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503 people sought child therapy help in Arizona in the last year

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

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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 Tucson.

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 Tucson, AZ 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 Tucson, AZ 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.

Need more help deciding?

Child Therapy in Tucson, AZ—Pima County Therapists

Childhood should be a time of blissful happiness and adventures. As a parent, you want your child to succeed in life while being the happiest they can be. So, when your child is struggling, it hurts you as well.

Fortunately, the counselors in Tucson, AZ have years of experience working with children to overcome their emotional, mental, and behavioral challenges so they can continue to thrive. We offer in-person counseling and online counseling for children. If you would like to schedule and appointment, give us a call today.

What Is Child Therapy?

As we grow, our brains mature with us. Adults have vastly different brains than a 7-year-old. This means kids process the world around them differently, often in a way confusing to adults. Counseling for children reflects this unique way children process the world. Thriveworks Tucson is always a client-centered therapy, which means we will adjust our techniques to get on the level your child is at. For example, if they are dealing with a trauma that they aren’t ready to talk about, we won’t push them until they are ready. There are other ways to work through a problem or difficult emotional topic than sitting down to talk about it. Children often process the world in non-verbal ways, and our Pima county counselors are pros at deciphering these non-verbal clues and helping your child understand themselves and the world better.

Specifically, we see children for issues such as:

  • Change in appetite
  • Significant weight loss or gain
  • Difficult sleeping
  • Unwarranted aggression
  • Persistent anxiety and nerves
  • Failing or worsening grades
  • Social isolation
  • Self-harm
  • Expression of suicidal thoughts
  • Recent changes in family (move, loss of a family member, etc.)
  • Traumatic experiences
  • ADHD
  • Concerns about autism
  • Increase self-confidence
  • COVID-19 stress
  • Adjusting to homeschooling and work-from-home

Every child has their own, individual thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Thriveworks Tucson has caring, trained professionals who understand the intricacies of a child’s mind and are here to lovingly direct their steps towards a path of healing and growth.

What Will a Child Therapy Session Be Like? 

Depending on the age of your child and the circumstance they are in, a therapy session will look differently every time. For older children or ones who are open to verbally talking about their experience, a safe, unbiased space away from outside pressure could be all they need to begin processing tough emotions. Other times, children don’t have the awareness or drive to process their experiences. This is when advanced techniques can be useful. Our Pima county counselors have been trained in numerous of these techniques, including:

  • Art therapy
  • Music therapy
  • Play therapy (Using play to explore hidden or misunderstood emotions and memories)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (identifying negative thoughts and the behaviors associated with them and replacing them with positive ones)
  • Developing coping methods
  • Practicing relaxing techniques
  • Behavioral therapy

Scheduling Child Therapy at Thriveworks Tucson

Child therapy is an incredibly versatile and helpful tool for children going through tough times. Thriveworks Tucson believes in giving the best possible mental and behavioral health care to our children, and that includes being up to date on the most recent counseling techniques and practices. You can rest assured that your child is in good hands when they come to Tucson, AZ counseling.

If you have questions about child therapy or want to schedule an appointment today, go to our website or give us a call. We have both in-person and online child therapy. We also offer evening and weekend appointments, accept most major insurances, and provide additional benefits to our clients.

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 Arizona therapists and counselors accept 25 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Medicare Advantage

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona | BCBS

  • 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

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Self-pay costs at Tucson
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

