Finding the Right Child Therapist for Your Family
When your child is struggling with frequent tantrums, emotional outbursts, anxiety, difficulty following directions, or challenging behaviors, you may begin wondering whether working with a child therapist could help. Knowing how to choose a child therapist can feel overwhelming, especially when you are unsure what type of therapy your child needs or which professional is best equipped to help.
You may have already tried different parenting strategies, sought advice from family and friends, or researched ways to address your child's behavior, but still feel unsure about what to do next.
Finding the right child therapist involves more than searching for someone who works with children or has an available appointment. Therapists have different training, experience, and treatment approaches. Some specialize in childhood anxiety, while others focus on behavioral difficulties, parent-child relationships, or emotional development.
The therapist you choose can make an important difference in how treatment is structured, how involved you are as a parent, and whether the approach addresses your child's specific needs.
If you are considering therapy for your child, here are seven important questions to ask when choosing a child therapist.
1. Does the Therapist Have Specialized Experience Working With Children?
Working with children requires a different skill set than working with adults. Children's emotional, behavioral, and cognitive abilities are still developing, and their ability to understand and communicate their experiences changes significantly as they grow.
A therapist who primarily works with adults may not necessarily have the specialized training or experience needed to address the developmental and behavioral needs of young children.
When looking for a child therapist, consider asking:
What age groups do you primarily work with?
Do you have specialized training in childhood behavioral or emotional concerns?
What types of challenges do you commonly help children and families address?
Do you have experience working with children who have similar difficulties to my child?
For example, working with a 3-year-old who experiences frequent tantrums and difficulty following directions requires a different approach than working with a 10-year-old experiencing social anxiety or negative thinking patterns.
Ideally, look for a therapist whose experience aligns with your child's age, developmental level, and presenting concerns.
2. What Therapeutic Approaches Does the Therapist Use?
Another important consideration is understanding how the therapist approaches treatment.
There are several evidence-based therapeutic approaches used to address childhood behavioral and emotional difficulties. However, not every approach is appropriate for every child or concern.
Some common approaches include:
Play Therapy: Uses play, toys, games, and creative activities to help children express emotions, communicate experiences, and work through challenges.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps children recognize connections between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors while developing coping strategies and more helpful ways of responding to difficult situations. CBT is commonly used to treat childhood anxiety.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT): An evidence-based treatment designed primarily for children ages 2–7 experiencing behavioral difficulties. PCIT involves parents directly in treatment through structured parent-child interactions, live coaching, and individualized feedback.
Parent Training and Behavioral Interventions: Help parents understand their child's behavior, strengthen positive interactions, establish consistent expectations, and develop effective responses to challenging behaviors.
When speaking with a potential therapist, ask what treatment approaches they use and why they believe those approaches are appropriate for your child's needs.
You may also want to ask whether treatment is structured around a specific evidence-based model or primarily involves general supportive counseling.
Understanding the treatment approach can help you determine whether it aligns with what you are hoping to accomplish through therapy.
3. How Involved Will I Be as a Parent?
This is one of the most important questions to ask, particularly when seeking therapy for younger children (less than ~7 years old).
Parents play a central role in their children's emotional and behavioral development. Young children are still learning how to identify their emotions, communicate their needs, manage frustration, and navigate challenging situations. They often rely on caregivers to help them develop and practice these skills.
While individual therapy can provide children with opportunities to explore emotions and develop coping strategies, young children may have difficulty independently applying what they learn during a therapy session to everyday situations.
For example, a child may learn a breathing exercise or practice identifying feelings during therapy but struggle to remember or use those strategies when experiencing a tantrum at home.
This is why parent involvement can be particularly valuable.
Depending on the treatment approach, parent involvement may include:
Participating in parent consultation sessions.
Learning strategies to support emotional regulation and positive behavior.
Receiving guidance on responding to challenging behaviors.
Practicing new skills with your child between sessions.
Learning how to support your child's progress across everyday situations.
