Finding the right mental health counselor for your child can feel overwhelming, but it’s manageable with some guidance. Whether your child is dealing with a mental health condition, behavioral challenges, or just needs extra support, the right counselor can make a big difference. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you find the best fit:
Step 1: Reflect on Your Child’s Needs
Before you start your search, think about what your child is experiencing. Are there noticeable emotional, behavioral, or social changes? Check out this [list of warning signs] to help identify what your child might need.
Step 2: Start Your Search
- Word of Mouth: Ask friends, family, or caregiver groups for recommendations. Personal referrals can often lead you to trusted professionals. Members of groups and networks of parents/caregivers in your community on Facebook and other social media platforms may also have good recommendations
- Pediatrician or School Recommendations: Your child’s doctor, school counselor, or psychologist can provide referrals based on your child’s needs
- Online Directories: Websites like TherapyDen, Zencare, and Psychology Today let you filter by location, specialty, age group, and insurance
- Insurance Directory: Check your health insurance’s directory for in-network counselors to help manage costs
Step 3: Verify Credentials
Therapists should have, or be working toward, one of these main licenses:
- LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor)
- LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)
- LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)
- Licensed Psychologist (Ph.D. or Psy.D.)
These professionals can provide counseling to kids and teens, and many psychologists also offer testing services. While these letters may vary slightly depending on your state (for example, some states use LMHC instead of LPC), the important thing is to focus on the counselor’s experience and specialty areas rather than worrying too much about their specific license type. The exception is if you’re seeking psychological testing, which requires a licensed psychologist to perform. If testing is on your radar, explore our post on [Psychological Testing and Evaluations].
Step 4: Consider Specialties and Experience Based on Age
Children (0-9 years):
- Specialties: Look for play therapists who use play to help kids express emotions they can’t yet put into words. Check the Association for Play Therapy (APT) directory for Registered Play Therapists (RPTs). If an RPT isn’t available in your area, look for therapists experienced with children and ask about their play therapy training.
- Experience: Even therapists still in training can offer valuable support if they’re supervised by experienced play therapists.
Tweens (10-12 years):
- Specialties: Look for a therapist trained in play therapy who can also transition to talk-based approaches like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), or internal family systems therapy (IFS). Tweens are at a unique stage, and the ability to adapt between play and talk therapy is crucial.
- Experience: Tweens can range from still feeling like kids to acting more like teenagers. A great therapist will meet them where they are developmentally. Ask specifically about their experience with tweens and how comfortable they are working with this age group, as it’s often overlooked by some therapists.
Teens (13-17 years):
- Specialties: For teens, play therapy training is less essential, but look for a therapist skilled in adapting talk therapies like CBT, DBT, and/or IFS to suit adolescents. What’s most important is finding someone who genuinely connects with teens.
- Experience: The right therapist for teens will create a safe, authentic, and non-judgmental space. Look for those who have worked with teens in other roles, like teaching or coaching, which can enhance their ability to relate to the ups and downs of adolescence. As teens might say, ensure the counselor’s “vibe” feels right for your child.
Step 5: Ask Questions
Once you have a few options, reach out for an initial consultation. Here are some examples of questions to ask:
Questions about play therapy experience:
- What experience do you have working with children my child’s age?
- Do you practice play therapy? How long have you been practicing play therapy?
- What training or certifications do you have in play therapy?
- Can you describe how you typically use play therapy when working with children?
- How do you involve parents or caregivers in the play therapy process?
- Can you share some examples of the types of goals you’ve worked on with other children through play therapy?
- What kinds of outcomes have you seen in children who have participated in play therapy with you?
- How do you handle challenging behaviors during play therapy sessions?
- How do you measure progress in play therapy, and how will you communicate this progress to us as parents?
General questions:
- What is your experience working with children/tweens/teens?
- What approaches do you use in therapy, and why?
- How do you involve parents in the therapy process?
- Do you have experience with the specific challenges my child is facing?
- What can we expect in terms of the frequency and duration of sessions?
- How do you handle confidentiality with children and teens?
Step 6: Schedule a Parent Intake Session and Trust Your Gut
Most therapists will meet with you before seeing your child. Use this time to gauge how comfortable you feel with the therapist. Your instincts about their fit can be just as important as their credentials.
Step 7: Prepare Your Child for Their First Session
Help your child understand what to expect: a safe space to talk and play. It’s normal to feel nervous, so validate those feelings and then reassure them. Let your child decide if they want you to join the first session or prefer some time alone with the counselor. Depending on the counselor’s style and treatment goals, they may request you join the session or stay in the waiting room. A good counselor will be attuned to and consider your child’s preferences here.
Step 8: Stay Patient and Open to Adjustments
Finding the right match might take time. If the first counselor isn’t a good fit, trying someone else is okay. The goal is to find someone with whom your child feels comfortable.
Taking the step to find a counselor is an investment in your child’s mental and emotional well-being. By doing your research, asking the right questions, and trusting your instincts, you can help your child get the support they need. If you need further guidance, our team at Early Connections is here to help you navigate the process!