4.5 Thriveworks Tucson reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
I've enjoyed my time and experience with Paulina. She's professional, informative and engaging. She took the time to ask necessary questions to understand my situation and symptoms. Paulina prescribed medication that has helped me manage my symptoms and I'm extremely grateful. This medication has helped more than anything I've ever tried, and her support has allowed me to gain mental clarity and my self-confidence back. I HIGHLY recommend Paulina and am grateful for her time.
Read more I've enjoyed my time and experience with Paulina. She's professional, informative and engaging. She took the time to ask necessary questions to understand my situation and symptoms. Paulina prescribed medication that has helped me manage my symptoms and I'm extremely grateful. This medication has helped more than anything I've ever tried, and her support has allowed me to gain mental clarity and my self-confidence back. I HIGHLY recommend Paulina and am grateful for her time.
Tucson Jun 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Paulina has been awesome. She is a pleasure to talk to and work with.
Tucson May 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Mrs. Paulina has been one of the few psychiatrists thats Actually cared about the follow-through process. Very professional, helpful, humble, and supportive. Thank you Thrive-works.
Read more Mrs. Paulina has been one of the few psychiatrists thats Actually cared about the follow-through process. Very professional, helpful, humble, and supportive. Thank you Thrive-works.
Tucson May 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I've been a client at Thriveworks now for at least 6 months now and I have to say I've been pleasantly surprised. In this day and age where access to affordable Healthcare is a scarcity, Thriveworks has giving me some hope. Overall, Thriveworks has proven to be affordable and effective as well as reliable and responsive. My counselor Bridget has helped me open up and is teaching me coping skills and boundary setting and I feel as though I have already grown both mentally and emotionally in just these past 6 months. Bridget is reliable, a great listener and gives honest, insightful feedback along with healthy suggestions on how I might handkerchief things better the next time. Since being a patient of Bridget, I often now stop myself from my old unhealthy ways of doing things, taking a moment to reflect on what I'm learning from her and then move forward in a more positive healthy way with whatever issue I was struggling with. As for my therapist Paulina, she too had proven to me that she is listening, genuinely cares and wants to help me. As a former pharmacy tech and now a licensed nurse, it is apparent to me that Paulina is very knowledgeable when it comes to prescribing meds and puts effort and thought into helping her patients. Since being a client of Paulina, I now finally have my anxiety under control. I finally feel relief! Finding relief from my anxiety is something I have found to be a major challenge for many years with previous psych drs. I'm grateful I have found both Bridget and Paulina!
Read more I've been a client at Thriveworks now for at least 6 months now and I have to say I've been pleasantly surprised. In this day and age where access to affordable Healthcare is a scarcity, Thriveworks has giving me some hope. Overall, Thriveworks has proven to be affordable and effective as well as reliable and responsive. My counselor Bridget has helped me open up and is teaching me coping skills and boundary setting and I feel as though I have already grown both mentally and emotionally in just these past 6 months. Bridget is reliable, a great listener and gives honest, insightful feedback along with healthy suggestions on how I might handkerchief things better the next time. Since being a patient of Bridget, I often now stop myself from my old unhealthy ways of doing things, taking a moment to reflect on what I'm learning from her and then move forward in a more positive healthy way with whatever issue I was struggling with. As for my therapist Paulina, she too had proven to me that she is listening, genuinely cares and wants to help me. As a former pharmacy tech and now a licensed nurse, it is apparent to me that Paulina is very knowledgeable when it comes to prescribing meds and puts effort and thought into helping her patients. Since being a client of Paulina, I now finally have my anxiety under control. I finally feel relief! Finding relief from my anxiety is something I have found to be a major challenge for many years with previous psych drs. I'm grateful I have found both Bridget and Paulina!
Tucson May 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Easy to make appointments and genuinely care for patients well being.
Tucson May 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Blanca worked in our school as a school counselor and working with students in K-8th grade in a 1:1 setting. She worked with students who came from diverse backgrounds: divorced parents, incarcerated parents, no parents, homelessness, etc. The students she met with maintained a noticeably strengthened sense of self. Blanca also helped these students to develop strong coping skills in order to help the students self regulate throughout the school day. We would be happy to have her work in our school again.
Read more Blanca worked in our school as a school counselor and working with students in K-8th grade in a 1:1 setting. She worked with students who came from diverse backgrounds: divorced parents, incarcerated parents, no parents, homelessness, etc. The students she met with maintained a noticeably strengthened sense of self. Blanca also helped these students to develop strong coping skills in order to help the students self regulate throughout the school day. We would be happy to have her work in our school again.
Tucson Feb 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Therapist Erica Wagner helped my children and I through the most difficult time in our lives. Her genuine compassion and dedication to helping others is reflected in her work. I am very grateful for all the support she has provided.
Read more Therapist Erica Wagner helped my children and I through the most difficult time in our lives. Her genuine compassion and dedication to helping others is reflected in her work. I am very grateful for all the support she has provided.
Tucson Feb 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Erica Wagner is an exceptional therapist and person. Her understanding, caring, funny, and welcoming nature made my recovery process so much easier to cope with over the years. I came out of each session feeling validated of my emotions and learning something new each time. She has truly helped me change my life. I highly recommend Erica to anyone seeking mental health guidance!
Read more Erica Wagner is an exceptional therapist and person. Her understanding, caring, funny, and welcoming nature made my recovery process so much easier to cope with over the years. I came out of each session feeling validated of my emotions and learning something new each time. She has truly helped me change my life. I highly recommend Erica to anyone seeking mental health guidance!
Tucson Feb 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling Tucson is located on Wetmore Road between N Stone Ave and N 1st Ave. We are inside the Arizona Complete Health building, sharing the building with Psomas and Cenpatico Integrated Care, among other businesses. Our building is located next door to Funtasticks Family Fun Park and in the same parking lot as The UPS Store.

Phone number

(520) 231-2358

Languages spoken by AZ providers

  • English
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
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in MT

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
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in MT

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