Mental Health Services
KidSHINE is a pediatric occupational therapy (OT) clinic known for its sensory-informed, movement-based approach to helping children grow in confidence, self-regulation, and participation. We are excited to now also offer dedicated mental health services through a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), who integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and solutions focused therapy techniques with KidSHINE’s unique environment of movement, play, and relational support.
Our space is intentionally designed for children who thrive when they can move, play, exercise, and engage their bodies — especially while working through emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges. Unlike traditional sit-down therapy models, KidSHINE offers a flexible, child-centered space where physical activity is used alongside counseling techniques to help children process emotions, develop coping skills, and build resilience.
What makes KidSHINE’s mental health services unique?
- CBT and evidence-based mental health strategies delivered in a sensory-informed, neurodiversity-affirming setting
- Skilled clinicians (OT and LMHC) collaborating to meet the child’s whole-body and emotional needs
- A child-centered environment where movement and play support emotional work
- A focus on safety, connection, and community, so every child feels seen, valued, and supported
Who is a good fit for KidSHINE mental health services?
- Children struggling with anxiety, worry, or mood challenges
- Kids with emotional regulation difficulties, attention needs, or executive functioning challenges
- Children who feel overwhelmed or shut down in traditional talk-based settings but come alive in playful or movement-based environments
- Families seeking mental health support in a setting that honors sensory needs, movement, and relationship-based care
Important to know: While KidSHINE has long provided emotional support through OT services, our dedicated mental health services are delivered by an LMHC and are separate from OT. These services blend structured counseling approaches like CBT with the movement-rich, sensory-friendly, and relational environment KidSHINE is known for.
What to Expect
Intake Assessment
An hour-long session with the child and caregiver(s) to complete a BioPsychoSocial assessment, so that our mental health therapist can get a good picture of the presenting problems, your child’s history and goals for mental health therapy. The basic question we want to ask is “how will we know that mental health therapy has been successful” and then discuss what we need to do to move that direction.
Treatment
Mental health sessions can occur weekly, every other week or monthly, depending on the presenting problems and goals. Sessions will be focused on your child’s mental health goals, but how the interventions look will depend a lot on what helps them be able to talk and do the counseling work-it could be swinging, it could be doing a craft or playing a game, it could be sitting in a cozy spot and playing with fidgets-whatever they need that day!
Insurance
kidSHINE is a contracted provider with:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Mass General Brigham (Allways)
We also offer affordable private pay options and may be able to take additional plans that have out of network benefits!