What exactly is child counseling?

Child counseling involves a series of discussions between the child and pediatric counselor about personal, emotional, or social problems that lead to distress and impair one’s functioning. Child counseling helps clients identify and change behaviors and ways of thinking that have not worked well in the past. The counseling process is in many ways, an educational experience, as well as a collaborative effort between the child and pediatric counselor. The child not only learns more about themselves, but also acquires new skills and learns to use those skills in day-to-day settings. Sometimes, counseling entails learning more about a particular condition such as depression or anxiety, by which the child is affected, so that they can better understand and choose the most appropriate treatment options.

Is child counseling confidential?

Yes, information you share in child counseling sessions will be treated with strict confidentiality and is protected by state and federal laws. Personal information is considered confidential, but information regarding the child’s counseling plan is shared with caregivers to ensure progress is carried over. Information will not be disclosed to anyone outside Westside Children’s Therapy without your written permission, except in instances when such disclosure is necessary to protect you or someone else from imminent danger.

How do I explain what counseling is to my child?

Before the first session, it may be beneficial to explain that a pediatric counselor is a person who the child will play with and share successes and problems- your pediatric counselor is a trustworthy person. It’s best to keep the conversation simple and straightforward. Depending on the child’s age, parents can share more specifics, such as: “You know how you’ve been having a hard time getting along with your family? A counselor will be able to help you get along better with others and help you work out your problems.” Having a few questions about the child counseling process answered before the first session may help ease your kiddo’s worries.

Are parents involved in the child counseling process?

Our child counselors utilize a strengths-based family approach to empower parents with effective techniques that will best help their child manage stress and big emotions. Our family-centered approach keeps parents in the loop every step of the way while supporting their child with absolute empathy and encouragement. Westside clinicians consistently inform parents about techniques and skills learned in sessions. Most importantly, our pediatric counseling experts encourage and guide parents in practicing new skills at home to ensure carryover takes place in environments outside the child counseling room.

Does child counseling work?

Child counseling therapy has been proven to be highly effective. Numerous scientific studies continue to show that behavioral and emotional interventions work as well if not better than medication to treat anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems. However, it requires commitment and collaboration between the client, counselor, and their caregivers. Clients must be willing to actively participate and follow through with utilizing new skills outside of counseling in order to make meaningful and long-term change.

How long does counseling take?

Ideally, counseling is terminated when the problem that the client pursued counseling for becomes more manageable or is resolved. However, it requires that clients are consistent in attending sessions, and most importantly, that they are committed to exercising new skills in real-life settings. Additionally, the time frame will depend on the reason clients seek out counseling in the first place. Some clients enter therapy with a specific concern or area of focus. In these cases, the timeline may be rapid. In contrast, a client may seek out therapy for deeper problems such as bereavement or abuse, that can’t be resolved quickly. In these cases, therapy might take months or even years to work through and move forward. In many circumstances our clinicians utilize a cognitive-behavioral approach to counseling. This is a solution-focused method. In these cases, clients may be seen once per week over the course of three to six months.

What are the costs of child counseling?

Check our current insurance list to see if your plan is in network. If your plan is in network, we will bill directly to your insurance. Based on your plan, we can estimate what your weekly costs will be before you start. If your plan is not in network, we do offer self-pay rates. Please call 815-242-3798 or fill out the Getting Started form below for more information about our counseling for children in Illinois.

Why is Westside considered the best behavioral health provider?

Parenting a child who's struggling emotionally is one of the hardest things there is. Whether your child is dealing with anxiety, big behavioral challenges, a difficult life change, or something you can't quite name yet, it can feel isolating—like no one really understands what your family is going through. Our behavioral health therapists do understand. They specialize in working with children — including those who are neurodivergent — and use approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and trauma-informed care to help kids build real emotional tools in a space where they feel safe. And because they're part of the larger Westside team, they coordinate directly with your child's ABA provider, speech therapist, or whoever else is involved — so nothing falls through the cracks. Supporting your child's mental health is a whole-family journey, and our pediatric counseling services are here to support you every step of the way!

What does getting started look like?

The experience begins with a consultation between the parents of the child and the therapist. The goal is simple: to listen and understand needs. This informs the therapists on whether or not child counseling will be effective. If it is agreed that therapy will be beneficial, this meeting becomes the starting point for developing an individualized treatment plan.

