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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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Monique Nickie Murray

Hear from Monique Nickie Murray, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)

View Monique Nickie Murray's profile

What is your go-to approach for teen counseling?

My go-to approaches for helping people in teen counseling are usually motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy. I prefer these approaches as I believe teens often do not feel heard or safe in speaking up.

What tools do you teach in teen counseling?

In teen counseling, I teach patience and grace for the teen and for others, calming techniques, as well as mindfulness and grounding. We also break down individual events if needed to see if there is any improvement that could have been made in a situation, either through the interaction or the response to the situation.

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

I know a teen is making meaningful progress in counseling by their report and sometimes through the report of a family member or school representative.

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

Teens can supplement their time in counseling by utilizing the skills provided and discussed during sessions as well as completing any worksheets or activities assigned by the clinician.

What should someone do to prepare for starting teen counseling?

To prepare for a first teen counseling session, the teen should be assured this is a safe space for them. They should understand that information will not be shared with their caretaker unless it is a matter of their safety or the safety of someone else.

Starting Child/teen therapy

Need more help deciding?

Child Therapy in Portland, ME—Therapy for Kids

Raising happy and successful children takes many different elements all working together towards one common goal. Drawing strengths from within your family, community, and the professional realm creates a dynamic and well-rounded team that can work to build positive core values in your youth. Child counseling is one of those fundamental elements that can foster your child’s development towards a positive identity and a positive view of their personal future. If you think your child could benefit from therapy, reach out to Thriveworks Portland today to schedule their first appointment.

Raising a Health Child

To raise a strong child there are a number of assets that are vital. Some of these include:

  • The ability to make good decisions
  • Developed interpersonal skills
  • Knowing the value of their self-worth
  • Having a sense of purpose
  • Having the confidence to plan for their future

How Can Child Counselors Help?

Child counselors are trained to capitalize on your child’s existing assets and build up those that are lacking. Whether your child is struggling with issues at school, with peers, or is exhibiting the signs of a mental health disorder, a counselor is a qualified and valuable person who is on your side to help work through the existing issues and add in strengths that can benefit your child for the years to come.

Young people who have manifested these positive assets are more likely to:

  • Succeed in school
  • Be more resilient when faced with a challenge
  • Be more empathetic towards friends
  • Work towards building a caring community
  • Avoid risky or dangerous behavior

When a child actively works towards their own positive identify they not only become more successful in reaching these goals, but they can be proud of the steps they took to get there and have the confidence to take control of their future.

Scheduling Child Therapy at Thriveworks Portland

No matter what area of life your child struggles in, a child counselor can create a plan based on your child’s unique needs to work towards these goals. Every child is already equipped with some of these assets and it is the job of the counselor to build on them to make your child successful in whatever problem they may be facing.

Our trained child therapy staff at Thriveworks Counseling in Portland, ME would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have on building positive assets in your child or to book an appointment. Plus, we offer many benefits including evening and weekend scheduling options, same-week appointments, most major insurances accepted, and more.

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 Portland therapists and counselors accept 29 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Maine | BCBS Medicare Advantage

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Maine | BCBS (PPO | HMO | POS)

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Community Health Options

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Harvard Pilgrim

  • Humana Exchange

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Self-pay costs at Portland
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

2.0 Learn about verified reviews
★★☆☆☆
My counselor was great and I adored him, he gets 5/5. I received my first billing statement on 1-16-24, the email saying I could pay in part or in full. I payed about a 3rd, and planned on doing the same for 2 more pay checks. Today, 1-31-24, I received an email thanking me for my payment. Their billing department withdrew the remaining balance,over $350 from my account without authorization. I only had $60 in that account. I work in private healthcare, and my practice would never collect without a clients knowledge and consent. If they won’t pay, we don’t use their stores info and take their money, we send to collections and let them do their job. I did try calling, auto it said wait time 20 minutes. I sent an email to their department at 1ish, didn’t hear anything back by end of business day.
Read more My counselor was great and I adored him, he gets 5/5. I received my first billing statement on 1-16-24, the email saying I could pay in part or in full. I payed about a 3rd, and planned on doing the same for 2 more pay checks. Today, 1-31-24, I received an email thanking me for my payment. Their billing department withdrew the remaining balance,over $350 from my account without authorization. I only had $60 in that account. I work in private healthcare, and my practice would never collect without a clients knowledge and consent. If they won’t pay, we don’t use their stores info and take their money, we send to collections and let them do their job. I did try calling, auto it said wait time 20 minutes. I sent an email to their department at 1ish, didn’t hear anything back by end of business day.
Kali Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★☆☆☆
My counselor was great and I adored him, he gets 5/5. I received my first billing statement on 1-16-24, the email saying I could pay in part or in full. I payed about a 3rd, and planned on doing the same for 2 more pay checks. Today, 1-31-24, I received an email thanking me for my payment. Their billing department withdrew the remaining balance,over $350 from my account without authorization. I only had $60 in that account. I work in private healthcare, and my practice would never collect without a clients knowledge and consent. If they won’t pay, we don’t use their stores info and take their money, we send to collections and let them do their job. I did try calling, auto it said wait time 20 minutes. I sent an email to their department at 1ish, didn’t hear anything back by end of business day.
Read more My counselor was great and I adored him, he gets 5/5. I received my first billing statement on 1-16-24, the email saying I could pay in part or in full. I payed about a 3rd, and planned on doing the same for 2 more pay checks. Today, 1-31-24, I received an email thanking me for my payment. Their billing department withdrew the remaining balance,over $350 from my account without authorization. I only had $60 in that account. I work in private healthcare, and my practice would never collect without a clients knowledge and consent. If they won’t pay, we don’t use their stores info and take their money, we send to collections and let them do their job. I did try calling, auto it said wait time 20 minutes. I sent an email to their department at 1ish, didn’t hear anything back by end of business day.
Kali Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling Portland is located at the corner of Ashmont Street and Forest Avenue. We share a building with Normandeau Associates and Maine Celtics Sportswear store among other businesses. At the corner, you will find the Forest Ave and 550 Forest Ave bus stop for the 2 bus line.

Phone number

(207) 994-7555

Languages spoken by ME 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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