Anxiety & worries
Separation anxiety, fears, stomach aches before school, trouble sleeping, perfectionism, and shyness that holds them back.
Child Counseling · Prairieville, Louisiana
A child therapist in Prairieville for the worries kids can't put into words.
Children rarely say “I feel anxious.” It comes out as meltdowns, stomach aches, clinginess, trouble at school, or a sudden change in a child you know well. I'm Melissa Shaw, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 24 years of experience working with children and the families around them.
- Toddlers through elementary & up
- Confidential, in person
- Accepting new clients
What children come in for
Common reasons families call
Big feelings & behavior
Meltdowns, anger, defiance, hitting, and the tears that come out of nowhere when a child is overwhelmed.
ADHD & school struggles
Focus, following directions, homework battles, trouble making or keeping friends, and notes home from the teacher.
Family & life changes
Divorce or a blended family, a new baby, a move or a new school, the death of a grandparent or a pet, or a parent who is ill.
How I work with children
Kid-sized tools, and a plan for parents too
Young children don't sit and analyze their feelings, so we work in ways that fit them: talking, drawing, stories and practice, with CBT skills scaled down to a size a child can actually use in the moment they're upset.
Parents are part of this. You know your child better than anyone, and what happens between sessions matters more than the hour with me, so you'll leave with practical approaches to try at home and at school.
I also work with the whole family when that's what the situation calls for, and I see teens and adults, so families don't have to split across several offices.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
- Family Systems
- Strength-Based
- Christian Counseling (on request)
Practical details
Sessions, fees and location
$160Child or individual session
15 minComplimentary consultation
$280Both parents together
I don't bill insurance. Private pay keeps your child's care confidential, with no mental-health diagnosis on an insurance record and no outside limit on how long we work together. A small number of reduced-fee time slots may be available. They are limited, set at specific times, require documentation of income, and often have a waiting list, so please ask at your consultation.
Office hours
- Monday
- 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Tuesday
- 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm
- Thursday
- 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
- Friday
- 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (alternating weeks)
After-school times fill up first, so it's worth calling ahead.
Location
15655 Airline Hwy
Prairieville, LA 70769
Serving Prairieville, Gonzales, St. Amant and Baton Rouge, including the Highland Road area. All sessions are held in person, a short drive down Airline Highway.
Questions
Parents usually ask
How young a child do you see?
From toddler age up. I also see teens and adults, so siblings and parents can be seen too.
Do I stay in the room?
It depends on your child and what we are working on. Some sessions are just your child, some include you, and you will always leave knowing what we worked on and what to try at home.
Is my child too young for this?
Probably not. Children can start learning to name and handle feelings early, and a lot of the early work is really about giving parents a plan. If your child is not a fit for me, I will say so and help you find the right person.
Do you take insurance?
No. I'm private pay and accept cash or check. Sessions are $160. A small number of reduced-fee time slots may be available with documentation of income. They are limited and may have a waiting list.
Where are sessions held?
In person, at my office on Airline Highway in Prairieville. After-school times work well around school and your work schedule.
Contact
Let's talk about your child
Reach out to request a complimentary 15-minute consultation. I'll get back to you as soon as I can, usually within one business day.
To protect your privacy, please don't include detailed health information in this form. We can talk about that on the phone.