How Do I Choose The Best Child Psychologist?
Choosing a child psychologist is an important decision. When it comes to finding a mental health professional for your son or daughter, you want to make sure you find the best around. This article will walk you through the process of choosing the right child psychologist for your kid.
Talk to their school counselor
It may be worth mentioning that if your child is in school, you can consider talking to the guidance counselor there. These individuals have training in the field, and they may also know professionals in the community who are ready and able to help your child with issues outside of their expertise. School counselors may have many connections, and it’s possible they could help you find a psychologist who might be a good fit. You may still want to do your own research and vetting, but this could be a good place to start.
Talk to a friend
If you have a friend who has a child in therapy, it may be a good idea to ask them for a recommendation. These are people you trust and care about, and chances are they have similar reservations about who they trust with their child’s mental health. You may also trust their opinion, so if they tell you that their therapist is great, you can take it to heart.
Meet them yourself
It may be a good idea to meet with any therapist who could be working with your child. During this initial meeting, you can talk to them about their background, training, methods, and philosophy. You may also want to inquire about any techniques they may use to treat your child’s specific mental health challenges. If possible, you could also talk with a fellow parent of a child who has been in therapy with the specific provider you’re considering.
Don’t pick the first one
A child psychologist could have a significant impact on your child’s mental health now and in the future. Since this is an important decision, it could be a good idea to weigh your options. This may require talking to numerous different therapists before choosing the best one. Even if you live in a small town where there are limited options, you may want to talk to at least three providers. These could be psychologists you’ve researched yourself or those you’ve been referred to. Your child’s mental health matters, so you may want to do your due diligence to select the highest quality mental health professional you can find.
Evaluate their credentials
When considering psychologists, you might want to ask about the providers’ credentials and educational background. You may want someone who has plenty of experience working with children. A guidance counselor or your child's doctor may be able to help you evaluate different credentials, but there are some basic things to know before you start:
- Clinical social workers emphasize conflict resolution and problem-solving through practical applications. They tend to use standard counseling, group work, talk therapy, and play therapy to help children navigate difficult situations and resolve problems.
- Psychiatrists can prescribe medications. If your child is experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety, you may want someone who can diagnose these issues and give them medication as needed.
- Psychologists can test your child for various mental health conditions. They may also provide talk therapy and make recommendations for any additional assistance your child might need. They can interact with psychiatrists, school officials, and pediatricians as part of your child’s care team.
Learn their therapy preferences
You may also want to take a closer look at what types of therapy a potential provider participates in. Some psychologists may offer only talk therapy, which could be suitable for older children and teens. Others engage in other therapy techniques designed specifically for younger children. Here are some of the therapeutic models you may come across in your search for a child psychologist:
- Play Therapy - This type of therapy can be effective for small children. As the name suggests, play therapy encourages children to play with toys while the therapist observes.
- Group Therapy - Older children might do well in group therapy. This type of therapy allows them to work with other children their age or those who may be going through similar situations.
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)- This is a type of talk therapy that's focused on helping your child make positive changes to their behavior. With CBT, the therapist may give them homework to help them balance their mood and improve their behavior.
- Family Therapy – In some cases, it could be a good idea to get the whole family involved in your child’s therapy. This type of therapy focuses not only on the mental health challenges of the child but also on family interactions and functionality.
Talk to your child
Depending on your child’s age, it could be important for you to talk with them about their therapy preferences. Older children and teens may need to have a say since they will be interacting with the therapist the most. You want them to feel comfortable because if they don't, they're not likely to open up to their therapist, which could impede effective therapy.
Evaluate over time
Once you decide on a specific therapist, it doesn't necessarily mean you're stuck with them forever. If you aren’t satisfied with the treatment or your child doesn’t respond well to them, you can change your mind and switch providers. It may be a good idea to keep evaluating how your child is progressing (or regressing). You may also want to keep the lines of communication open and talk to the therapist about any concerns you have. There may be another reason you’re not seeing results.
As you’re going through the process of finding a psychologist for your child, it may be a good idea to keep an eye on your own mental health as well. The stress of such a decision can take a toll. If left untreated, it could begin having negative effects on your physical health, career, or relationships. Consider making a therapy appointment for yourself as well.
Between juggling the responsibilities of parenthood and your own wellbeing, you may find that your schedule is tighter than ever. This could make it difficult to schedule an in-person session with a counselor. In your case, online therapy may be the better option. This form of remote counseling can save you time since you can skip the commute and attend sessions from home. It could also prove more convenient with appointment times available around the clock.
Consider the legitimacy of online therapy as one less thing to worry over. Researchers have proven its effectiveness time and time again. A comprehensive meta-analysis of studies confirmed similar results for individuals who attended therapy sessions online and those who saw their therapist in person. The study probed nearly 10,000 cases with various mental health challenges and conditions.
Counselor reviews
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“Dr Brown has made a significant impact on our lives. She is always giving honest advice and we feel she genuinely cares about our family. She is a valued treasure that we are grateful for in our lives :)”
Takeaway
Choosing the best therapist for your child may be a process, and it could even be a stressful one. Perhaps the best thing you can do for your child as you navigate this process is to take care of yourself. The better you feel, the more you’ll be able to help them with their mental health challenges. If you find you need additional support or guidance along the way, the compassionate counselors at Regain are here to help. Just answer a few brief questions to get started today.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How do I know if my child needs a psychologist?
All children struggle from time to time. Moodiness, nervousness, and social and school difficulties are typical parts of child and adolescent behavior. However, certain times when a typical child and adolescent difficulties turn into something more serious, which might indicate that it’s time to find a child psychologist. Some of these instances include:
- Your child is having problems in multiple areas of life, such as family relationships, friendships, academic performance, and leisure activities.
