5,871 people sought child therapy help in New Jersey 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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Michelle Nirenberg

Hear from Michelle Nirenberg, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

View Michelle Nirenberg's profile

What is your go-to approach for child therapy?

My go-to approach for helping kids in child therapy is DBT. I find the best benefit in DBT is that many different coping skills can be taught through it. The coping skills could help with many different diagnoses and symptoms.

What tools do you teach in child therapy?

I teach the following tools in child therapy: 4 square breathing, weighing pros and cons, searching for 5 things of a specific color, searching for 5 things of a specific shape, counting, TIPs, worry stones, “Aaron's Putty” and journaling (I explain how journals and diaries are different), and giving clients the words to help identify genuine emotions.

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 they are able to identify triggers associated with their symptoms and they can use the different coping skills as if they are second nature and there are positive results.

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

Clients can supplement their time in child therapy by practicing the different coping skills learned in sessions, doing the assigned DBT homework, and writing down questions they may want to address during the next session.

What should someone do to prepare for starting child therapy?

To prepare for their first child therapy session, a child can attend the session with an open mind and understand that the therapeutic atmosphere is a judgment-free zone. Come prepared to ask questions.

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 Toms River.

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 Toms River, NJ 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 Toms River, NJ 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 Toms River therapists and counselors accept 33 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • AmeriHealth Administrators

  • AmeriHealth Medicare Advantage

  • AmeriHealth New Jersey

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina | BCBS

  • Carelon

  • Carolina Behavioral Health Alliance (CBHA)

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

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Self-pay costs at Toms River
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

4.0 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
My therapist is Lesley Petersen and I have been a patient of hers for about four months now. She has been helping me through a stressful situation that I have been going through. I would recommend her because she is easy to talk to and non-judgmental.
Read more My therapist is Lesley Petersen and I have been a patient of hers for about four months now. She has been helping me through a stressful situation that I have been going through. I would recommend her because she is easy to talk to and non-judgmental.
Danielle Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
☆☆☆☆
awfully. Goes on vacation for two weeks. Double books me. Calls me one minute before our scheduled meeting time. Says the other person is inside the office and cannot see me. says to me I will call me that night and then says to me via a text message that I will call in the morning. Calls me at 11:am. We have our session where she keeps adding restrictions on me and says "it's nothing personal". Speaks very low that I cannot hear.Tells me she sees 50 people weekly and cannot talk on the phone.
Read more awfully. Goes on vacation for two weeks. Double books me. Calls me one minute before our scheduled meeting time. Says the other person is inside the office and cannot see me. says to me I will call me that night and then says to me via a text message that I will call in the morning. Calls me at 11:am. We have our session where she keeps adding restrictions on me and says "it's nothing personal". Speaks very low that I cannot hear.Tells me she sees 50 people weekly and cannot talk on the phone.
Martin Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
☆☆☆☆
I will tell everybody I know not to use thrive works.
Mark Dec 2023
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Robin is incredible. She is kind, compassionate, empathic, and extremely patient. She provided me with a safe environment that allowed me to vent comfortably. Robin was extremely helpful and provided me with excellent coping mechanisms that I will carry and use daily. She is truly extraordinary!
Read more Robin is incredible. She is kind, compassionate, empathic, and extremely patient. She provided me with a safe environment that allowed me to vent comfortably. Robin was extremely helpful and provided me with excellent coping mechanisms that I will carry and use daily. She is truly extraordinary!
Toms River Apr 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Robin made me feel so comfortable and it was easy to ease into change.
Toms River Apr 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Thriveworks is great and really cares for clients, I fully recommend them! And I honestly cannot say enough good things about Sharon Ryan. I never feel wrong, crazy, or judged while speaking with her. She is so comforting and provides excellent, accurate insights. I really appreciate her interest and understanding as well as her flexibility for appointments. I’ve been struggling with losing interest in hobbies that I once loved. With Sharon’s help, I’ve developed new interests I’ve always wanted to try and expanded my horizons. Thank you so much, truly, from the bottom of my heart!
Read more Thriveworks is great and really cares for clients, I fully recommend them! And I honestly cannot say enough good things about Sharon Ryan. I never feel wrong, crazy, or judged while speaking with her. She is so comforting and provides excellent, accurate insights. I really appreciate her interest and understanding as well as her flexibility for appointments. I’ve been struggling with losing interest in hobbies that I once loved. With Sharon’s help, I’ve developed new interests I’ve always wanted to try and expanded my horizons. Thank you so much, truly, from the bottom of my heart!
Toms River Feb 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I recommend checking out Thriveworks to find a mental health care provider that can suit your needs. The owners are sweet, genuine people who make it their mission to help others by connecting therapists and those who want a little guidance. Your mental health is important (especially these days) and you don't need to being in a crisis to see a therapist! In fact, its better to seek out a therapist before you can't cope on your own.
Read more I recommend checking out Thriveworks to find a mental health care provider that can suit your needs. The owners are sweet, genuine people who make it their mission to help others by connecting therapists and those who want a little guidance. Your mental health is important (especially these days) and you don't need to being in a crisis to see a therapist! In fact, its better to seek out a therapist before you can't cope on your own.
Toms River Jan 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
If you're looking for counseling, this is definitely the place to go!
Toms River Dec 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Toms River is located inside Allen Street Professional Center, between Water Street and Wilsey Way. Across Allen Street, you'll find Gallipoli Wealth Management. Our building is just around the corner from Huddy Park.

Phone number

(732) 795-5217

Languages spoken by NJ providers

  • English
  • Spanish
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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