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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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Benjamin Clark

Hear from Benjamin Clark, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

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What is your go-to approach for child therapy?

When working with children in therapy, play therapy is often a best practice.

What tools do you teach in child therapy?

Generally, working with kids in therapy involves teaching zones of regulation and emotion wheel recognition.

How do you know when a client is making meaningful progress in child therapy?

I can tell a client is making meaningful progress in child therapy when they come back session after session and report and process their ability to use skills, strategies, and routines they have been working on in treatment, or when they are using terminology they learned and demonstrate increased awareness and ability to utilize the skills to self-regulate and manage whatever issues are in their treatment goals.

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

I encourage parents of the child and clients to supplement their work in individual therapy with positive, healthy, and effective activities, or what we refer to as pleasant events, to be used in their daily lives and routines. These will help them feel like they are making progress in regulating, spending quality time with parents, and other areas of communication. They can also discuss activities, practices, routines, and habits that provide life satisfaction and help them feel like they are working toward decreasing their symptoms. We will often look at child-level zones of regulation and emotions.

What should someone do to prepare for starting child therapy?

I encourage the parents of the clients to prepare for their child's first individual session by talking to them about what therapy could be like and how they feel about going. Talk about some of the basic areas of their life that the parents and child can hope to work on in treatment, and how treatment can address what symptoms they are experiencing, problems they are facing, and future goals in their life they want to work toward.

Starting Child/teen therapy

Need more help deciding?

Thriveworks in Woodbridge, VA for Child and Adolescent Therapy/Counseling

If you or somebody else–like a school advisor or coach—feel that your child may displaying behaviors that are unusual for them or may not be considered appropriate, it is reasonable to see a therapist or a counselor about a problem. Thriveworks Woodbridge, VA Child Therapists and Counselors are experts in their field, whether the child is experiencing problems with behavior at school, feeling anxious or being bullied (or bullying others). The therapists and counselors at Thriveworks in Woodbridge, VA are professionally licensed and have years of experience in the field. Reach out today to schedule an appointment.

Reasons to Seek Child and Adolescent Therapy/Counseling

Child and adolescent therapy investigates and understands the development of the mind and finds ways to work with individuals to help improve, heal and uplift their lives. There are many factors that cause stress in children and adolescents, and therapists can work with the child, the parents and the family to find the causes of their stresses and challenges, work on skills to convey their emotions healthily and make goals for themselves. Family stressors like divorce, a new sibling and a death in the family can trigger a change in the child’s behavior, such as isolation, anxiety and inability to focus.

In the teenage years, adolescents can experience emotions that are like the waves in the ocean—one minute their moods are up, and the next minute, they are down. Sometimes it is hard for parents to know if the emotions their adolescent is experiencing is the result of normal development or something that should be addressed by a therapist.

Child and Adolescent Therapy Techniques

The professional therapists and counselors at Thriveworks in Woodbridge, VA are experienced working with the child and the family to help address concerns about what is interrupting them from living a happy life. The therapists, through conversations and interactions with a child or a family, can help them to understand and resolve problems, modify behavior and make positive changes in their lives.

There are several types of therapy that involve different approaches, techniques and interventions. At times, a combination of different therapy approaches may be helpful. The following are a few of the types of therapy.

  • Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) helps to improve a child’s moods, anxiety and behavior by examining confused or distorted patterns of thinking. Therapists teach children that thoughts cause feelings and moods, which can influence their behavior. A child learns to identify harmful thought patterns, and the therapist helps the child to replace their thinking with thoughts that result in more appropriate feelings and behaviors.
  • Family Therapy focuses on helping the family be able to function in more positive and constructive ways by investigating patterns of communication and giving support and education. Family Therapy sessions can include the child or adolescent with the parents, siblings and grandparents.
  • Play Therapy includes using toys, blocks, dolls, puppets, drawings and games to help the child recognize, identify and verbalize feelings. The therapist watches how the child uses play materials and identifies themes or patterns to understand their issues. Through talk and play, the child has an opportunity to better understand and manage their conflicts, feelings and behavior.

Schedule Child and Adolescent Therapy at Thriveworks in Woodbridge, VA

Making a decision to bring your child or adolescent to therapy is one of the most important you will make in their life. You want to know they will receive the very best therapy possible. The therapists and counselors at Thriveworks in Woodbridge, VA are professionally licensed and credentialed and have worked with children, adolescents and their families on many issues, such as anxiety, trauma, major life events, transitions and more.

Therapists and counselors at Thriveworks in Woodbridge, VA are experts in the field who ensure your child feels secure in the environment and is able to move past the issues they face to lead a life that is filled with joy and optimism. Schedule a session with Thriveworks Woodbridge, VA for child and adolescent therapy and counseling, where you won’t be placed on a waiting list. Appointments are available within the week for most new clients. We also offer evening and weekend sessions, and we accept most major insurances.

