Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

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.

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Christopher Hawkins

Hear from Christopher Hawkins, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

View Christopher Hawkins's profile

What is your go-to approach for child therapy?

My go-to approach for helping kids in child therapy is to treat them with respect and have fun.

What tools do you teach in child therapy?

I use CBT, DBT, expressive arts, coping skills, and mindfulness.

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 they utilize learned skills consistently.

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

Clients can supplement their time in child therapy with a daily reflection journal.

What should someone do to prepare for starting child therapy?

To prepare for their first child therapy session, a child can identify their daily challenges.

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 Newton.

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 Newton, 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 Newton, 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 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 Newton therapists and counselors accept 33 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

  • First Health Network

  • Harvard Pilgrim

Show more
Self-pay costs at Newton
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 Thriveworks Newton reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
My husband and I worked with Emily for a few months and her guidance had really made a difference in our marriage. In fact, my husband was skeptical about couples counseling initially, but really came to value it after a few sessions; the only reason we stopped was because our insurance changed. Both of us found Emily to be a compassionate and fair listener who recommended concrete tools and practices for us that turned out to be quite helpful.
Read more My husband and I worked with Emily for a few months and her guidance had really made a difference in our marriage. In fact, my husband was skeptical about couples counseling initially, but really came to value it after a few sessions; the only reason we stopped was because our insurance changed. Both of us found Emily to be a compassionate and fair listener who recommended concrete tools and practices for us that turned out to be quite helpful.
Newton Nov 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I admire her integrity, honesty and work ethic. She is easy to talk to and is a great listener. She has consistently demonstrated emotional fortitude and sound Judgement, and will add great value to your organization.
Read more I admire her integrity, honesty and work ethic. She is easy to talk to and is a great listener. She has consistently demonstrated emotional fortitude and sound Judgement, and will add great value to your organization.
Newton Nov 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Maureen is a competent, warm, and caring counselor.
Newton Nov 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Kelly is very caring and understanding towards others. I would definitely recommend her for therapy!
Read more Kelly is very caring and understanding towards others. I would definitely recommend her for therapy!
Newton Nov 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Maureen is compassionate, empathic and an excellent listener. She poses questions and scenarios to truly help the individual reflect. This method of helping allows each person to define their own answers and gain their own success. Maureenʻs years of experience and intellect has prepared her to truly help others. Kudos to anyone lucky enough to work with her.
Read more Maureen is compassionate, empathic and an excellent listener. She poses questions and scenarios to truly help the individual reflect. This method of helping allows each person to define their own answers and gain their own success. Maureenʻs years of experience and intellect has prepared her to truly help others. Kudos to anyone lucky enough to work with her.
Newton Nov 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Maureen is wonderful and caring. I would recommend her services to anyone.
Newton Nov 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I have had the opportunity to work alongside Maureen Sullivan, and I am so grateful she is a provider in the therapeutic world. She brings the highest level of experience, creativity, patience, and grit, while remaining open and resourceful. She is truly a gem who is trustworthy; the quintessential dynamic therapist.
Read more I have had the opportunity to work alongside Maureen Sullivan, and I am so grateful she is a provider in the therapeutic world. She brings the highest level of experience, creativity, patience, and grit, while remaining open and resourceful. She is truly a gem who is trustworthy; the quintessential dynamic therapist.
Newton Nov 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Newton is off of Boylston Street and Jackson Street. We share a building with Razelles Skin Care Salon. Down the road is a Life Time Fitness and Winston Flowers.

Phone number

(617) 380-4684

Languages spoken by MA providers

  • Greek
  • Russian
  • English
  • French
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
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

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
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm

Shown in ET

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