Best child & adolescent counselors in Cayce
These five counselors focus their practice on children, teens, and families, and are ranked by our methodology, which weighs ratings, review volume, recency, and sentiment together.
Looking for a counselor for any age or issue, not just kids and teens? See our best counselor overall list for the broader field.
Picks are ranked by score and relevance to child & adolescent counseling, so a lower overall score can rank higher here.
At a glance
| # | Business | Score | Rating | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michelle Whitlow-Blanding, Counselor | 78 | 5 (8) | — | All-ages family therapy |
| 2 | Debbie Maxwell, Counselor | 73 | 4.8 (12) | — | Practical coping techniques |
| 3 | Nancy Winston, Counselor | 72 | 5 (12) | — | Unhurried, goal-focused sessions |
| 4 | Maggie Malaney, Counselor | 67 | 5 (3) | — | Direct, no-nonsense guidance |
| 5 | Michelle Benson, Counselor | 65 | 5 (3) | — | Calm setting for anxious kids |
Ranked picks
Michelle Whitlow-Blanding, Counselor
Why it ranks first
Michelle Whitlow-Blanding holds the top composite score here, built on a perfect 5-star run across eight reviews and full marks for recency and completeness. She's been an LPC since 2016 and works across individual, family, and play therapy, which matters for households juggling different-aged kids.
Pros
- 5-star reviews across all eight clients
- LPC since 2016
Watch out: Review count is still modest, so early impressions could shift as more families weigh in.
Services: mental health counseling, child adolescent counseling, career life coaching
Debbie Maxwell, Counselor
Why it ranks second
Debbie Maxwell rates 4.8 from 12 reviews, with clients consistently calling out her knowledge and the concrete techniques she sends home between sessions. She's especially praised for putting new clients at ease quickly, which helps nervous kids and teens warm up faster.
Pros
- Teaches coping techniques clients can use between sessions
- Puts new clients at ease quickly
- Clear explanations of therapeutic concepts
- Compassionate with trauma and grief cases
Watch out: One review noted she moves quickly into interventions with new trauma cases, which didn't suit everyone's pace.
Services: mental health counseling, child adolescent counseling, grief trauma counseling, career life coaching
Nancy Winston, Counselor
Why it ranks third
Nancy Winston also holds a perfect 5-star average across 12 reviews, with clients highlighting her patience and skill at setting concrete goals rather than rushing through sessions. She serves multiple age groups and offers both online and in-person appointments, useful for teens who split time between formats.
Pros
- Attentive listener who makes clients feel safe
- Skilled at goal-setting without rushing
- Online and in-person options
- Serves multiple age groups
Watch out: Some clients found the cancellation policy strict and the Summerville office phone lines hard to reach.
Services: mental health counseling, child adolescent counseling, career life coaching
Maggie Malaney, Counselor
Why it ranks fourth
Maggie Malaney has been a Licensed Professional Counselor since 2015 and is described as clear and down-to-earth, which can help teens who respond better to straight talk than a softer approach. Her review base is small, so treat this as an early but genuinely positive signal.
Pros
- Clear, direct communication style
- Down-to-earth and trustworthy
Watch out: Only three reviews so far, so there's limited track record to draw on.
Services: child adolescent counseling, mental health counseling, grief trauma counseling
Michelle Benson, Counselor
Why it ranks fifth
Michelle Benson's office is described as calm and welcoming, and reviewers point to her careful listening and focus on teaching concrete skills for managing stress and emotions, both useful traits for younger or anxious clients. Her review count is limited, so this is a promising but early-stage pick.
Pros
- Calm, welcoming office atmosphere
- Strong, attentive listening
Watch out: Based on only three reviews, so confidence in the rating is lower than others on this list.
Services: mental health counseling, child adolescent counseling, career life coaching