Child Psychologist & Child Therapist Guide for Parents [2026]
Finding the right support for your child’s mental health can feel confusing for parents and carers. You might be searching for a child therapist near me, but you keep seeing terms like child psychologist, counsellor, psychotherapist, and CBT therapist. They can sound similar, yet their training and roles can be quite different.
This guide explains the main types of professionals who support children, young people and teens (roughly ages 5 to 17). It focuses on emotional wellbeing and mental health support, not speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, or physiotherapy.
What a child psychologist does
A child psychologist specialises in children’s emotional and mental wellbeing. They’re trained to understand how children think, feel, and behave as they develop. You’ll usually come across two main types:
- Clinical psychologist
- Educational psychologists
A child psychologist can help when your child is struggling with emotional difficulties like school anxiety, attention and behavioural issues, low mood, or social challenges.
Child Psychologist Assessments
A child psychologist starts by building a clear picture of what’s going on. This can include:
- observing your child
- talking with your child and with you (and sometimes school staff)
- questionnaires
- standardised tests for learning difficulties, where needed
The aim is to understand what is driving the difficulty, not just list symptoms.
Child Psychologist Formulations
After gathering information, a child psychologist creates a formulation. This is a structured way of making sense of your child’s struggles, using psychology theory and their child development knowledge.
You can think of a formulation as a shared story that explains the “why”, why this problem is happening, why now, and what might keep it going.
Child Psychologist Treatment Plans
Next comes the plan. A treatment plan is usually agreed with you and your child.
It might include:
- therapy sessions with your child
- parent support and guidance
- working with school to reduce pressures and support progress
Many families find this whole-system approach helpful, especially when the problem shows up at home and school.
What a child therapist does
A child therapist supports your child through regular therapy sessions, either one-to-one, in a group, or sometimes as a family. Child therapists train in one or more models of counselling and psychotherapy, such as:
- person-centred counselling
- cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- psychodynamic psychotherapy
- creative therapies (such as play therapy)
Therapy can be structured (as CBT often is), or open and child-led (as counselling often is). With creative therapies, your child may use play, drawing, music, or drama rather than talking much at all.
Most child therapy is through face to face appointments, but many therapists also offer sessions by video call, phone, or messaging. This can make support more realistic for teens who dislike formal appointments.
The role of a child therapist
In simple terms, a child therapist needs to:
- Assess what your child needs.
- Plan an approach that fits those needs.
- Deliver the therapy well (for example, a short block of sessions for anxiety).
Child psychologist vs child therapist: what’s the difference?
Many child psychologists also work as therapists. Many child therapists are not psychologists.
A child therapist is a broad term. Training varies a lot, and some therapists, like child and adolescent psychotherapists, have no psychology degree.
A clinical child psychologist, a type of clinical psychologist, has doctoral-level training and can also offer specialist assessments and psychometric testing. They’re trained in child development, brain development, mental health, and evidence-based therapy.
An educational psychologist is also highly trained, but their work is rooted in education settings. They often focus on learning, school progress, and what helps a child do better in the classroom. They may offer therapy too, depending on their training.
TAKE THE QUIZ!
Should you choose a child psychologist or a child therapist?
The best choice depends on what you’re worried about and what kind of help your child needs.
1. Your main concern
A child psychologist may be the best fit when you need clarity around development, learning, or possible diagnoses related to neurodiversity (such as ADHD or autism), because they are trained in assessment.
A child therapist may be a good fit when your child mainly needs emotional support for life events such as grief, bullying, friendship fall-outs, or family change.
2. The type of support needed
If your child needs a full plan that includes home and school, a psychologist often offers that wider view.
If your child needs a safe, steady space to talk through emotional difficulties from life events, a therapist may be enough.
3. What other professionals have noticed
Schools, GPs, and paediatricians may suggest a certain type of professional based on what they see.
4. How complex the problem feels
If the difficulties have lasted a long time and affect several parts of life, you may want a more in-depth assessment and plan.
If it’s a more contained issue, short-term therapy may work well.
Does your child need therapy at all?
Therapy can help, but it isn’t the answer for every situation. It often helps to pause and think about the impact on young people’s day-to-day life. For example:
- Is your child’s wellbeing affecting day-to-day life?
- Has their confidence taken a knock?
- Is the whole family feeling the strain?
- Has your child asked for help, or hinted they want support?
If one or more of these feels true, it’s reasonable to explore support, either locally or through online therapy.
What kind of child therapist should you look for?
There isn’t one “best” type. A good match depends on your child’s needs, personality, and stage of development.
Your child’s personality and comfort
Some children talk easily. Others show you how they feel through behaviour, play, or art. It can help to consider:
- Do they open up to adults?
- Do they prefer practical activities over talking?
- Do they find direct questions hard?
- Would play, art, or music feel safer?
Therapy is not right for every child at every age. Sometimes it’s more effective to start with parent support, school changes, or adjustments at home.
