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 starting February 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:   NO

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, Tricare, United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Triwest-VA, Self pay $150 

Accepting New Clients:  YES  (video only)​ Daytime availability only

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

Whitney Briggs, LPC

Whitney Briggs, LPC

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:   YES   (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  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   In Person  & Video

Expertise: Adults and kids over 15

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:   United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Self pay $150 

Accepting New Clients:   NO

Expertise: Kids (6 yrs and older), Adults

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

Kristi Long, LPC, LCDC

Kristi Long, LPC, LCDC

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

Location: Video Only for Texas

Evaluations Offered: Addiction (e.g. porn, internet, eating ,etc), Anxiety and Panic attacks, Behavioral Issues, Bipolar, Depression, PTSD and Trauma, Schizophrenia and Psychosis

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

Accepting New Clients:    NO   (Video only)

Expertise: Adults and Adolescents (over 13 years), No couples

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 North 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

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), Sendero, Self pay $110

Accepting New Clients: Yes (Video only)

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

Robert Gallegos, LPC-S

Robert Gallegos, LPC-S

Roberts's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Robert

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

Evaluations Offered: 

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

Accepting New Clients:   NO  (no Couples)

Expertise: Kids (15 yrs and older), Adults

Kyle Dickerson, LMFT

Kyle Dickerson, LMFT

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

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

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

Accepting New Clients:  No    (no children)

(Video and in office)

Expertise:  Adults and Couples

Assessments
  • Anxiety and Panic attacks
  • PTSD and Trauma
  • Depression
  • Behavioral Issues
  • Schizophrenia and Psychosis
  • Bipolar
  • Eating Disorders
  • Addiction (e.g. porn, internet, eating ,etc)

 

Hours
Mon By Appointment
Tue By Appointment
Wed By Appointment
Thu By Appointment
Fri By Appointment
Sat By Appointment
Sun Closed
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2201 Double Creek Drive, Unit 1003, Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 633-7839
1101 Satellite View, Suite 402, Round Rock, TX 78665
(512) 633-7839
921 West New Hope Drive, Suite 201, Cedar Park, TX 78613
(512) 633-7839