Child and behavioral counseling

What is child and adolescent behavioral counseling?

Child or adolescent counseling is counseling with children under the age of 18 years old. The focus can be on the child receiving counseling with input from the parents or the family as a whole. Often children can be going through some challenging issues, but are hesitant to speak with their parents, as their emotions can seem confusing. Adolescents especially face a lot of challenges with social media, academics and relationships. Our counselors provide a neutral, compassionate avenue for your child to open up and discuss their emotions.

Treatment approach for family counseling

Often children and adolescents have difficulty communicating their emotions. Counseling with kids consists of helping them identify these uncomfortable feelings and open up about their problems. Therapists create an environment in which the child or adolescent can play with toys, sand trays and create music while talking which helps the emotion of what they are discussing decrease. This is often referred to as Play Therapy. This allows the counselor to address this emotion or problem and create positive coping skills.

We feel parents are an important part of counseling for a child and that the parent-child relationship is important toward growth. Our counselors will speak with parents to gain their perspective of the issues in the first session and provide updated progress related to their child.

Our counselors can accommodate sessions between the parents and child, the child by themselves, or the parent by themselves. In the first session the therapist will work with you on what types of sessions will be needed and what you can expect as you continue sessions for your child. At any point if a parent feels they need to discuss something with the child’s counselor they can securely message them through the patient portal or ask for some time during session.

When in session with the child we like to keep sessions private for that child. This helps create a therapeutic relationship and provide an avenue for discussion. If there is an issue that concerns us, we will discuss with the child the importance of parent involvement and help facilitate a discussion.

Benefits of therapy for family counseling

  • Improved communication skills
  • Conflict resolution
  • New perspective
  • Improved relationships
  • Positive behaviors

Here are some thoughts our counselors have on children in counseling.

Written by Kyle Dickerson, LMFT

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who brings an in-depth approach to working with families. I have worked in both private and non-profit sectors and am excited to be joining the Gibson Counseling team. In my career I have found that one fundamental principal is key to building trusting relationships and moving forward: be yourself. Life is complicated enough and counseling shouldn’t add anxiety for you or your family.

 

Child and adolescent behavioral Therapists at Gibson Counseling

Ana "Rebeca" Ramirez, LPC

Ana "Rebeca" Ramirez, LPC

Rebeca's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Rebeca

Location: In person in Cedar Park or Video for Texas residents

Insurances Accepted:  Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Multiplan/PHCS, Humana, Sendero, Triwest, Tricare, Self pay $150

Accepting New Clients:   Yes- but adults only at this time.  All evening and late afternoons are booked.  Morning availability only.

Rebeca speaks both English and Spanish. Rebeca habla español.

Expertise: Adults and Children 7 and up

Sheryl Stiffler, LMFT

Sheryl Stiffler, LMFT

Sheryl's Patient Portal / New Client RegistrationRead more about Sheryl

Location:  Video Therapy for residents in Texas

Insurances Accepted:  Aetna (NO AETNA EAP), BCBS, Beacon, Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Humana, Multiplan/PHCS, Sendero, United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Triwest-VA, Self pay $150 

Accepting New Clients:  NO      (Video only)​ Daytime availability only

Expertise: Kids (6 yr and up), Adults and Couples

Whitney Briggs, LPC-S

Whitney Briggs, LPC-S

Whitney's Patient Portal / New Client RegistrationRead more about Whitney

Location: Video Therapy for residents in Texas

Insurances Accepted: Aetna (NO AETNA EAP), Beacon Options, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Humana, Multiplan/PHCS,  Sendero, Tricare,   United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers) , Triwest-VA, Self pay $150

Accepting New Clients:   NO   (Video Only)  ADULTS, COUPLES & CHILDREN OVER 12

Expertise: Adults

David "Nathan" Evans, LPC

David "Nathan" Evans, LPC

Nathan's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Nathan

Location:   In Person Cedar Park and Video for Texas residents

Insurances Accepted:  Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Multiplan/PHCS, Humana, Sendero, Self pay $150

Accepting New Clients: Yes-video only

Expertise: Adults and kids over 15 (no couples)

Mary Ellen Martin, LMFT

Mary Ellen Martin, LMFT

MaryEllen's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about MaryEllen

Location: In person South Round Rock and Video Therapy for residents in Texas

Insurances Accepted:  Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana Sendero, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Multiplan/PHCS, Self pay $150 

Accepting New Clients:   No

Expertise: Kids (6 yrs and older), Adults, Couples

Amy Venn, LCSW-S

Amy Venn, LCSW-S

Amy's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Amy

Location: Video Only for Texas

Insurances Accepted:  Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth, Humana, United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Multiplan/PHCS, Sendero, Triwest, Self pay $110

Accepting New Clients:   No  (Video only)

Expertise: Adults and Children (12 and up), No Couples

Ida MacDonald, LPC, CMHIMP

Ida MacDonald, LPC, CMHIMP

Ida's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Ida

Location: Video Only for Texas Residents

Evaluations Offered: Health Assessment

Insurances Accepted:  Cigna/Evernorth, Tricare, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Optum EAP, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, Multiplan/PHCS, Aetna (NO AETNA EAP), Triwest-VA, Sendero, Self pay $110

Accepting New Clients: Yes (Video only)

Expertise: Adults, Couples, Kids (16 year and up)

Sally Guerra, LPC

Sally Guerra, LPC

Sally's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Sally

Location: Video Only for Texas Residents

Insurances Accepted:  Aetna (NO AETNA EAP),  Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Humana, Multiplan/PHCS, Sendero, Tricare,  United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Triwest-VA, Self Pay $150

Evaluations Offered: ADD, ADHD, Mood Disorders, Anger Issues and PTSD

Accepting New Clients:  YES  (VIDEO ONLY)

Video only  (Children age 12 and up)

Expertise: Kids (5yr and up), Adults and Couples

Paulina Pina, LPC

Paulina Pina, LPC

Paulina's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Paulina

Location: In person South Round Rock and Video Therapy for residents in Texas

Insurances Accepted: Aetna (NO AETNA EAP), Beacon Options, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Humana, Multiplan/PHCS, Sendero, Tricare,  United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Triwest-VA, Self pay $150 

Accepting New Clients:  NO

Expertise:Kids (8 yrs and older), Adults and Couples

Sasha Sharp, LPC

Sasha Sharp, LPC

Sasha's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Sasha

Location: In person and virtual in Cedar Park for Texas residents

Insurances Accepted:   Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, Sendero, United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Multiplan/PHCS, Self pay $150

Accepting New Clients:   Monday and Friday appointments Virtual only available. All in person days are booked. Please call 512-633-7839 if you can do virtual only Monday and Friday and we will send you a registration link.

Expertise: Adults and Children 7 and up

 

Hours
Mon By Appointment
Tue By Appointment
Wed By Appointment
Thu By Appointment
Fri By Appointment
Sat By Appointment
Sun Closed
Gibson Counseling Cedar Park on Facebook Gibson Counseling Cedar Park on Pinterest Gibson Counseling Cedar Park on Google Gibson Counseling Cedar Park on Yelp

2201 Double Creek Drive, Unit 1003, Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 633-7839
921 West New Hope Drive, Suite 201, Cedar Park, TX 78613
(512) 633-7839