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 Woodbridge therapists and counselors accept 28 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield DC | BCBS PPO

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

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Self-pay costs at Woodbridge
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

4.7 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
Mariah is excellent and always exceeds expectations. I am very grateful to have such a caring and dedicated Dr.
Read more Mariah is excellent and always exceeds expectations. I am very grateful to have such a caring and dedicated Dr.
Lester Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Very helpful and I feel lucky to have her.
William Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
☆☆☆☆
I want to start off by saying that my two counselors I had were great, but the thrive works Business model is lacking a care for its clients. I had my heat go out and I missed my session because I was working for eight hours straight on it and was told that I shouldn’t have been working on my heat and made my appointment because it’s more important than my family. Will not recommend, and I had a horrible experience with Thrive works as a business model but again my two counselors were wonderful. I got nothing but respect for them.
Read more I want to start off by saying that my two counselors I had were great, but the thrive works Business model is lacking a care for its clients. I had my heat go out and I missed my session because I was working for eight hours straight on it and was told that I shouldn’t have been working on my heat and made my appointment because it’s more important than my family. Will not recommend, and I had a horrible experience with Thrive works as a business model but again my two counselors were wonderful. I got nothing but respect for them.
Donnie Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Johanna Lee has been my therapist for the past 7 months and I am extremely pleased with her! She is very professional and goes above and beyond to meet my needs. Thriveworks makes the whole process easy because I can text them to solve any issues I’m having.
Read more Johanna Lee has been my therapist for the past 7 months and I am extremely pleased with her! She is very professional and goes above and beyond to meet my needs. Thriveworks makes the whole process easy because I can text them to solve any issues I’m having.
Woodbridge Feb 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I mentored Sharon in her master’s and doctoral studies where I found her to be thoughtful and discerning. She always generated a sincere sense of passion as her desire was not just to obtain degrees but to build the skills and knowledge base to support people within her community. Transparent in all her interactions with me and fellow students, she was unapologetically true to Biblical standards as the foundation of her interactions with others. I am confident that she will continue to be a thoughtful and wise counselor to all who seek her guidance and compassion.
Read more I mentored Sharon in her master’s and doctoral studies where I found her to be thoughtful and discerning. She always generated a sincere sense of passion as her desire was not just to obtain degrees but to build the skills and knowledge base to support people within her community. Transparent in all her interactions with me and fellow students, she was unapologetically true to Biblical standards as the foundation of her interactions with others. I am confident that she will continue to be a thoughtful and wise counselor to all who seek her guidance and compassion.
Woodbridge Dec 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Sharon is the epitome of integrity. She operates in humility and truth. She embodies what I call the three Cs: Caring, Considerate, and Compassionate. She sees you, hears you, and listens attentively and intuitively to your concerns. Her advice is sound and non-judgmental. Sharon's quiet, calm, and peaceful spirit puts you at ease, and makes you feel comfortable. I often seek her advice when life becomes difficult. I highly recommend Sharon for those that are broken, and in need of much healing and inner peace.
Read more Sharon is the epitome of integrity. She operates in humility and truth. She embodies what I call the three Cs: Caring, Considerate, and Compassionate. She sees you, hears you, and listens attentively and intuitively to your concerns. Her advice is sound and non-judgmental. Sharon's quiet, calm, and peaceful spirit puts you at ease, and makes you feel comfortable. I often seek her advice when life becomes difficult. I highly recommend Sharon for those that are broken, and in need of much healing and inner peace.
Woodbridge Dec 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Sharon Fernandez excels in Professionalism, Prepardness, and Integrity. Her ability to express concern about sensitive subject matter is very comforting.
Read more Sharon Fernandez excels in Professionalism, Prepardness, and Integrity. Her ability to express concern about sensitive subject matter is very comforting.
Woodbridge Nov 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Sharon shows a great deal of compassion, wisdom and kindness when sharing my concerns/issues with her. She is professional yet very personal as she guides and provides the help I need. If you are looking for a counselor that cares Ms. Sharon is an excellent choice.
Read more Sharon shows a great deal of compassion, wisdom and kindness when sharing my concerns/issues with her. She is professional yet very personal as she guides and provides the help I need. If you are looking for a counselor that cares Ms. Sharon is an excellent choice.
Woodbridge Nov 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Woodbridge is located on Hunter Pl, which is right off of Minnieville Rd. We share a building with Elite Realty and Associates and are across the street from Oberryman Insurance Agency.

Phone number

(571) 365-3172

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • Telugu
  • English
  • Creole
  • French
  • Tagalog
  • Farsi
  • Romanian
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 ET

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 ET

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