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5,749 people sought child therapy help in Florida in the last year

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

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Aetna, AvMed, Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card), +15 more
Narcissism, Anger, Men’s Issues, Women’s Issues, Sexual Abuse, +6 more

When I began this journey as a therapist I thought my role was simply to help others, but I've learned that as my clients grow and heal, I grow too! I... When I began this journey as a therapist I thought my role was simply to help others, but I've learned that as my clients grow and heal, I grow too! I'm here to support you every step of the way. Read more

Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card), Carelon, +18 more
Domestic Abuse, Coping Skills, Infidelity, Self Esteem, Stress, +9 more

I believe in connecting with clients and providing a safe, supportive, nonjudgmental space.

Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card), Cigna | Evernorth, +5 more
Military / Veteran, Domestic Abuse, Anger, Behavioral Issues, Coping Skills, +10 more

As a woman of color, I understand the unique issues of dealing with social and environmental conflicts.

Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card), Carelon, +18 more
Military / Veteran, Domestic Abuse, LGBTQIA+, Anger, Behavioral Issues, +16 more

As a compassionate and experienced queer woman of color, I'm here to help you thrive through life's challenges.

Karen Allen

Hear from Karen Allen, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

View Karen Allen's profile

What is your go-to approach for child therapy?

My go-to approach for helping kids in child therapy was to see the world and their experiences through their eyes as much as I possibly could. From there, I used a developmentally appropriate cognitive behavior therapy approaches, helping children learn skills for appropriately expressing their needs and getting their needs met. My therapeutic approach also involved keeping parent(s) in the loop on what skills were being developed so they can coach their child between appointments.

What tools do you teach in child therapy?

Children learn by modeling and by doing. Skills taught in therapy include the same cognitive behavioral therapy skills taught in adult therapy - but from a developmentally appropriate perspective. Children are taught:

  • Coping/soothing skills to help reduce stress and emotional flooding
  • Emotional regulation skills to help identify and manage emotions in constructive and appropriate ways, including frustration tolerance
  • Cognitive skills to identify and reframe negative/unhelpful thought patterns and self-talk
  • Assertiveness skills to help ask for and get needs met appropriately
  • Behavior management skills to help manage impulsivity and acting out
  • Parenting tips to help parents develop/strengthen a healthy relationship with their child and to support parents in their parenting roles

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

I know a child is making meaningful progress in child therapy based on the child's self-report of improvement, parental report of improvement at home, reports on satisfactory or better academic performance, and improved assessment scores as indicated.

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

Children can supplement their time in child therapy by practicing skills learned in therapy. In all likelihood, this will not occur without parental encouragement. Parents can actively practice and model skills for their child as one way to extend the therapeutic benefits of the session.

What should someone do to prepare for starting child therapy?

To prepare for their first child therapy session, a child can learn what to expect in therapy. Parents can check the local library for age appropriate books to help children adapt to the therapeutic experience. It is important for parents to normalize the counseling experience so their child is more likely to have a positive initial experience. Often children feel protective of their parents and are anxious talking about what is going on at home that may be causing them stress. In this case, parents can give their child permission to talk about their feelings, even their feelings about their parents, home, school, and friends. Parents also need to respect their child's confidentiality and not ask them what they talked about in therapy. Trust that the therapist will discuss with you any safety concerns. When I work with children, I support the authority of the parental role and work to improve the parent-child relationship as much as I can.

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 Gainesville.

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 Gainesville, FL 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 Gainesville, FL 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 Gainesville therapists and counselors accept 21 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • AvMed

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Carelon

  • Carelon | Medicare Advantage

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • Devoted Health | Medicare Advantage

  • Firefly Health Plan | Cigna PPO Network

  • First Health Network

  • Florida Blue | BCBS | Blue Cross Blue Shield

Show more
Self-pay costs at Gainesville
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
★★★★★
just the open conversation we have and the trust.
James Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I always feel very seen and heard with Vanessa Cumber. She is such a talent in this field! She is just great to talk to. She is validating and uplifting. She gives me so much hope and belief in myself.. She is extremely knowledgeable about the brain, and I've learned so much about why I get anxious, and she teaches me tools to cope. . Vanessa is also great with words. She knows how to describe any issue I'm grappling with, so I can see it more clearly.. Vanessa is a blessing! I am very grateful for her!
Read more I always feel very seen and heard with Vanessa Cumber. She is such a talent in this field! She is just great to talk to. She is validating and uplifting. She gives me so much hope and belief in myself.. She is extremely knowledgeable about the brain, and I've learned so much about why I get anxious, and she teaches me tools to cope. . Vanessa is also great with words. She knows how to describe any issue I'm grappling with, so I can see it more clearly.. Vanessa is a blessing! I am very grateful for her!
Theresa Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Vanessa has been helpful, thought-provoking, & kind.
Alicia Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Vanessa is a great listener, with lots of compassion but also moving me forward in a gentle way.
Beatrix Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I do not wish to receive surveys after every session. I have an excellent therapist, Ginger, who is giving me hope I can kick this depression. I haven't had this type of hope from anyone for almost 20 years.
Angela Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My therapist is awesome. She very easy to talk to and listens to me. I'm continually growing and feeling a lot better about myself. I finally feel that my voice matters.
Arlene Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Ginger immediately made me comfortable and showed empathy for my situation. I have lost hope in therapy as I have felt very discouraged with previous therapist I have seen. Ginger gave me hope and put me at ease day one. Day one was just the assessment but in the short time we had together she took the time to briefly explain and educate me on my situation and previous traumas, also reassuring me that we would dive deeply into each topic. She also suggested a book which I have already dove into and it has helped bring a lot of understanding to my confusion. I feel excited to have found her. I appreciate her vulnerability and compassion. I feel safe expressing myself and not judged. I am looking forward to my journey of healing and clarity I have been seeking for years. Thank you so much Ginger!
Read more Ginger immediately made me comfortable and showed empathy for my situation. I have lost hope in therapy as I have felt very discouraged with previous therapist I have seen. Ginger gave me hope and put me at ease day one. Day one was just the assessment but in the short time we had together she took the time to briefly explain and educate me on my situation and previous traumas, also reassuring me that we would dive deeply into each topic. She also suggested a book which I have already dove into and it has helped bring a lot of understanding to my confusion. I feel excited to have found her. I appreciate her vulnerability and compassion. I feel safe expressing myself and not judged. I am looking forward to my journey of healing and clarity I have been seeking for years. Thank you so much Ginger!
Ashley Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My provider Vanessa Cumber is attentive, flexible, compassionate, and thoughtful in her approach to therapy! I have made great strides in treatment due to the quality care I receive from my her.
Jada Mar 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Gainesville is at the corner of NW 39th Avenue and NW 43rd Street. We are across the street from Truist, and share an office building with Swift Creek Realty.

Phone number

(352) 469-4507

Languages spoken by FL providers

  • English
  • Spanish
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 - 6:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 8:00am - 6:00pm

Shown in ET

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