Don't Wait Until Age 13 To Get Your Child Help
“Free 30-minute consultation with a pre-teen specialist. We’ll assess your child’s specific needs and recommend appropriate early intervention options.
Parents of Children Ages 9-12 Recently Diagnosed With Mental Health Challenges
Don't Wait Until Age 13 When Your Child Needs Help Now
While most providers turn away children under 12-13, our specialized team helps children as young as 9 overcome anxiety and depression—accepting Medicaid when others won't
Specialized For Younger Children
Our therapists use techniques specifically designed for pre-teen cognitive and emotional development, not just downscaled teen approaches.
Medicaid Accepted
Unlike most specialized providers who only take private insurance, we proudly accept Medicaid for ALL our services—making exceptional care accessible to every family.
Care That Works For Children
Choose in-person sessions with free transportation, virtual therapy for anxious children, or in-school support that minimizes disruption to learning.
THE CRITICAL WINDOW MOST PROVIDERS IGNORE
Mental health challenges often emerge years before most providers will accept children for treatment.
By specializing in care for children as young as 9, we help families:
- Intervene before negative thought patterns become deeply ingrained, build coping skills during formative developmental years, and prevent years of unnecessary academic and social struggles
Research clearly shows that earlier intervention leads to significantly better lifetime outcomes. Yet most specialized providers refuse to work with children under 12-13, leaving families with few options during this critical developmental window.
What Our Clients Are Saying:
The staff and therapists were welcoming and professional. I was able to get the assistance that I needed while there.
Kiya S.
Lexi was my therapist and I just wanted to say that she was the best! She helped me a lot and opened my eyes on a lot of things I was going through.
Neida G.
If I could give this place more than just a five star I would. The staff are just fantastic and the Therapists are some of the best you or your child could ask for."
Ryland S.
Trust Elements:
- 5-Star Google Rating
- Medicaid Accepted
- Children as Young as 9 Welcome
- Virtual, In-Person & In-School Options
WHY 9-12 IS THE IDEAL AGE FOR INTERVENTION
Early Intervention (Ages 9-12)
- 🌱 Negative patterns still forming and easily changeable
- 🌱 Brain at peak neuroplasticity for learning new responses
- 🌱 Academic disruption minimized before high-stakes years
🌱 Social skills develop before teen peer group solidifies
🌱 Self-image and identity still highly malleable
🌱 Treatment typically requires shorter duration
🌱 Outcomes generally better for lifetime functioning
Delayed Intervention (Ages 13+)
- 🍂 Negative patterns more deeply entrenched
🍂 Decreased neuroplasticity makes change harder
🍂 Academic recovery more challenging in high-stakes years
🍂 Social relationships more complex and difficult to rebuild
🍂 Self-image and identity more rigidly formed
🍂 Treatment often requires longer duration
🍂 Outcomes typically require more maintenance
THERAPY APPROACHES DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN
Traditional therapy approaches often fail with children ages 9-12 because they’re designed for teens or adults. Our specialized team uses techniques specifically adapted for pre-teen developmental stages:
Play-Based Therapy We incorporate therapeutic play that engages younger children who may struggle with traditional ‘talk therapy’ approaches. This allows us to address complex issues through age-appropriate activities.
Activity-Oriented Sessions Our sessions include movement, art, and interactive components that accommodate shorter attention spans and different learning styles common in this age group.
Family-Centered Approach Parents are more actively integrated into therapy for younger children, with specific guidance on supporting therapeutic goals at home. As Blake L. noted, we create an environment where you can ‘send your family here.'”
WE ACCEPT MEDICAID WHEN MOST SPECIALISTS WON'T
Many families with Medicaid struggle to find specialized mental health care for younger children. The few providers who work with ages 9-12 often don’t accept Medicaid, creating an impossible situation for families.
We’re different. We accept Medicaid for ALL our services, including:
- Individual therapy with age specialists
- Psychiatric evaluation and medication management
- Intensive outpatient programs
- Family therapy sessions
- Group therapy
- Virtual therapy options
As Kiya S. shared, ‘They worked well with my insurance provider,’ and Lizzy B. noted, ‘Mind Above Matter is working with me to let me start on a payment plan because me having to have everything all at once. Financial issues can be a huge barrier to Mental Health Treatment.’
HOSPITAL-ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS
Weekly individual, family, and group therapy sessions with specialists in pre-teen mental health. Ideal for children with supportive home environments and moderate symptoms.
For children needing more support, our IOP provides multiple therapy hours weekly while maintaining normal school attendance. Perfect for addressing more significant anxiety, depression, or behavioral issues.
Our therapists work directly in your child's school, minimizing disruption to learning while addressing school-specific anxiety, social challenges, or behavioral issues in the actual environment where they occur.
When transportation is challenging or for children with severe anxiety about new environments, our virtual program delivers effective therapy through engaging, interactive online sessions.
A SAFE, WELCOMING SPACE FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN
Our center is specifically designed to make younger children feel comfortable and engaged:
As Diami L. shared in her review: ‘They have an awesome back area for patients to get some sun and provides a safe atmosphere for those in group therapy.’
And as Jocelyn C., a therapist who visited our facility, noted: ‘I was impressed at the welcoming and bright environment.’
