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1,857 people sought child therapy help in Connecticut 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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Daniel Garel

Hear from Daniel Garel, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)

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What is your go-to approach for child therapy?

My go-to approach for helping kids in child therapy is to connect with them through effective validation. I find the best benefit in making a connection to their interest because it shows children that they can connect their own personal interests to therapy and make therapy fun for them.

What tools do you teach in child therapy?

I teach the following tools in child therapy:

  • Role play exercises
  • Emotional regulation
  • Distress tolerance
  • Boundary setting

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 children can effectively validate their own experiences and not react emotionally.

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

Clients can supplement their time in child therapy with family involvement, interactive worksheets, and healthy boundary setting techniques.

What should someone do to prepare for starting child therapy?

To prepare for their first child therapy session, a child can expect their parents to be present for consent to treatment and to engage in some play therapy to gain comfort in a therapeutic setting.

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 Norwalk.

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 Norwalk, CT 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 Norwalk, CT 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.

Need more help deciding?

Growing up is not always a walk in the park. Especially today with the added pressure of social media and online gaming platforms, kids can have a hard time feeling accepted. Although some children still experience bullying at school, on sports teams, and more, cyberbullying has become much more prevalent. As much as parents would like to protect their kids from the evil of the world, it’s not always easy. Especially when they will not open up.

We all need advice growing up and facing the big stuff life gives us.

We all need the voice of a parent or a good friend who has lived

through joy and suffering and has thought deeply about it.”

–Richard Carlson

Whether they are dealing with their parent’s divorce, coping with a physical disability, or have a hard time adjusting to a new school, we understand how important it is to help children learn how to better process their emotions. The child therapists and psychologists at Thriveworks Counseling in Norwalk, CT have the tools and abilities to help your children process what they are feeling. If you believe that your child or teenager could benefit from speaking with a counselor, give our office a call to schedule their first appointment. You can reach us at (203) 433-3563.

What Is Child Therapy?

During childhood and adolescence, we are still learning how to navigate life. The ability to comprehend emotions isn’t as easy for children as it is adults. Life experiences help us along the way, however, sometimes kids need a little extra help. Fortunately, child therapy is a great option to help kids do so. Child therapy is customized to meet their individualized needs. At Thriveworks Counseling, a psychologist can help you kid or teen with:

  • Depression and anxiety
  • Disruptive behavior in school
  • Major life changes such as moving to a new school or divorce
  • Trouble with bullying
  • Coping with the loss of a loved one
  • Eating disorders
  • Difficulties with friends
  • ADD/ADHD concerns
  • Dealing with learning disabilities such as dyslexia
  • Addictions to drugs or alcohol
  • Emotional problems
  • Traumatic events

This is not a complete list of challenges that we help kids face. Don’t worry if you didn’t see your concern! Our psychologists are equipped to help with a multitude of mental health issues. In addition, you may not know what your child is going through that that is okay, too. We can help you discover what your child is facing.

Techniques Used in Child Therapy

As mentioned previously, children process their emotions differently than adults. Because of this, the field of child therapy has developed many different techniques that can be used to connect with your child on a deeper level. Some ways may seem silly to an adult, like playing with dolls to show your emotions, but they really help us better understand a child’s mind. Here are several different techniques that a clinician may use based on what works best for your child:

  1. Behavior modification techniques
  2. Play therapy
  3. Narrative therapy
  4. Relaxation methods
  5. Cognitive and behavioral therapy
  6. Teaching coping mechanisms
  7. Art therapy
  8. Identification and treatment of underlying medical issues
  9. Identification and treatment of underlying psychological issues

All ages are welcome in child counseling. This includes toddlers, grade-school children, adolescents, and teens! No matter their age, our Thriveworks team of psychologists will work through different techniques like the ones listed above in order to best connect with your child on a more meaningful level. They step in to help prevent young children and teens from experiencing negative effects on their developmental growth caused by some of the factors mentioned before. Understanding when your child could benefit from child therapy isn’t always clear. However, it can’t hurt to seek professional help when you feel like you have done everything you can.

Work with a Child Therapist at Thriveworks in Norwalk

Our overall goal when it comes to the treatment of your child is to provide the tools needed to help kids work through the problems they are facing to live a healthier and happier life. We strive to provide premium mental health services by offering extended benefits such as:

  • Extended hours: We understand how busy schedules can get. That’s why at Thriveworks we offer extended hours to our clients. This includes daytime, evening, and weekend appointments.
  • Flexible cancellations: It’s hard to predict when something will come up that prevents you from making it to your session. We have a flexible cancellation or reschedule policy that allows you to change your appointment, as long as you give a few days’ notice.
  • Most major insurance accepted: To better serve our communities, we accept most major insurance plans. In addition, we have self-pay options that allow you to choose what suits you best.

If you are ready to help your child work through their issues and regain a better state of being, schedule an appointment with us. You can do so either by booking through our online booking system or by calling (203) 433-3563 where you will be connected with a scheduling specialist.

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 Norwalk therapists and counselors accept 23 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Connecticut | BCBS

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • Connecticare

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

  • Humana Medicare Advantage

Show more
Self-pay costs at Norwalk
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

Thriveworks Norwalk has no reviews yet, but check out these reviews from locations in Connecticut.

4.5 Thriveworks Norwalk reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
Thriveworks helped me realize that I do believe people can change. I’m not the person I was three months ago, broken and fearful. I’m healthy and happy and for the first time being kind to myself. Thank you for giving me my life back.
Read more Thriveworks helped me realize that I do believe people can change. I’m not the person I was three months ago, broken and fearful. I’m healthy and happy and for the first time being kind to myself. Thank you for giving me my life back.
Anonymous Thriveworks Client
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Norwalk is located near the intersection of Wall Street and Isaacs Street, on the west side of the Norwalk River. We currently share a building with The Market Bar & Bistro, Bubbly’s Bubble Tea, and Wowww Nails. We are neighbored by Norwalk Dollar and Gift, Café Aroma, and the Bank of America Financial Center. The closest bus stop is 71 Wall Street.

Phone number

(203) 349-9607

Languages spoken by CT providers

  • English
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
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

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
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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