Counseling for Children, Teens, & Parents

Intentional & Connection-Driven Counseling

Masone Counseling provides a safe space for children, teens, and parents navigating the challenges of growing up. Life can be tough, no matter your age, and healing often feels like a journey—but you don’t have to walk it alone. Whether you’re seeking guidance to help your child make sense of his or her emotions, looking for ways to support your child through difficult times, or trying to care for your own mental health, I’m here to help. I specialize in supporting kids, teens, and families through trauma, depression, anxiety, and PTSD in ways that feel comfortable, meaningful, and authentic. Together, we’ll explore new ways to reconnect, find balance, and restore peace.

masone counseling services

Masone Counseling - Therapy Services

Trauma-Informed Therapy for Children & Adults

Working with kids, finding a way to connect with teenagers, and supporting adults with their “grown up” problems require different approaches and skillsets. When it comes to therapy, there is no one-size-fits-all. Every story is different, and every client is unique, which means people respond differently to various therapeutic approaches. I’ve found great success with EMDR and trauma-informed care, and I feel confident that we will craft a style that works for you and your child to unlock your greatest potential.

Specialized Counseling for Teens

Teenagers often deal with issues like peer pressure, body image struggles, social media influence, and emotional upheaval, all of which can be compounded by trauma. A specialized approach for teenagers that addresses the unique challenges they face during this turbulent phase of life, one focused on managing anger, depression, risky behaviors, self-harm, and relationship struggles, can help restore balance. A trauma-informed perspective is used to help teens navigate emotional difficulties, build resilience, and establish healthier coping mechanisms. The therapeutic goal is to foster a better connection between teens and their families as they navigate stress and conflict while also providing support for all parties.

Compassionate child counseling services are aimed at addressing a range of behavioral and emotional challenges. These services are designed for children aged 2 and up and often focus on issues such as aggression, tantrums, difficulty with authority, sibling conflicts, depression, and self-harming behaviors. My approach helps children express and process their emotions. Building trust in a safe, supportive environment is key, and caregivers are actively involved to ensure a consistent and collaborative support system. Therapy aims to foster resilience, emotional intelligence, and long-term mental health, helping children develop self-regulation and a positive sense of self-worth.

Being a parent is a hard job; finding peace in the chaos to care for your own mental health while supporting your child is even harder. But you don’t have to do it alone. I work to support parents who are caught in recurring patterns of conflict with their child or teen, as well as those who struggle to maintain equilibrium, regulate their emotions, and find a sense of peace. I work with clients to discover their voices after trauma, regain control of their lives, and find balance as a parent and as an individual.

The Benefits of a Consultation

Getting Started with Therapy 

Transformative work in therapy is hard, and I have intentionally created a space where clients can feel welcome and at ease during that process. I assure you that I will carefully help you navigate the challenging terrain of trauma and emerge on the other side stronger and more resilient than ever. I consult with every client for free before ever booking the first appointment. I always want to ensure that we are a good match and that you feel comfortable placing yourself, your trust, and your child in my care. Let’s schedule a time to talk today!

Book a Free Consultation

Let’s talk. Click the link or fill out the contact form below with your consultation request. I’ll get back to you within 24 hours (excluding weekends). We’ll schedule 15 minutes to just talk.

01

Schedule your Initial Appointment

If we both feel that our communication styles and needs fit, we’ll schedule your first appointment. We can work in person or virtually, though younger children most benefit from an in-person play therapy environment.

02

Rest in Routine Counseling

Maintaining a routine of therapy makes all the difference. We start with once a week to gain momentum, and then we increase or decrease frequency as needed. Building healthy habits starts here.

03

Authentic Connective Counseling

Masone Counseling Services: Counseling by Samantha Masone

Hi I’m Samantha Masone, a licensed professional counselor. I am a compassionate and direct clinician specializing in trauma-informed therapy for clients of all ages, with a particular focus on children aged 2 and up. I help individuals navigate emotional challenges such as PTSD, self-harm, and anxiety through modalities like play therapy, EMDR, and art therapy. My approach fosters a supportive environment where clients feel seen and heard, empowering them to build self-esteem, improve relationships, and overcome obstacles. With a deep commitment to helping people heal and grow, I strive to guide clients through their journey toward personal growth and well-being.

I invite you to schedule a free consultation to discuss the unique needs of your child or yourself and find out how, together, we can find balance and restore peace.

masone counseling services

Get Your Child Talking & Restore Your Peace - Your First Step Starts Here

Starting therapy can feel challenging, especially if it’s your first experience. I invite you to reach out so we can address any concerns you may have. This will also give you the opportunity to explore my clinical approach and determine whether our values align, ensuring you feel confident in both your comfort and the potential outcome. Let’s talk.

Contact Us

FAQ

Ask Your Child & Parenting Therapist

What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), developed by Francine Shapiro in 1987, uses bilateral stimulation (like eye movement) to help process “stuck” memories. Based on the Adaptive Information Processing model, it is a non-invasive therapy that effectively resolves traumatic memories without retraumatizing clients. EMDR is clinically proven to be highly effective, with clients reporting better outcomes and less pain than other therapies. For more details, see the clinical reports on EMDR.

Yes, I have had great success working with clients who have experienced or are still recovering from trauma, PTSD, panic attacks, suicidal ideation, or self-harm. I often use a trauma-informed approach that allows for a deeper connection and understanding, especially with teens.

No, but I work with Mentaya, a company that helps clients calculate their out-of-network benefits and file claims directly without the need to submit superbills. Average private pay rates are $175 per session.

Sessions are scheduled for 53 minutes, leaving time for any necessary paperwork.

With new patients, I recommend starting with once a week to gain momentum; after that, we can increase or decrease frequency as needed.

Both options are available, though in-person sessions can provide better results with children to allow for different types of therapeutic activities and connection with them. However, I do understand that often your personal safe space works best for open conversations, and I am happy to accommodate virtual sessions across the state of Virginia. 

There is no simple answer to this question. Some clients finish within 3 months, and some stay for years. Change takes time, especially when there is a significant trauma background. At the same time, we don’t believe in doing therapy for the sake of doing therapy. We want you to feel better and move on! I will continuously check in with you on treatment goals and your progress. When you feel ready, I will cheer you on to start the next chapter of your life.

Finding a perfect therapist can be really hard, and I wholeheartedly support your desire to make sure we are a good match. Research supports that a positive therapeutic relationship is a key factor in determining how successful therapy will be. I also want to make sure that I have the skills and expertise you need. That is why a free 15-minute consultation is so important. Please note that we will not initiate services unless we meet for an initial consultation to ensure a good therapeutic match.

First-time clients must fill out the contact form and undergo the initial free consultation. Once you are a regular client, you will be provided direct scheduling information.

Maintaining confidentiality is a fundamental ethical principle for mental health professionals. So, to answer briefly, yes, the law protects any verbal or written communication between client and therapist. No disclosure will be made without prior discussion and obtaining consent from the client.

However, there are a few exceptions to this rule:

  1. Danger to Self or Others: If a therapist believes that a client poses a serious and immediate risk to himself/herself or others, she has a duty to protect and may need to involve emergency services or notify the intended victim.
  2. Child or Elder Abuse: Therapists are mandated reporters, which means they are required by law to report any suspicions of child or elder abuse.
  3. Court Orders and Legal Proceedings: In some cases, a court may issue a subpoena requiring a therapist to provide client records or testify in court.