How To Find A Child Therapist

For many, parenting can be a meaningful and life-changing role. However, challenges can occur, and one in six children in the US has a diagnosed mental health or behavioral disorder. Seeing a child therapist can be a way to ensure your child's emotional and mental well-being is prioritized. If your child displays signs of depression, anxiety, ADHD, low self-esteem, unwanted behaviors, eating disorders, or emotional outbursts, you might benefit from seeking psychological support through a child therapist.

Why look for a child counselor? 

There are many reasons parents make the choice to reach out to a therapist for your child.

Below are a few common issues that prompt parents to look for child counseling options: 

• A mental health condition 
• Behavioral changes 
• A trauma history or past adverse event 
• Grief and loss 
• Difficulty adjusting to disabilities or health concerns
• Academic challenges
• Loneliness or social isolation
• A lack of interest in activities, hobbies, or social opportunities
• Frequent crying, mood swings, or emotional outbursts 
• Hyperactivity or lack of focus 
• Neurodiversity

A young adult and adolescent therapist are often specifically trained to help a child or teen work through distressing symptoms and improve their mental health. They often work with parents to help them make changes at home and create an integrative family plan to help the child. You and the child counselor can work together to offer your child the skills to succeed. 

There are several areas to consider when looking for a child therapist. For example, the provider should be licensed to practice therapy in your state. To be licensed, a therapist must hold at least a master's degree. If medications are suggested or sought out for your child, your therapist can refer your child for an evaluation by a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists are the only mental health professionals who can write psychiatric medication prescriptions in most states. Below are several areas to consider before choosing a provider. 

Finding a therapist with experience unique to your child's situation may benefit you. There are over 400 therapy modalities often used in the treatment of adults, and many of these treatment options can be used for a child as well. Understanding which modality a professional practices can help you make an informed decision about the type of therapy for kids best suited to your child's needs.

Price can be a factor for many parents and caregivers trying to find a therapist, with the average cost of therapy sessions in the US at $100 to $200 per session. For many, this cost may only be doable with health insurance, and many health insurance plans partially or fully cover child therapy under medical necessity. You may be responsible for a co-pay in some cases. Shop around in your area to see the average local price. 

According to the Affordable Care Act, employer-offered insurance policies must cover mental health services. If you have health insurance, you may have coverage for a therapist. However, many therapists do not accept insurance due to the requirements to apply for insurance panels. If you have insurance, starting with your insurance company's directory may help you find a list of in-network providers. You can call your health insurance company for a referral. 

Look for a therapist that is available when you need them. If you are on a waiting list or struggle to receive more than one or two sessions a month, your child may not benefit from therapy as much as they need. Sessions once a week or every other week can be beneficial for many.  

When looking for therapists, it can be important that you find someone who communicates well with you and your child. The therapist may discuss some of the techniques used in therapy with the child, and parents might be invited to sessions. Having communication upfront about what sessions and parent involvement will look like can help you prepare for your child's first session. 

Where to find a child counselor near you 

When seeking your provider, there are a few ways to connect, including the following. 

Ask your pediatrician

Your pediatrician can be a practical resource for receiving referrals. If you're seeking counseling, talk to the pediatrician about your concerns and why you think your child might benefit from support. If the pediatrician does not have a direct referral, they may know of community providers that can point you toward care. In some cases, a doctor may be able to refer you to other in-network providers. 

Online directories list a vast number of therapists with bios, insurance information, and photos. Prospective clients can scroll through the list and send messages to the therapist listed that you might align with. Many directories also have review features where you can see feedback from other parents who have used the provider's services for their child. Reading the reviews could give you valuable insight into what to expect in therapy and the techniques different professionals use. If the reviews are negative, consider seeking a different provider. 

If you want to search for an in-person children's behavioral therapist and live in a rural area, you may widen your search to a nearby zip code, town, or city. A quick Google search for "teen therapist near me" may help you find results. If you can't find anyone in a directory, widen your search by 25 miles to get more results. Some therapists listed in a directory may offer telehealth counseling through one-on-one practice that accepts insurance in your state if you have a government plan. 

If you want to find a counselor you feel comfortable trusting, ask other parents in your life if they have any recommendations for therapy. Child therapy is increasingly common, and someone in your community may have had a positive experience. If so, find out about their therapist, and decide whether you want to contact them. You can also get referrals from school counselors, religious congregations and leaders, and scout leaders.

Community mental health centers

Many communities have mental health centers where you can get matched with a therapist based on your family's needs. Many centers have sliding fee systems for low-income families. If they do not have a therapist on staff, they might also be able to refer you to other therapists and health centers in the area. These health centers are also found in rural areas where fewer psychologists and psychiatrists are employed.

The types of mental health professionals to consider

When conducting your research, you may come across various professionals. The psychological language and job titles can be confusing to understand, and reaching out to the wrong professional and paying an appointment fee can be distressing. Consider the following job roles when seeking a child provider. 

Child counselors and therapists 

Child counselors and therapists are licensed mental health providers that use different therapeutic techniques of talk therapy and other modalities to help your child address stressors, mental health concerns, and symptoms. Common types of therapy practiced by these providers include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and play therapy.

Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in the psychological forms of medical care. They attend medical school before getting a doctorate. They have a more scientific and analytic approach to mental health and are typically the only providers able to prescribe mental health medication. They can also perform diagnostic testing and sometimes offer counseling. 

Developmental psychologists 

Developmental psychologists study the changes in human development over a child's lifespan. They help a child partake in skills for healthy development. Though they often work in research or clinical settings, you may see their work in school settings or as a therapist in one-on-one practice.  

School psychologists 

School psychologists work in school and educational settings to study how children and people learn. They help students improve their learning abilities and processes to succeed. They may also offer school counseling as a short-term support option. They may refer a child to community psychiatrists or psychologists if they require further support. These professionals are often included in your child's tuition. 

Online therapist 

Online therapists are also an option for parents seeking a provider for their child. These therapists are often available through video chat or phone calls. You can contact a one-on-one practice therapist from home, who may take insurance. Attending therapy from home may allow your child to receive support from an environment that feels comfortable to them.

However, if you are seeking a more cost-effective option, there are online platforms that offer support exclusively to teens and parents. Through a platform like BetterHelp, parents can receive therapy from home to discuss their parenting concerns. Through a platform like TeenCounseling, teens aged 13 to 19 can meet with a provider with parental permission if they're under 18. 

Finding counseling for yourself or a teen child through an online platform can allow you to receive care if you live in a rural area, don't have insurance, or are looking for a cost-effective treatment option. In addition, studies show that internet-based therapy can be as effective as in-person options for many families experiencing long-term stress related to mental health challenges.