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

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Mary Lou Macarius

Hear from Mary Lou Macarius, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)

View Mary Lou Macarius's profile

What is your go-to approach for child therapy?

My go-to approach to helping kids in child therapy is narrative therapy. I find the best benefit in using narrative therapy because it helps children tell and retell their new evolving story of competency, which is empowering and can create possibilities. It is important to take into account children's strengths and resources, as well as the parents’ availability and capability to facilitate the child’s maturational process.

What tools do you teach in child therapy?

I teach the following tools in child therapy: I feel statements/communication, strategies for dealing with conflict, ways to calm down/cope with anxiety-including situations (i.e., breathing exercises), friendship skills, etc.

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 I am able to hear about the changes in the way that they view their experiences.

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

Clients can supplement their time in child therapy by practicing the tools that they learn each week.

What should someone do to prepare for starting child therapy?

To prepare for their first child therapy session, a child can work with their parent to talk about what it is they want out of therapy/what problems they want to work on.

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 Seattle.

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 Seattle, WA 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 Seattle, WA 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.

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 Seattle therapists and counselors accept 23 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

  • Humana Medicare Advantage

  • Humana PPO | EPO | HDHP

  • JP Farley Corporation

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Self-pay costs at Seattle
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

5.0 Thriveworks Seattle reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
Ann has incredible compassion and a calm, reassuring presence. She listens deeply and attentively and demonstrates deep respect for every person she sees, no matter what their life path or circumstances may be.
Read more Ann has incredible compassion and a calm, reassuring presence. She listens deeply and attentively and demonstrates deep respect for every person she sees, no matter what their life path or circumstances may be.
Seattle Oct 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Seattle is located at 10303 Meridian Ave N Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98133, near the intersection of N. 103rd Street.

Phone number

(206) 203-9770

Languages spoken by WA providers

  • English
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
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in PT

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
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm

Shown in PT

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