Parents often aim to provide their children with the best lives possible by giving them the tools they need to lead happy and successful lives. However, sometimes your child may need support and care from someone with special expertise and skills, like a psychologist or other specialized practitioners. 

When your child is experiencing mental health or behavioral concerns, you may benefit from the services of a licensed child psychologist, but how do you find the right therapeutic environment in which to address your child’s mental health challenges? Below, discover signs your child may benefit from therapy and recommendations for how to find the right psychologist beyond simply searching the web for “child psychologist near me.”

What does a child psychologist do?

A child psychologist typically assesses, diagnoses, and treats a variety of mental and behavioral concerns in children. Common challenges addressed by a child psychologist include anxiety disorders, depression, difficulties related to neurodivergence, eating disorders, and trauma. Child psychologists not only work with each individual patient but often their parents or caregivers as well.

When should you look for a child psychologist?

If you notice significant changes in your child’s mood, behavior, eating habits, sleeping habits, or school performance, they may benefit from professional support. Any behavioral concerns that seem to be getting worse rather than better could be indicative of an underlying mental health challenge.

In many cases, it can also be beneficial to take your child to a pediatrician when you’re concerned about mental or behavioral difficulties. Mental health concerns can sometimes affect the body, and conversely, physical health problems may lead to mental health symptoms.

In general, it’s best to seek support for your child as soon as possible. Early intervention can make all the difference in long-term outcomes.

Child psychology overview: Exploring anxiety, depression, and ADHD

It’s sometimes hard to recognize mental health concerns in young children, as many common childhood characteristics can also be seen as symptoms in certain cases. For example, many children are energetic and have trouble focusing, but that doesn’t always mean they have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Still, the presence of certain symptoms could help you make the decision to seek the opinion of a mental health professional or medical doctor. Below are the potential signs of a few mental health conditions that can be common in children.

Children’s mental health: Signs of anxiety in children

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), over 30% of people between the ages of 13 and 18 live with an anxiety disorder. There are several types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, phobias, and panic disorder.

Some signs that your child may have an anxiety disorder include the following:

• Nightmares
• Trouble falling or staying asleep
• Increased agitation or anger
• Chronic fatigue
• Shaking or trembling
• Avoidance of friends and family
• Lack of interest in favorite activities
• Trouble concentrating and remembering things
• Gastrointestinal problems

A child psychologist can help: Signs of childhood depression

Sadness can be a normal emotion for children and people of all ages. However, if you notice that your child is experiencing persistent sadness for no obvious reason, this may be a sign that they are living with depression. As with anxiety disorders, there are different types of depressive disorders, including major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and seasonal affective disorder. 

Below are some of the signs of depression in children:

• A tendency to avoid friends and family
• Extreme fatigue
• Loss of interest in their favorite activities
• Trouble concentrating or making decisions
• Changes in appetite
• Weight loss or gain
• Acts of aggression or agitation for no obvious reason
• Persistent sadness for at least two weeks
• Talking about death or dying

Signs of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Often characterized by trouble focusing, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is considered one of the most common mental health disorders in children and adolescents. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), this common neurodevelopmental disorder affects approximately seven million kids aged three to 17 in the United States.

The following are some of the signs of ADHD:

• Hyperactivity or restless behavior
• Difficulty concentrating or paying attention
• Disruptive behavior
• Impulsivity
• Lack of attention to detail
• Difficulty listening or understanding instructions
• Poor organization or time management
• Trouble sitting still
• A tendency to interrupt conversations
• Impatience

The benefits of psychotherapy for children's mental and behavioral health disorders

Child counseling can often help children cope with challenges, navigate complex mental health conditions, and work through their feelings. Your child does not have to have a mental health condition to reap the benefits of therapy, though. The objectives of therapy could be as simple as giving your child an outlet for their emotions, teaching and helping them practice new skills, guiding them to identify their strengths, or building their confidence. 

Child psychologist near me: Finding a child psychologist

If you’re ready to find a psychologist, there are several options available. With the American Psychological Association’s (APA) psychologist locator, you can find a child counselor near you using your zip code or address. Using the locator, you can narrow the list of child psychologists based on their practice areas, treatment methods, and other specializations. You can also utilize an online psychology service that will help match your child with a psychologist who can address their specific concerns. 

Another option is to ask your child’s pediatrician if they have knowledge about local practitioners or if they can provide you with a referral. Friends and family members may have individual recommendations as well.

Child psychologist treatment methods: What happens during child psychology sessions?

During therapy sessions, child psychologists typically aim to create a warm and welcoming environment where they can build trust and effectively communicate with the patient. A provider’s therapeutic intervention can involve various strategies, and a child psychologist often aims to educate parents and caregivers and provide them with knowledge about how to support their child effectively.

Child psychologists in professional practice use a variety of treatment options to work with different conditions. A psychologist may develop a treatment plan including one or more of the following options:

Cognitive behavioral therapy for improving mental health

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) emphasizes the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It can teach children to replace their negative thoughts with positive ones and provide them with a better understanding of their behaviors and emotions.

Social skills therapy 

Social skills therapy may help children who are experiencing difficulty with communication or other social skills. This could include making friends, interacting with adults, making eye contact, or holding a conversation with someone. Children with ADHD or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) sometimes benefit from social skills therapy. 

Play therapy

During play therapy, a mental health professional helps children express their emotions and learn coping and communication skills using toys. This can be beneficial for young children and those with developmental delays, as traditional talk therapy modalities may not be the best fit for these individuals.

Child therapy near me: Trauma-focused therapy

Trauma-focused therapy is often best for children who have been exposed to a traumatic situation, such as the death of a loved one, abuse, neglect, natural disasters, or a major accident.

Grief counseling

Grief counseling primarily involves healing after the loss of a loved one. Children often process loss differently than adults do, so they may need special support during this time.

Family therapy with a child therapist

Family therapy often involves treating the entire family as a unit. Family therapy may be beneficial for those whose concerns involve the entire family, such as challenges related to a divorce.

Group therapy

Group therapy can be helpful for children who are having trouble building social skills and self-esteem. This type of therapy is guided by a psychologist and allows children to interact with others, letting them know that they are not alone in their experiences and emotions.

How therapy can bring relief to families

Therapy (whether online or in person) can help families by providing them with knowledge, coping skills, and communication and conflict resolution strategies. In fact, just having an outlet for thoughts and emotions can make all the difference and bring relief. Child psychologists typically speak with both children and their caregivers, which can give multiple members of the family an opportunity to voice their concerns and learn effective strategies to use going forward.

How you can help your child with mental health concerns or disruptive behavior

In conjunction with seeking counseling, the following practices may enhance your child’s mental well-being:

• Get involved: The support and love of a parent can contribute to children’s success. Children often feel more confident and stable when they know they can count on the adults in their lives.
• Exercise as a family: You might take a walk around the block together, for example. You can use this time to talk about problems and brainstorm ways to overcome them. As a bonus, exercise releases endorphins in the brain, which may improve your child’s mood and reduce your own stress.
• Encourage journaling: For many young people, journaling can be a healthy, productive outlet to express themselves. 

Finding a child psychologist near me: Online therapy for children and their caregivers

Can I find child therapy near me and online therapy using online tools?

It may be possible to connect with a local child psychologist who offers telehealth appointments for your child. Often, it’s helpful for caregivers of children experiencing mental health concerns to seek support themselves as well. BetterHelp can be a convenient way for parents and caregivers to receive professional guidance online via weekly video, audio, or online chat sessions with a licensed therapist. A BetterHelp therapist may be able to offer parenting recommendations and strategies for remaining patient as your child navigates various difficulties.