Children ages 9-12 often feel intimidated in clinical settings designed for teens or adults. Our space includes:
- Age-appropriate activity areas
- Sensory-friendly calm spaces
- Outdoor areas for movement breaks
- Art and expression stations
- Comfortable family meeting rooms”
THERAPISTS WHO SPECIALIZE IN PRE-TEEN MENTAL HEALTH
Our team includes clinicians with specific training and experience in working with children ages 9-12:
‘Summer, Jesse and Maddie are exceptional and really put a lot of hard work into making the clients happy and help them overcome their challenges!’ – Blake L.
‘Theirs a man that works they’re and his name is Tony and he is just the best person you could ever meet.’ – Ryland S.
Unlike generalists who occasionally see younger children, our specialists focus specifically on pre-teen mental health, understanding the unique developmental needs, communication styles, and therapeutic approaches that work best for this age group.”
FAQs:
About Early Intervention
Many providers lack specialized training in pre-teen mental health and find it challenging to adapt their therapeutic approaches for younger children. Some believe children under 12-13 don’t have sufficient self-awareness for therapy, which research has disproven. Others simply prefer working with teens and adults because it requires less specialized training. We’ve made younger children a priority because we understand how critical early intervention is for better lifetime outcomes.
Therapy for 9-12 year olds is more activity-based, with shorter session segments and more varied approaches than teen therapy. We use play, art, movement, and metaphor more extensively with younger children, who often express emotions through behavior rather than words. Parent involvement is more extensive, and we focus heavily on concrete skills rather than abstract insights. Our therapists are specifically trained in these developmentally appropriate approaches.
Absolutely not. Children as young as 9 have sufficient self-awareness to benefit significantly from therapy. In fact, this age is ideal for intervention because neural pathways are still forming, making it easier to develop healthy coping skills before negative patterns become deeply ingrained. Our therapists are specially trained to work with children this age using developmentally appropriate techniques.
About Our Approach
? For this age group, we use a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) adapted for younger children, play therapy techniques, art and expression therapies, and family systems approaches. Rather than expecting children to sit and talk for an hour, we incorporate movement, creativity, and play while working on the same therapeutic goals. As Neida G. shared about her therapist Lexi, “She helped me a lot and opened my eyes on a lot of things I was going through.”
We use shorter activity segments, incorporate their interests and strengths, and make therapy interactive rather than just conversational. Our sessions might include therapeutic games, art projects, movement activities, and skill practice through role-play. This approach keeps children engaged while still addressing serious mental health concerns. As Jocelyn C. noted, our “welcoming and bright environment” helps children feel comfortable.
Yes, parent participation is essential for children ages 9-12. We provide more extensive parent coaching than teen programs, teaching specific techniques to support your child’s progress at home. Parents typically join portions of individual sessions and participate in separate family therapy. As Blake L. mentioned, “Come here send your family here great place!” We believe healing happens within the context of the family system.
About Medicaid & Insurance
Yes. Unlike many specialized mental health providers who don’t accept Medicaid, we welcome Medicaid for all our services, including specialized therapy for younger children. As Kiya S. confirmed, “They worked well with my insurance provider.” We believe every child deserves access to quality mental health care regardless of insurance type, and we’ve structured our practice to make this possible.
Absolutely. We provide identical services and treatment options to all patients regardless of insurance type. Your child will have access to the same specialized therapists, psychiatrists, and programs as patients with private insurance. Our commitment to equal access is a core value of our practice, as many of our team members specifically chose to work here because of this commitment.
As Lizzy B. shared, “Mind Above Matter is working with me to let me start on a payment plan.” We understand that finances can be a significant barrier to mental health treatment, even with insurance. Our financial counselors work with every family to find solutions, including payment plans for any out-of-pocket costs. We’re committed to making quality care accessible to every child who needs it.
About Treatment Options
Yes, in many cases. Our school-based therapy program works directly in your child’s educational environment, which is particularly beneficial for 9-12 year olds who may have school-related anxiety or behavioral issues. This approach minimizes disruption to learning while addressing challenges in the context where they occur. Our educational liaisons also collaborate with teachers to implement supportive strategies throughout the school day.
Virtual therapy can be very effective for children ages 9-12 when properly structured. We use interactive online platforms specifically designed for younger children, provide materials in advance, and use engaging approaches to maintain attention. As Lizzy B. mentioned, we were able to “meet me where I was through Zoom.” This option works well for children with transportation challenges or those who feel more comfortable in familiar environments.
Many children ages 9-12 have co-occurring challenges like ADHD, learning differences, or developmental concerns alongside anxiety or depression. Our team includes specialists in these overlapping conditions who can address both the mental health and learning components. We coordinate with schools on appropriate accommodations while providing therapy that considers these interconnected challenges.
About Results & Progress
Most parents notice initial improvements within 3-4 weeks of consistent therapy. Younger children often respond more quickly to intervention than teenagers because their behavioral patterns are less entrenched. However, sustainable change typically requires 3-6 months of consistent work. As Mark K. shared, “I walked out a different person. I will always have them to thank for the recovery path that I am on today.”
We use age-appropriate assessments, behavioral tracking, and parent reports to measure progress. Unlike with teens, we don’t rely heavily on self-report questionnaires. Instead, we track observable behavioral changes, emotional regulation skills, social interactions, and functional improvements in home and school settings. Parents complete weekly feedback forms, and we conduct comprehensive progress evaluations every month.
If your child needs more support than traditional outpatient therapy, we offer more intensive options like our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) or Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP). As Karalyn M. noted, these programs “provide exceptional support and care, helping individuals on their journey to better mental health.” These structured programs provide significantly more therapeutic contact without requiring hospitalization.