Children's Therapy & Counseling
Children's Therapy & Counseling in Ocean & Monmouth County, NJ
When your child is struggling with anxiety, behavioral challenges, depression, trauma, or conflict at home or school — and weekly support from a licensed therapist could make the difference — therapy is where that healing begins. Whether you call it counseling, therapy, or just “someone for my child to talk to” — this is where it starts.
At Preferred Behavioral Health Group, our children’s therapy and counseling program provides a safe, inclusive space for children and their families to work through what is hard and build what is strong. We serve children ages 4 to 18 and their parents or caregivers in Ocean and Monmouth Counties, with in-person sessions at our Brick office.
Our program — known as outpatient therapy through the Preferred Center for Children and Families (PCCF) — operates like traditional therapy and counseling services. A diverse team of licensed therapists addresses behavioral challenges, family dynamics, anxiety, depression, trauma, and more. Because PCCF is an outpatient program, your child receives consistent, scheduled care without the disruption of higher levels of care like inpatient or residential treatment.
When Your Child Needs Someone to Talk To
What Therapy Looks Like at PBHG
Our outpatient therapy program offers multiple session formats to match your child’s needs and your family’s situation. Whether your child does best one-on-one, alongside family, or with peers working through similar challenges, we structure care around them.
Individual Counseling
One-on-one sessions between your child and a licensed therapist. Your child's counselor uses age-appropriate approaches to help them understand their emotions, develop coping strategies, and work through specific challenges. For younger children, this may include play-based techniques. For teens, sessions are more conversational and goal-oriented.
Family Therapy
Family sessions bring parents and children together to address dynamics, communication breakdowns, and conflict patterns. The therapist works with the whole family to build healthier relationships and shared understanding. Family therapy is particularly effective when a child's challenges are connected to changes at home, parenting struggles, or sibling conflict.
Group Therapy
Group sessions connect your child with peers who are working through similar challenges. These sessions build social skills, reduce isolation, and provide a structured space for practicing coping strategies with the support of a licensed clinician.
Our Approach: Trauma-Informed and Child-Centered
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Our therapists are trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), an evidence-based treatment specifically designed for children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. Delivered through weekly outpatient sessions, TF-CBT helps children process traumatic experiences, develop healthy coping skills, and rebuild a sense of safety. It also includes a parent component, helping caregivers support their child's recovery between sessions.
Beyond TF-CBT, our clinicians draw on a range of evidence-based, developmentally appropriate approaches — including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), EMDR, play therapy, sand play therapy, and art therapy. Your child's therapist matches the approach to your child's age, needs, and the way they best express themselves, so younger children and teens each receive care that fits.
A Sensory-Friendly, Welcoming Space
We know that walking into a clinical setting can feel overwhelming for a child who is already anxious or struggling. Our offices are designed to be sensory-friendly and trauma-informed, with a dedicated child waiting area and play space. Our therapists create a calm, welcoming environment from the moment your family walks in. We are inclusive of all backgrounds, and Spanish-speaking support staff are available.
How We Work with Schools and Your Child's Care Team
One of the things that sets PBHG apart from a solo private practice is how our outpatient clinicians collaborate beyond the therapy room. Our therapists coordinate with school counselors, pediatricians, and other providers in your child’s life to deliver integrated care. The progress your child makes in counseling is supported and reinforced in the classroom and at home.
If your child needs support for an IEP or 504 Plan, our clinical team works alongside PBHG’s psychiatry division to provide the documentation and advocacy schools require.
Part of a Full Continuum of Care
Outpatient therapy is the entry point of our continuum of care for children and families — the level where most families begin, and where many stay. Your child’s therapy is the starting point. If your child’s therapist determines that a psychiatric evaluation or medication might help, we handle the referral internally — our team makes the connection and reaches out to your family directly to schedule, so you are never sent to start over with a separate provider. Our therapists and prescribers work as one team for continuity of care. And if your child needs a step up or step down in care from outpatient therapy, the transition is seamless because everything happens within PBHG.
Our therapy and counseling program connects to:
- For diagnostic assessments and clinical documentation
- When medication may support your child’s progress
IEP and 504 school advocacy
- Clinical documentation that unlocks school accommodations
Getting Started
Scheduling, Insurance, and Access
- We offer flexible scheduling to fit your family's life. Sessions are generally 45 minutes and are scheduled weekly or every other week, depending on your child's needs. In-person sessions are available at our Brick office (1500 Route 88) and our Eatontown office. Evening appointments are available until 8 p.m., and Saturday sessions are offered from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- While in-person care works best for most children, telehealth may be available on a case-by-case basis — generally for adolescents — when it is clinically appropriate.
- We want to make sure cost is not a barrier to getting your child the support they need. We accept most major insurance plans, including Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare. Please contact us to verify your specific coverage for outpatient behavioral health services and to learn about payment options.
Your Next Step
If your child could benefit from a safe space to talk, to learn coping skills, and to be truly understood — our therapy and counseling team is here. We serve families across Toms River, Brick, Lakewood, Middletown, Barnegat, Eatontown, and throughout Ocean and Monmouth Counties.
Call us at 732-367-4700 to schedule your child’s first session. No referral is required — parents can contact us directly.
We're Here To Help
Preferred Behavioral Health Group provides multiple youth and adult services to address emotional, mental, and behavioral health issues. However, some situations require different services. If your child is experiencing life-threatening danger or the immediate risk of harming themselves, you must take them to the nearest emergency room or dial 911 for immediate assistance.