Big Emotions Don't Have to Stay Tangled
Sometimes the loudest emotions and behaviors come from thoughts that feel too tangled to explain. For children, this might show up as meltdowns, worries, acting out, or struggling at school. For teens and young adults, this may look like anger, anxiety, isolation, perfectionism, or feeling stuck.
As a child and teen therapist, my role isn't to "fix" your child. It's to create a safe space where tangled thoughts begin to make sense, emotions become easier to understand, and new skills can be developed to navigate life's challenges with confidence.
Meet Ruth Song, LPC-Associate #103230
Supervised by Acelli Crippen-Kok, LPC-S #76055
As both an educator and counselor to children and teens, I've spent my career walking alongside young people and the adults who care about them. Whether in the classroom, working with families, or sitting across from a young person in a counseling session, one thing has remained true: everyone deserves to feel heard, understood, and supported.
My path to counseling has given me the opportunity to work with children, teens, young adults, and parents in a variety of settings. I've supported high school students in a rural community, partnered with families navigating significant challenges through Child Protective Services referrals, and spent years as an elementary educator helping students and parents navigate the everyday pressures of school.
Those experiences have shown me that challenging behaviors rarely tell the whole story. Behind anxiety, anger, withdrawal, or acting out is often a young person doing the best they can with the tools they have. My role is to help them make sense of what they're feeling while equipping them with practical skills they can use in everyday life.
I also believe parents are an essential part of the process. Therapy doesn't happen in isolation, and you shouldn't have to carry the weight of supporting your child alone. I'll partner with you, offering guidance, encouragement, and practical strategies as we work together toward meaningful change.
My goal is simple: to create a warm, welcoming space where young people feel safe enough to untangle big feelings, discover their strengths, and move forward with greater confidence.
I'd be honored to walk alongside your family.
Services
Counseling for Children
The upper elementary years can bring big emotions, new challenges, and so many changes! I help kids develop the emotional and practical skills they need to feel more confident and independent at school, at home, and in their relationships.
Counseling for Teens
As both an educator and counselor, I get the pressures teens face in balancing school, relationships, family expectations, and their own growing independence. The teenage years bring new challenges, greater independence, and important questions about identity and belonging. I provide a supportive space where teens can explore who they are, navigate life's challenges, and develop the confidence and skills to move forward with resilience.
My Approach
First and foremost, I believe that every young person deserves a space where they feel safe, understood, and accepted just as they are. Every child is unique, so I tailor each session to their individual needs, strengths, and goals.
Rather than simply talking about challenges, we work together to build specific skills that support success at home, at school, and in relationships. Whether we're strengthening emotional regulation, improving communication, developing executive functioning skills, or learning healthy coping strategies, therapy is focused on helping young people create lasting, skills and healthy, happy relationships.
Because every child and teen is different, therapy is never one-size-fits-all. I meet each client where they are and tailor our sessions to their unique personality, needs, and goals.
Some days, therapy may happen over a game of cards or a round of Uno. Other days, we may use art or other creative activities to explore emotions and practice new skills. And sometimes, meaningful work happens simply by sitting together and talking. No matter what a session looks like, my goal is to create a space where my clients feel comfortable, understood, and empowered to grow.
Why Song Counseling Co
As a therapist and educator, I understand the unique challenges children, teens, and parents face both inside and outside the classroom.
Children and teens today are growing up in a world where technology connects us more than ever, yet many are struggling to navigate the emotions and relationships that exist in real-life. They need safe spaces and trusted adults who can help them understand their emotions, work through challenges, and learn how to build healthy, meaningful relationships.
As a child and teen therapist, I know that behavior is communication. Rather than focusing only on what's "wrong," I work to understand what's underneath the behavior while helping clients develop practical skills they can use every day.
Whether we're working on emotional regulation, executive functioning, family communication, or navigating life's transitions, my goal is to help clients feel heard, capable, and connected.
I offer child and teen therapy in Cedar Park, TX as well as virtually for clients living anywhere in Texas.
FAQ
Rates
HOW MUCH ARE SESSIONS? DO YOU ACCEPT INSURANCE?
Sessions are $100 for children, teens, and families and are 45-50 minutes long.
No, I do not accept insurance at this time.
DO YOU OFFER A SLIDING SCALE?
