Therapy for Kids & Teens in Nashville & Middle Tennessee
Support for Children, Adolescents, and the Families Who Love Them
At Works Counseling Center, we provide thoughtful, developmentally appropriate therapy for children and teens, while also supporting parents every step of the way.
We serve families across Nashville, Bellevue, Belle Meade, West Meade, Broadway, Nolensville, Gallatin, Hendersonville, Smyrna, Brentwood, Franklin, and Fairview, as well as virtual therapy throughout Tennessee.
Therapy for Kids
A Note for Kids
If you’re a kid reading this, something might feel hard right now.
Maybe your feelings feel too big.
Maybe school feels overwhelming.
Maybe things at home have changed.
Maybe you don’t know how to explain what’s going on inside.
Therapy is a place just for you. You don’t have to have the right words. You don’t have to be “good” or “fixed.” You get a space where an adult listens, helps you understand your feelings, and supports you in learning new ways to cope.
How Therapy Helps Kids
Child therapy is an evidence-based approach designed to help children navigate challenges such as:
Anxiety, fears, or worries
Big emotions and emotional regulation
Sadness or depression
Trauma or stressful life events
Grief or loss
Social challenges or bullying
Family changes like divorce, moves, or blended families
Self-esteem and confidence
Therapy for kids often looks like play, creativity, storytelling, and connection, not long conversations or pressure to explain everything.
Play Therapy
Play therapy is a developmentally appropriate way for children to communicate, process experiences, and learn new skills.
Children naturally use play to make sense of their world. In play therapy, toys, games, art, and imagination become the language children use to express feelings they may not yet have words for.
The therapy room becomes a safe, supportive space where children can explore fears, worries, sadness, anger, and big questions at their own pace.
Play therapy can help children:
Express emotions safely
Build emotional regulation
Strengthen problem-solving skills
Increase confidence and self-esteem
Process trauma or stressful experiences
When Play Therapy May Be Helpful
Play therapy is commonly recommended for children ages 2–12 who are experiencing:
Life transitions such as moves or divorce
Anxiety or generalized fear
Impulsivity or difficulty with self-control
Social skills or boundary challenges
Aggressive behaviors
Grief or bereavement
Medical or situational trauma
Attachment concerns
Abuse or neglect
Nightmares or bedwetting
Adoption-related support needs
Bullying or peer relationship struggles
Academic or focus challenges
Therapy for Teens
A Note for Teens
Being a teenager is hard, even when things look “fine” on the outside.
School pressure, friendships, social media, identity, family expectations, and the feeling of constantly being watched or judged can take a real toll. Many teens come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, misunderstood, or unsure how to talk about what they’re experiencing.
Teen therapy is a space where you get to talk honestly, learn coping skills, and feel supported without being lectured or judged.
How Therapy Helps Teens
Teen therapy supports adolescents with concerns such as:
Anxiety, panic, or overthinking
Depression, sadness, or emotional numbness
Academic stress, burnout, or perfectionism
Social pressure, friendships, or bullying
Identity exploration, including LGBTQIA+ identity
Family conflict or communication challenges
Trauma, grief, or major life changes
Self-esteem and confidence
Therapy for teens is collaborative. We respect their voice while still offering guidance, structure, and support.
What Teens Can Expect in Therapy
Therapy isn’t about being told what to do or being “fixed.”
Teens can expect:
A therapist who listens without judgment
A space that feels private, respectful, and safe
Help understanding emotions and reactions
Tools to manage stress and big feelings
Support navigating relationships and boundaries
Sessions may involve conversation, skill-building, creative expression, or mindfulness-based approaches, depending on the teen’s needs.
What Parents and Caregivers Can Expect
Whether your child is young or a teenager, therapy takes time.
The first few sessions are focused on building trust and safety. Research shows that up to 50% of therapy success comes from the therapeutic relationship, so progress may feel gradual at first.
Therapy isn’t about making kids or teens happy all the time. It’s about helping them:
- Understand emotions
- Respond more effectively
- Continue functioning at home, school, and with peers
We balance confidentiality and parent involvement carefully, especially with teens. Parents are kept informed about goals, progress, and how to support growth at home, while respecting the teen’s need for privacy.
Parenting Support Is Part of the Process
We believe parents are essential partners in therapy.
When a child or teen is in regular counseling, our therapists typically meet with parents about every fourth session to:
Share observations and concerns
Offer practical strategies for home
Strengthen communication and connection
Align goals between therapy and family life
We also offer parent-only sessions for guidance, support, and skill-building, even if your child or teen is not currently in therapy.
Our Approach to Working With Kids and Teens
Whether your family is coming into one of our Middle Tennessee locations or meeting virtually from elsewhere in Tennessee, our approach is grounded in safety, collaboration, and respect.
We believe:
- Kids do well when they can
- Behavior communicates unmet needs
- Teens deserve autonomy and respect
- Parents matter in the healing process
- Growth happens through relationship, not pressure
Frequently Asked Questions About Trauma Therapy
Do I need to talk about my trauma in detail?
Not necessarily. Trauma therapy does not require retelling your story repeatedly. We focus on safety, regulation, and pacing the work in a way that feels manageable.
Is EMDR safe for everyone?
What’s the difference between trauma therapy and regular therapy?
Do you offer virtual trauma therapy in Tennessee?
Ready to Get Started?
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
We offer in-person across Middle Tennessee and virtual throughout Tennessee
Whether you’re a parent seeking support or a young person needing a safe place to talk or play, we’re here to help.