If your child is anxious about school, for example, therapy might not be the first step. You often get better results by working out what’s causing it and making practical changes with school. If noise, workload, or social pressure is the trigger, reducing those pressures matters.
In situations like this, a psychologist can be helpful because they can support the wider system around your child, not just what happens in a therapy room.
Matching therapy to your child’s needs
If your child has a diagnosed condition such as an eating disorder like anorexia nervosa or OCD, they usually need a structured approach from a highly trained professional.
In the UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) sets out guidance on what therapy should be offered for specific conditions. You can search their website for the most up-to-date recommendations.
For anorexia nervosa in young people, NICE advises family-focused treatment involving parents and carers:
“Consider anorexia-nervosa-focused family therapy for children and young people (FT‑AN), delivered as single-family therapy or a combination of single- and multi-family therapy. Give children and young people the option to have some single-family sessions:
Separately from their family members or carers and together with their family members or carers.
FT‑AN for children and young people with anorexia nervosa should:
- Typically consist of 18 to 20 sessions over 1 year.
- Review the needs of the person 4 weeks after treatment begins and then every 3 months, to establish how regular sessions should be and how long treatment should last;
- Emphasise the role of the family in helping the person to recover;
- Not blame the person or their family members or carers;
- Include psychoeducation about nutrition and the effects of malnutrition.”
If your child’s needs are milder, counselling can be a good option, especially for processing life events such as divorce, friendship loss, or bereavement. It’s often less structured, which some children prefer.
How structured should the support be?
For common mental health conditions like anxiety or depression, many children do well with a structured approach that builds skills.
CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) has a strong evidence base for difficulties such as anxiety, depression, panic, and OCD. It focuses on learning coping strategies your child can keep using long after therapy ends. Some clinicians also blend CBT with other approaches (such as compassion-focused work) to better fit your child.
Your child’s stage of development
Some therapies need a lot of “thinking about thinking”. Younger children, and some older children too, may not be ready for that.
If your child struggles to reflect on feelings and behaviour, or they always blame others, they may not yet benefit from more cognitive therapy styles.
As a rough guide, children under around 8 often don’t benefit from standard talking therapies like CBT in the same way older children do. With strong parent involvement, the behavioural parts of CBT can still work well for behavioral issues.
Example: if a 6-year-old has a severe phobia, therapy may focus on gentle, step-by-step behaviour change with parent support, rather than challenging fearful thoughts.
Is therapy always the right solution?
Therapy isn’t like medicine where you can take it and feel better. Young people need to be willing to take part, even if they feel unsure at first.
If your child strongly refuses therapy, focus first on what you can change around them, and get advice as a parent. A psychologist may support you with this.
At the same time, your child doesn’t need to feel ready on day one. It’s normal to feel wary. Often the first goal is simply turning up, meeting the therapist, and seeing what it’s like.
A good therapist builds trust slowly and works at your child’s pace.
How to check your child therapist is properly qualified
Your child deserves safe, skilled care. In the UK, the title “therapist” isn’t always tightly controlled, so it’s important to check qualifications, registration with a professional body, and insurance.
For example, clinical psychologists train to doctoral level and must be registered with the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council). However, someone with an undergraduate psychology degree can still call themselves a “psychologist”, even if they are not HCPC-registered and do not have specialist training.
If you are looking for a child psychologist in the UK, check their HCPC registration number. Many clinicians list it on their website or email signature.
Credential checking works differently in other countries. In the USA, it varies by state. This state-by-state guide to checking a therapist’s licence is a useful starting point.
Do you have to pay for child therapy?
In the UK, a GP referral or your child’s school can provide access to NHS services, including CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services). You usually can’t choose which professional your child sees, and waiting lists can be long.
If support is urgent, CAMHS teams can provide crisis help.
Because of NHS pressure, many families turn to private practice therapy through insurance or self-funding. Some local charities also offer free or low-cost mental health service. Your GP and school may know what is available in your area.
Types of child therapy professionals (UK)
Below is a practical overview of common options from backgrounds in counselling and psychotherapy, and how to find a qualified professional.
Clinical child psychologists
What they are
Clinical child psychologists are clinical psychologists trained to doctoral level (Doctor of Clinical Psychology). Some specialise in child and family work.
They are trained in:
- mental health and psychological conditions
- child development
- brain development
- evidence-based therapies
- specialist assessment and testing
They often work in three stages:
- Assessment, understanding the full picture.
- Formulation, making sense of what is driving the difficulty.
- Action plan, recommendations and evidence-based interventions.
They may work with your child, with you as parents, or with the whole family.
Pros
- Very high level of training.
- Strong assessment skills and flexible therapy skills.
- Can support more complex or severe difficulties.
- Structured, yet warm and collaborative.
Cons
- Often more expensive than other options.
How to find one in the UK
Clinical psychologists must be registered with the HCPC. You can check the register here.
