Finding a Therapist for
Finding a Therapist for a Child or Teen
How Do You Find a Therapist for a Child or Teen, and How Do You Pay for It?
If you're searching for a kids therapist near me, start with your child's pediatrician, who can describe what they see and refer you to a mental health professional who works with children. SAMHSA lists 8,115 mental health facilities that serve children and teens (October 2026). Medicaid's EPSDT benefit covers medically necessary mental health treatment for enrolled children under 21, CHIP covers behavioral health care for many other families, and schools must provide counseling services at no charge when a child's IEP calls for them.
Watching your child struggle is hard, and figuring out who to call can feel like one more thing on a full plate. The good news is that there’s a clear place to start, several ways to pay that cost little or nothing, and help through school that costs nothing.
If your child talks about wanting to hurt themselves or someone else, don’t wait for an appointment. Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, any time. If your child is in immediate danger, call 911.
When to Look for a Therapist for Your Child
All kids are sad, anxious, irritable or restless at times, and NIMH says most of the time these are normal phases. NIMH suggests getting help when your child’s behavior or emotions:
- last for weeks or longer;
- cause distress for your child or your family; or
- get in the way of school, home life or friendships.
Anxiety disorders, ADHD, depression, eating disorders and PTSD can all begin in childhood. NIMH says that for a young person with symptoms, the earlier treatment starts, the more effective it can be. You don’t need to know what’s wrong before you ask for help. That’s what an evaluation is for.
Start With Your Child’s Pediatrician
NIMH and CDC both point parents to the child’s pediatrician or primary care provider first. Before the visit:
- Talk to people who see your child often. NIMH suggests asking a teacher how your child is doing at school.
- Write down what you’ve noticed. What’s changed, when it started, and how it affects daily life.
- Ask for a referral to a mental health professional with experience evaluating and treating children.
For children on Medicaid, this visit has extra weight. Medicaid’s EPSDT benefit includes mental health and developmental screening for enrolled children under 21, and states must cover the medically necessary treatment that follows.
Who Treats Children and Teens
| Professional | What they do | Where to find one |
|---|---|---|
| Pediatrician or family doctor | First check, screening and referral | Your child’s regular doctor |
| Child psychologist | Evaluation and therapy, such as CBT and behavior therapy | Pediatrician referral, your insurer’s list, community clinics |
| Licensed clinical social worker or counselor | Therapy for children, teens and families | Community mental health centers, private practice |
| Child and adolescent psychiatrist | Evaluation and medication care, sometimes therapy | Pediatrician referral, hospital clinics, public clinics |
| School counselor, psychologist or social worker | Support at school and services written into an IEP | Your child’s school |
Before your child’s first visit, confirm the clinician’s license with your state board. The license check guide shows how.
What Treatment for Children and Teens Looks Like
A mental health professional usually starts with an evaluation. NIMH says this often includes a parent interview, information from school and, if needed, time with your child. From there, treatment may include:
- Psychotherapy. NIMH says effective therapy for children often includes parent involvement, skills to practice between sessions, and progress that is tracked over time. CDC describes behavior therapy, which helps families strengthen positive behaviors, and cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps children change unhelpful thinking. See the CBT guide.
- Family counseling to help everyone understand how a child’s challenges affect the household.
- Parent support, such as parent training or groups.
- Medication in some cases, depending on the diagnosis and often alongside therapy.
For teen depression, NIMH says treatment can be psychotherapy, medication or both. If medication is part of the plan, FDA warns that some children and teens who take antidepressants may be more likely to have suicidal thoughts when they start or when the dose changes. Watch closely during those weeks, and talk with the prescriber before any change. The anxiety medication guide explains what FDA labels say about these medicines.
Condition guides go deeper: anxiety therapy, therapist for depression, therapist for ADHD, therapist for OCD and eating disorder treatment.
Questions to Ask a Child Therapist
NIMH suggests asking any provider you’re considering:
- Do you use treatment approaches supported by research?
- Do you involve parents, and how?
- Will there be homework between sessions?
- How will you measure progress, and how soon might my child see it?
- How long should treatment last?
Add a few practical ones: Do you take my insurance, Medicaid or CHIP? Is there a sliding fee? What stays private between you and my teen?
Where to Find It: Children and Teens by State
SAMHSA's FindTreatment.gov lists 8,115 mental health facilities with this service (children and teens) across 55 states and territories, checked October 2026. Pick a state for its facilities, cities and treatment agency.
Help Through School
Your child’s school can be a source of free help. CDC lists the school as a place to get a referral, and NIMH suggests asking whether an individualized education program (IEP) is right for your child.
Under the federal special education law (IDEA), services in an IEP can include:
- psychological services;
- counseling services from qualified social workers, psychologists or guidance counselors;
- social work services in schools; and
- parent counseling and training.
When those services are written into your child’s IEP, federal rules say they’re provided at public expense and without charge. Put your request for an evaluation in writing to the school counselor or principal. Your child’s therapist can also coach you on working with the school.