I do not offer a sliding scale. However, I am an Open Path Collective partner. This is a nationwide non-profit organization that partners with mental health professionals to offer affordable services to those in need. I have limited spaces for Open Path clients. Feel free to check out my Open Path profile if you would like to learn more.
"NO SURPRISES ACT"
Effective January 1, 2022, if you’re uninsured or don’t plan to submit your claim to your health plan, health care providers and facilities must provide you with a “good faith estimate” of expected charges before you get an item or service. The good faith estimate isn’t a bill.
Providers and facilities must give you a good faith estimate if you ask for one, or when you schedule an item or service. It should include expected charges for the primary item or service you’re getting, and any other items or services provided as part of the same scheduled experience.
About Therapy
WHAT AGES DO YOU WORK WITH
I offer counseling for children and teens from 8 - 20 yeaers old.
WHAT CONCERNS DO YOU WORK WITH
I work with children and teens who are experiencing:
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depression
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anxiety
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self-esteem issues
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behavioral concerns at school or home
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executive functioning deficiencies
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stress related to school, athletics, family changes
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divorce, remarriage
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grief
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relationship issues including bullying
WHAT TYPE OF THERAPY DO YOU PROVIDE
I offer a mix of talk therapy and play therapy based on the age and needs of the young person. I am also certified in Parent-Child-Interaction-Therapy.
HOW DOES COUNSELING WORK
We’ll begin with a free 15-minute phone call to talk about what you and your child or teen are experiencing. After that, you can choose to schedule counseling either in person or virtually.
In our first counseling session, you will usually join with your young person. This is so we can better understand what’s going on and set therapy goals together.
After the first session, I generally ask that parents join for the first 10 minutes of each session so I can briefly check in and coordinate next steps.
WILL I KNOW WHAT MY CHILD TALKS ABOUT IN THERAPY
Children and teens need a private space to speak openly. I will protect their privacy while keeping you informed about overall progress, treatment goals, and ways you can provide support at home. I will share information if there is a concern about your child’s safety or the safety of someone else, or when disclosure is otherwise required by law.
WHAT IF MY CHILD TELLS YOU SOMETHING CONCERNING
If I believe your child may be at risk of harming themselves or someone else, or is being harmed or at risk of harm, I will take steps to protect their safety and involve the appropriate caregivers or emergency supports. I will include your child in this process whenever possible.
CAN I CONTACT YOU TO ASK HOW THERAPY IS GOING
Yes. You are welcome to contact me with questions or concerns. Because therapy is confidential, I may not be able to share specific details about what your child discusses. I can, however, discuss general progress, treatment goals, and ways to support your child.
WILL YOU COMMUNICATE WITH MY CHILD'S SCHOOL, DOCTOR, OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL
I can coordinate with other professionals involved in your child’s care when appropriate and when I have the required written permission. Collaboration can be helpful for creating consistent support across settings.
WHAT IF MY CHILD REFUSES TO ATTEND
Please contact me so we can discuss the situation. We can consider ways to make the first visit less stressful and determine whether a parent consultation or another approach would be appropriate.
WHAT HAPPENS IF WE NEED TO CANCEL OR RESCHEDULE
Please provide at least 24 hours’ notice. Cancellations with less notice or missed appointments may be subject to a fee of $65.
What Concerns Do You Work With
I work with children and teens who are experiencing depression, anxiety, and self-esteem issues. I also work with students who struggke at school and home due to attention or behavioral issues, In addition, I work with young people who are navigating transitions in their family such as divorce, remarriage, and death of a family member.
Will I know what my child talks about in therapy?
Children and teens need a private space to speak openly. I will protect their privacy while keeping you informed about overall progress, treatment goals, and ways you can provide support at home. I will share information if there is a concern about your child’s safety or the safety of someone else, or when disclosure is otherwise required by law.
What if my child tells you something concerning?
If I believe your child may be at risk of harming themselves or someone else, or is being harmed or at risk of harm, I will take steps to protect their safety and involve the appropriate caregivers or emergency supports. I will include your child in this process whenever possible.
Can I contact you to ask how therapy is going?
Yes. You are welcome to contact me with questions or concerns. Because therapy is confidential, I may not be able to share specific details about what your child discusses. I can, however, discuss general progress, treatment goals, and ways to support your child.
Will you communicate with my child’s school, doctor, or another provider?
I can coordinate with other professionals involved in your child’s care when appropriate and when I have the required written permission. Collaboration can be helpful for creating consistent support across settings.