Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services | MI Counseling

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Michigan help kids and teens who feel sad, worried, angry, or “stuck” more days than not. Many families wait until school problems, sleep trouble, or big fights at home feel out of control—then they are not sure where to start. These services include therapy, skills coaching, family support, and sometimes care coordination to make daily life easier. Care is built for children, teens, and their caregivers, because healing works best when the whole support system is involved.

Signs You Might Benefit

Every child has hard days. But when stress lasts for weeks or starts to change school, friends, or family life, it may be time for help. You do not need to “hit rock bottom” to reach out.

• Big mood changes (sadness, irritability, anger) that last most days for 2+ weeks
• Worry or fear that causes avoidance (school refusal, panic, constant reassurance seeking)
• Sleep problems (nightmares, insomnia, sleeping too much) or appetite changes
• Drop in grades, trouble focusing, or more calls from school
• Behavior changes (more fighting, lying, risk-taking, or shutting down)
• Social withdrawal, loss of interest in hobbies, or frequent loneliness
• Body complaints without a clear medical cause (stomachaches, headaches), often worse on school days
• Grief or trauma symptoms after a loss, bullying, abuse, accidents, or scary events
• Self-harm thoughts or actions, or talk about not wanting to live (seek urgent help right away)

Benefits of treatment can include better sleep, fewer meltdowns, improved school attendance, stronger coping skills, and calmer family routines. Many children also gain confidence as they learn words for feelings and safer ways to handle stress.

Evidence-Based Approach

We use treatments that have strong research support and match care to your child’s age, needs, and goals. The American Psychological Association (APA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) support evidence-based psychotherapy approaches for common youth concerns like anxiety, depression, and trauma. We also follow Michigan licensing standards for mental health providers, including required education, supervised training, ethics, and scope-of-practice rules.

Therapy modalities we may use

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps kids notice thought patterns, practice coping skills, and face fears step-by-step. CBT is widely supported for anxiety and depression in youth (APA).
• Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT): A structured approach for children and teens impacted by trauma, combining coping skills, gradual processing, and caregiver support (NIH reports and clinical consensus support trauma-informed care).
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills: Teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and relationship skills. Helpful for intense emotions, self-harm urges, or impulsive behavior.
• Play therapy and child-centered strategies: Uses developmentally appropriate play, stories, and creative tools to help younger children express feelings and practice new skills.
• Family therapy and parent coaching: Builds teamwork at home, improves communication, and creates consistent routines and boundaries.
• School and care coordination (as needed): With consent, we can collaborate with pediatricians, psychiatrists, and schools to support learning plans and behavior supports.

How we choose the right plan

We start with a careful assessment, not a one-size-fits-all plan. We look at symptoms, strengths, family stressors, medical history, learning needs, sleep, and safety. Then we set simple goals (like “get to school 4 out of 5 days” or “use coping skills during conflicts”). Progress is tracked over time, and the care plan can change as your child grows.

Safety, privacy, and Michigan standards

Your child’s safety comes first. If there are concerns about self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or unsafe behavior, we create a clear safety plan and discuss the right level of care. We also follow Michigan confidentiality rules and professional ethics. For minors, caregivers are part of care, while the teen’s privacy is respected in an age-appropriate way, within legal and safety limits.

What to Expect

Starting therapy can feel scary for kids and parents. We keep the process clear and predictable, so your family knows what comes next.

Step 1: Scheduling and paperwork

Before the first visit, you will complete intake forms about symptoms, development, school, medical history, and family concerns. This helps us use session time well. You can also share what has worked before and what has not.

Step 2: The intake visit

The first appointment usually lasts longer than a standard session. We meet with the caregiver(s) and the child/teen. For younger children, we may spend more time with the parent at first. For teens, we often split time: part with the family, part one-on-one. We ask about mood, worry, behavior, friendships, school, sleep, and stress. We also screen for safety concerns and talk about strengths.

Step 3: Goal setting and treatment plan

Together, we pick 2–4 goals that are easy to measure. We explain the therapy approach in plain language and how caregivers can help at home. If needed, we discuss referrals for testing, medication evaluation, or higher levels of care.

Ongoing sessions

Most sessions are weekly or every other week, often 45–60 minutes. Kids learn skills through practice, not just talking. There may be worksheets, coping plans, and simple home practice. Family check-ins help everyone stay on the same page.

Telehealth options

Many families prefer virtual care for busy schedules or long drives. Telehealth can work well for anxiety, depression, and skills-building when privacy at home is possible. We will confirm your location in Michigan during sessions and follow state and professional requirements for telehealth care.

Insurance

Insurance can be confusing, especially when you are already stressed. We help you understand the basics so there are fewer surprises.

Copays, deductibles, and coinsurance

• Copay: A set fee you may pay at each visit (example: $20 per session).
• Deductible: The amount you may need to pay before your plan starts covering care.
• Coinsurance: A percentage you may pay after the deductible (example: you pay 20%, insurance pays 80%).

Coverage differs by plan. Before care begins, it helps to call your insurer and ask about outpatient mental health benefits, session limits (if any), and whether preauthorization is required.

Mental health parity

Many plans must follow mental health parity rules, which means mental health benefits should be similar to medical/surgical benefits. This can impact how deductibles, visit limits, and prior authorizations work. If you feel your plan is restricting mental health care more than medical care, you can ask your insurer for a written explanation of benefits and parity information.

Out-of-network options

If we are out of network, you may still have out-of-network benefits. We can provide a superbill with diagnosis and service codes you may submit for reimbursement (if your plan allows it). Ask your insurer what percentage they reimburse and what your out-of-network deductible is.

FAQ

How do I know if my child needs therapy or just more time?

If symptoms last more than a few weeks, get worse, or affect school, sleep, friends, or family life, therapy can help. You can also come in for a brief assessment and guidance—even if you are not sure. Early support often prevents bigger problems later.

Will I be involved, or is it only my child in sessions?

Caregivers are usually involved in some way, especially for younger children. For teens, we balance caregiver involvement with healthy privacy. We will explain what information can be shared, what stays private, and when safety concerns require caregiver involvement.

What conditions do Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services help with?

Common concerns include anxiety, depression, trauma stress, behavior problems, anger, ADHD-related coping, grief, bullying stress, social stress, and family conflict. We also support life transitions like divorce, moving, or changes in school. If your child needs a higher level of care, we help you find the right next step.

What if my child talks about self-harm or suicide?

Take it seriously and seek help right away. Call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) for immediate support, or call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if there is imminent danger. In therapy, we will assess risk, create a safety plan, and coordinate care as needed to protect your child.

If you are looking for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Michigan, we can help you take the next clear step. Reach out to schedule an intake and get a plan that fits your child’s needs, your family’s values, and your daily life.