Counseling for Children in Fresno & Visalia

Counseling for Children & Teens

At Ascend Behavioral Health, we believe that every child deserves the chance to grow, heal, and thrive. Our child counseling services in Fresno and Visalia are designed to support children and families facing emotional, behavioral, or developmental challenges.

Ascend provides a full range of mental health services across Central Valley. Our clinicians specialize in working with children who may be struggling with anxiety, ADHD, behavioral issues, grief, or low self-esteem.

Whether your child is facing daily stressors or complex emotional challenges, Ascend offers a supportive environment where healing can begin—through empathy, play, and evidence-based care.

Call us today to learn more or to schedule a confidential consultation. We accept most major private insurance providers.

Key Takeaways
  • Ascend Behavioral Health provides child counseling in Fresno and Visalia, offering evidence-based therapy for children facing anxiety, ADHD, behavioral issues, grief, trauma, and low self-esteem.

  • Families can access a full range of services—including play therapy, CBT for kids, individual therapy, family counseling, and behavioral therapy—delivered by licensed child therapists, psychologists, and psychiatric providers.

  • Ascend supports children across the Central Valley with in-person and telehealth counseling, flexible schedules, and acceptance of Medi-Cal and major insurance plans.

  • What does child counseling help with? It teaches emotional regulation, coping skills, communication, and resilience while addressing emotional, social, and behavioral challenges.

Table of Contents

Therapist conducting Child counseling in fresno and visalia.
Understanding the Importance of Child Counseling

Childhood is a period of tremendous growth, but also of vulnerability. Changes in school, friendships, or family dynamics can deeply impact a child’s emotional well-being. Without support, these challenges can lead to lasting struggles with confidence, behavior, or mental health.

Our child therapists help children process emotions in healthy ways, express themselves safely, and build resilience that lasts into adulthood. Counseling provides a bridge between emotional distress and emotional understanding—helping children learn how to manage their feelings, communicate needs, and strengthen relationships.

Common reasons families seek child counseling include:

  • Anxiety, sadness, or excessive worry
  • Difficulty focusing or symptoms of ADHD
  • Behavioral outbursts or defiance
  • Trouble adjusting to school transitions or family changes
  • Low self-esteem or social withdrawal
  • Grief, trauma, or exposure to stressful environments

 

No challenge is too small to address. At Ascend, early intervention is key to helping children and families find stability, connection, and hope.

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Ascend Behavioral Health | ascendstar 1
Our Child Counseling Services

At our counseling centers in Fresno County and Visalia, we offer a wide range of therapy services tailored to each child’s developmental stage, personality, and goals. Every treatment plan is personalized to meet your child where they are—emotionally and cognitively—while supporting the entire family system

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Play Therapy

Play is a child’s first language. Through play therapy, children express emotions, explore experiences, and learn new ways to cope with challenges. Our child therapists use toys, art, and games to help children process feelings they may not have words for. Play therapy is especially effective for children experiencing anxiety, trauma, or behavioral issues.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps children understand how their thoughts, feelings, and actions are connected. By identifying unhelpful thought patterns, kids learn how to replace them with positive coping skills. Our CBT programs are age-appropriate and highly engaging—perfect for school-aged children and adolescents working on managing anxiety, anger, or self-esteem.

Individual Therapy

In individual therapy, children work one-on-one with a licensed child therapist to build emotional awareness and coping strategies. These sessions focus on improving mood, problem-solving skills, and communication, while also providing a safe space for self-expression.

Family Therapy & Counseling

Family plays a crucial role in a child’s growth. Our family therapy and family counseling sessions bring parents and caregivers into the healing process. Together, we address communication breakdowns, establish healthy routines, and resolve conflicts that may contribute to stress at home.

Our goal is not to assign blame, but to foster teamwork—helping families strengthen bonds and create supportive home environments.

Behavioral Therapy

Our behavioral health clinicians help children manage disruptive or impulsive behaviors through positive reinforcement, structure, and emotional education. These interventions are especially effective for children with ADHD, conduct issues, or difficulty regulating emotions.

