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686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

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

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Cierra Brabham

Hear from Cierra Brabham, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

View Cierra Brabham's profile

What is your go-to approach for child therapy?

My go-to approach for child therapy depends on the children's needs, but is mainly based in a combination of CBT and play therapy. Children learn and build an understanding of the world around them through how they interact with the world. By incorporating social/emotional skills into games, worksheets, art, and other mediums, children are able to build skills they did not have before.

My go-to approach for child therapy depends on the teenagers' needs. The most important process is to build trust. Some teenagers can be nervous and not trust their parents because they fear their parents will discover things that will cause them trouble. I discussed informed consent and the boundaries of confidentiality with both the parent and the teenager. By incorporating social/emotional skills into games, worksheets, art, and other mediums, teenagers can build skills they did not have before.

What tools do you teach in child therapy?

The tools I teach in child-centered therapy are social/emotional regulation skills, problem-solving, parent/child interaction improvement, self-esteem, and trauma processing.

I teach the following tools in individual therapy:

  • Distress tolerance skills: The client learns to manage distress healthily.
  • Stress management skills: Learn strategies to manage life challenges and everyday stress.
  • Mindfulness: Learn to stay in the present moment without judgment when situations seem difficult or out of an individual's control.
  • Emotion regulation skills: Learn to process and express emotions healthily.
  • Interpersonal effectiveness skills: Learn skills to help maintain healthy relationships.
  • Behavioral activation: Treatment for depression to address lack of motivation and feelings of hopelessness, which are common symptoms of depression.
  • Relaxation techniques: Address anxiety by learning breathing techniques and other mindfulness skills.

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

I know a client is making meaningful progress in child therapy when we begin to see small changes in their abilities to regulate their moods, process social/emotional situations, follow directions on a developmentally appropriate level, and increase caregiver-positive interactions with the child.

I know a teen is making meaningful progress in individual therapy when they can successfully navigate challenges independently with the tools provided in individual therapy. The client starts to recognize and address barriers that keep them in the cycle of their overwhelming symptoms. The teen is also willing to share their concerns with parents that they may not have been able to before treatment.

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

What clients can do at home to supplement child therapy relies on the caregivers. Caregivers need to spend intentional time with the child away from screens to increase social/emotional connections. Caregivers must adhere to proper consequences for negative behaviors for both them and the child. Caregivers must also put in the work to ensure they are also learning, alongside their child, different ways to handle emotions and situations and connect. Child therapy is not just about the child. The entire family unit needs to be involved to create meaningful change.

Clients can supplement their time in therapy by building a routine of activities learned in individual therapy. I encourage clients to make a healthy support system for accountability in mental health maintenance.

What should someone do to prepare for starting child therapy?

To prepare for starting child therapy, caregivers should be prepared to examine how their actions may influence how children behave and examine how they can create positive change. The family should be ready to examine how they function as a whole and what positive changes they can make with the resources they have. They should let the child know therapy is like a doctor for your brain and they help us build skills we need. Support is the biggest factor. Therapy should never be a punishment or a threat. It should be a place of open communication and growth.

To prepare for your first therapy session, write down your thoughts and concerns before your session so that all concerns can be discussed in the intake session. Parents are an essential part of the therapeutic process and should be prepared to be a part of any homework or exercises given to the teen. The parents should be ready to examine how they function as a whole and what positive changes they can make with the resources they have.

Starting Child/teen therapy

What is child & teen counseling?

Thriveworks child & teen counseling in Columbia 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 and adolescents can attend and benefit from therapy.

How does child & teen counseling work?

Child & teen counseling works by using multiple techniques, tailored to fit the child or teen’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 (CBT), dialectic behavioral therapy, art therapy, and others for varying ages. In any case, child & teen counselors have the expertise and experience to help young individuals at their level.

Is child & teen counseling conducted in person or online?

Child & teen counseling at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and via Online therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does child & teen counseling last?

