10,593 people sought child therapy help in North Carolina 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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Kathy Pendlay

Hear from Kathy Pendlay, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHC-A)

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What is your go-to approach for child therapy?

A go-to approach for helping kids in child therapy is being present and allowing a non-judgmental space for clients to explore their feelings. Creating a strong foundation of emotional support to show respect and acceptance is key. One can find the best benefit in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy because it can be helpful for an individual to identify mindsets that help improve and manage their view of life's situations, themselves, and the relationships they are in.

What tools do you teach in child therapy?

The following tools are common in child therapy:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Play Therapy
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
  • Narrative
  • Person-Centered

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

One way to tell if a client is making meaningful progress is a more positive view of themselves and response to the tools they are learning in therapy. Another good sign is that they display motivation to improve and increase emotional intimacy in their relationships, while being able to accept things that are outside of their control.

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

Clients can supplement their time in child therapy with journaling, exploring therapy worksheets, listening to videos provided by their therapist, confiding in trusted friends and family, and practicing self-care daily.

What should someone do to prepare for starting child therapy?

To prepare for their first child therapy session, a child can have honest and open conversations with trusted family and friends about what they are having difficulty with. This can provide them different perspectives that they can explore further in therapy. A client can then write down the topics of concern that they would like to work on with a therapist. This can help them use their time more efficiently.

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 Cornelius.

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 Cornelius, NC 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 Cornelius, NC 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 Cornelius therapists and counselors accept 26 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina | BCBS

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina | BCBS Medicare Advantage

  • Carelon

  • Caresource

  • Carolina Behavioral Health Alliance (CBHA)

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

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Self-pay costs at Cornelius
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 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
Krystal made my first session very comfortable and welcoming. Her goal is to get the best version of yourself she can. I can’t thank her enough for saving my life when I didn’t even know how desperate I was to be saved. HIGHLY recommend her services.
Read more Krystal made my first session very comfortable and welcoming. Her goal is to get the best version of yourself she can. I can’t thank her enough for saving my life when I didn’t even know how desperate I was to be saved. HIGHLY recommend her services.
Belinda Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I personally didn’t think therapy would work for me but I gave thriveworks a shot and do not regret it! They truly know how to figure out the problem and will work with you to find multiple solutions. Everyone that works there is so nice, from the phone operators to the actual therapists. Don’t sit on the fence about your mental health!
Read more I personally didn’t think therapy would work for me but I gave thriveworks a shot and do not regret it! They truly know how to figure out the problem and will work with you to find multiple solutions. Everyone that works there is so nice, from the phone operators to the actual therapists. Don’t sit on the fence about your mental health!
Parker Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Kathy Pendlay is a compassionate, knowledgeable counselor. She is a great listener and understands how complicated life can be. She provides helpful, practical insights for dealing with difficult people and situations.
Read more Kathy Pendlay is a compassionate, knowledgeable counselor. She is a great listener and understands how complicated life can be. She provides helpful, practical insights for dealing with difficult people and situations.
Cornelius Apr 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Clair Crow is warm and caring. She is exactly the therapist that makes you feel comfortable from the start.
Read more Clair Crow is warm and caring. She is exactly the therapist that makes you feel comfortable from the start.
Cornelius Oct 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Cornelius is located off of W Catawba Ava in Johnsbury Square. We are in the same building as Jo Anne Barron, Southern Homes of the Carolinas. Nearby businesses include Artistic Interior Design and Goodwill.

Phone number

(980) 217-8678

Languages spoken by NC 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 ET

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 ET

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