Counseling and testing for children and teens, with parents involved, at our Plano (Mapleshade) office or online.
You know your child best. When you notice more worry, tears, meltdowns, defiance, school trouble or withdrawal than usual, it helps to have experienced people in your corner. Therapy gives children and teens skills for handling big feelings and gives parents a clear plan.
Our Mapleshade office in south Plano sees children and teens from Plano, Richardson, Addison, Carrollton and Far North Dallas, in person or online.
Melissa Woods has evaluated hundreds of children and teens alongside senior psychologists from UT Southwestern and treats traumatic stress in young people with the ARC approach; she also provides ADHD, learning and psychological testing and works in Spanish. Alisha Garcia specializes in children, adolescents, defiant children and teens, and parent training. Maggie Smith has run treatment groups for children and teens at Children’s Health in Dallas.
Assistant Director · LPC-S, LPA
Melissa has a knack for getting right to the heart of the matter. A leader among GearingUP's clinicians, she brings creativity and care to her work, especially with children, teens and families facing trauma.
Clinical Supervisor · LPC
Alisha brings a soothing presence and a fresh perspective to every session. She works to make therapy feel warm and nurturing while still helping clients make real, lasting progress.
Clinical Therapist · LPC
Warm and poised, Maggie has spent much of her career with kids and teens, helping them build coping skills and helping their parents connect with them more effectively.
For a child, the first appointment is with a parent and a senior GearingUP clinician. We learn what is going on, what you have tried, and what you hope will change. When the picture is unclear, we may recommend psychological testing, such as an ADHD or learning evaluation, which our Plano team can provide.
Therapy is matched to your child’s age and needs. Younger children learn skills through play and practice, and teens build DBT and CBT skills for emotions, stress and relationships. Parents are coached alongside, so progress carries over at home and at school.
Learn more about kids and teens therapy and parenting and family therapy at GearingUP.
Our Mapleshade office is on Mapleshade Lane in south Plano. Teen sessions, and some sessions for children, are also available online.
Clients come to this office from
Plano, Richardson, Addison, Carrollton, Far North Dallas
Yes. Our Plano team provides ADHD, learning, educational and psychological testing, and the results shape your child’s treatment plan. Learn about testing.
Yes. Our Mapleshade clinicians work with oppositional and defiant children and teens and coach parents in practical ways to respond, so home feels calmer for everyone.
Melissa Woods conducts therapy and assessments in Spanish. Ask our team when you call.
Yes. GearingUP is in-network with most major insurance plans, including Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield of Texas, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Optum and Baylor Scott & White, and the same plans apply at our Plano (Mapleshade) office. No outside referral is needed, and sliding scale fees are available based on income. Our team checks your benefits and explains your coverage before your first session. See insurance and rates.
The DBT program at Gearing up is life transforming!! My Therapyst Dr Nathalie is a rockstar., Subject matter expert, practical and in depth. She has radically guided me in changing my life I will forever be grateful to her and the whole DBT program at Gearing up!! I highly reccomed both.
Our initial parent meeting could not have gone more smoothly. The doctor was friendly, personable, knowledgeable, and reassuring. Can't wait to get started with the process!
Blanca is so awesome! Before starting our skills she always asks how my week has been and catches up from the last time we spoke instead of jumping in the lesson right away.
Omari is great with my 6 year old son. My son feels completely comfortable with him and looks forward to the days he gets to go to Omari’s office. I do feel like it is helping him figure out all those big emotions he experiences and how to handle them.
Dr. Gearing was incredibly friendly and receptive and listened closely to my concerns. Her and her team quickly formulated a plan that would work for me and my son and scheduled the appointments. This has been a more than positive experience so far.
Antonette is amazing! She is engaging and thorough in her skills sessions. Our individual sessions are so helpful as well. She validates my feelings and helps me to understand them even when I can’t always articulate them clearly!
or call (972) 596-7229