Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

2,109 people sought teen counseling help in Michigan in the last year

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

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Good news! We have 26 therapists in Michigan available for an online or in-person session.
Heather Crampton

Hear from Heather Crampton, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

View Heather Crampton's profile

What is your go-to approach for teen counseling?

My go-to approach for helping teen clients in counseling is cognitive behavioral therapy. With cognitive behavioral therapy, teens learn to understand that their thoughts create their emotions, and then their emotions dictate their behavior. The clients learn that they can change their thoughts to reduce negative emotions and negative behaviors.

What tools do you teach in teen counseling?

The main tool that I teach in counseling with teens is cognitive restructuring, where the clients identify their negative, irrational thoughts and learn to replace them with rational adaptive thoughts. In addition to cognitive restructuring, I also play therapy games that build social skills and teach relaxation techniques, mindfulness, and anxiety reduction.

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

I know when a client is making meaningful progress during counseling when they freely report their struggles and offer solutions.

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

Teens can supplement their time in counseling by using apps to track their moods and cognitive restructuring apps on their phone.

What should someone do to prepare for starting teen counseling?

To prepare for their first teen counseling session, a teen can research the therapist that they will be seeing, try to prepare some reasonable goals, as well as identify the things that they feel they struggle with.

Starting Teen counseling

What is teen counseling?

Teen counseling helps young individuals better understand and manage the challenges that affect their mental health. Common challenges amongst teens include anxiety, depression, ADHD, and problematic relationships with food.

How does teen counseling work?

Teen counseling works by using multiple techniques, tailored to fit the teen’s unique needs — based on their age group, their challenges, and the severity of their challenges. It might involve cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, art therapy, and others for varying ages. In any case, Thriveworks teen therapists in Portage have the expertise and experience to help young individuals at their level.

Does my teen need therapy?

Signs that teens might need Teen counseling can be very subjective, as they are experiencing many changes and can have intense reactions to them. As parents, you know your child best and are best equipped to judge whether certain reactions are standard behaviors for your teen or whether they might be hinting at a larger problem. Even so, there are a few common signs and events that often point to a need for therapy, such as experiencing divorce or loss, grief, consistent low moods, teens distancing themselves and becoming isolated, losing interest in hobbies, excessive anger or irritability, substance use issues, and suicidal ideation, among others.

Is teen counseling conducted in person or online?

Teen counseling providers at Thriveworks in Portage, MI offer both in person and online therapy by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does teen counseling last?

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

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 Portage therapists and counselors accept 29 insurance plans

  • ASR

  • Aetna

  • Blue Care Network of Michigan

  • Blue Care Network of Michigan Medicare Advantage (HMO | PPO)

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan | BCBS Medicare Advantage (HMO | PPO)

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan | BCBS PPO

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

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Self-pay costs at Portage
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 Thriveworks Portage reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
This will be short since I can only type with one hand currently, but I thoroughly enjoyed my first session with Dan. He seems very patient, thoughtful, and intelligent. I look forward to working with him and letting him pick my brain to help me become a healthier and more balanced person!
Read more This will be short since I can only type with one hand currently, but I thoroughly enjoyed my first session with Dan. He seems very patient, thoughtful, and intelligent. I look forward to working with him and letting him pick my brain to help me become a healthier and more balanced person!
Portage Jun 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Cassie met with my cousin for several sessions to discuss issues related to my cousin's childhood. Cassie helped my cousin assess her feelings in a balanced way . She was also very supportive, listening and providing feedback effectively without being judgmental. This was exactly what my cousin needed. A very rare technique among many counselors these days.
Read more Cassie met with my cousin for several sessions to discuss issues related to my cousin's childhood. Cassie helped my cousin assess her feelings in a balanced way . She was also very supportive, listening and providing feedback effectively without being judgmental. This was exactly what my cousin needed. A very rare technique among many counselors these days.
Portage Feb 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Rudy was professional and approachable. He was able to point out beliefs I had that were interfering with my ability to enjoy my life, but did so in a respectful manner. He was an effective therapist, with a genuine, caring approach.
Read more Rudy was professional and approachable. He was able to point out beliefs I had that were interfering with my ability to enjoy my life, but did so in a respectful manner. He was an effective therapist, with a genuine, caring approach.
Portage Feb 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
The best
Portage Jul 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
The intake coordinator Brittany was AMAZING. She listened to my needs so she could match me with a therapist that could help me. She was incredibly kind and truly listened to me in a stressful situation.
Read more The intake coordinator Brittany was AMAZING. She listened to my needs so she could match me with a therapist that could help me. She was incredibly kind and truly listened to me in a stressful situation.
Portage Jul 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Alex helped me more than I can say! He was sensitive and patient with me and helped we work through some very difficult issues. His knowledge and communication skills guided me towards a positive outcome that gave me great peace. Thank you so much Alex for being there for me!
Read more Alex helped me more than I can say! He was sensitive and patient with me and helped we work through some very difficult issues. His knowledge and communication skills guided me towards a positive outcome that gave me great peace. Thank you so much Alex for being there for me!
Portage Jul 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Heather has always been the person that many people go to for advice and help. When she isn't helping people at work she is helping people at our church. All of the staff at Thriveworks are great. I highly recommend Thriveworks Counseling.
Read more Heather has always been the person that many people go to for advice and help. When she isn't helping people at work she is helping people at our church. All of the staff at Thriveworks are great. I highly recommend Thriveworks Counseling.
Portage Jul 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
The experience from the persons answering the phone and emails to my counselor, Heather, have been efficient and very helpful. I'm very thankful for Thriveworks because I can count on you when I need you most.
Read more The experience from the persons answering the phone and emails to my counselor, Heather, have been efficient and very helpful. I'm very thankful for Thriveworks because I can count on you when I need you most.
Portage Jun 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Portage is off of Milham Avenue and New Port Road. We are somewhat near a Chick-fil-A, and in the same shopping area as DICK’s, off of Gladys.

Phone number

(269) 264-4920

Languages spoken by MI providers

  • English
  • Spanish
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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