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20,925 people sought child therapy help in Virginia 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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Emma Dowman

Hear from Emma Dowman, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

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What is your go-to approach for child therapy?

My go-to approach for helping kids in child therapy is play therapy. I find the best benefit in play therapy because it allows children to communicate and express themselves naturally through play, which is their primary mode of communication and self-expression.

What tools do you teach in child therapy?

I teach the following tools in child therapy:

  • Art therapy techniques: Provides a non-verbal outlet for children to process emotions, explore their inner world, and communicate their thoughts and experiences.
  • Play therapy techniques: Engaging children in play-based activities to facilitate self-expression, exploration, and problem-solving.
  • Emotion identification: Teaching children to recognize and label their emotions helps them develop emotional awareness and regulation 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 the client demonstrates greater awareness and control over their emotions and fewer disruptions or difficulties at home or school.

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

Clients can supplement their time in child therapy by parents reinforcing skills learned in therapy and by practicing mindfulness and relaxation techniques.

What should someone do to prepare for starting child therapy?

To prepare for their first child therapy session, a child can talk with their parents or caregivers about what to expect during therapy sessions and can bring comfort items to the session, such as a favorite toy, blanket, or stuffed animal.

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 Newport News.

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 Newport News, VA 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 Newport News, VA 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 Newport News therapists and counselors accept 27 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | Exchange

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

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Self-pay costs at Newport News
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

4.8 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
Ms. Brenda, is a outstanding MHP, she takes times to listen and gives outstanding advice. She always give suggested reading and the reading has helped tremendously.
Read more Ms. Brenda, is a outstanding MHP, she takes times to listen and gives outstanding advice. She always give suggested reading and the reading has helped tremendously.
ROBERT Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Pennie Hurta has been a great therapist for me. I also love that she is always doing continuing education. She is on it! Highly recommended!
Read more Pennie Hurta has been a great therapist for me. I also love that she is always doing continuing education. She is on it! Highly recommended!
Hedi Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Thank you Thrive Works fdor your servicesw. The therapy,counseling and Coaching I received from DR.Patrical Jone Psy was excellent all the material and coaching was so much beneficial to me>The first day i was fearful that i would not be able to get through my grieving of loss of my wife of 52 years but after going through the affirmation of self-esteem gave me a new outlook that i could put my life together aqgain.With hope and prayer along with support group iam on the road aqgain. I feel better about now and iam optimistic about life.. so thank you Dr. Jones again for your coaching. It is not what happened to me but how I handle it that determines my emotional well-being Donnell
Read more Thank you Thrive Works fdor your servicesw. The therapy,counseling and Coaching I received from DR.Patrical Jone Psy was excellent all the material and coaching was so much beneficial to me>The first day i was fearful that i would not be able to get through my grieving of loss of my wife of 52 years but after going through the affirmation of self-esteem gave me a new outlook that i could put my life together aqgain.With hope and prayer along with support group iam on the road aqgain. I feel better about now and iam optimistic about life.. so thank you Dr. Jones again for your coaching. It is not what happened to me but how I handle it that determines my emotional well-being Donnell
Newport News Nov 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I decided to seek counseling for the first time 3 months ago and I’m glad I did! It’s been a huge blessing for me, and my counselor James Martin is so wonderful! I look forward to our sessions and find myself feeling so good after them. Coming to counseling gives me an opportunity to talk about everything that has happened in the last two weeks and really process it. James has taught me a very important lesson of learning to accept things that happen in life & I’m really happy with Thriveworks. I tell people about you guys all the time!
Read more I decided to seek counseling for the first time 3 months ago and I’m glad I did! It’s been a huge blessing for me, and my counselor James Martin is so wonderful! I look forward to our sessions and find myself feeling so good after them. Coming to counseling gives me an opportunity to talk about everything that has happened in the last two weeks and really process it. James has taught me a very important lesson of learning to accept things that happen in life & I’m really happy with Thriveworks. I tell people about you guys all the time!
Newport News Apr 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I had the pleasure of working with patrica jones .a very caring and thoughtful counselor ,but due to her leaving the newport news office i chose to stay on this side to get future help.
Read more I had the pleasure of working with patrica jones .a very caring and thoughtful counselor ,but due to her leaving the newport news office i chose to stay on this side to get future help.
Newport News Mar 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I highly recommend Dr. Patty! She is amazing and very professional. From the first call to the last session, I was always treated with respect and kindness.
Read more I highly recommend Dr. Patty! She is amazing and very professional. From the first call to the last session, I was always treated with respect and kindness.
Newport News Jan 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
My daughter really enjoys her appointments.
Newport News Jan 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I love the gentle treatment im shown whether its on the phone or in person. Its been easier to see hope in my future just from the two visits ive had so far.
Read more I love the gentle treatment im shown whether its on the phone or in person. Its been easier to see hope in my future just from the two visits ive had so far.
Newport News Nov 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

We are located off of Loftis Blvd, directly across the street from the Sentara Medical Campus. Once you reach the parking lot, you'll see our office (with our logo on the door) at the front of the building parallel to Loftis Blvd.

Phone number

(757) 418-8127

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • English
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
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

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
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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