686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

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

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Sean Burns

Hear from Sean Burns, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

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What is your go-to approach for teen counseling?

My go-to approach for helping people in teen counseling is building a strong counseling relationship. I enjoy getting to know my teen clients because I can tailor our work to their specific needs.

What tools do you teach in teen counseling?

I teach the following tools in my teen counseling sessions:

  • Managing emotions
  • Expressing emotions in healthy ways
  • Managing personal relationships with peers, parents, guardians, friends, and others
  • Identifying triggers to their emotions
  • Dealing with difficult and traumatic experiences
  • Building trust in themselves

How do you know when a client is making meaningful progress in teen counseling?

I know a client is making meaningful progress in teen counseling when they express that living their life is more rewarding and simpler than it was prior to counseling.

What can clients do in their personal time to supplement teen counseling?

Clients can supplement therapy by practicing the skills that they learn in counseling sessions.

What should someone do to prepare for starting teen counseling?

To prepare for their first teen counseling session, a teen can identify their biggest internal and external stressors.

Starting Child/teen therapy

What is child & teen counseling?

Thriveworks child & teen counseling in Pittsburgh 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 and adolescents can attend and benefit from therapy.

How does child & teen counseling work?

Child & teen counseling works by using multiple techniques, tailored to fit the child or teen’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 (CBT), dialectic behavioral therapy, art therapy, and others for varying ages. In any case, child & teen counselors have the expertise and experience to help young individuals at their level.

Is child & teen counseling conducted in person or online?

Child & teen counseling at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and via Online therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does child & teen counseling last?

The length of child & teen counseling at Thriveworks in Pittsburgh, PA depends on your child’s needs as well as the goals that you and their therapist might have for them. Generally, child & teen counseling sessions will last for several months.

Need more help deciding?

Child Therapy and Teen Counseling—Counselors and Therapists in Pittsburgh, PA

Thriveworks Pittsburgh, PA has both child therapists and teen counselors on staff. Both of these services have proven to benefit many kids and teens—if you think that your child or teen could find value too, reach out to us today. Just give our office a call and we will get you and your child in for an appointment!

Does My Child Need Therapy? Who Does It Help?

Imagine (or remember) how hard it is to work through mental and emotional challenges at a young, inexperienced age. Children experience a range of stressors and other life issues that threaten their overall wellbeing, of which a child therapist can help them address and better cope with. For example, here are common issues seen in child therapy:

  • Symptoms of a mental illness
  • Signs of a learning disorder
  • Difficulty in social situations
  • Behavioral problems
  • Grief and loss
  • Aggression or anger management
  • Divorced/divorcing parents

Here at Thriveworks Pittsburgh, our child therapists will talk with you and your child to best understand what it is they’re going through and what it is they need help with. This will likely mean one on one time with you as well as your child. Then, they will design a treatment plan best suited for your child, which again might involve your participation as well as the participation of other family members too.

Remember: Our child therapists, counselors, and psychologists have your child’s best interest in mind. We are here to help them and ensure that they live a happy, healthy life for many years to come.

Does My Teen Need Mental Health Help? How Does It Work?

Enlisting the support of an experienced teen counselor may be just what is needed to help your teen cope with the stressors in their life. Teen counseling is a great way for youth to express themselves in a safe environment and to bring a sense of normalcy to a disorder that may seem frightening.

There are a number of issues that may arise during your child’s teen years, such as:

  • Depression, including manic episodes and major depression
  • Anxiety, including test anxiety and social anxiety
  • Self-harm, including cutting and burning
  • Eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder
  • Addictions, including drugs, alcohol, and gaming

These disorders can be overwhelming for a teen to deal with on their own, and it can be hard for a parent to know the best steps to take. Our teen counselors are experts in their field and advocates for your child’s wellbeing. One way a counselor can help is by creating a treatment plan and determining the underlying cause of the disorder. Causes of mental health disorders can include:

  • Past trauma
  • Substance-induced disorder
  • Stress
  • Peer pressure

When teens are in turmoil they can feel as though no one understands them and that they are the only one dealing with given issue. A teen counselor can help them correct their perception and show them there are many people on their side and many others who are going through the same thing.

Schedule Child Therapy and Teen Counseling at Thriveworks Pittsburgh, PA

If you feel like your child or teen needs or could benefit from working with a professional, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Thriveworks Pittsburgh has child therapists and teen counselors on our team. These professionals are dedicated to helping these young individuals live better and they’re ready to help.

To schedule a child therapy or teen counseling appointment at Thriveworks Pittsburgh, just call our office. We look forward to it.

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 Pittsburgh therapists and counselors accept 37 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Ambetter from Pennsylvania Health and Wellness

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana | BCBS

  • Capital BlueCross of Pennsylvania | BCBS Medicare Advantage

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Geisinger Health Plan

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Self-pay costs at Pittsburgh
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

4.9 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
I am so very happy with my Therapist Monica Cwynar. She is everything I could hope for since I really never did this before and didn't know what to expect. She is very understanding and easy to talk to.
Read more I am so very happy with my Therapist Monica Cwynar. She is everything I could hope for since I really never did this before and didn't know what to expect. She is very understanding and easy to talk to.
Philip Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
So I don't like doing this but have to say that I'm very happy with Monica and I think we are doing good work.
Read more So I don't like doing this but have to say that I'm very happy with Monica and I think we are doing good work.
Philip Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I have learned so much about myself since i started therapy at thriveworks .. I’m doing CBT and I’m improving I love my Therapist and my NP that goes over medication. I would recommend anyone to use your services
Read more I have learned so much about myself since i started therapy at thriveworks .. I’m doing CBT and I’m improving I love my Therapist and my NP that goes over medication. I would recommend anyone to use your services
Rosanne Dec 2023
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Kate is a warm, caring and trusting person who has a way of making me feel secure with opening up to her with whatever I need to talk about.
Read more Kate is a warm, caring and trusting person who has a way of making me feel secure with opening up to her with whatever I need to talk about.
Pittsburgh Nov 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Barb is an amazing therapist. She is compassionate and very motivated. I highly recommend her.
Pittsburgh Mar 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Erica Ploski is an exceptionally professional and compassionate counselor. I highly recommend her services!
Read more Erica Ploski is an exceptionally professional and compassionate counselor. I highly recommend her services!
Pittsburgh Aug 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Erica is a great person and a wonderful listener. You will be in great hands!
Pittsburgh Aug 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Erica Ploski is an exceptionally professional and compassionate counselor. I highly recommend her services.
Read more Erica Ploski is an exceptionally professional and compassionate counselor. I highly recommend her services.
Pittsburgh Aug 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Pittsburgh is near Arriviste Coffee Bar, and across the street From Dark Matter Tattoo Collective. Between Ellsworth Avenue and Felix Way, we share an office building with Round Table Coffee.

Phone number

(412) 561-9950

Languages spoken by PA providers

  • English
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 - 5:00pm
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

Shown in ET

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