Talking With Your Teen About Getting Help
Teens often notice something is wrong before they say so. NIMH’s fact sheet for teens tells them to talk to a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher or school counselor, if they’ve felt sad most of the time for a few weeks or can’t enjoy what they used to. That means your teen may be waiting for you to open the door.
A few ways to start:
- Pick a low-pressure moment, like a car ride or a walk, rather than a sit-down talk.
- Describe what you’ve seen, not a label. “You’ve seemed really tired and you stopped going to practice” is easier to hear than a guess at a diagnosis.
- Make it about feeling better. Therapy is a place to learn skills and get support, not a punishment.
- Give your teen some say, such as choosing between two therapists or between in-person and video visits.
NIMH also points parents to SAMHSA’s resources for families on starting conversations about mental health.
Supporting Your Child While You Wait
Getting the first appointment can take time. While you wait, NIMH’s teen depression fact sheet lists everyday habits that can help a young person feel better alongside treatment:
- spending time with friends or family, even when they don’t feel like it;
- staying active, even if it’s just a walk;
- keeping a regular sleep schedule; and
- eating healthy foods.
These habits support care; they don’t replace it. Keep calling clinics, ask to be put on cancellation lists, and check in with the pediatrician if things get worse.
How to Pay for Your Child’s Therapy
- Medicaid and EPSDT. For children under 21 on Medicaid, EPSDT requires states to cover all medically necessary Medicaid services, including mental health care. Read does Medicaid cover therapy.
- CHIP. For families that earn too much for Medicaid, CHIP covers behavioral health services. Check-ups are free, and families never pay more than 5% of their income for the year. You can apply any time.
- Community clinics. CCBHCs must serve children regardless of ability to pay. The community mental health centers guide explains how to reach one.
- Sliding fees. SAMHSA lists 5,770 facilities with a sliding fee or payment help (October 2026). See sliding-scale therapy and the free mental health care guide.
- Private insurance. Ask your insurer for in-network child therapists.
Finding a Kids Therapist Near You
Use the finder and filter for children and teens, then add sliding fee or Medicaid if you need them. State lists group these clinics in one place, for example child and teen mental health in Texas, California and Ohio. The low-cost care checker narrows options by your state, coverage and your child’s age.
988 Is for Teens Too
NIMH suggests that children and teens save emergency numbers in their phones, including 988. Teens can call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, any time, for themselves or a friend. It’s free and confidential, and text and chat are available in Spanish. Veterans and their families can dial 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line.
If your child is in immediate danger, call 911. The crisis line finder shows your state’s crisis lines, and the mental health crisis guide explains what happens when you call.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Pediatric Psychiatrist?
A pediatric psychiatrist, usually called a child and adolescent psychiatrist, is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health care for young people and can prescribe medication. Your pediatrician can refer you if one is needed. See the psychiatrist vs therapist guide.
Is Medication Used for Childhood Anxiety or Teen Depression?
Sometimes. NIMH says medications for children depend on the diagnosis and are often used in combination with psychotherapy. FDA warns that some children and teens who take antidepressants may be more likely to have suicidal thoughts when starting treatment or when the dose changes, so close monitoring matters. Decisions about medication belong with your child's prescriber; never stop or change a medication without them.
Will I Be Involved in My Child's Therapy?
Usually, yes. NIMH says effective psychotherapy for children often includes parent involvement, skills to practice at home or school, and progress that is measured over time. How much a parent takes part changes with age. Ask the therapist how they involve parents and what stays private between them and your teen.
Can My Teen Do Therapy by Video?
Many clinics offer it. SAMHSA lists 10,324 mental health facilities with telehealth (October 2026). Make sure the therapist is licensed in your state and has experience with your child's age group. The telehealth therapy guide explains how video visits work.
What Should I Do if My Teen Talks About Suicide?
Take it seriously and get help right away. Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, any time; it's free and confidential. If your child is in immediate danger, call 911. NIMH says to seek help immediately if a child talks about wanting to hurt themselves or someone else.
More on Finding a Therapist for
- AnxietyThe therapies NIMH describes for anxiety disorders and how to find one near you
- DepressionTherapy for depression, who provides it and how to pay for it
- ADHDWho diagnoses and treats ADHD in adults and children
- OCDExposure and response prevention and other OCD treatment
- PTSD and TraumaTrauma-focused therapies, VA care and PTSD programs near you
- GriefGrief, prolonged grief disorder and how to find a counselor
This guide explains mental health care in plain language from official sources. It isn't medical advice; a licensed clinician can assess what care fits your situation.
Sources
- NIMH: Children and Mental Health: Is This Just a Stage?
- NIMH: Child and Adolescent Mental Health
- NIMH: Teen Depression: More Than Just Moodiness
- CDC: Treatment of Children's Mental Health
- FDA: Depression Medicines
- Medicaid.gov: Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment
- HealthCare.gov: Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- U.S. Department of Education (IDEA): 34 CFR 300.34 Related Services
- U.S. Department of Education (IDEA): 34 CFR 300.17 Free Appropriate Public Education
- SAMHSA: Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov listing data, checked October 2026