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

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

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Aetna, Compsych, First Health Network, +12 more
Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, Women’s Issues, Career, +11 more

I believe that developing self-awareness is a unique process for every individual and is the key to healing and overcoming life’s challenges.

Aetna, Ambetter from Pennsylvania Health and Wellness, Carelon, +27 more
Self Harm, LGBTQIA+, Anger, Behavioral Issues, Coping Skills, +8 more

As a gay man, I empathize with those who feel like they're outsiders.

Aetna, Ambetter from Pennsylvania Health and Wellness, Carelon, +28 more
Stress, Anxiety, Grief / Loss, Depression, Trauma / PTSD

As a woman of color who was raised in an interracial home. I can bring a unique perspective to any situation of exploration and intersectionality's.Mo... As a woman of color who was raised in an interracial home. I can bring a unique perspective to any situation of exploration and intersectionality's.Monica Read more

Aetna, Ambetter from Pennsylvania Health and Wellness, Carelon, +27 more
LGBTQIA+, Sex Therapy, Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality, Anxiety, +1 more

I will strive to assist you on your journey of self-exploration while creating a safe, genuine, and open-minded environment for growth and self-improv... I will strive to assist you on your journey of self-exploration while creating a safe, genuine, and open-minded environment for growth and self-improvement. Read more

Aetna, Ambetter from Pennsylvania Health and Wellness, Carelon, +28 more
Domestic Abuse, Anger, Women’s Issues, ADHD, Sexual Abuse, +7 more

As a therapist, I understand the power of listening first in order to understand how I can best help you.

Sean Burns

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

View Sean Burns's profile

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 40 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Ambetter from Pennsylvania Health and Wellness

  • AmeriHealth Administrators

  • AmeriHealth Medicare Advantage

  • AmeriHealth Pennsylvania

  • Capital BlueCross of Pennsylvania | BCBS

  • Capital BlueCross of Pennsylvania | BCBS Medicare Advantage

  • Carelon

  • Carelon | Medicare Advantage

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

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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 like everything about Thriveworks!
Susan Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★
Jodi is excellent at listening and providing meaningful advice
Kyle Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Darby is amazing. She helps me so much. Very grateful for her.
Katie Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I really like talking with Sean. He was a great listener and we had a nice chat for our first session. I'm looking forward to our second session in two weeks when I have had a little more time to think about my feelings about the tragic event I experienced.
Read more I really like talking with Sean. He was a great listener and we had a nice chat for our first session. I'm looking forward to our second session in two weeks when I have had a little more time to think about my feelings about the tragic event I experienced.
Thomas Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Melissa Alcorn Ferry is an extemely good counselor. I want my daughter to go to her also. Ms. Alcorn Ferry is professional, kind, to the point, and makes you do some work and think the process through. I feel that I have made some huge strides with conquering my depression and especially with my anxiety!
Read more Melissa Alcorn Ferry is an extemely good counselor. I want my daughter to go to her also. Ms. Alcorn Ferry is professional, kind, to the point, and makes you do some work and think the process through. I feel that I have made some huge strides with conquering my depression and especially with my anxiety!
Jeane Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Experience is great! Efficient and professional. I love Thriveworks and mostly my therapist Kate. She is knowledgeable and professional!
Diana Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I appreciate how easy it was to schedule to get started. This is one of the fastest ways to get to start with a therapist. I also find my therapist to be a good fit for me and has been extremely helpful in my progress.
Erica Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I have had a great experience here. Jordan has been great, accommodating, and super helpful.
Drew Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review

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
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

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Friday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 8:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 6:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:30pm

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