Child and Adolescent Therapy in Chicago
At Tides Mental Health, we specialize in providing comprehensive child and adolescent therapy services to families throughout Chicago. Our team of experienced mental health professionals understands that young people face unique challenges that require specialized care, cultural sensitivity, and evidence-based approaches tailored to their developmental needs.
We offer both in-person and telehealth counseling services, making it convenient for families to access the adolescent mental health support they need. Our diverse team includes licensed therapists with expertise in clinical child psychology, counseling psychology, and specialized training in working with children and adolescents from all backgrounds.
Book Free ConsultationCharting Your Path to Personalized Care
Find a Qualified Mental Health Provider
Search for a therapist that matches your unique needs with our user-friendly filtering system.
Schedule Your Same Day, Free Consultation
Tell us about your mental health concerns and goals with a 15-minute phone consultation.
Schedule Your First Appointment
If it feels like a good fit, set up your intake appointment to set sail on your healing journey.
Choosing the Right Format for Your Child
While we offer flexible service options, we believe in being transparent about what tends to work best for different ages and needs. Telehealth can be an excellent option for many high school-age teens (approximately ages 14-18), particularly those who are comfortable with talk-based therapy and technology. Younger children and many middle schoolers often benefit most from in-person sessions, especially when treatment includes play-based or hands-on approaches that support their developmental stage.
Your child's safety is always our top priority. During the initial consultation, we'll talk through your child's unique needs, developmental considerations, and any safety factors to determine whether in-person or telehealth care is the best fit. Our clinicians work collaboratively with families to choose the format that best supports your child's therapeutic goals and ensures high-quality, developmentally appropriate care.
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Core Principles of Our Work with Young People
Developmentally Tailored
We meet each child at their stage, adapting language, methods, and pace to how they actually think and feel.
Family as Partner
Parents and caregivers are essential partners. We collaborate closely while protecting your child's therapeutic space.
Play & Age-Appropriate Methods
For younger children especially, play-based and hands-on approaches make therapy engaging and effective.
Safety First
Your child's safety guides every decision, including how we choose between in-person and telehealth care.
Confidentiality with Connection
We balance your child's need for a trusting space with regular guidance and updates for parents.
Strengths-Based & Affirming
We build on each young person's strengths and honor their identity, culture, and lived experience.
Comprehensive Services for Young People
We tailor care to each child and family, across formats and needs.
Individual Child & Teen Therapy
A safe space to explore feelings and build coping skills, using CBT, DBT, and mindfulness adapted to age and stage.
Family Therapy
A cornerstone of our work, improving communication, resolving conflict, and strengthening family bonds.
Parent Collaboration & Support
Regular check-ins to update you on progress and guide how to support your child at home.
Who We Help
Children
Younger children navigating big feelings, behavior, anxiety, or adjustment, often through play-based approaches.
Adolescents & Teens
Teens facing mood, identity, school stress, social pressures, and the demands of growing up.
Families
Families working to communicate, resolve conflict, and support a young person's well-being together.
Diverse & Neurodivergent Youth
Affirming, culturally responsive care for young people of every background, including neurodivergent kids and teens.
Our Evidence-Based, Family-Centered Approach
Lasting change for young people often happens within supportive family relationships, so family involvement is woven through our work. Our clinicians are trained to support the developmental needs of children and teens while partnering with parents and caregivers.
We use developmentally adapted, evidence-based approaches including CBT, DBT, mindfulness, play-based methods, and family therapy.
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What to Expect
Your journey begins with a free 15-minute consultation where we learn about your family's needs and help determine if our mental health services are the right fit. We'll discuss your concerns and explain how our adolescent counseling approach can support your child or teen.
Our intake process is designed to be welcoming and supportive, recognizing that reaching out for psychological services can feel overwhelming. We guide families through our secure client portal and help match you with the mental health professional who best fits your child's personality and needs.
In the initial session, our adolescent counselor focuses on building rapport and creating safety. We explore what brought your family to therapy and begin understanding your child's unique strengths and vulnerabilities, considering their basic psychological needs and developmental stage.
Once counseling is established, we typically meet weekly or bi-weekly depending on your child's needs. Our approach is collaborative: we work with young people to set goals and regularly assess progress. We may suggest between-session activities tailored to your child's interests and learning style.
We maintain regular communication with families while respecting confidentiality. For younger children, parents are more involved in sessions and treatment planning. For teenagers, we balance privacy needs with appropriate family involvement.
We provide progress updates, offer suggestions for supporting your child at home, and are available for consultation when challenges arise between sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
We offer individual child and adolescent therapy, family therapy, Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and group therapy programs. Our individual counseling services provide a safe space where children and teens can explore their feelings, develop coping skills, and work through challenges with a dedicated mental health professional.
We offer both in-person and telehealth counseling services. Telehealth can be an excellent option for many high school-age teens (approximately ages 14-18), particularly those who are comfortable with talk-based therapy and technology. Younger children and many middle schoolers often benefit most from in-person sessions, especially when treatment includes play-based or hands-on approaches that support their developmental stage.
Even when therapy is primarily individual, we recognize that parents and caregivers are essential partners in your child's therapeutic journey. Our mental health professionals schedule regular one-on-one sessions with parents to provide updates on progress, offer guidance on supporting your child at home, and address any questions or concerns. These collaborative check-ins ensure that everyone is working together toward your child's goals while respecting the confidential therapeutic relationship between your child and their counselor.
Our therapists utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotionally Focused Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Art Therapy and Creative Approaches, and Trauma-Informed Care, adapting each approach to the developmental needs of the young person.
Your journey begins with a free 15-minute consultation where we learn about your family's needs and help determine if our mental health services are the right fit. We'll discuss your concerns and explain how our adolescent counseling approach can support your child or teen. Our intake process is designed to be welcoming and supportive, recognizing that reaching out for psychological services can feel overwhelming.
Why Choose Tides
Specialized Child & Teen Training
Clinicians with expertise in child and adolescent development and evidence-based, age-appropriate care.
Family-Centered
We partner with parents and caregivers, recognizing that lasting change grows in supportive relationships.
Affirming & Culturally Responsive
Care that honors each young person's identity, background, and neurotype.
Flexible & Accessible
In-person sessions at our easily accessible Chicago location plus secure online therapy.
About Tides Mental Health
Tides Mental Health is a Chicago-based group therapy practice providing inclusive, compassionate mental health care for individuals, couples, and families. From our easily accessible Chicago location, our team of licensed clinical therapists offers evidence-based treatment with both in-person and secure telehealth options. We are committed to accessible, culturally responsive care that empowers every client to navigate life's challenges and move toward a more fulfilling life.
Take the First Step Toward Your Child's Well-Being
Supporting a young person can feel daunting; you don't have to navigate it alone. Begin with a free 15-minute consultation to talk through your child's needs and how we can help.
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