Metro Atlanta Counseling for Children and Adolescents

Growing up has never been simple, but today’s children and teens face a particular set of pressures. Rates of childhood depression and anxiety sit at historic highs, and young people are managing everything from academic stress and social media exposure to peer pressure and shifting family dynamics. Some are also working through internal challenges like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or other developmental needs that affect how they learn, communicate, and regulate their emotions.

At CNSL, we aim to help our patients heal, become energized, and identify their own unique qualities. We offer a non-judgmental space where clients, including children and adolescents, can talk to someone who listens and helps shape a treatment plan built specifically for them. Whether your child needs a few sessions to work through a rough patch or ongoing support for a more complex concern, our team is here to walk alongside your family.

Who We Serve

Children and adolescents come to us for all kinds of reasons, and no concern is too small to talk about. We’ve worked with young clients facing a wide range of experiences, including:

• Family issues: Your child may be struggling with conflict at home, whether that’s tension with a parent or sibling, the death of a family member, or other significant changes to the household.
• School problems: Poor academic performance, social difficulties, or a persistent feeling of being left out can chip away at a child’s confidence and sense of belonging.
• Bullying: Whether it happens in the classroom, on the bus, or online, bullying can leave lasting emotional scars that benefit from professional support.
• Health problems: Children managing a serious illness or chronic condition often carry emotional weight alongside their physical symptoms.
• Learning, developmental, or neurodivergent needs: Your child may struggle with attention, organization, communication, routines, or emotional regulation in ways that call for more individualized support.

These experiences can lead to sadness, worry, social anxiety, low self-esteem, grief, or depression. Left unaddressed, they can also grow into more visible behavioral challenges, including outbursts, conflict with peers, or a decline in academic performance. Our team is trained to recognize these patterns early and help your child build the tools to manage them.

How the Counseling Process Works

Therapy for children and adolescents looks different from adult therapy, and for good reason: a child’s brain is still developing, and they often need more than conversation to process what they’re feeling. Depending on your child’s age, our therapists may use play, drawing, deep breathing, mindfulness exercises, or role-playing alongside traditional talk therapy. Many families also benefit from including parents directly in portions of the therapeutic process.

Here’s what you can generally expect as you get started:

• Initial intake appointment: During this 60-minute session, the therapist reviews their credentials, confidentiality guidelines, attendance expectations, and your rights as a parent or guardian. They’ll also learn about your child’s history, current concerns, and strengths, meeting with you, your child, or both, depending on age and need.
• Personalized treatment planning: Using information from the intake session, the therapist works with you and your child to set goals and build a plan to guide future sessions.
• Ongoing sessions: Your child’s therapist will use age-appropriate techniques to help them process emotions, build coping skills, and work toward their goals.
• Parent involvement: You’ll receive general updates on themes and progress, though specific details of what your child shares remain confidential under HIPAA, except in situations involving safety.

Because minors cannot manage their own scheduling or sign their own forms, a parent or legal guardian serves as the primary point of contact throughout treatment. This helps our team keep communication clear and consistent as your child moves through their therapeutic journey.

Parent and Caregiver Involvement

Parents play an important role in supporting their child’s progress. Therapists will:

• Share updates, general themes, and skills being developed.
• Offer suggestions to help your child between sessions.
• Sometimes include parents in sessions or schedule separate meetings.

Therapy is a private space for your child. While they may not share much about sessions, therapists will guide you on how to support them at home.

During Your Child’s Session:

You can wait in the lobby or in your car, or drop your child off. If you leave, go inside first to ensure your child checks in safely with the therapist. If your child drives themselves, consider emailing the therapist to confirm their arrival.

Registration and Communication for Minors

For clients under 18:

• A parent or legal guardian must be the primary contact for all paperwork, scheduling, and communication.
• Only one phone number and email can be listed in our system for notifications, appointment reminders, and forms.
• Automated communications cannot be sent to a secondary parent or caregiver. You may manually forward relevant messages if needed.

This single point of contact helps avoid confusion and ensures consistent communication regarding your child’s care.

Why Choose CNSL?

