How Can I Find A Children’s Behavioral Therapist?

Finding the proper care to treat children with mental health concerns can sometimes be tricky and stressful for parents. You may look for a child and adolescent therapist that you can trust to provide mental health services for your child, who is also the most effective fit for your child’s unique needs. In these cases, there are steps you can take in your search to find the right children’s behavioral therapist. While BetterHelp does not offer child therapy at this time (they do offer teen and adult therapy), you can find information about searching for a therapist below. 

Understanding childhood mental health conditions 

Various disruptive behaviors, negative interactions, and mental health conditions can present themselves at an early age and cause significant challenges for both a child and a parent. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes, early therapeutic intervention can be key for addressing these concerns. Examples of some of the conditions and behavioral disorders that a clinical child psychologist might work with regularly are:

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Oppositional defiance disorder (ODD)

• Conduct disorder (CD)

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

These professionals can also work closely with those with language and intellectual challenges, as well as emotional concerns such as depression, anxiety, grief, anger, or low self-esteem. Note that various types of evidence-based psychosocial treatments can be used for children and that the therapeutic experience is not one-size-fits-all. One child therapist may specialize in a specific condition or modality like cerebral palsy, whereas another child therapist may specialize in a completely different mental health field like play therapy and parent training. If you aren’t sure what a specific type of treatment or therapy will entail, you can ask the therapist before therapy begins.

Early detection and treatment are affiliated with better outcomes for several concerns or conditions. Even children and adolescents who have gone through a tough time but don’t necessarily have a diagnosis – for example, a child who has faced bullying or trauma – can benefit from seeing a therapist.

If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.

Therapy vs. medication

Medication can be used alongside therapy when deemed appropriate, though this is not always the case. A medical doctor, such as your child’s primary care provider (PCP) or a psychiatrist, will prescribe medication if they believe your child could benefit. Do not start, change, or stop a medication for a child without consulting the prescribing physician or another medical doctor. 

Medications may be effective for some people, including kids, but they do not cure disorders or end problem behaviors. Therefore, finding additional ways to manage symptoms can be effective for long-term treatment in child and adolescent psychiatry. In therapy, children benefit from learning skills from a child therapist that they can use on an ongoing basis. This option provides a higher level of support for addressing any mental health conditions and beginning the development of positive behavior. 

Before considering any medication options, consult a qualified professional, such as your child’s pediatrician or psychiatrist, for all treatment options. They’ll be able to go over information related to dosage, side effects, or any other questions you have.

The BetterHelp platform is not intended to provide any information regarding which drugs, medication, or medical treatment may be appropriate for you. The content provides generalized information that is not specific to one individual. You should not take any action without consulting a qualified medical professional. 

Finding the right therapist for your child

Questions and reservations about finding a child’s behavioral therapist can be normal. Below are a few ways to increase your confidence when searching for a therapist for your child:

Gather a list of questions for prospective therapists

When starting your search, remind yourself that you control the process. Whether you’re seeking professional family therapy for your child or yourself, empower yourself to ask questions. Such questions may include, “Can you tell me about the modalities/approaches you use?” and “How long have you been working with kids who have (insert condition or concern here)?” or "What kind of training do you have in ____ field?" Don’t hesitate to bring up any concerns you have. Competent children’s behavioral therapists may understand that therapy can be a big decision and that your questions are a key component of the process. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the use of a core standard of competencies when providing child and adolescent mental health services. Feel free to ask a prospective therapist for your child about these competencies, their therapeutic philosophy, and their background and education. 

You can also take steps to ensure the therapist is compatible with both you and your child. You can talk with these professionals on the phone before they meet your child for the first time. If you have a younger child, you may be invited to be present for the first intake session; with older children, the professional may consult you after the first session concludes. If you find, at any point in time, that a therapist or form of treatment is not the best fit for your child, you can search for a new professional or treatment modality.

Consult your family doctor or pediatrician

A doctor with experience helping children or adolescents, such as a pediatrician or a family physician, can be a valuable resource in finding a therapist skilled in child and adolescent psychology and behavior disorders. You may also consider speaking to a psychiatrist, as they are medical doctors also trained in psychotherapy. 

Psychiatrists can prescribe medication to treat conditions, such as adolescent anxiety, which a therapist cannot do. Because of this, a therapist will not be prescribing medications for your child’s mental health condition or disruptive behaviors. Since only psychiatrists and other doctors can prescribe medication, do not go to educational psychologists, licensed therapists, child counselors, or developmental psychologists for help with medication. 

Do your research

You can often find a therapist through an online search engine. Search engines often provide links to client reviews so you can learn if other parents and children have had good experiences with a particular professional or if a certain clinic offers effective programs that have helped other children develop more appropriate behaviors. Taking this route also means that you can contact multiple mental health providers and schedule a phone consultation with each of them to get an idea of who might be best able to help work with your child on addressing their negative behaviors or mental health challenges. 

One-on-one vs. group therapy

Individual therapy isn’t the only option for your child. Group therapy is another research-backed option to help with a number of mental health concerns that could impact a child, such as ADHD, ASD, and anxiety. Kids in these groups will be around the same age and typically have similar conditions or therapy goals, such as the ability to follow house rules. Group therapy is not the same as a support group and will be led by a licensed and qualified mental health professional who works with children.

Some kids may benefit from a combination of group and individual therapy. However, a child may benefit from working one-on-one with a child therapist before engaging in group therapy. In these more therapeutic experiences, the child can improve their social skills or otherwise prepare for a group setting, which can help them work with others in the future.

Selecting individual or group therapy is often up to the parent or guardian because they know their child best. If a child is disruptive, defiant, or demonstrates extreme negative behavior such as aggression and violence, individual therapy with a child therapist could be a better fit to start. The therapist can teach your child coping skills and reinforce good behavior. Once a child has made tangible progress, the therapist may then recommend that the next session be in a group setting.

Care for your mental health

While parents often learn to prioritize their children’s welfare, taking care of yourself and finding support can help you show up healthily for your child. You might do so by considering therapy for yourself, as well. Not only can a therapist help you process the emotions you are going through and find ways to manage stress, but they may also be able to recommend skills or techniques to help you understand your child, support them, and maintain a healthy relationship with them. A therapist may also recommend support groups so you can meet parents of children who live with similar concerns. 

Parents with busy schedules may benefit from online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp. Online therapy services are also typically less expensive than traditional office therapy. Research demonstrates that online therapy is as effective as in-person therapy; one study by the National Institutes of Health found that treatment outcomes for online therapy were similar to those with traditional treatment. If you have an older child (over 13), consider BetterHelp’s sister website, TeenCounseling, to find counseling services.