Child therapist near me, a calm starting point for parents
Parents look for a child therapist for all kinds of reasons: big feelings after a divorce or move, school worries, a loss in the family, or a teacher or pediatrician suggesting it. This page is written for you, the adult doing the searching. It explains in general terms who sees children, how to look on NearbyTherapy and what to ask, without telling you what your child needs.
Search therapists who work with children
Enter your city or ZIP and choose child and teen as the concern. Searching is free for parents, no account needed.
How therapy with young children often works
Therapy with younger children usually looks different from adult sessions. Young kids often express themselves through play, drawing and stories rather than long conversations, so many child therapists keep toys, art supplies and games in the office. Play therapy is a recognized field, and some clinicians hold the Registered Play Therapist credential from the Association for Play Therapy.
Parents are usually involved. A first appointment is often with the parent or caregivers alone, to hear the history and what has been happening at home and school. After that, the therapist may see the child alone, together with a parent, or alternate. Some approaches, such as Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), coach the parent in real time while they play with their child. Family therapy brings several family members into the room together.
Every clinician sets this up differently, so ask how they include parents and how they share updates while respecting the child's trust.
Who is licensed to see children
- Psychologists, including child and adolescent psychologists, who can also do formal psychological and developmental testing.
- Marriage and family therapists, whose training centers on family systems.
- Clinical social workers, who often work with children in schools, clinics and private practice.
- Licensed professional counselors who have child-focused training.
A license allows independent practice; it does not guarantee child-specific experience. Asking about training with your child's age group is reasonable and expected.
Consent and privacy for minors in general
For young children, a parent or legal guardian generally gives consent for treatment. Rules about who can consent, what information parents can see and how custody arrangements affect this vary by state. In separated or divorced families, the therapist may ask for custody paperwork before the first session. Ask the practice to explain their policy for your state and situation, because NearbyTherapy cannot give legal or clinical guidance.
Searching for a child therapist on NearbyTherapy
The child and teen filter matches claimed profiles, where therapists list the ages they see, their approaches, insurance and fees. Those profiles show a License verified badge and an inquiry form you can use as the parent, with your first name, email and a convenient time to talk. There is no need to include details about your child in the message.
Below, More licensed providers in your city come from the federal NPI Registry. They show the provider name, credential, practice address and phone, without specialties. A call to the office will tell you whether they see children and which ages.
What parents often ask on the first call
- What ages do you see, and how much of your practice is children?
- How do you include parents, and how often will we talk about progress?
- What does a session with a child my child's age look like?
- What is your policy on consent and information sharing in separated families?
- Do you coordinate with schools or pediatricians when parents ask you to?
- What are your fees, and do you accept our insurance?
Paying for a child's therapy
Many family health plans include outpatient mental health care for children. Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) cover mental health services for enrolled children, and the Medicaid therapist page explains how to search. Psychological testing is often billed separately from therapy sessions, so ask about both if testing is part of the conversation.
Child therapists by city
Parents can browse local listings in therapist NYC, Brooklyn therapist, therapist Chicago, therapist Houston, therapist Dallas, therapist Austin, therapist Los Angeles, therapist San Diego and therapist Phoenix.
If parents want support for their own relationship, there are pages for couples counseling NYC, couples counseling Houston, couples therapy Los Angeles and couples therapy Chicago IL.
How do I explain therapy to my child?
Many therapists are happy to suggest simple, age-appropriate words during the first parent meeting. Ask them how they usually introduce themselves to children.
Will I be in the room during sessions?
It depends on the child's age and the therapist's approach. Some sessions include parents and some do not. Ask at the start.
Can my child have therapy online?
Some therapists see children online, more often older children. Ask how they adapt sessions for a screen and whether they recommend in person for younger ages.
Does the other parent need to agree?
Consent rules and custody arrangements vary by state and by family. The practice can tell you what they need from each parent.
If a child is in danger
NearbyTherapy is a directory, not a crisis or emergency service. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911. For a mental health crisis, you or your child can call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline). Our crisis resources page has more options.
Start your search as a parent
Search by city or ZIP and call a few offices to ask your questions.