Child & Teen Therapy in Cary, NC - Clinicians Who Connect With Young People
Licensed therapists helping children and teenagers in Cary and the Triangle with anxiety, low mood, behaviour and anger, ADHD, school struggles, and family transitions - with parents coached, not sidelined. In-person and telehealth available.
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Free 15-min consultation - no commitment needed.
Therapy Built for Young People, Not Scaled-Down Adult Therapy
Children and teenagers rarely announce that they're struggling. It shows up as stomachaches before school, meltdowns over small things, grades sliding, a withdrawn kid who used to be chatty, or a teenager whose door is now permanently closed.
Child and teen therapy at Fresh Breath Therapy meets young people where they are developmentally. For younger children that means creative, play-based work, because play is how they process. For older children and teens it means CBT, DBT skills, and practical work on the specific thing that's hard.
Parents are part of it throughout. You'll get coaching on how to respond at home - which is often where the fastest change comes from - while your child keeps age-appropriate privacy. We'll be explicit with everyone about where that line sits.
Book a Parent Consultation →
What We Help Children & Teens With in Cary
Trust your instincts. If something has clearly shifted for more than a few weeks, that's reason enough for a professional look.
Anxiety & Worry
School and social worry, physical complaints, panic, and the avoidance that quietly narrows a child's world.
Depression & Low Mood
Persistent sadness, lost interest in things they loved, low energy, and withdrawal lasting more than a couple of weeks.
Behaviour & Anger
Outbursts, defiance, and impulsivity that are straining the whole household - plus what's driving them underneath.
ADHD Support
Focus, organization, and emotional regulation strategies that work with how their brain functions rather than against it.
School Struggles
Underperformance, school refusal, test anxiety, and social difficulty that's interfering with learning.
Social Difficulties & Bullying
Trouble making or keeping friends, social anxiety, and being bullied - including rebuilding confidence afterwards.
Family Transitions
Divorce, blended families, a new sibling, relocation, or loss - and the behavioural fallout that comes with big change.
Self-Esteem & Identity
Negative self-talk, perfectionism, body image, and identity questions - including LGBTQ+ identity, in an affirming space.
Grief & Hard Experiences
A death, a frightening event, or a family upheaval that hasn't been talked through properly with anyone.
Developmentally Appropriate, Evidence-Based Care
What works for an eight-year-old isn't what works for a sixteen-year-old. We match the approach to your child's age, personality, and what they're dealing with.
Creative & Play-Based Work
For younger children, play and creative activity are how emotions get processed - a natural route into coping skills long before they can talk it through.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
For older children and teens: identifying unhelpful thought patterns and building more balanced, resilient ways of responding.
DBT Skills
Practical skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and getting through intense moments without it escalating.
Parent Coaching
What to say and do at home - the piece that usually accelerates everything, because most of a child's week happens outside our office.
School Collaboration
Where it helps and you consent, coordinating with teachers and counsellors so supports at school line up with the work here.
Trauma-Informed Care
Safety, choice, and pacing throughout. A child who has been through something hard is never pushed to talk before they're ready.
How Getting Started Works
Why Cary Families Choose Fresh Breath Therapy
Child & Teen Specialists
Practice owner Kaylee Meyers, LCSW specializes in children, teens, and young adults - and several of our Cary clinicians work primarily with young people.
Our Largest Team
Eight licensed clinicians in Cary means we can match your child on personality as well as need, which matters enormously at this age.
Parents Coached, Not Sidelined
You'll get concrete guidance for home, not a closed door and a vague update. Family sessions available when they'd help.
Clear About Confidentiality
We explain exactly what's shared and what isn't - to you and your child - upfront, including safety exceptions.
Insurance & Self-Pay
We accept major insurance plans including BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, and United Health. Call us to verify your specific benefits before the first appointment.
Telehealth Statewide
Between school, activities, and work schedules, telehealth is often the difference between therapy happening and not.
Serving Cary, Apex, Morrisville & Holly Springs
Our Cary therapy office is located at 125 Edinburgh South Dr, Suite 210 - easily accessible from Apex, Morrisville, Holly Springs, RTP, and surrounding communities. Telehealth available statewide.
For children and teens in Cary you'll be matched with practice owner Kaylee Meyers, LCSW, who specializes in children, teens, and young adults with CBT, EMDR, and family therapy; Naja Cotton, LCSWA, focused on anxiety, ADHD, and academic stress; Ashley West, LCSWA, working with children and adolescents using CBT, DBT, and mindfulness; or Jaimy Summerlin, LCSW, who works with children and families.
Each therapist is licensed, supervised, and committed to the highest standards of ethical, compassionate care. Sessions are available Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 7 PM.
Book Your Appointment →Meet the Cary Team
Meet the clinicians at our Cary office who work with children, teens, and families.
Kaylee Meyers
Practice owner specializing in children, teens, and young adults - expert in CBT, EMDR, and family therapy with creative therapeutic approaches.
Naja Cotton
Dedicated therapist focused on resilience building with children and teens - supporting anxiety, ADHD, and academic stress.
Ashley West
Warm, person-centered therapist supporting children and adolescents through anxiety, depression, trauma, and attachment using CBT, DBT, and mindfulness.
Jaimy Summerlin
Experienced clinical social worker providing compassionate therapy to children, families, and individuals with a warm, person-centered approach.
Serving These Needs Across Cary & the Triangle
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my child actually needs therapy?+
Trust your instincts. If you've noticed a real change in behaviour, mood, school performance, or social engagement lasting more than a few weeks - and it isn't explained by something obvious and temporary - a consultation is worth it. We'll be honest if we don't think therapy is needed yet.
Will my child talk to a stranger?+
Usually more openly than parents expect, especially with a clinician skilled at building rapport with young people. We move at your child's pace - the first session is about connection, not extracting information.
What will you tell me about my child's sessions?+
For younger children, parents get fairly detailed updates and coaching. For teens, you'll get progress and themes rather than a transcript, because privacy is what makes their honesty possible. Safety is always the exception, and we explain the line to everyone upfront.
Do you do play therapy?+
For younger children we use creative, play-based approaches, since play is how children process emotion. If your child needs formal Play Therapy specifically, ask us at your consultation - Holly Gammon, LMFT in our Greensboro office works with Play Therapy, and we'll be straight with you about the best fit.
How long will therapy take?+
Many children and teens show meaningful change within 12 to 20 sessions, with smaller shifts often inside the first month. Trauma, long-standing depression, or ongoing family conflict take longer. Your therapist will give you an honest read after the assessment.
Do you serve Apex, Morrisville, and Holly Springs?+
Yes. Our Cary office on Edinburgh South Dr serves families from across the Triangle, including Apex, Morrisville, Holly Springs, RTP, and west Raleigh. Telehealth is also available anywhere in North Carolina.
Your Child Doesn't Have to Figure This Out Alone
Getting support early is shorter and easier than getting it late. Start with a free 15-minute parent consultation - no commitment, and no pressure on your child.