Therapist conducting Child counseling in fresno and visalia.

Our Approach: Evidence-Based and Heart-Centered

At Ascend, we combine evidence-based psychotherapy with compassionate, developmentally appropriate care. Our approach is rooted in the understanding that every child is unique—so every treatment plan must be too.

Our therapy services may integrate:

  • CBT and DBT principles to promote emotional regulation
  • Mindfulness techniques to reduce anxiety and improve focus
  • Psychodynamic play to address early life experiences
  • Parent coaching to align home strategies with clinical goals

Our licensed clinicians—including LMFTs, LCSWs, psychologists, and psychiatric providers—work collaboratively to ensure continuity of care. From intake and psychological testing to progress evaluation, your family will be supported every step of the way.

Child Therapy in a Supportive Environment

We know that stepping into counseling can be intimidating for both children and parents. That’s why we’ve designed our counseling centers in Fresno and Visalia to feel welcoming, safe, and child-friendly.

Each space encourages openness and curiosity, whether sessions take place in-person or via telehealth. Our therapists are skilled at helping even the shyest children feel comfortable enough to engage, share, and grow.

We also offer flexible scheduling to accommodate school hours and family commitments—because your child’s healing should fit naturally into daily life.

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Integrated Care for Emotional and Behavioral Growth

Our mental health services go beyond symptom relief. We look at the whole child—their environment, relationships, school experiences, and biological factors—to design a treatment plan that supports total wellness.

Our programs often address:

  • Anxiety and mood disorders
  • ADHD and attention difficulties
  • Behavioral issues and impulsivity
  • Family transitions such as divorce or relocation
  • Academic stressors and peer conflicts
  • Early childhood development through infant mental health interventions

By working closely with parents, teachers (when appropriate), and healthcare providers, our team ensures consistent, compassionate care that promotes both stability and independence.

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Ascend Behavioral Health | ascendstar 1

Why Families Choose Ascend Behavioral Health

Families throughout Fresno County and Visalia choose Ascend because we combine clinical excellence with compassion. We are more than a counseling center—we’re a partner in your child’s development and emotional healing.

What sets Ascend apart:

  • Specialized care for children and adolescents
  • A diverse team of licensed child therapists and clinicians
  • Acceptance of Medi-Cal and other major insurance plans
  • Options for telehealth and in-person therapy
  • A warm, family-centered atmosphere focused on real growth
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Every child who walks through our doors is met with respect, empathy, and hope. We don’t just treat problems—we nurture potential.

Admissions Process

We know that asking for help takes courage. Getting in touch is the first step. We’re here for you, no matter what. Once submitted, our admissions team will be in touch within 24 hours.

Or call us directly to get started: 559-472-3371

Consent

Initial Assessment & Medication Evaluation

Making sure that you or your teen are assessed for optimal care.

Individualized Treatment Plan

We craft a treatment plan tailored to suite individual needs.

Medication Management

Our clinicians make sure there is access to needed medication.

Follow Up Psychiatry Visits

We make sure you or your teen are taken care of after stay.

Begin Your Child’s Counseling Journey Today

If your child is struggling with emotions, behavior, or self-confidence, early intervention can make all the difference. Ascend Behavioral Health is here to provide the tools, care, and understanding your family needs.

Our child counseling and family therapy programs in Fresno and Visalia are built on the belief that healing happens when children feel seen, heard, and supported. Together, we’ll help your child build confidence, strengthen relationships, and rediscover joy.

Call (559) 472-3371 today to schedule your first appointment or request a referral. Ascend Behavioral Health—where healing, growth, and emotional wellness begin.

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Therapist conducting Child counseling in fresno and visalia.
Picture of Reviewed By: Matthew Tatum, PsyD

Reviewed By: Matthew Tatum, PsyD

Dr. Tatum received his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Rosemead School of Psychology. He has extensive experience developing and expanding behavioral health services, including residential, detoxification, and outpatient programs. As CEO of Sierra Meadows, his focus is on expanding access to care for the Central Valley.

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