Child Counseling Services in Illinois - Westside Children’s Therapy

It’s not easy to watch your child go through challenges you can’t always fix. At Westside Children’s Therapy, we’re here to support both of you with compassionate, thoughtful care. Big emotions and life transitions can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. Through effective child counseling, we help your child build a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Teaching Kids Healthy Ways to Communicate and Manage Emotions

Just like adults, children can struggle with expressing their emotions and needs. As they grow, they face significant changes—physically, academically, and socially—which can be overwhelming at times.

Learning how to express emotions is a natural part of a child’s development, but sometimes they may struggle to find healthy ways to cope. This can lead to frustration, tantrums, or emotional outbursts, creating stress for both the child and the family.

Children’s counseling offers a safe space for kids to learn positive communication and emotional regulation. With the support of a professional counselor, children can develop effective coping strategies to manage challenges at home, school, and in social settings.

Learn More Get Started

Why Children May Benefit from Counseling

At Westside, we recognize that children face their own set of challenges, and we’ll pair your child with a therapist who specializes in supporting kids through life’s changes and big emotions.

Every kid deserves a place where they can feel understood and express themselves openly. Child counseling creates that space, helping children make sense of their emotions and experiences in a way that feels safe and supportive.

Whether your child is working through something ongoing or navigating a new challenge, the right support can help them move forward with greater confidence. At Westside, we’re here to help your child feel more at ease and more like themselves again.

Adapting to changes like a new home, school, or sibling.
Coping with divorce, separation, or the loss of a loved one.
Healing after a difficult or traumatic experience.
Managing anxiety, ADHD, autism, depression, or another diagnosis.
Handling challenges with friendships or school.
Learning strategies for big feelings and emotional regulation.

Understanding When to Seek Counseling for Your Child

All children go through emotional ups and downs as part of growing up. However, what may initially seem like typical growing pains can sometimes develop into more serious challenges that require professional support.

If your child is showing frequent signs of anger, sadness, isolation, excessive worry, or fear, it may be a sign that they need help managing their emotions. In these cases, speaking with a counselor can make a significant difference.

Adolescent Counseling

As teens transition from childhood to adulthood, they face numerous challenges. From navigating social and romantic relationships to dealing with bullying, body image issues, and the pressures of academics, this stage of life can be overwhelming.

As teenagers grow more independent, they may become hesitant to share their struggles with their parents. Adolescent counseling provides a safe and supportive space for teens to explore and process their emotions, and work through interpersonal challenges they may not feel comfortable discussing at home. Counseling for children can help them build healthy coping strategies and improve their overall well-being during this critical time in their development.

Why Adolescents May Benefit from Counseling

At Westside, we understand that the teenage years can bring unique challenges, and we’ll connect your adolescent with a therapist who specializes in supporting teens through this stage of life.

Adjusting to big life changes, like moving or shifting friendships
Coping with family conflict or parental separation
Navigating puberty, hormones, and intense emotions
Managing school stress and academic expectations
Balancing sports, activities, and planning for the future
Struggling with anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem
Needing support with ADHD, autism, or other neurodivergence

How To Know If Your Teen Needs Adolescent Counseling

Teens often experience ups and downs, but significant changes in their behavior may signal that they need extra support. If you’ve noticed signs like withdrawal, irritability or anger, persistent sadness, or sudden changes in appetite, it might be time to consult with one of our clinicians.

Although your teen may not openly share what they’re going through, these behavioral changes can indicate that they’re struggling with deeper issues. Counseling can provide a safe space for your teen to address these challenges and begin working through their emotions with the guidance of a professional. If you’re concerned, we’re here with our comprehensive children’s counseling services to help you determine whether counseling is the right step for your teen.

Family Counseling

Family dynamics can be complex, and often, problems within a family are interconnected. When there’s an issue in one relationship, such as a parent-child struggle, it can have a far-reaching impact on other relationships within the family.

The goal of family counseling is to foster understanding and collaboration among family members to address the challenges that affect one or more individuals. For example, if a child is experiencing emotional or behavioral outbursts, family counseling will explore the family dynamics that may contribute to these behaviors, rather than focusing solely on the child’s actions. By identifying the root causes of the issue, the family can learn to better support the child and each other, and work together to create healthier patterns and solutions moving forward.

