What concerns can psychotherapy help with?

Psychotherapy helps children and teens experiencing anxiety, depression, behavioral challenges, mood concerns, and the emotional impact of managing medical conditions. Therapy focuses on building practical coping skills, improving emotional regulation, and supporting healthy development.

What ages do you provide psychotherapy for?

Children's Behavioral Medicine Collaborative provides psychotherapy for children, adolescents, and young adults. Treatment is tailored to each individual's age, developmental level, and unique needs.

Do I need a referral to schedule psychotherapy?

No. Families can contact Children's Behavioral Medicine Collaborative directly to schedule an appointment. If you plan to seek insurance reimbursement, check with your insurance provider to determine whether a referral is required.

Can my child receive psychotherapy and a neuropsychological evaluation?

Yes. Some children benefit from both psychotherapy and a neuropsychological evaluation. Your clinician can help determine whether therapy, an evaluation, or a combination of services is the most appropriate approach.

Do you offer telehealth psychotherapy appointments?

Yes. Telehealth psychotherapy appointments are available for many families throughout Washington State, depending on the child's needs and the clinician's recommendations.

Do you accept insurance for psychotherapy?

Children's Behavioral Medicine Collaborative is not contracted with insurance companies. Families receive documentation that may be submitted for possible out-of-network reimbursement, depending on their insurance benefits.

Psychotherapy

What Is Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy for children and teens is structured, evidence-based treatment that helps young people manage emotional, behavioral, and psychological challenges. Our clinicians understand how a child’s medical history, learning profile, developmental stage, and environment shape their well-being.

We use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), behavioral activation, exposure-based interventions, and other empirically supported approaches tailored to each child’s age and presentation. Treatment is collaborative and goal-directed, with measurable progress built into every plan.

A therapist and a colleague collaborating in a bright counseling room.

A female therapist sitting in a comfortable clinic room with modern green plants.

When Psychotherapy Can Help?

Families reach out when they notice persistent challenges at home, school, or in daily routines. Psychotherapy may be a good fit if your child is experiencing:

Anxiety, Mood, and Emotional Concerns
Behavioral and Developmental Challenges
Medical and Neurodevelopmental Conditions
Stress-Related Physical Symptoms

If you are unsure whether psychotherapy is the right next step, contact our team. We are happy to talk through your child’s situation and recommend the best starting point.

Evidence-Based Approaches We Use

Our clinicians select from a range of empirically supported treatments based on your child’s diagnosis, developmental level, and goals:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety, depression, and behavioral concerns
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for anxiety disorders and OCD
Behavioral activation for mood and motivational challenges
Parent management training for behavioral concerns in younger children
Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) for Tourette syndrome and tic disorders
Biofeedback for chronic pain, headaches, and stress-related physical symptoms

Each treatment plan is individualized. We do not use a one-size-fits-all protocol.

A pediatric clinician smiling and taking notes during a session.

Why Families Choose Us for Psychotherapy

Clinical Depth Beyond General Therapy

Our psychologists and neuropsychologists bring over 50 years of combined experience in pediatric hospital settings. We work with complex presentations, medically involved children, and the full range of neurodevelopmental concerns. This means your child’s therapist understands how medical conditions, learning profiles, and developmental factors shape emotional and behavioral health.

Evaluation-Informed Treatment

When a child has completed a neuropsychological evaluation at our practice, their therapist has direct access to detailed cognitive, academic, and emotional data. This integration between assessment and treatment is uncommon and means therapy targets the right issues from the start.

Warm, Child-Centered Environment

We work hard to make our office a welcoming space, with calming decor, snacks, and visits from Bella, our office dog. Our goal is to make each session comfortable and engaging so your child can do their best work.

Real Partnership With Your Family

We collaborate with parents, schools, and physicians so everyone is aligned. We attend IEP meetings when helpful, provide detailed documentation, and welcome your questions throughout the process.

How Does the Evaluation Process Work?

We design the process to be clear and comfortable for both you and your child.

Initial Call

A member of our team will talk with you about your child, their needs, and their history. We answer your questions and walk you through what to expect. No referral is needed.

Intake Session

Your child’s first visit is a deeper conversation. We gather detailed information about your concerns, your child’s history, and your goals for treatment. This helps us build a plan that fits your child’s specific strengths and challenges.

Ongoing Psychotherapy Sessions

We create a personalized treatment plan grounded in evidence-based approaches. Your child begins weekly or biweekly sessions that include skill-building exercises, therapeutic strategies, and structured support. For younger children, parent participation is a central part of treatment. For teens and young adults, we balance independence with regular communication so families stay informed and supported.

Progress and Coordination

We track measurable progress toward treatment goals and adjust the plan as your child grows. When helpful, we coordinate with schools, pediatricians, and other specialists to ensure your child has consistent support across settings.

How to Get Started

1. Call Us

2. Your First Appointment

3. Begin Care

A member of our team will talk with you about your child’s needs, help identify the right service, and answer any initial questions. No referral needed. Call us at (253) 256-3626 or email admin@childrensbmc.com.

We begin with an intake or consultation to understand your child’s history, gather information, and learn what matters most to you and your child. Bring any school evaluations, IEP/504 plans, past evaluations, or report cards you have – but if you don’t have anything, that’s fine too.

Whether you’re starting an evaluation, therapy, or a skills group, we guide you through each step and keep you updated throughout the process. We’re collaborative from day one – a partner in your child’s journey.

If you’d like details about insurance, fees, what to expect, and frequently asked questions, you can learn more at Get Started.

Frequently Asked Questions

We work with children as young as 3 through college-aged young adults. We adjust our approach to match each child’s developmental stage so treatment is engaging and effective.

Parent involvement is essential for younger children and is tailored based on the child’s age and needs. For teens and young adults, we balance confidentiality with ongoing family communication.

Yes. We regularly communicate with teachers, school psychologists, and IEP/504 teams when families request it. Coordinated care helps ensure consistent support across settings.

Common concerns include anxiety, depression, behavioral challenges, adjustment to medical conditions, ADHD-related difficulties, autism-related social and emotional concerns, tic disorders, chronic pain, and stress-related physical symptoms.

Yes. Biofeedback is a non-invasive, evidence-based treatment for chronic headaches, abdominal pain, and other stress-related physical symptoms. Your clinician can help determine whether biofeedback is appropriate for your child.

We are not contracted with insurance, but many families still receive reimbursement depending on their plan. In some cases, out-of-network exceptions may allow in-network reimbursement rates. We are happy to provide the information you need to check your coverage and can answer any cost-related questions during your initial call.

A neuropsychological evaluation is a comprehensive assessment of how your child thinks, learns, and processes the world. Psychotherapy is ongoing treatment focused on building coping skills, managing emotions, and addressing behavioral concerns. Many families benefit from both, and our team can help determine which service is the right starting point.

Psychotherapy for Children and Teens in Puget Sound

What Is Psychotherapy?