You can also search:
Counselling psychologists
What they are
Counselling psychologists also train to doctoral level. They tend to work in a collaborative style, helping families make sense of what has happened and what to do next. They can support a wide range of concerns, including bereavement, relationship stress, and mental health conditions.
Pros and cons
Similar to clinical psychologists, both are highly trained and HCPC-registered.
How to find one in the UK
Use the BPS Directory or ACHiPPP directory, and check HCPC registration.
CBT therapists
What they are
CBT therapists train to deliver cognitive behavioural therapy. Training is often around a year, depending on route and prior background.
CBT is widely used for anxiety and depression, and is often offered one-to-one.
Pros for children and teens
- A strong evidence base for difficulties such as panic, OCD, anxiety, and depression.
- Clear, skills-based approach, often helpful for practical children.
Cons for children and teens
- The structure can feel restrictive for some children.
- If CBT is not a good fit, a CBT-only therapist may not have the training to switch to another therapy model.
How to find one in the UK
CBT therapists should be registered with the BABCP. You can search the CBT Register UK and check profiles for child work.
Child psychotherapists
What they are
Child and adolescent psychotherapists complete several years of advanced training. They help children understand difficult feelings and patterns over time, often using play and drawing as well as talking.
They may be a good match for complex histories, including trauma. Therapy is often longer-term, sometimes weekly for a year or more.
Pros
- High level of training.
- Skilled at working with complex feelings and early experiences.
- Often works well for children who struggle to talk directly.
Cons
- Longer-term work can cost more.
- Less structured, which does not suit every child or parent.
How to find one in the UK
Use the Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP) Directory.
Child counsellors
What they are
Counsellors offer counselling and psychotherapy, providing a safe place for your child to talk. The style is often non-directive, meaning they don’t usually give advice. They listen, reflect, and help your child make sense of what they feel.
Counselling can be helpful after events such as bereavement, divorce, or friendship breakdown.
Pros
- Calm, open space where your child can bring what matters to them.
- Can suit children who dislike “homework” or structured approaches.
Cons
- Training varies, and some counsellors do not have specialist mental health training.
- May not be the best fit for more complex mental health conditions.
- Often less parent-involved than other approaches.
How to find one in the UK
Search the BACP directory for accredited counsellors who work with children.
Family therapists
What they are
A family therapist works with relationships, patterns, and communication within the family. Sessions may include the whole family, or the people who choose to attend.
Family therapy is sometimes used alongside individual therapy, especially for eating disorders, self-harm, and other complex difficulties.
Pros
- Helps the whole family move forward together.
- Reduces blame, shame, and the sense that one child is “the problem”.
Cons
- Can be costly.
- Harder to make progress if key family members won’t engage.
How to find one in the UK
Search:
Child psychiatrists
What they are
Child and adolescent psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialise in mental health for children and young people. They tend to work from a medical model, focusing on diagnosis and medication, though some also train in therapy.
Pros
- Highly trained medical professionals.
- Can prescribe medication.
Cons
- Many are not therapists.
- Often more expensive privately.
How to find one in the UK
Psychiatrists are registered with the General Medical Council. You can check the medical register online.
Child and adolescent psychotherapist and creative therapists (art, drama, music, play)
What they are
A child and adolescent psychotherapist generally provides longer-term, in-depth therapy focusing on the underlying emotional and relational patterns behind a child’s difficulties. Creative arts therapies use art, drama, music, or play as the main way your child communicates and processes feelings. This can be a great fit if your child struggles to put feelings into words.
In the UK, art therapists, drama therapists, music therapists, and play therapy practitioners are regulated by the HCPC. You can check the HCPC register here.
Find a therapist via:
Other child therapy backgrounds
Some professionals come into therapy work through nursing or social work, with extra therapy training afterwards. You might also come across a child behavioural therapist, which is often used to describe someone focused on practical behaviour change to address behavioral issues (sometimes as part of CBT, sometimes within other models).
Whatever their route, you can protect your child by checking:
- their professional body’s register (where one exists)
- their insurance
- their experience with your child’s age group and needs
Child psychologist and child therapist: quick summary
You can make a confident choice when you focus on two things:
- Safety and credentials, check qualifications, registration, and insurance.
- Fit, speak to the professional about how they work and how they involve parents and carers.
Sometimes you will not know if it’s the right match until you’ve had one or two sessions. That’s normal. You’re allowed to ask questions, such as whether they offer a free consultation, and you’re allowed to change direction if something does not feel right for your child.
Dr Lucy Russell is a UK clinical psychologist and Clinical Director of Everlief Child Psychology. She qualified as a clinical psychologist from Oxford University in 2005 and worked in the National Health Service for many years before moving fully into her leadership and writing roles.
In 2019 Lucy launched They Are The Future, a support website for parents of school-aged children. Through TATF Lucy is passionate about giving practical, manageable strategies to parents and children who may otherwise struggle to find the support they need.
Lucy lives with her family, rescue cats and dog, and also fosters cats through a local animal welfare charity. She loves singing in a vocal harmony group and spending time in nature.
