Child & Adolescent Therapy in Chicago
At Tides Mental Health, child and adolescent therapy in Chicago is for the tough school year, the withdrawn teenager, the anxious kid who won't say what's actually wrong, or the family adjusting after a big change.
You don't need to have this figured out before reaching out. Part of our job is helping you understand what's going on too, not just your child.
Book Free Consultation
You Don't Have to Have the Right Words
A lot of parents wait to reach out because they're not sure how to explain therapy to their kid without it sounding like a punishment or a diagnosis. That worry is common, and it's not a reason to wait.
Our intake team can walk you through age-appropriate ways to bring it up, and your child's therapist will handle the rest of that conversation with them directly, at a pace that fits their age and personality.
What Brings Families to Therapy
Peer & Social Difficulties
Friendship troubles, social anxiety, or a hard time fitting in that's affecting how your child feels about themselves.
Family Conflict & Communication
Arguments that escalate fast, or a parent and child who've stopped talking about anything that matters.
Major Life Transitions
A divorce, a move, a new sibling, or a loss can hit kids and teens hard, even when they don't have the words for it yet.
Behavior Changes at Home or School
Withdrawal, defiance, or sudden shifts in mood or behavior that don't match what you know of your child.
Anxiety & Mood
Worry, low mood, or big emotions that feel bigger than the situation calls for, and are wearing on the whole family.
Identity & Self-Esteem
Questions about who they are, self-doubt, or confidence struggles that are shaping how they show up in the world.
Talking to Your Child About Therapy
How you frame it matters. A few small shifts can make the conversation feel a lot less loaded.
"There's something wrong with you and we need to fix it."
"I want you to have someone whose whole job is just to listen to you."
"Why can't you just get over it?"
"It makes sense this feels hard. Let's find you some support."
"You're going to therapy because you're the problem."
"This is something a lot of kids do. It's not a punishment."
How Therapy Works for Kids and Teens
Age-Appropriate CBT
Adapted for younger clients, using language and tools that actually fit how a child or teen processes their world.
Parent Partnership
Regular check-ins with you as the parent, so you understand the progress and how to support it at home, without breaking your teen's trust.
Family Sessions, When Useful
If part of what's going on involves the whole household, we can bring in family sessions alongside your child's individual work.
Group Therapy Options
For some teens, hearing from peers going through something similar is part of what makes the work click.
Getting Started
Free 15-Minute Consultation
Tell us what's been going on with your child. We can often get you on the calendar within 24 to 48 hours.
Get Matched with a Therapist
Our intake team connects your child with someone experienced in their specific age group and concern.
Your Child's First Session
Your therapist builds rapport first, at a pace that fits your child's age and comfort level.
Why Choose Tides for Child & Adolescent Therapy
Identity & Neurodivergent-Affirming Care
Therapists who honor your child's background, identity, and neurotype instead of pushing them toward a one-size-fits-all standard.
Parents Aren't Left in the Dark
We partner with you throughout, because lasting change for a child usually depends on support at home too.
In-Person or Virtual
Come to our Chicago office, convenient for River North and the North Side, or our Wilmette office, or join from anywhere in Illinois.
Fast Access to Care
We can often schedule your first consultation within 24 to 48 hours, since waiting can feel harder when it's your kid.
Insurance and Cost
We accept the following insurance plans, along with private pay options.
Coverage still depends on your specific plan, so our intake team confirms your benefits before your first appointment.
What to Expect
Your child's therapist focuses on building rapport and trust first, using age-appropriate approaches, not diving straight into the hardest topics.
This varies by age. Younger kids typically involve more parent participation, while teens get more individual time with regular parent check-ins built in.
Most families meet weekly at first. Your child's therapist adjusts frequency and approach based on progress and what's coming up at home or school.
Your child's therapist regularly reviews what's actually shifting at home and school, not just how sessions feel, and adjusts the plan as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your child's age and what you're working on. Younger children often have more parent involvement, while teens usually get more one-on-one time with the therapist, with regular check-ins for you.
Our child and adolescent therapists work with a range of ages. Your intake team can confirm whether a specific therapist's experience fits your child's age during your consultation.
Teens generally get a degree of confidentiality to build trust with their therapist, with the understanding that safety concerns are always communicated to parents. Your therapist will walk through exactly how this works before sessions start.
Keep it simple and low-pressure: frame it as talking to someone whose job is to help, not as a punishment or a sign something is wrong with them. Our intake team can also offer guidance on how to introduce it based on your child's age.
We accept BCBS PPO, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, and Medicare, along with private pay options. Our intake team confirms your specific benefits before your first session.
About Tides Mental Health
Tides Mental Health is a Chicago-based practice providing inclusive, evidence-based mental health care for individuals, couples, and families. From our Chicago and Wilmette offices, our licensed clinical therapists offer both in-person and secure telehealth options. New clients start with a free 15-minute consultation before committing to a full intake appointment.
Ready to Get Your Child Some Support?
Start with a free 15-minute consultation. You don't need all the answers, just a willingness to try.
Book Free Consultation