By MindWise HealthKids & Teen Therapy
3 treatment centers 13 services offered
3 treatment centers on Curivya list Kids & Teen Therapy, across Alabama and Tennessee. All of them also list telehealth appointments. Insurance accepted across these listings includes Aetna, Medicaid Alabama, AMBETTER and Telus formerly Behavioral Health Systems, among others. Plans differ even within one insurer, so confirm your specific plan with the practice before booking. The same locations also list Medication Management, Individual Therapy, Telehealth Services, ADHD Evaluations and Treatment and Anxiety Treatment.
Kids and teen therapy is talk-based treatment with a clinician trained to work with children and adolescents. Depending on age and the problem, it may involve the child alone, the child with a parent, the whole family, or a group of young people.
Families usually look for it when something has changed and is not settling: worry that stops a child going to school, outbursts, low mood, trouble after a loss or a frightening event, or struggles that a teacher or pediatrician has flagged. You do not need a diagnosis before you call. Part of the first visits is working out what is going on.
How therapy for young people differs
Younger children rarely sit and talk for an hour, so clinicians often use play, drawing or structured activities to understand them and to practice new skills. Teenagers may do more conversation-based work, closer to adult therapy, but with more attention to school, friends and family.
Parents are usually part of the work. Sometimes that means a few minutes at the start or end of a session; sometimes it means separate parent sessions focused on routines and how to respond at home. Goals can be specific, such as fewer meltdowns at bedtime, or broader, such as less anxiety or better self-esteem.
Questions worth asking before you book
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry suggests parents ask a few practical questions at the start. They are worth having in front of you on the first call.
- Why is therapy being recommended, and what changes should we expect?
- How often will my child be seen, and for roughly how long?
- Will you meet my child alone, with me, or with the whole family?
- How will I be kept informed, and what can I do to help at home?
- What do sessions cost, and do you take our insurance?
Who provides it
Therapy for children and teens is offered by child and adolescent psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed professional counselors, clinical social workers and marriage and family therapists. The title matters less than real experience with your child's age group and the kind of difficulty they are having, so ask about that directly.
If medication might be part of the picture, or a diagnosis such as ADHD needs to be confirmed, a child and adolescent psychiatrist or a psychiatric nurse practitioner usually handles that side, often working alongside the therapist. Many families also keep the school counselor and pediatrician in the loop, with the parent's permission.
Privacy and trust
Teenagers in particular often open up only when they believe what they say stays private. Most clinicians explain at the start what they will keep between themselves and the young person and what they must share with parents, especially anything about safety. Ask the practice how it handles this so nobody is surprised later.
If a child or teen talks about wanting to die or is in immediate danger, do not wait for an appointment. Call or text 988, or call 911.
Common questions about Kids & Teen Therapy
How do I know if my child needs therapy?
A useful signal is change that lasts and gets in the way: at school, with friends, with sleep or at home. Your pediatrician or school counselor can help you decide, and a first appointment with a child therapist is itself a way of finding out. You do not need to be certain before you call.
Will the therapist tell me what my teenager says?
Usually not word for word. Many clinicians agree with the family at the start that ordinary session content stays private, while anything about safety is shared with parents. Ask the practice to explain its approach at the first visit.
Can kids and teens do therapy by video?
Many practices offer telehealth for older children and teens, and some use it for parent sessions. Very young children often do better in person. Ask the practice what it recommends for your child's age and situation.
Do I need a referral from our pediatrician?
Some plans require one and some do not. Check with your insurance plan and ask the practice when you call, since a missing referral is a common reason an appointment is delayed.