Understanding When to Seek Family Counseling Support

If you have a sense that something isn’t right, you don’t have to wait until things feel overwhelming or chaotic. Paying attention to early warning signs—like frequent arguments, emotional outbursts, or subtle shifts in behavior—is an important first step.

If these concerns keep showing up or start affecting daily life, it may be time to seek professional support. Some signs to look out for include:

• A family member appears to be suffering silently, and the entire family can feel its effects.
• Communication among family members has broken down, resulting in frequent quarrels.
• A loved one is going through a major life change, such as changing schools or towns or grieving a loved one’s loss.

When challenges persist, working with a professional can help your family better understand what’s happening and move forward in a healthier way.

How Effective is Family Counseling

In addition to counseling services for children, we provide counseling for families. Family counseling can be extremely helpful in reducing maladaptive interaction patterns between family members and even in addressing seemingly isolated behavior problems in children. Our counselors are familiar with the complexities of family life and the difficulties families face when one or more family members are struggling with mental health concerns. Here at Westside, we are dedicated to supporting and guiding families to help achieve healthy family dynamics.

Parents & Caregivers

We know that family life can be both rewarding and difficult, and at Westside we’ll match your family with a therapist who understands your needs and helps strengthen your relationships.

When Parents and Caregivers Should Consider Counseling

Caregiving can be deeply rewarding, but it can also take a toll on your emotional health. If you are feeling overwhelmed, it is completely normal. It is important to know that you do not have to deal with it alone, and seeking help can make a difference. If you are experiencing feelings of resentment, anxiety, or emotional disconnection, it may be a sign that you need help, too.

You can provide for your children and care for them deeply while also prioritizing your well-being. Parents who are going through a big transition, managing a child with special needs, or simply carrying more than they can handle may find counseling really helpful.

Why Parents and Caregivers May Benefit From Counseling

Learn healthy coping strategies for the emotional and physical demands of caregiving.
Address overwhelming emotions that can arise while supporting your child’s needs.
Develop tools to manage disruptions that impact your rest and energy levels.
Build confidence and inner calm to handle life’s ups and downs.
Improve relationships and understanding within your household.
Create space to prioritize your own well-being alongside your child’s.
Talk with therapists who understand your experiences and can guide you through challenges.

Why Choose Westside for Counseling

When it is a matter of your child’s and your family’s mental and emotional well-being, choosing the right provider is essential. The right counseling support can help your child and family feel understood, giving them comfort and tools to navigate mental health challenges effectively. At Westside, we strive to provide exactly that and more. Here is what counseling at Westside looks like:

Experienced Therapists: We have a team of experts who aim to create a safe, nurturing environment for all. With years of experience and the right skills, our board-certified specialists get to the root cause of your problems and create personalized plans that best meet your needs.
Family-Focused Approach: For us, progress doesn’t stop within the walls of our clinic. Our approach is family-focused, which means our treatment plans are designed to help parents see progress at home, at school, and in the community. We offer practical strategies to help learning continue beyond the therapy room.
Evidence-Based Strategies: We do not rely on guesswork; we firmly believe that therapy must be evidence-based and practical. Whether it is ABA therapy or trauma-informed care, we ensure that we understand the individual’s needs, create a plan with effective strategies, and track the progress frequently. We try to understand at every step what works best for you and move forward from there.
Positive Outcomes & Family Feedback: Many families share that they wish they had started therapy with us sooner. At Westside, people notice meaningful improvements, such as emotional resilience, better communication, and reduced stress, earlier than expected with our compassionate, dedicated help.

Start Counseling and Strengthen Your Child’s Confidence

Many families hesitate to seek counseling services, thinking they need to figure out their feelings first. This is not true.
At Westside, our experts will guide you through the process and determine the way forward. If you feel something isn’t quite right, that is enough of a sign to seek support. Our Patient Coordinators can answer all your questions and address your concerns, ensuring a smooth transition.
We have created a space where children can explore and express their emotions freely, and parents can feel confident knowing their children are receiving the right care at every step.

Find a Counseling Location Near You

Locations

FAQs

What exactly is child counseling?

Child counseling involves a series of discussions between the child and pediatric counselor about personal, emotional, or social problems that lead to distress and impair one’s functioning. Child counseling helps clients identify and change behaviors and ways of thinking that have not worked well in the past.

