Mondie Gonzales
LISW-S | EMDR CertifiedOwner/Founder. 30+ years. Lifespan approach from birth. Trauma, EMDR, family systems. Strongsville + telehealth.
Teen & Child Therapy
Teen and Child Therapy in Strongsville, Ohio — Ages 2 and Up
Teen and child therapy at Oasis Counseling Solutions uses developmentally appropriate approaches that meet young people where they are. We work with children from age 2 through young adulthood, using TF-CBT, ACT, CBT, and strengths-based practice. For younger children, sessions include the parent directly — this is a clinical feature, not a limitation. For teens, confidentiality is respected with clear safety exceptions. Therapy dog Winnie joins in-person sessions at Strongsville. Medicaid accepted. Free 15-minute parent consultation.
What It Is
What Is Child and Teen Therapy?
Child and teen therapy is professional mental health support tailored to the developmental stage of the young person receiving it. It is not the same as therapy for adults, and the modalities, session structure, and goals are adapted accordingly. At Oasis Counseling Solutions, the approach to a four-year-old with separation anxiety looks fundamentally different from the approach to a sixteen-year-old navigating depression, which looks different again from work with a ten-year-old processing a traumatic event.
For young children, research consistently supports parent involvement in treatment. Sessions with children under six or seven often involve the parent directly, with the therapist coaching the parent on how to respond to their child's emotional experiences in ways that build regulation and security. This is not a sign that something is wrong with the parenting — it is the most effective clinical model for this age group. The parent leaves each session with practical tools to use at home between appointments.
For older children and teens, the session structure evolves toward more independent therapeutic work. The therapist may meet primarily with the teen and provide periodic updates to the parent in a format agreed upon at the start of treatment. Teen confidentiality is respected with clear, explicit exceptions for safety. The goal for teens is not to hand them a set of techniques and send them on their way — it is to help them develop a genuine understanding of their own patterns so they can navigate challenges with increasing independence. Family therapy can run alongside individual sessions when family dynamics are part of what needs to be addressed.
When to Seek Help
Signs Your Child or Teen May Benefit from Therapy
Children and teenagers rarely ask for therapy directly. As a parent, you are the one who notices when something has shifted. Trust that observation. You do not need a diagnosis or a crisis to reach out for a free parent consultation.
- Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or tearfulness that does not resolve on its own
- Anxiety that interferes with daily life, school, sleep, or friendships
- Behavioral changes — aggression, withdrawal, regression to younger behaviors
- Peer difficulties — social isolation, bullying, inability to maintain friendships
- Declining grades or sudden disengagement from school
- Trauma exposure — abuse, violence, accident, loss of a loved one
- Any mention of self-harm or not wanting to be alive
- Major life changes — parental divorce, relocation, a new sibling, a parent's illness
- Suspected or diagnosed ADHD — difficulty with focus, impulse control, emotional regulation
Our Approach
How We Work with Children and Teens
Oasis Counseling Solutions therapists working with children and teens draw primarily from Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), standard Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and strengths-based practice. TF-CBT is the most rigorously researched evidence-based approach for children who have experienced trauma and is appropriate for a wide range of presenting concerns beyond trauma specifically. ACT is particularly effective with teens navigating anxiety, identity, and the pressure of adolescence.
The parent involvement model used at Oasis for younger children is a clinical strength, not an administrative convenience. Research consistently shows that including parents in treatment for young children improves outcomes and accelerates progress. The therapist teaches the parent what the child is learning in session so both can work in the same direction between appointments. For older children and teens, the level of parent involvement is calibrated to the clinical picture and the developmental stage.
Teen confidentiality is handled transparently from the first session. Parents receive a general account of how therapy is progressing. The specific content of what the teen shares with the therapist is kept confidential except in three situations: the teen is at risk of harming themselves, the teen is at risk of harming someone else, or the therapist becomes aware of abuse. These exceptions are explained clearly at the outset so all parties understand the boundaries of privacy from the beginning.
Therapy Dog
Meet Winnie
Winnie is Katharine Bussert's Italian Greyhound therapy dog and joins Katharine's in-person sessions at the Strongsville office. For many children and teens, Winnie's quiet presence does what words cannot in early sessions — she lowers physiological anxiety, relaxes the body, and makes the room feel safer before any clinical work has formally begun. Research in animal-assisted therapy consistently supports this effect, particularly for anxious children and adolescents in the early stages of building trust with a therapist.
Animal-assisted sessions are entirely optional. Parents are asked about allergies, fears, and preferences during the consultation. If your child or family prefers a session without Winnie, that accommodation is made without question and without affecting the quality of the clinical work.
Your Therapists
Child and Teen Therapy Specialists at Oasis
Three therapists at Oasis Counseling Solutions specialize in child and teen therapy. Meet all six therapists.
Katharine Bussert
LSWACT, TF-CBT, Mindful Self-Compassion. Therapy dog Winnie joins in-person sessions. Children, teens, and families.
Caleigh Blum
SWT | SupervisedCBT, strengths-based, trauma-informed. Works with teens and young adults. Supervised by Mondie Gonzales, LISW-S.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Child and Teen Therapy
How do I find a therapist for my child?
Start with a free 15-minute parent consultation at Oasis Counseling Solutions. You describe your child's age, presenting concerns, and what you hope therapy will achieve, and we match your child with the therapist whose training and developmental approach best fit their specific needs. You do not need a referral or a formal diagnosis. Call (216) 200-8811 or book online to schedule the parent consultation.
At what age can a child start therapy?
Oasis Counseling Solutions works with children as young as two years old. For very young children, therapy involves the parent or caregiver directly and focuses on strengthening the parent-child relationship and building early emotional regulation skills through developmentally appropriate activities. The therapist guides the parent as much as the child in these early sessions, providing practical tools to use at home between appointments.
How do I know if my teenager needs therapy?
Persistent mood changes, withdrawal from activities and relationships they previously enjoyed, declining grades, increased family conflict, sleep disruption, expressions of hopelessness, or any mention of self-harm are all signs your teen may benefit from professional support. You do not need a crisis to reach out. Our free parent consultation can help you assess the situation without pressure to commit to ongoing therapy immediately.
Will my child's therapist share what they say in sessions?
Confidentiality is explained clearly at the start of therapy for every child and teen client. In general, what a child or teen shares with their therapist is kept confidential. There are three exceptions: if your child is at risk of harming themselves, if they are at risk of harming someone else, or if the therapist becomes aware of abuse. Outside of these safety exceptions, the therapist will provide parents with general updates on how therapy is progressing without disclosing specific session content.
Does Oasis Counseling Solutions offer play therapy?
Our therapists use play-based and creative approaches with younger children as integrated components of evidence-based treatment models including TF-CBT and ACT. Play and creative activities are used developmentally for children who are not yet ready for traditional talk therapy. These approaches are grounded in clinical frameworks rather than offered as a standalone play therapy modality. Learn more about individual therapy at all ages.
Fees & Insurance
Teen and Child Therapy Rates
$145
Per session — child and teen therapy, in-person and telehealth
Medicaid and Medicare accepted. Oasis Counseling Solutions accepts Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, CareSource, Buckeye, Medical Mutual, Humana, and 20+ plans total. Sliding scale available for eligible families. Many families pay little to nothing out of pocket with insurance coverage.