The length of child & teen counseling at Thriveworks in Columbia, SC depends on your child’s needs as well as the goals that you and their therapist might have for them. Generally, child & teen counseling sessions will last for several months.

Need more help deciding?

Child Therapy / Teen Therapy – Counselors and Therapists in Columbia, SC

At times, parents find it hard to know if a change in a child is a normal part of development or something more serious is causing the child to behave differently. When issues cause the child’s relationships in the family to falter and there are problems at school or with their peers, many children are not able to articulate what is happening. Oftentimes, parents can sense when something is wrong, but they do not know what to do to help.

If you can relate, you’re not alone. Each day, parents rely on child therapy to provide support and understanding for their children and family members. Thriveworks Child Therapy in Columbia, SC has experience working with children and their families to help them identify the causes of behavioral and emotional struggles that children face today. Our licensed and highly train child counselors can provide the support your child needs. (803) 477-3736 

How Do I Know if My Child Needs Therapy?

Your child or adolescent may benefit from child or adolescent therapy if:

  • He or she has struggles in more than one area of life
  • Shows excessive anxiety or worry
  • Loses confidence or show an increase in self-doubt
  • Experiences hopelessness
  • Begins to withdraw from family and friends
  • Engages in self-destructive behavior
  • Has changes in sleep habits
  • Displays an increase in aggression
  • Talks about or engages in self-harm
  • Makes statements, such as, “I wish I could disappear,” or “no one would miss me if I were gone.”
  • Openly talks about suicide

Child counseling can help children and caregivers learn how to express emotions in acceptable ways, resolve difficulties in a safe manner, and find health to face challenges.

Common Causes of Mental Health Challenges in Children

Teens face many changes, and sometimes it’s difficult to be able to tell what is normal or when to see a therapist. This is the phase when they exert their independence, and they are facing many pressures–performing well in high school, getting high scores on the SAT, and checking the mailbox in hopes of finding a college acceptance. Relationships with friends and boyfriends/girlfriends are all-important to them, and sometimes the pressures of these relationships can cause numerous strains on the teen.

While it is important to note that children respond in different ways to the various changes in life, some of the events that may impact adolescent mental health include:

  • Parental divorce or separation
  • The birth of a sibling
  • The death of a loved one
  • Physical or sexual abuse
  • Poverty or homelessness
  • Natural disaster
  • Domestic violence
  • Moving to a new place or attending a new school
  • Being physically or emotionally bullied
  • Taking on more responsibility than is appropriate for their age

Scheduling Child Therapy at Thriveworks Columbia

Thriveworks Child and Adolescent Counselors are fully licensed and have undergone years of training. Our Columbia child therapists specialize in working with children. Our Columbia adolescent therapist recognize that teens aren’t ready to be adults, but they don’t want to be treated like children either. Our therapists work with children and teens to develop strategies to express themselves, develop greater levels of self-control, and make better decisions in life.

We offer convenient day, evening, and weekend hours to help you find a time that works best for your busy schedule.  We accept most major insurance plans, so getting help may be more affordable than you thought.  Plus, we don’t believe you should have to wait to get an appointment. We have no wait list for treatment – you can often get your child in for their first appointment within the same week as scheduling.  Call today to schedule an appointment at Thriveworks Child and Adolescent Therapy.  Your child can thrive, we can help! (803) 477-3736

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 Columbia therapists and counselors accept 25 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina Medicare Advantage

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina | BCBS

  • Carelon

  • Carolina Behavioral Health Alliance (CBHA)

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

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Self-pay costs at Columbia
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 Columbia has no reviews yet, but check out these reviews from locations in South Carolina.

4.5 Thriveworks Columbia 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 Columbia is located on Executive Pointe Blvd off of Bush River Rd, just northwest of Interstate 20 on the north side of the Saluda River. Our building is neighbored by The Steele Law Firm; S.C. Press Association; and Thomas, Watson & Company. The closest bus stop is Bush Woodland WB. If you have trouble finding our office or have any questions about how to get here, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Phone number

(803) 573-9453

Languages spoken by SC providers

  • English
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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