happy and for the first time being kind to myself. Thank you for giving me my life back.
Anonymous Thriveworks Client
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Champaign is at the corner of Church Street and S Randolph Street. Our office is across from West Side Park and near Hickory Point Band & Trust. We share a building with the Virginia Theatre.

Phone number

(217) 282-0034

Languages spoken by IL providers

  • English
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
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in CT

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
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm

Shown in CT

8 photos