- Your child is feeling bad about themselves or is less confident.
- Your child is exhibiting signs of excessive worry about the future or is expressing hopelessness.
- Your child has withdrawn from family, friends, or activities they used to enjoy.
- There are significant changes to your child’s sleep or appetite.
- Your child frequently engages in negative behavior or engages in repetitive self-destructive behavior.
- Your child talks explicitly about suicide.
While these are signs that it might be time to find a child psychologist, you know your child best. If something does not seem right with your child, it might be time to find a child psychologist. Once in therapy, child therapists will help support you and your child as they navigate these difficult life events.
How do I find a good child psychologist?
Once you decide you want to find a child psychologist, it can be a daunting process to find a child psychologist who is a good fit for your child. When you find a child psychologist, you might want to contact your school’s guidance counselor to see if they know the therapist – guidance counselors often keep a list of therapists who are great with children and parents.
Once you obtain a recommendation or find a child psychologist on your own, you may want to consider the therapist's level of education. While the American Psychological Association (APA), a psychological association that represents United States psychologists, states that there are opportunities within the field of child psychology for those with a master’s degree, most people find that most child psychologists have a doctoral degree. In fact, the American Psychological Association (APA) reports that nearly 75% of all doctorate psychology degrees are Ph.D.’s. Still, the PsyD is becoming an increasingly popular option for those more interested in professional practice than research. Since all doctoral-level child psychologists must complete a minimum 2-year clinical internship and then pass state and national tests to become licensed, the difference between a PsyD and a Ph.D. is truly minimal; however, what type of psychology they study may influence how they practice. For example, school psychologists often work in schools and will be able to work directly with a child’s teachers to develop a plan of action that will benefit the student in both the home and school setting. Whereas developmental psychologists often focus on the development of the human. Adolescent psychology might be different than child psychology as adolescent psychology may be more focused on a talk therapy approach, whereas child psychology might focus more on play therapy. Child adolescent psychology typically looks at the development of the human they are working with and then tries to provide context for where the child or adolescent might be struggling either behaviorally or developmentally.
When looking to find a child psychologist, it’s important to remember that most child-adolescent psychology philosophies are steeped in where the child is developmentally and meeting the child’s developmental needs to address the behavioral or emotional issues. Given this, some of the questions you might want to consider asking include:
- What’s your background and training?
- How often do you meet with your parents?
- Will you be in contact with my child’s teacher, guidance counselor, or pediatrician?
- What are your thoughts about medication?
- Can I speak with a parent whose child has worked with you?
As mentioned above, therapists have different styles and approaches to working with children, and what might work for one child might not work for another. Make sure to take your time when speaking with any potential therapist, and don’t be afraid to speak with more than just one person. Finding the best child psychologists in your area for your child might seem daunting, but by asking for referrals and taking your time, you’ll find the best child psychologists in your area in no time.
What exactly does a child psychologist do?
Child psychology is treating a wide range of issues and disorders that affect children and their families. Child psychologists focus on helping children and their families understand, prevent, diagnose, and treat developmental, social, cognitive, and emotional issues. Psychologists work with children on the various emotional, mental, and behavioral disorders they face, and the treatments look different from adult treatments. Typically, child psychologists work one-on-one with the child to build trust and talk candidly; however, a child’s caregivers or other important individuals, such as teachers and the child’s pediatrician, are involved in the treatment process. While specific job duties depend on what the certain psychologists specialize in, typical tasks in therapy child psychologists might conduct include: administering psychological tests; conducting scientific research on childhood development; diagnosing and treating learning or developmental disabilities; collaborating with a healthcare team to create a unique treatment plan for the child or adolescent; and working with clients to manage behavioral issues.
How can a child psychologist help my child?
A child psychologist helps children with a variety of behavioral and developmental issues that they face. Oftentimes, the approach that a child psychologist takes depends on their training and the age and developmental stage the child is at when meeting with the therapist. For example, some child psychologists use play therapy with their clients, whereas other child psychologists might recommend group therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, or family therapy to address the child’s needs.
Play therapy uses toys, action figures, games, and art to help pre-k or elementary school-aged children express themselves.
Group therapy is ideal for older children or teens who suffer from social problems such as extreme shyness, bullying, or social isolation.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is popular for children who struggle with attention problems, phobias, and obsessions.
Family therapy can be helpful when a family experiences divorce, separation, illness, or the death of a loved one. The therapist often works with the child and the family to address the various issues and struggles that the child is facing.
Child psychologists can help children with various problems in ways that are targeted to your child’s specific needs. The best way to ensure that the child psychologist is right for your child is to ask questions and, when in doubt, ask your child how they feel about their relationship with their therapist.
What are the signs of a troubled child?
Children experience a wide array of difficulties as they go through childhood. Each child is unique, and therefore, what might be a sign of distress for one child, might be completely normal for another. Sometimes, just validating your child’s experience can help them feel better. However, if your child has started to withdraw from family, friends, or activities they used to enjoy or is engaging in negative behavior more frequently, it might be time to find a child therapist. Another time to find a child therapist or to hit the internet and search for "teen therapist near me" is when your child talks about themselves negatively; making comments like, "I wish I weren't here" or talking explicitly about suicide. While every child will go through difficult life events from time to time, it might be time to try to find a child therapist if it seems like your child is struggling to overcome the difficulty.
Which therapy is best for children?
When should I take my child to a psychologist?
What are the 5 most common mental disorders in children?
What can a child psychologist diagnose?
What is the difference between a child therapist and a child psychologist?
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