Choosing a therapist for your child is a deeply personal decision, and we don’t take that responsibility lightly. A few things set our approach apart:

CNSL brings together a large team of therapists and psychiatric providers across Metro Atlanta, which means we can often match your child with a clinician who specializes in their specific needs, whether that’s play therapy, family counseling, or support for ADHD and other developmental differences. Several of our offices offer telehealth, giving your family flexibility when in-person visits aren’t possible.

We also believe parents are part of the healing process, not bystanders to it. Our therapists keep you informed through regular updates and consultations while still honoring your child’s privacy and giving them the safe, independent space they need to open up. And because we understand that family structures can be complex, our team is experienced in working thoughtfully with multiple caregivers.

Contact Our Team Today

At CNSL, we know that counseling for children and adolescents can have a very positive impact on their lives. If you are a parent who is concerned about your child’s mental health and well-being, working with a therapist is strongly recommended. If you believe that your child or adolescent needs therapy, we recommend reaching out to a mental health professional immediately. The sooner that you take action, the sooner you can have a positive impact.

If you believe your child or adolescent could benefit from therapy, we encourage you to reach out. Book an initial appointment to learn more about our counseling services for children and adolescents.

FAQs About Counseling for Children and Adolescents in Georgia

Which Of Our Therapists Offer Counseling for Children & Adolescents Services?

Alpharetta – Old Milton Parkway

To schedule at this location, Call: (678) 384-4911 / Email: client.coordination@cnsl.com

Ashlee Pratt Works with ages 8+

Blairsville

To schedule at this location, Call: (678) 384-4911 / Email: client.coordination@cnsl.com

Julia Cornman Works with ages 6+

Marietta

To schedule at this location, Call: (678) 384-4911 / Email: client.coordination@cnsl.com

Bonita (Bonnie) Klopach Works with ages 3+

Madonna Mezzanotte Works with ages 10+

Ashlee Pratt Works with ages 8+

Megan Walsh Works with ages 7+

Allison Hogan Works with ages 12+

Bailey Paris Works with ages 5+

Kailey Austin Works with ages 8+

Logan Jackson Works with ages 3+

Sunshine Counseling – Alpharetta

To schedule at this location, Call: (678) 740-3990 / Email: inquiry@sunshinechildcounseling.com

Jamila Allen Works with ages 5+

Crissy Himelstein works with ages 3+

Lauren Wallace Telehealth Play Therapist works with ages 3+

Casey Reynolds-Purcell Works with ages 3+

Alyssa Ealy Middleton Works with ages 5+

Lori Winston Works with ages 5+

Desiree’ Lewis Works with ages 6+

Paige Kieltyka Works with ages 3+

Leenah Abboud Works with ages 6+

Karli Littlefield Works with ages 3-14

Sarah Norris Works with ages 6+

Woodstock - Churchill Court

To schedule at this location, Call: (678) 384-4911 / Email: client.coordination@cnsl.com

Madison Medford Works with ages 14+

Leigh Bowerfind Works with ages 3+

Woodstock - South Cherokee Lane - Building 1200

To schedule at this location, Call: (678) 384-4911 / Email: client.coordination@cnsl.com

Ashlee Pratt Works with ages 8+

Karen Dodge Works with ages 2+

Julia Nailor Works with ages 12+

Brittany Ott Works with ages 12+

Leigh Bowerfind Works with ages 3+

Shannon Dixon Works with ages 8+

Katie Cooley Works with ages 3+

Logan Jackson Works with ages 3+

Cathryn Heeter Works with ages 3+

Woodstock - South Cherokee Lane - Suite 730

To schedule at this location, Call: (678) 384-4911 / Email: client.coordination@cnsl.com

Ashlee Pratt Works with ages 8+

Morgan Mitchell Works with ages 5+

Brittany Ott Works with ages 12+

Laura Seipel Works with ages 13+

Allison Hogan Works with ages 12+

Kailey Austin Works with ages 8+

Logan Jackson Works with ages 3+

Woodstock - Towne Lake Parkway

To schedule at this location, Call: (678) 403-1120 / Email: townelakeoffice@cnsl.com

Victoria Saladna Works with ages 11+

Abigail Shetler Works with ages 12+

Tiffany Peeler Works with ages 11+

Kimberly Meredith Works with ages 5+

Danielle O’Kelly Works with ages 5+

Morgan Kraut Works with ages 11+