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8,221 people sought child therapy help in Georgia 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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Elizabeth Mooney

Hear from Elizabeth Mooney, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)

View Elizabeth Mooney's profile

What is your go-to approach for child therapy?

My go-to approach for helping kids in child therapy is by using play therapy techniques and engaging the family in treatment. Play therapy allows a strong therapeutic rapport to be established and maintained more quickly and easily because play is a language we all speak. Through play therapy, I am able to introduce and review helpful strategies that children can learn to apply in situations they may be struggling with. I encourage family involvement as well to help parents reinforce use of strategies their child(ren) will be learning in therapy. Family involvement is also helpful in case there may be patterns that may have unintended consequences (i.e. maintaining or contributing unwanted behaviors). I find that family members usually have the same goal so having everyone on the same team is imperative.

What tools do you teach in child therapy?

The tools I teach in child/play therapy varies depending on the age and presenting problem of the child. Specific tools I can teach are usually reviewed with the client and their family. My process of working with children and families is very collaborative.

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 the client and their family each report improvement in relationship dynamics or decrease in unwanted behaviors or behavioral cycles.

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

Clients can supplement their time in child therapy by enforcing skills and tools reviewed in therapy to help encourage and promote desired changes. I find that tools can be helpful for the parents/grown-ups as well to self-regulate and model preferred responses from their child(ren).

What should someone do to prepare for starting child therapy?

To prepare for their first child therapy session, a family can find age-appropriate books to discuss what a therapist/therapy is. For younger children, I love the book “Some Bunny to Talk To.” Also validating any feelings children may have about starting therapy is extremely helpful.

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 Kennesaw.

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 Kennesaw, GA 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 Kennesaw, GA 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 Kennesaw therapists and counselors accept 24 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia | BCBS - HMO

