Child therapists in Madison, WI
Find experienced child therapists in Madison, Wisconsin who provide testing, counseling and support for children, and their families. Our directory features detailed therapist profiles so you can compare specialties, experience, and treatment approaches to find the provider that’s right for you.
Child/Teen
Melissa Drinkman, Pathways To Connection
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, DBH, LCSW
At Pathways To Connection, we work with children and adolescents by providing a safe, supportive space for young individuals to explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. We help them develop healthy coping mechanisms, build emotional resilience, and address challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and difficulties with self-esteem. By engaging in therapy, children and adolescents can learn effective communication skills, manage interpersonal conflicts, and navigate the complexities of growing up. We also support parents by offering guidance on how to nurture your child's emotional development and handle difficult situations at home or school.
14 Years Experience
Online in Madison, WI (Online Only)
Child/Teen
Carolyn Murphy, Ph.D.
Psychologist, Counseling Psychology
I have many years of experience working with children and adolescents. Most children need to be seen in-person, but many teens are comfortable doing therapy virtually and this can be an effective treatment mode for them. With children and younger teens, parent consultations are usually part of the treatment so that we all work together as a "team" to help your child with whatever issues they are struggling. Older teens often do better when the therapy is more confidential, so that they can feel comfortable being open with me. I highly encourage you to choose a therapist that feels like a "good fit" for you and your child. I always start with an initial consultation appointment where I can learn more about your child, your family, and reasons for seeking therapy. I then meet with your child once or twice to get a sense of the issues with which they are struggling and determine if it appears therapy can be useful. At that point I give parents some feedback and we plan together from there. My approach to therapy is interactive and supportive, with an overall goal of increasing self-awareness and coping skills to help promote the kind of changes that kids and parents would like to see.
36 Years Experience
Online in Madison, WI
Child/Teen
Orka Health and Wellness, PLLC
Counselor/Therapist, MSW, LICSW, LMFT, LPCC
Empowering the Next Generation
Through our team’s close connections with the thoughts, struggles, and dreams of children and their families, one thing has become abundantly clear: mental health, self-esteem, and how a child sees themselves in the world mean everything.
We know that for a child to thrive, they need to feel understood in their own language. That is why we work with clients ages 10 and older using a blend of deep clinical empathy and modern innovation. To bridge the gap between traditional talk therapy and a child’s natural way of engaging, we utilize specialized software designed to keep them interested and empowered in their own healing.
Our clinicians begin with a full assessment of your child’s needs, partnering with both the child and the family to set meaningful goals. From building self-esteem to processing trauma, we are here to help your child see themselves as the resilient individuals they truly are.
5 Years Experience
Online in Madison, WI (Online Only)
Child/Teen
Mosaic Counseling
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC
Adolescence is a time of growth, self-discovery, and transformation, but it can also come with challenges like anxiety, stress, identity struggles, and relationship issues. Our therapy services for teens provide a safe, nonjudgmental space where they can explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Through a combination of techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and emotion regulation skills, we help teens develop tools for coping with pressures, building resilience, and strengthening their mental health. Whether they’re facing school stress, social pressures, or family dynamics, our goal is to empower adolescents to feel more confident, understood, and in control of their emotional well-being.
11 Years Experience
Online in Madison, WI
Child/Teen
Dr. Elizabeth Coldren
Psychologist, PSYD, PSYPACT
I specialize in working with children and teens whose lives have been shaped by medical challenges, trauma, or neurodivergence. This may include serious or chronic illness, complex diagnoses, hospitalizations, accidents, frightening events, sexual abuse, or sensory and regulation differences that make school, friendships, or family life harder to navigate. Some young people I see are carrying several of these layers. Others are coping with one significant experience, such as PTSD after a specific event or the emotional impact of a new diagnosis.
Many of the children and teens I work with are carrying more than anyone realizes. On the outside, they may look like the good kid, the brave patient, or the one who holds everything together. Inside, they can feel scared, angry, overwhelmed, numb, or very alone.
My work is not general child therapy. I focus on how stress, trauma, medical experiences, and neurodivergence live in a young person’s body, emotions, and relationships. I also work closely with parents so you feel less isolated and more supported in responding to what your child is going through.
26 Years Experience
Online in Madison, WI
Madison is home to the University of Wisconsin — one of the top research universities in the country — and serves as Wisconsin's state capital, giving it an unusually high concentration of academics, researchers, and government professionals who collectively represent one of the most therapy-positive demographics in the Midwest. The city's progressive political culture and high rate of higher education strongly correlate with high therapy utilization and acceptance across multiple demographics. UW Health and SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital provide institutional mental health resources, with a well-developed private practice community serving Willy Street, Atwood, and the Near East Side. Madison's growing Latino, Hmong, and East African communities are increasing demand for multilingual and culturally grounded therapists.
Child therapists in Madison, WI Statistics
Child therapists in Madison, WI average 20 years of experience and charge around $207 per session. 100% offer online sessions. The top treatment approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (81%), Behavioral Therapy (40%), and Family Systems Therapy (38%).
Average years in practice
20 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$207
Accept insurance
37%
Offer sliding scale
43%
Gender ID
| 69% |
Female |
|
| 28% |
Male |
|
| 3% |
Non-Binary |
|
Session Type
| 68% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 32% |
Online Only |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 81% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 40% | Behavioral Therapy |
| 38% | Family Systems Therapy |
| 37% | Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) |
| 35% | Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) |
| 32% | Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) |
| 32% | Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) |
Ages Served
| 94% | Adult |
| 94% | Teen |
| 81% | Young Adult |
| 60% | Children |
| 46% | Senior |
Client Focus
| 60% | Women |
| 46% | Men |
| 40% | LGBTQ+ |
| 27% | Black / African American |
| 27% | Christian |