If you notice a decline in their school performance, regular worry or anxiety, hyperactivity, aggression, or sadness, learning how to choose a mental health provider for kids should be your next step. Like adults, children can face a range of emotional and psychological challenges that may affect their daily lives, relationships, and academic performance. As such, working with a mental health professional for your child can help them develop healthy coping mechanisms and improve their resilience.
Types of Child Mental Health Professionals
Pediatric Therapists and Counselors
Pediatric therapists include various professionals trained in counseling and therapy techniques tailored to children’s needs. The types of child therapists include Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs), Clinical Social Workers, and Play Therapists. These professionals employ diverse therapeutic approaches to diagnose and treat mental and behavioral issues.
Child Psychologists
Child psychologists specialize in evaluating children’s psychological functioning, providing behavior therapy, and supporting emotional regulation. These psychologists utilize assessments and evidence-based treatments for different developmental and mental health concerns.
Child Psychiatrists
Child psychiatrists are medical doctors who can diagnose mental health disorders and prescribe medications when necessary. These doctors play a vital role in managing conditions such as ADHD, anxiety disorders, and depression by integrating medical and psychological approaches to treatment.
Child Life Specialists
Child Life Specialists, often overlooked as mental health professionals, focus on emotional support, coping strategies, and stress reduction, particularly in medical settings and other situational stressors. These specialists provide therapeutic activities to help children navigate challenges like illness (themselves or within the home), hospitalization, challenging life transitions, or grief.
Child Life Specialist vs Therapist – Key Differences
What Is a Child Life Specialist?
Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) are professionals with specialized training in understanding the developmental impact of illness, injury, trauma, and loss on kids. All of our child life specialists hold at least a Masters degree in Psychology, Child Development, or a related field, completed a 600-hour clinical internship, and have passed a national certification examination.
A CCLS serves children from infancy through young adulthood, working closely with families who are the foremost experts on their child’s life. Child Life Specialists employ developmentally appropriate and evidence-based approaches, including play, education, and coping techniques.
How a Therapist Helps
Therapists are helpful for chronic or pathological conditions that need diagnosis or treatment. They often focus on addressing trauma, managing anxiety, and treating long-term mental health issues. Through cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), talk therapy, and other evidence-based interventions, therapists work to identify underlying concerns, help kids explore their emotions, and foster their personal growth.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choosing between a CCLS and a therapist ultimately hinges on your child’s needs. If your child is struggling with a specific medical condition themselves or within the home, or facing a stressful life event like the death of a loved one or divorce, a CCLS may be the best choice. On the other hand, if they have ongoing mental health concerns, a therapist may be the better option. Some kids may benefit from seeing both professionals.
Questions to Ask When Choosing a Professional
May I Know About Your Credentials and Experience With Children?
Take your time to learn about the professional’s qualifications and experience. When you understand their areas of expertise and whether they have a background working with children in similar situations as your child, you can gauge how well they may fit with your needs.
What Is Your Therapeutic Approach?
Knowing the professional’s therapeutic approach — such as CBT, play therapy, or family therapy — helps align treatment methods with your child’s needs and preferences. You may also ask how their methods may differ for different age groups.
When and How May We Access Your Services?
Discussing availability and accessibility, including in-person and virtual sessions, ensures that therapy sessions fit the family’s schedule and logistical preferences. For instance, if your kids are more comfortable with online consultations than face-to-face, professionals who offer this option can make it easier to get your kids the services they need. Furthermore, if you are needing services for your child sooner rather than later and do not have time to wait for an in-person opening, virtual services are a great option.
How Do You Collaborate With Schools, Pediatricians, or Other Specialists?
Effective collaboration with schools, pediatricians, and other specialists guarantees comprehensive care for your child across different settings and demands. The more connected your providers are with each other, the better the child mental health support you receive. Child life specialists have experience working closely and collaborating with a child’ medical team, school, and other specialists involved in a child’s day-to-day life and general care.
Where to Find the Right Mental Health Professional
Finding the right mental health professional involves exploring various avenues. Consider asking for pediatrician referrals, as trusted recommendations can help you connect with highly qualified experts.
Online directories and telehealth services also give convenient access to many child counseling options. Check out hospital-based programs and community organizations; they often host mental health services for localized support and resources within the community.
Hearts Connected is a valuable child life specialist resource offering virtual services across the US and Canada. We focus on aiding children and families in managing hurdles with expertise and compassion. There is no waitlist to get started and we are open seven days a week.
Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Parents
Early intervention in children’s mental health is pivotal for promoting positive outcomes. Finding the right professional may involve trial and error; be patient and persistent in seeking the best fit for your kids. At Hearts Connected, we have resources for continued support and information. Together, we can make the youth mental health journey a little less daunting and a lot more hopeful. Call (404) 516-0906 or send a message to info@heartsconnected.org. To book a free consult and speak with a child life specialist, click here!
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