  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia | BCBS - PPO

  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia | Medicare Advantage

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

Show more
Self-pay costs at Kennesaw
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
★★★★★
Don’t feel judged and receive encouragement
Amberly Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I enjoy my visits w Mrs.Walters. She seems to really care, and she’s easy to talk to.
Amberly Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Carlene Battiste-Downie is an outstanding individual with clear vision and insightfulness. With her years of experience, I have no doubt that she would be able to provide the level of empathy and caring to help her clients to thrive.
Read more Carlene Battiste-Downie is an outstanding individual with clear vision and insightfulness. With her years of experience, I have no doubt that she would be able to provide the level of empathy and caring to help her clients to thrive.
Kennesaw Jun 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Let's talk about Kelli Beechler for a second! This woman is an absolute God send to me! If you don’t believe in God, well then let's just say the universe or regardless of whatever it is you actually believe in, she has been an absolute gift in my life! This is a woman who NEVER makes you feel like you are just a number or a paycheck to her! I feel so thankful to know her! I can't fully express in words, how blessed I feel to have her in my life but I'm going to try just for the sake of someone else who might need to know her could be reading this. She is someone who’s beyond kind and compassionate and caring! She always meets me exactly where I am, and there has never been a single time that I don’t feel better after a session with her. My sessions change my week, my life, and also keep me sane when things go crazy! It brings me comfort in remembering no matter how hard things feel I get to see her and she will do whatever is in her power to help me help myself! She never fails to remind me who I am in my core, or what I’m trying to accomplish, or how to lead with a level head and not my emotions based on what I’ve told her I'm trying to accomplish. She helps me stay focused, determined, and accountable. Her soul is one of the best I’ve ever seen! I have been in and out of therapy the better half of my life and I'm about to be 28. I have had all kinds of people and teachings and nothing compares to the relationship I’ve developed with this woman in just a few short months. I don’t feel like she’s just a counselor, I feel like she’s my friend! Kelli shows up for me in a way no one else in my life does! I feel like I can tell her anything without fear. It's always a judgement free zone! I feel like she always comes from a place of love and of service in her heart! She’s always teaching me new ways and tricks and tips that help me. I am going through a great deal of things in my life right now and I’ve got to say I don’t really know what I would do without this woman and her support! The role she plays in my life is so significant. There is something so special about knowing you can count on someone, and not just count on someone but have great advice. There is something huge to say when a person is choosing to show up for you when you need them most, and I just want to express that I have literally never ever felt like I was just a way for her to make money. When I think about Kelli I can't help but want to express how beautiful her soul is. She is such a special person and anyone who knows her knows she’s a gift; the kind of pure magic! Don’t believe me? Set up a session with her and find out for yourself!
Read more Let's talk about Kelli Beechler for a second! This woman is an absolute God send to me! If you don’t believe in God, well then let's just say the universe or regardless of whatever it is you actually believe in, she has been an absolute gift in my life! This is a woman who NEVER makes you feel like you are just a number or a paycheck to her! I feel so thankful to know her! I can't fully express in words, how blessed I feel to have her in my life but I'm going to try just for the sake of someone else who might need to know her could be reading this. She is someone who’s beyond kind and compassionate and caring! She always meets me exactly where I am, and there has never been a single time that I don’t feel better after a session with her. My sessions change my week, my life, and also keep me sane when things go crazy! It brings me comfort in remembering no matter how hard things feel I get to see her and she will do whatever is in her power to help me help myself! She never fails to remind me who I am in my core, or what I’m trying to accomplish, or how to lead with a level head and not my emotions based on what I’ve told her I'm trying to accomplish. She helps me stay focused, determined, and accountable. Her soul is one of the best I’ve ever seen! I have been in and out of therapy the better half of my life and I'm about to be 28. I have had all kinds of people and teachings and nothing compares to the relationship I’ve developed with this woman in just a few short months. I don’t feel like she’s just a counselor, I feel like she’s my friend! Kelli shows up for me in a way no one else in my life does! I feel like I can tell her anything without fear. It's always a judgement free zone! I feel like she always comes from a place of love and of service in her heart! She’s always teaching me new ways and tricks and tips that help me. I am going through a great deal of things in my life right now and I’ve got to say I don’t really know what I would do without this woman and her support! The role she plays in my life is so significant. There is something so special about knowing you can count on someone, and not just count on someone but have great advice. There is something huge to say when a person is choosing to show up for you when you need them most, and I just want to express that I have literally never ever felt like I was just a way for her to make money. When I think about Kelli I can't help but want to express how beautiful her soul is. She is such a special person and anyone who knows her knows she’s a gift; the kind of pure magic! Don’t believe me? Set up a session with her and find out for yourself!
Kennesaw Apr 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Lamonica Green has a level of patience and compassion that I have never seen. She has a way of connecting with children. I have observed her on many occasions with her special needs clients. She has a unique ability to engage them and get them to respond no matter what they are struggling with. She's extremely knowledgeable about her craft, and she's a wonderful teacher and advisor.
Read more Lamonica Green has a level of patience and compassion that I have never seen. She has a way of connecting with children. I have observed her on many occasions with her special needs clients. She has a unique ability to engage them and get them to respond no matter what they are struggling with. She's extremely knowledgeable about her craft, and she's a wonderful teacher and advisor.
Kennesaw Mar 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Kelli is an amazing counselor. She is very open minded and listens carefully. She also shows genuine interest and empathy. She takes a solution focused approach.
Read more Kelli is an amazing counselor. She is very open minded and listens carefully. She also shows genuine interest and empathy. She takes a solution focused approach.
Kennesaw Dec 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Kennesaw is located off of Cherokee St NW, west of Bozeman Lake and around the corner from the Kroger on Jiles Rd. Our building is right next to Todd Immigration and Shoemaker Pediatric Dentistry, and across the street from J & S Air Conditioning Heating and Electrical.

Phone number

(770) 343-4919

Languages spoken by GA providers

  • English
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
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

Shown in ET

Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
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

Shown in ET

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