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.

No current openings

All MA providers are fully booked, but check back tomorrow — sessions become available daily!
Judenie Dabel

Hear from Judenie Dabel, Counselor (In Process of LCMHC)

View Judenie Dabel's profile

What is your go-to approach for child therapy?

My go-to approach is building trust and using art as a tool. I find that building trust with clear boundaries encourages children to open up. The trust can be built through games, ice-breakers, sharing some about yourself, and pronouncing their names correctly.

What tools do you teach in child therapy?

The following tools are practiced in child therapy:

  • Self-advocacy, which is encouraging the child to communicate what they need or what or who may be hurting them emotionally or physically.
  • Emotional regulation is a tool to identify emotions and either express them or release emotions appropriately.
  • Coping skills are tools such as journaling, drawing, meditation, and deep breathing that help the client regulate their emotions or anxiety.

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

A client is making meaningful progress in child therapy when they can communicate better, identify stressors, and use therapy tools to reduce symptoms. Parents also help identify progress by reporting changed behavior or mood in their child to clinicians.

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

Clients can supplement their time in child therapy through the use of therapy tools at home or in school. Parents or guardians can make changes to help and also be a part of the process by encouraging the use of positive coping skills.

What should someone do to prepare for starting child therapy?

To prepare for their first child therapist session, a child can learn to think of a therapist as a person who helps them to understand emotions and feelings.

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 Cambridge.

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 Cambridge, 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 Cambridge, 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 Cambridge 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

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • Fallon Health | Medicare Advantage

  • First Health Network

  • Harvard Pilgrim

Show more
Self-pay costs at Cambridge
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
★★★★★
Cheryl Boissy has been fantastic! She listens very well with a caring ear which means a great deal to me.
Read more Cheryl Boissy has been fantastic! She listens very well with a caring ear which means a great deal to me.
Gary Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry East Cambridge is located on Cambridge St. – the Cambridge St at Third St bus stop is right in front of our building. We’re sandwiched between a CVS Pharmacy and East Cambridge Firehouse.

Phone number

(857) 217-2585

Languages spoken by MA 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

11 photos