Pediatric Therapy
Child and adolescent therapy
Compassionate, age appropriate therapy that helps children and teens understand their feelings, build coping skills and work through emotional and behavioral challenges, with parents as partners.
Sessions in our Oakville office or by telehealth. In network with Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare and more.
Childhood is full of learning, discovery and growth, but children can also face challenges that are hard for them to understand or put into words. Pediatric therapy at Restoring Minds gives kids and teens a safe, welcoming space to be heard, make sense of big feelings and build skills they’ll use for years to come.
Helping young minds feel safe, heard and supported.
As a parent or caregiver, you may notice changes in your child’s mood, behavior, friendships or schoolwork. It can be hard to know what they’re going through, especially when they can’t find the words to explain how they feel.
You may be asking yourself
- Why does my child seem worried or upset so often?
- Why are emotional outbursts becoming more frequent?
- Why is my child struggling at school lately?
- Why is it so hard for my child to make or keep friends?
- Is my child having difficulty coping with changes?
- How can I better understand what my child is experiencing?
- Would speaking with a therapist help?
Seeking support doesn’t mean your child has failed or that your family has done something wrong. It means you’re taking an active step toward understanding your child’s needs.
What pediatric therapy can help with
Every child is different, so therapy is shaped around your child’s age, personality and goals. Our therapists help kids and teens with:
- Anxiety, worry and fears
- ADHD
- Big emotions and outbursts
- Behavioral challenges
- Trauma and difficult experiences
- Depression and low mood
- Self esteem and confidence
- School stress and academic pressure
- Friendships and social challenges
- Big changes and life transitions
- Identity and growing independence
- Family disagreements and communication
How we help kids, teens and families
Your child’s therapist will recommend the approach that fits their age and needs, and you can always change course together.
Play Therapy
Children often show through behavior what they can’t yet say in words. Play therapy gives younger kids a safe, caring space to express feelings, work through challenges and make sense of their experiences in the way that comes most naturally to them: through play.
Child Therapy
One on one therapy for children in a supportive, developmentally appropriate setting, where they explore their feelings, strengthen emotional awareness and develop coping strategies suited to their needs.
Teen Counseling
Adolescence brings changes in emotions, friendships, identity and independence. Teens get a space of their own to talk openly, manage stress and build skills for today and tomorrow.
Family Therapy & Parent Coaching
Sessions that ease communication challenges and strengthen family relationships, plus parent coaching with practical, individualized strategies for everyday challenges at home.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Practical, structured sessions that help kids and teens notice unhelpful thoughts, manage worry and frustration, and practice healthier responses.
Trauma Focused CBT
A structured, evidence based therapy that helps children and adolescents, and their caregivers, heal after traumatic experiences.
What we hope to achieve
- 01Put feelings into wordsHelp your child understand, name and express what they feel.
- 02Build coping skillsHealthy, age appropriate ways to handle worry, frustration and change.
- 03Grow confidenceStronger self esteem at home, at school and with friends.
- 04Strengthen family connectionPractical strategies that help parents support progress at home.
Clinicians who offer Pediatric Therapy
One front door for the whole family.
Kids, teens and parents can each see their own therapist here, with one billing office for everyone.
Read more client stories“Restoring Minds is magnificent, with so many options under one umbrella I and my family have been able to find the counselors and the therapy we need all in one place. I personally have experienced individual and couples counseling along with my son experiencing his own therapy. Being able to find 3 different counselors in one location and one billing has been a tremendous help.”
Questions about Pediatric Therapy
What is Pediatric Therapy?
Pediatric therapy is care designed specifically for children and adolescents. At Restoring Minds, it means mental and behavioral health therapy for kids and teens, helping them understand their feelings, build coping skills and navigate emotional and behavioral challenges, alongside their parents and caregivers.
Childhood is full of learning, discovery and growth, but children can also face challenges that are hard for them to understand or put into words. Pediatric therapy at Restoring Minds gives kids and teens a safe, welcoming space to be heard, make sense of big feelings and build skills they’ll use for years to come.
How do I know if my child needs therapy?
Every child has hard days. It may be time to talk with a therapist when changes in mood or behavior last, keep growing or start getting in the way of home, school or friendships. Parents often reach out when they notice:
- Frequent worry, fears or sadness
- Emotional outbursts that are hard to calm
- Struggles at school or with schoolwork
- Trouble making or keeping friends
- A hard time coping with a move, a loss or another big change
- Behavior that feels new or out of character
What ages do your child therapists work with?
Our therapists work with children and teens, along with their parents and caregivers. Gina Staley, LPC, RPT, sees children and teens ages 3 to 18.
When you reach out, our intake team will help match your child with a clinician who fits their age and needs, and your family’s schedule.
What is play therapy, and how does it help?
Play therapy uses play, a child’s most natural way of communicating, to help them express emotions, process difficult experiences, develop healthy coping skills and build confidence.
At Restoring Minds, play therapy is offered by Gina Staley, LPC, RPT, a Registered Play Therapist whose approach incorporates Adlerian Play Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Will I be involved in my child’s therapy?
Yes, when appropriate. Parents and caregivers play an important role in a child’s emotional development, so therapy may include collaborating with you on your child’s goals, while respecting applicable confidentiality requirements.
Family therapy and parent coaching are also available if you’d like support of your own.
Where do pediatric therapy sessions take place?
In person at our office at 140 Cliff Cave Rd, Suite 200, St. Louis, MO 63129, in Oakville in south St. Louis County. It’s convenient for families in Oakville, Mehlville, Arnold and across the St. Louis area.
Telehealth sessions are also available when appropriate. Your child’s therapist can help you decide which setting fits best.
Is pediatric therapy the same as speech, occupational or ABA therapy?
Not quite. “Pediatric therapy” covers many kinds of care. Speech, occupational and physical therapists help children with communication, motor and sensory skills, and applied behavior analysis (ABA) uses learning principles to build skills and change behavior, often after an autism diagnosis.
At Restoring Minds, pediatric therapy is mental and behavioral health care: our counselors and social workers help kids and teens with emotions, behavior, relationships and coping skills. If you’re not sure which kind of support your child needs, your pediatrician is a great first call, or call us at (314) 620-8291.
Do you offer medication management for children?
Psychiatric medication management at Restoring Minds is for adults 18 and older.
If you’re wondering whether medication could help your child, your pediatrician is the best place to start. Therapy here can continue alongside any care they recommend.
What are the goals of Pediatric Therapy?
Pediatric Therapy at Restoring Minds focuses on:
- Put feelings into words: Help your child understand, name and express what they feel.
- Build coping skills: Healthy, age appropriate ways to handle worry, frustration and change.
- Grow confidence: Stronger self esteem at home, at school and with friends.
- Strengthen family connection: Practical strategies that help parents support progress at home.
How do I start Pediatric Therapy at Restoring Minds?
Request an appointment online through our secure patient portal, or call (314) 620-8291. Our intake team will help match you with a clinician who fits your needs, schedule and insurance.
Sessions are available in our Oakville office in south St. Louis County and by telehealth.
Does insurance cover Pediatric Therapy?
Coverage depends on your plan. We’re in network with Aetna, Ambetter, All Savers Insurance, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), Golden Rule, UMR, UnitedHealthcare, MultiPlan, Home State Health, Healthy Blue, and Cigna, and we’ll handle any preauthorization your plan requires.
Copays and deductibles vary, so it’s worth a quick call to your insurer to confirm your benefits.