How to Find a Therapist for Your Child
Key Takeaways
Finding the right therapist for your child is a process but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Here are the essential points to remember:
- Identify Your Child’s Needs: Notice changes in behavior, emotions or social interactions that may indicate therapy could help.
- REVIEWUnderstand Therapy Types: Explore approaches like play therapy, child-centered play therapy and EMDR to find the best fit.
- REVIEWUse Trusted Directories: Leverage resources like the Association for Play Therapy, UNT CCPT supervisors and EMDR trainers to locate qualified therapists.
- Ask the Right Questions: Inquire about credentials, cultural competency, experience, parent involvement and session format.
- Support Your Child and Yourself: Normalize the adjustment period, stay involved appropriately and prioritize your own well-being. Parent coaching or therapy can make a significant difference.
- Choose an Inclusive, Identity-Affirming Therapist: Look for a therapist who respects your child’s cultural background, individuality and lived experiences, including LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent identities.
Remember: The right therapist, combined with informed, supportive parenting, can help your child thrive emotionally, socially and academically.
Why Find the Right Therapist for Your Child Matters
Parenting is one of the most rewarding and most challenging roles you’ll ever have. Children don’t always have the words or emotional skills to explain what they’re going through. Add in today’s pressures from school, technology and social media and it can feel overwhelming to know how to best support your child.
That’s where therapy can make a different. The right therapist can help your child express feelings in healthy ways, manage emotional (big and small) or behavioral challenges and build confidence. Just as important, therapy can give parents tools and guidance so they don’t feel alone in the process.
Even if you’re child isn’t currently seeing a therapist, exploring your options now can help you feel prepared and reassured that support is available when it’s needed.
As you navigate these challenges, having the right tools and guidance can make a difference. You might find my Recommended Books for Parents helpful in learning strategies to support your child’s emotional well-being and growth.
Step 1 - Identify Your Child's Needs Before Finding a Therapist
Before beginning the search, take time to reflect on what your child may need most from therapy. Every child is different and understanding their unique challenges will help you narrow down the type of therapist who’s the best fit.
Signs your child may benefit from therapy:
- Persistent worry, fear or sadness
- Sudden changes in behavior (withdrawal, aggression or mood swings)
- Difficulty focusing in school or not wanting to go to school
- Trouble making or keeping friends
- Trouble sleeping, frequent nightmares or regression in behaviors
- Struggles with big transitions (divorce, moving, new school, loss of loved one)
As a parent, you don’t need to have all the answers. Simply noticing that “something feels off” is reason enough to seek support. But don’t delay this. The longer the struggle has been occurring, the more ingrained it can become in your child. A trained child therapist can help assess whether your child would benefit from therapy and you’ll gain peace of mind knowing you’re taking proactive steps.
Step 2 - Understand the Different Types of Child Therapy
Not all therapy is the same. Understanding the different approaches will help you match your child with the right therapist.
Play Therapy
Play therapy is a specialized approach where children use play to express feelings and work through challenges. Look for therapists with the RPT (Registered Play Therapist) or RPT-S (Registered Play Therapist – Supervisor) credential. Play Therapists can be directive, non-directive or both.
- RPT: Requires 150 hours of play therapy training and 350 hours of supervised practice with children.
- RPT-S: Requires additional training and supervision hours to guide other therapists.
Maintaining these credentials also requires ongoing continuing education, ensuring therapist stay current in best practices.
Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT)
Offered through the University of North Texas, this certification focuses on helping children through a non-directive, supportive approach.
- Level 1: 30 hours of coursework, 40 child sessions (20 supervised) and the Certification Exam.
- Level 2: Supervisor: 40 more hours, 100 client sessions and 10 hours supervising others.
Certified therapists and supervisors are required to complete ongoing continuing education to maintain their credential to ensure they stay up to date on best practices and ethical standards in child centered play therapy.
Step 3: EMDR for Children
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidenced-based therapy that can help children process trauma. Certifications for working with children are provided by trainers like Ana Gomez, MC, LCP at the Agate Institute. While there isn’t a directory, reaching out to certified trainers can help you locate EMDR-trained therapists in your area.
Step 3 - Use Trusted Directories to Find a Child Therapist
Once you understand the type of therapy your child may benefit from, the next step is finding qualified therapists. Using reputable directories ensures you’re connecting with trained professionals.
1. Association for Play Therapy (APT) Directory
The APT maintains a directory of therapists with RPT or RPT-S credentials. Here’s how to use it effectively:
- Select the Country: If you’re in the U.S., the state field will appear.
- Choose the State: Filling in a city or zipcode can narrow results too much unless you live in a major metropolitan area.
- Select Credential: Choose RPT or RPT-S to ensure the therapist has completed specialized training.
- Tip: If you can’t find an available therapist, contact and RPT-S to see if they supervise any therapists working toward credentialing.
2. University of North Texas - Child Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) Supervisors
While there isn’t a public directory, UNT provides a downloadable spreadsheet of certified CCPT practitioners.
Note: This spreadsheet is periodically updated by UNT. If the link isn’t working, please check out UNT’s CCPT Certification page, under they Certified CCPT Practitioners section where an updated link to the spreadsheet can be found.
EMDR for Kids - Agate Institute
If your child may benefit from EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), reach out to trainers like Ana Gomez at the Agate Institute. They may be able to connect you with therapists who have completed her specialized trainings in working with children.
Another option is the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) therapist directory, where you can search for certified EMDR providers. Be sure to filter for therapists who EMDR Approved Consultants and work with children in your child’s age group.
Tips for narrowing your search:
- Focus on credentials and specializations rather than just locations.
- Check if the therapist works with your child’s age group.