The counseling process is in many ways, an educational experience, as well as a collaborative effort between the child and pediatric counselor. The child not only learns more about themselves, but also acquires new skills and learns to use those skills in day-to-day settings. Sometimes, counseling entails learning more about a particular condition such as depression or anxiety, by which the child is affected, so that they can better understand and choose the most appropriate treatment options.
Is child counseling confidential?

Yes, information you share in child counseling sessions will be treated with strict confidentiality and is protected by state and federal laws. Personal information is considered confidential, but information regarding the child’s counseling plan is shared with caregivers to ensure progress is carried over. Information will not be disclosed to anyone outside Westside Children’s Therapy without your written permission, except in instances when such disclosure is necessary to protect you or someone else from imminent danger.
How do I explain what counseling is to my child?

Before the first session, it may be beneficial to explain that a pediatric counselor is a person who the child will play with and share successes and problems- your pediatric counselor is a trustworthy person. It’s best to keep the conversation simple and straightforward.

Depending on the child’s age, parents can share more specifics, such as: “You know how you’ve been having a hard time getting along with your family? A counselor will be able to help you get along better with others and help you work out your problems.”

Having a few questions about the child counseling process answered before the first session may help ease your kiddo’s worries.
Are parents involved in the child counseling process?

Our child counselors utilize a strengths-based family approach to empower parents with effective techniques that will best help their child manage stress and big emotions. Our family-centered approach keeps parents in the loop every step of the way while supporting their child with absolute empathy and encouragement.

Westside clinicians consistently inform parents about techniques and skills learned in sessions. Most importantly, our pediatric counseling experts encourage and guide parents in practicing new skills at home to ensure carryover takes place in environments outside the child counseling room.
Does child counseling work?

Child counseling therapy has been proven to be highly effective. Numerous scientific studies continue to show that behavioral and emotional interventions work as well if not better than medication to treat anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems. However, it requires commitment and collaboration between the client, counselor, and their caregivers. Clients must be willing to actively participate and follow through with utilizing new skills outside of counseling in order to make meaningful and long-term change.
How long does counseling take?

Ideally, counseling is terminated when the problem that the client pursued counseling for becomes more manageable or is resolved. However, it requires that clients are consistent in attending sessions, and most importantly, that they are committed to exercising new skills in real-life settings.

Additionally, the time frame will depend on the reason clients seek out counseling in the first place. Some clients enter therapy with a specific concern or area of focus. In these cases, the timeline may be rapid.

In contrast, a client may seek out therapy for deeper problems such as bereavement or abuse, that can’t be resolved quickly. In these cases, therapy might take months or even years to work through and move forward.

In many circumstances our clinicians utilize a cognitive-behavioral approach to counseling. This is a solution-focused method. In these cases, clients may be seen once per week over the course of three to six months.
What are the costs of child counseling?

Check our current insurance list to see if your plan is in network. If your plan is in network, we will bill directly to your insurance.

Based on your plan, we can estimate what your weekly costs will be before you start. If your plan is not in network, we do offer self-pay rates. Please call 815-469-1500 or fill out the Getting Started form below for more information about our counseling for children in Illinois.
Why is Westside considered the best behavioral health provider?

Parenting a child who’s struggling emotionally is one of the hardest things there is. Whether your child is dealing with anxiety, big behavioral challenges, a difficult life change, or something you can’t quite name yet, it can feel isolating—like no one really understands what your family is going through.

Our behavioral health therapists do understand. They specialize in working with children — including those who are neurodivergent — and use approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and trauma-informed care to help kids build real emotional tools in a space where they feel safe. And because they’re part of the larger Westside team, they coordinate directly with your child’s ABA provider, speech therapist, or whoever else is involved — so nothing falls through the cracks. Supporting your child’s mental health is a whole-family journey, and our pediatric counseling services are here to support you every step of the way!
What does getting started look like?

The experience begins with a consultation between the parents of the child and the therapist. The goal is simple: to listen and understand needs. This informs the therapists on whether or not child counseling will be effective. If it is agreed that therapy will be beneficial, this meeting becomes the starting point for developing an individualized treatment plan.

Getting Started

If you are interested, submit an inquiry below. Our Patient Coordinator will call to help you determine a plan forward. If you are still unsure, you can call us anytime at (815) 469-1500 for more information.