Key Takeaways

• Choosing a therapist for your child can be confusing. Credentials and clinical experience matter, but so does personality fit — your child’s trust in their therapist plays a big role in how successful therapy will be.

• Asking the right questions upfront can help you feel more confident in your decision.

• It’s okay to try a therapist and decide they’re not the right match — what matters most is your child’s comfort and well-being.

Finding a therapist for your child isn’t always as simple as hopping onto Google. You want someone with the right qualifications, but you also want someone your child feels safe with. 

As a parent, you may have worries about how to choose the right therapist for your child. 

Luckily, there are clear steps you can take to find a therapist who’s the right fit. In this article, we’ll walk you through what to look for, where to find qualified therapists, and how to avoid red flags.

What to consider when choosing a child therapist

There are so many things to think about when choosing a therapist for your child. Not only is it important for the therapist you choose to have the right credentials and experience, but getting the right personality “fit” matters, too.

Qualifications and credentials

Every child therapist is legally required to have a license to practice in their state. This can be confusing to navigate because, unlike some other professions, there are many different degrees and credentials that a therapist can have.

Some of the most common credentials and license types for therapists include:

• Licensed psychologists (PhD or PsyD) — Keep in mind that the educational degree alone does not grant a license to practice therapy

• Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)

• Marriage and family therapist (LMFT)

• Licensed mental health counselor (LMHC)

• Licensed professional counselor (LPC)

• Psychiatrists (MD) and nurse practitioners (NP) — It’s becoming more and more rare for these medical providers to provide therapy, but it’s possible

Experience with specific age groups and conditions

It’s also important for potential therapists to have experience in working with children like yours. For example, if your child has anxiety, then getting a therapist who specializes in working with autistic children may not be helpful. If it’s your teen who needs therapy, then choosing a therapist who provides play therapy for preschool-aged children may not make much sense.

So, make sure you ask about their experience working with children who are similar to yours.

Therapeutic approach

Similarly, ask about the specific methods and approaches they use when working with children. Ask about the research supporting these methods for your child’s specific concerns.

Treatment methods should also be developmentally appropriate; for example, play therapy is typically used for younger children.

Compatibility with child’s personality

It’s not just about the therapist’s official credentials and approach. Their personality and how they connect with your child matter, too. The therapeutic bond, or the relationship and trust that develops between your child and their therapist, makes a big difference in how successful treatment will be.

Even if your child is reluctant to start therapy at first, try to involve them in the process of choosing their therapist. Give each therapist a few sessions to see if it’s a good fit, because trust can take some time to build. But if your child simply isn’t connecting with their therapist, then it’s okay to switch.

Availability and insurance

Lastly, logistics also matter. Even if you find a therapist who’s otherwise a great fit for your child, if you’re unable to schedule sessions with them for logistical reasons, then it won’t be a good fit.

Choose a therapist who accepts your insurance (if you’re using it to pay for sessions), and who has availability when you need it.

What type of therapist should your child see?

Any therapist you choose to work with should specialize in working with children. Also, make sure you’re choosing a mental health therapist, rather than other types of therapy (like occupational therapy or speech therapy).

It might be helpful to do some research on the symptoms your child is experiencing and the therapy methods that are most effective for them.

Other than that, when it comes to the specifics — like their license type, therapy methods used, and so on — there’s not necessarily a “best” answer.

Is group, family, or individual counseling best for my child?

Therapy is typically given in 3 main formats: individual therapy, family therapy, and group therapy. You don’t necessarily need to choose between them; often, children can benefit from different types.

Most of the time, you’ll look for an individual therapist for your child first. Your child’s individual therapist can provide an evaluation and determine if additional family or group therapy might be beneficial.

Family therapy or parent training can be very helpful, especially for younger children. Even if every member of your family doesn’t participate in therapy, you, as the parent, should always be invited to be a part of your child’s treatment. Teens could benefit from group therapy with peers who face similar concerns.

Where to find a qualified child therapist

Even once you know what you’re looking for, it can still be confusing to know where to even start your search for a child therapist. But there are several places where you can find qualified therapists for your child.

Online directories

Many people find child therapists through online directories, like Psychology Today. Just make sure you filter by age so you can find therapists who specialize in working with children.

At Emora, we make it easier for you to find a licensed child therapist who meets your family’s needs. You can browse bios, filter by specialties, and even switch providers if it doesn’t feel like the right match. Start today!

Recommendations from pediatricians, schools, and parent support groups

Another route you can take is asking for recommendations from people you already know. Ask your child’s pediatrician or school for recommendations. If you feel comfortable, you can also ask other parents.

Insurance considerations

Most people use their insurance coverage to help pay for their child’s therapy. You can call your insurance provider to get a list of local children’s therapists who accept your plan.

What to avoid when choosing a therapist

There are also some things you may want to avoid when choosing a therapist for your child. Some behaviors are simply unacceptable for child therapists.

Things to look out for include:

• Consistently not respecting your time — repeatedly canceling last minute, running very late to sessions, or making scheduling difficult

• Aggressive or intimidating behavior — this includes being dismissive, overly confrontational, or raising their voice at you or your child

• Unprofessional conduct — including inappropriate jokes, oversharing personal information, or making sexual advances toward parents or caregivers

• Never having availability — if they’re always fully booked or can’t offer a regular time slot, therapy won’t be consistent enough to be effective

• Unwillingness to involve parents, especially for younger children, therapists should be willing to provide updates and collaborate with parents

Find a child therapist with Emora Health

It can feel overwhelming to choose the right therapist for your child. Start with someone who checks the boxes when it comes to licensing and experience, and then see how your child responds. Trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid to make a change if it’s not the right fit.

At Emora, we make it easier for you to find a licensed child therapist who meets your family’s needs. You can browse bios, filter by specialties, and even switch providers if it doesn’t feel like the right match. Start today!

Sources

Garey, J. (2024, August 15). The controversy around ABA. Child Mind Institute. https://childmind.org/article/controversy-around-applied-behavior-analysis/

Nuñez, L., Fernández, S., Alamo, N., Midgley, N., Capella, C., & Krause, M. (2022). The therapeutic relationship and change processes in child psychotherapy: a qualitative, longitudinal study of the views of children, parents and therapists. Research in Psychotherapy Psychopathology Process and Outcome, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/ripppo.2022.556