Child & Tween Therapy in Austin (Ages 4–12)
NW Austin · Online from about age 8
Big feelings in a small person don't have to run the house.
Gentle, parent-involved therapy for kids 4–12 who've been through too much — in Northwest Austin and online.
Get Help Now
or call 512-400-4790
Signs Your Child Needs Therapy
You've been wondering if this is your fault. It isn't.
Kids are resilient — and still, it's normal to wonder if yours will ever feel like themselves again, especially after something like abuse, a loss, or a hard year. You've read the books. You've tried the charts. The meltdowns, the clinging, the shutting down are still here.
Here's what we see every week: with the right support, kids heal. They get their bright futures back, and they find their love of life again. That's the goal — not managing symptoms forever.
What parents tell us on the first call
Meltdowns that come out of nowhere and last too long
Clingy at drop-off, then can't sleep at night
Stomachaches, headaches, and “I don't feel good” before school
They don't want to play the way they used to
Something happened — and they won't talk about it
You noticed. You're here. That's the part that matters most, and it's already done.
What Child Therapy Looks Like
Less talking. More doing.
Young kids don't sit on a couch and describe their feelings for 50 minutes — and we'd never ask them to. Here's what actually happens.
1
First, you and Ivana talk
The first session is mostly for you: what's happening, what's changed, what you're hoping for. Your child gets to see the room before anything is asked of them.
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Then your child leads
Drawing, building, stories, sand, movement — whatever helps your child show what words can't. Ivana follows their pace and keeps it feeling safe.
3
You stay close
You're in the waiting room or, for younger kids, sometimes in the room. You'll get a plain-language check-in on what's working and what to try at home.
4
50 minutes, weekly to start
As things settle we space sessions out. This isn't endless therapy, and we'll tell you when we think you're done.
Ages 4–12 are seen in person at our Northwest Austin office. Online sessions work well from about age 8; younger kids do better in the room.
✦ Gentle, parent-involved
Your child doesn't have to carry this alone.
Play-based, parent-involved care at your child's pace.
Child Therapy FAQ for Parents
The things you're wondering at 11 p.m.
Anything we haven't answered? Call 512-400-4790 — you'll talk to Nia, not a phone tree.
For most kids, yes, for part of the session — that's where the work happens. You're steps away in the waiting room, and for younger children you may be in the room at first. You and your child's therapist decide together, and nothing happens behind a closed door you don't understand.
Something true and small: “We're going to see someone whose job is helping kids with big feelings. You get to play and talk. I'll be right there.” Your child's therapist can give you the exact words for their age on the first call.
Some kids are more tired or clingy after the first few sessions. That's a sign something is moving, and it passes. We go at your child's pace and never push them to talk about hard things before they feel safe. If things are getting worse, we'll shift gears until we find what works.
Most kids come weekly to start. You'll usually notice changes at home within a couple of months, like calmer bedtimes, fewer meltdowns, and more play. This isn't endless therapy. Your child's therapist will talk with you about progress and a plan, not just book the next slot.
Yes. Anxiety, big anger, worry that shows up as stomachaches, changes after a divorce or a move — none of that needs a diagnosis to deserve help.
Kids need space to talk openly, so therapists don't repeat every detail of a session. You'll get regular updates on progress, patterns, and what to try at home. If your child's safety is at risk, we'll tell you right away.
For younger kids, sometimes, especially at the start. For older kids, we usually meet with you separately for check-ins. Your child's therapist will talk through what fits your child.
Yes! EMDR works great with kids, just like adults. We make some adjustments so it's fun and engaging.
Tell us on the first call. We deal with this regularly and will walk you through what we need, such as the part of your custody order that covers mental-health decisions. See the consent section below for details.
We're self-pay and provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement. Our nonprofit sliding scale is on the Rates page — parents of young children are exactly who it's for.
Child Therapy Consent in Texas
Who can say yes to therapy for a child in Texas?
In Texas, parents or legal guardians consent to counseling for a minor. Before the first session we'll ask you to sign a consent form and, for parents who are divorced or separated, to share the part of your custody order that covers medical and mental-health decisions.
If you and your co-parent disagree, or you're not sure what your order says, tell us on the first call. We deal with this every week and we'll help you sort out what's needed — without your child waiting in limbo.
Bring or upload the custody order pages that cover health decisions
Both parents are welcome at the parent check-in
We'll tell you plainly what we can and can't share with each parent
Your first call is with a real person.
Nia, our Client Care Coordinator, will listen to what's going on with your child and set up your first session with Ivana. No phone tree, no pressure.
Get Help Now
or call 512-400-4790
Child Therapist in NW Austin
One person, not a directory.
Ivana Crumpton LPC-Associate
with Marshia Allen, PsyD, LPC-S, RPT, supervising
Ivana also sees teens, adults, and couples, so a parent or older sibling can work with the same therapist when that fits your family.
Ivana is an associate-level clinician, which means every case she sees is reviewed weekly with a senior trauma specialist — two sets of eyes on your child's care, not one.
NW Austin office
Online across Texas, about age 8+
Ages 4–12 · parents involved
Activity-based, trauma-informed
Supervised Child Therapy
Two clinicians for the price of one.
Associate-level clinicians at Hope For The Journey work under weekly supervision from a senior trauma specialist. It's a legal requirement — and it's also the best-supported care in the building.
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Weekly case review
Every child's plan is looked at by two people, every week.
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Fresh training
Current, research-based methods — Ivana is currently completing her EMDR training, with consultation.
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Lower fees
Supervised care is how our sliding scale stays real for families.
Why parents trust us
501(c)(3) nonprofit
✦ Gentle, parent-involved
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Money-back guarantee
Not satisfied? We'll refund up to your first two sessions. Excludes intensives.
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Advanced therapies
EMDR-trained team with weekly complex-trauma consultation.
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Personalized Treatment
Warm, practical, paced to what you can handle.
“
This practice is THE practice for your trauma needs. If you are hoping to find a therapist that is warm, compassionate, highly skilled and knowledgeable, and truly experts in trauma and EMDR, this is your place. If you want lasting results for your healing I can't recommend them enough. What a great team.
Taylor A. · Google review
Sliding-Scale Child Therapy
Cost shouldn't decide whether your child gets help.
Hope For The Journey is a 501(c)(3). Sliding-scale spots with our supervised clinicians exist so that parents of young kids — the most fee-sensitive families we see — can start now instead of waiting.
Sliding scale based on household income
Superbills for out-of-network reimbursement
All rates on one page, so it's always current
Child Therapy in NW Austin & Online
Northwest Austin, or online from about age 8.
Kids under 13 are seen at our Austin office. We don't see this age group in Round Rock, and telehealth works best from about age 8 — call 512-400-4790 if you're unsure.
NW Austin
4131 Spicewood Springs Rd. Ste. L-1
Austin, TX 78759
Austin, TX 78759
In person · ages 4–12
Online across Texas
Secure video sessions from home
From about age 8 · parent nearby
More ways we help
Check out our other services
Ages 13–17
13–17
Teen
Trauma, anxiety, and big emotions — with you in the loop.
Ages 18–25
18–25
Young adult
Therapy you book for yourself, on your own terms.
Looking for something more specific?
Kids at two different ages? One call covers both — just tell Nia and she'll plan it with you.
You noticed. Now let us help.
Schedule a consult call. We'll answer your questions, talk through the sliding scale, and get your child on the calendar.
Get Help Now
or call 512-400-4790