- Look for therapists who involve parents in the process, as this supports therapy at home.
Step 4 - Ask the Right Questions Before Starting Therapy
Before scheduling a session, it’s important to speak with potential therapists to ensure they’re the right fit for your child. Asking the right questions help you feel confident and prepared. Here are some key questions to consider:
1. Training, Credentials and Cultural Competency
- What type of therapy do you specialize in (play therapy, child-centered play therapy, EMDR, etc.)
- Do you have credentials like RPT, RPT-S or CCPT?
- How do you incorporate cultural awareness and sensitivity in your work with children and families?
Inclusive and Identity-Affirming Care
Every child brings their own unique background and identity into the therapy space. This includes cultural traditions, family values, language, as well as LGBTQ+ identities and neurodiversity. When interviewing therapists, ask how they integrate cultural sensitivity, affirming care for LGBTQ+ youth and support neurodivergent children into their practice. A therapist who is inclusive and identity-affirming can create a safe, respectful environment where your child feels truly seen and supported.
2. Experience with Age Group
- Do you work with children my child’s age?
- How have you handled challenges similar to what my child is experiencing in the past?
3. Approach to Parent Involvement
- How do you involve parents in the therapy process?
- Will you provide guidance for supporting my child at home?
4. Session Details & Format
- Are sessions offered in-person, virtually or both
- If sessions are virtual, how will parents be involved? (Best practice is for parents to actively participate in their child’s virtual therapy sessions to ensure engagement and effectiveness.)
- What is the typical session length and frequency?
5. Comfort and Rapport
- Can my child meet you for a brief consultation first?
- How do you help children feel safe and understood in therapy?
Tips
Take notes during these conversations. Even a short call can give you a sense of the therapist’s styple, communication and compatibiity with your chhild. Trust your instincts, comfort and rapport matter just as much a credentials.
Step 5 - Support Your Child (and Yourself) in the Therapy Process
Starting therapy can be a big step for both children and parents. Even with the right therapist, it’s normal for children to feel nervous or unsure at first. Here’s how you can support them and yourself along the way:
Normalize the Adjustment Period
- Let your child know it’s okay to feel nervous or unsure about therapy.
- Remind them that therapy is a safe space to share feelings and learn coping skills.
Stay Involved (Without Taking Over)
- Attend parent sessions if the therapist recommends it.
- Encourage small, positive check-ins at home about what your child is learning, without pressuring them.
Be Patient with Progress
- Therapy is a process; improvements may be gradual.
- Celebrate small successes and reinforce your child’s efforts, not just outcomes.
Support Your Own Well-Being
- Parenting can be stressful, especially when supporting a child in therapy. Your might notice your own worries or anxiety arise. If that resonates, my post on Parental Anxiety offers strategies to help you manage these feelings while supporting your child.
- Consider parent coaching or individual therapy to gain tools, guidance and emotional support.
- If you’d like, I offer a free 20 minute consultation to help parents navigate these challenges and feel more confident in supporting their children.
Tip: Consistent support, patience and self-care are essential. When parents feel equipped and emotionally steady, children are more likely to benefit fully from therapy.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right therapist for your child can feel overwhelming but you don’t have to figure it out alone. With the right questions, clear expectations and awareness of the training that matters, you’ll be better prepared to choose someone who is a good fit for your family.
Finding a Therapist Who Honors Your Child's Identity
Therapy works best when children feel safe, understood and accepted for who they are. Choosing an inclusive and identity-affirming therapist ensures that your child’s cultural background, individuality and lived experiences, including LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent identities, are respected. When therapy reflects the whole child, it becomes a place of true healing and growth.
Cost & Insurance of Therapy
Many highly qualified child therapists with specialized credentials do not accept insurance, which can understandably lead parents to prioritize finding someone who does. While that’s an option, it’s also worth asking potential therapists if they offer a sliding scale. Another important consideration is that, for insurance to cover sessions, your child will need a formal mental health diagnosis. Since your child is still young, this diagnosis could remain part of their health record long term. To learn more about the benefits and drawbacks of using insurance for therapy, I invite you to read my blog post on Mental Health Privacy and Insurance: What You Need to Know Before Using Benefits.
Remember, you are your child’s strongest advocate. Taking the time to seek support is not only a gift for your child’s growth but also for you own peace of mind as a parent.
If you’d like more guidance, you may find my posts on Parental Anxiety and Recommended Books for Parents helpful starting points. And if you’re considering support for yourself, I invite you to reach out for a free 20-minute consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some signs include ongoing anxiety, withdrawal, big emotional outbursts, changes in sleep or appetite, difficulty in school or struggles making and keeping friends. If you’re unsure, a consultation with a child therapist can help clarify whether therapy may be beneficial.
It depends on your child’s age and needs. Play therapy, Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) and EMDR are common approaches. The most important factor is finding a therapist who has specialized training and experience with children in your child’s age group.
Yes, but best practice is for parents to actively participate in virtual sessions. This helps your child stay engaged and ensures you can support the therapy process at home.
Look for credentials that are recognized in child’s therapy, such as Registered Play Therapist (RPT), CCPT or EMDR training. Also, ask how the therapist maintains their certification and whether they pursue continuing education. This helps ensure their skills are up to date.
You’re not alone, many parents feel nervous about taking this step. A good therapist will never judge your parenting. If you ever feel criticized or unsupported, it may be a sign to look for a better fit. Therapy is meant to encourage and guide you, while supporting both your child’s well-being and your role as a parent.
Judy Wang, LCPC, CPC provides online therapy in Maryland and Nevada. She works with individuals struggling with anxiety, OCD and trauma.