Some approaches, such as Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), place parent involvement at the center of treatment. Parents participate directly in sessions and receive live coaching while interacting with their children.
When choosing a therapist, ask how parents are incorporated into treatment, how often you will receive guidance, and whether you will have opportunities to practice strategies with professional support.
The goal is not simply to help your child develop new skills during therapy but to help those skills translate into meaningful changes in everyday life.
4. How Does the Therapist Measure Progress?
Another important question is how you and the therapist will know whether treatment is actually helping your child.
While developing a positive relationship with a therapist is important, therapy should also have clear goals and a way to evaluate progress.
Before beginning treatment, consider asking:
How will we determine what goals to work toward?
How will progress be evaluated?
How frequently will we review treatment goals?
What happens if my child is not making the expected progress?
How will I know whether the strategies are helping at home?
For example, if your child struggles with frequent tantrums, treatment goals might include reducing the frequency or intensity of outbursts, improving cooperation with directions, and increasing positive parent-child interactions.
If your child experiences anxiety, goals may focus on reducing avoidance, increasing confidence, developing coping skills, and becoming more comfortable with situations that previously caused distress.
Progress does not always happen in a straight line, and every child develops at their own pace. However, having measurable treatment goals helps ensure that therapy remains focused on your child's needs rather than continuing without a clear direction.
5. Does the Therapist Work With Parents on Strategies to Use at Home?
A child's behavior and emotional difficulties do not occur only during therapy appointments. They often show up during everyday situations, including morning routines, transitions, bedtime, homework, sibling interactions, and separation from caregivers.
For treatment to have a meaningful impact, it is important to consider how new skills will be practiced and supported outside the therapy room.
A therapist may provide helpful recommendations during an appointment, but parents also need to understand how to implement those strategies when challenging situations arise.
Consider asking:
Will I receive specific strategies to practice at home?
How will the therapist help me implement those strategies?
Will we discuss situations that arise between appointments?
How will treatment address the challenges we experience during everyday routines?
For young children, this is particularly important because they are still developing the ability to independently manage their emotions and behaviors.
Parent guidance can help caregivers respond more consistently, reinforce positive behaviors, and support children as they practice new skills.
When parents understand how to respond and have opportunities to receive feedback, they can become more confident supporting their child's progress beyond the therapy setting.
6. Does the Therapist Have Experience With My Child's Specific Concerns?
Not every child therapist specializes in the same concerns. A therapist may have extensive experience working with childhood anxiety but limited experience addressing disruptive behaviors or parent-child interaction difficulties.
When choosing a therapist, consider whether their clinical experience aligns with the specific challenges your family is experiencing.
For example, you may be looking for support with:
Behavioral Difficulties
Frequent tantrums and emotional outbursts.
Defiance and difficulty following directions.
Hitting, aggression, or disruptive behaviors.
Difficulty with transitions and daily routines.
Frequent parent-child power struggles.
Childhood Anxiety
Separation anxiety.
Excessive worries or fears.
Difficulty separating from parents.
Avoidance of unfamiliar situations.
School-related anxiety.
Difficulty managing uncertainty or changes in routine.
You may also want to ask whether the therapist has experience working with children who have ADHD, developmental differences, or other concerns that may influence treatment planning.
For example, a young child experiencing frequent behavioral difficulties may benefit from a structured, parent-involved approach such as PCIT. A school-aged child struggling with persistent worries may benefit from CBT or another anxiety-focused intervention.
A therapist who understands the specific concern can help determine which treatment approach is most appropriate and whether additional support or collaboration with other professionals may be beneficial.
7. What Are the Therapist's Fees, Payment Options, and Policies?
Once you have identified a therapist whose experience and treatment approach seem appropriate, it is important to understand the financial and practical aspects of treatment.
Therapy is an investment of time, resources, and commitment from both parents and children. Understanding the costs and expectations before beginning can help you make an informed decision about whether a particular provider is the right fit for your family.
Questions to consider include:
What is the therapist's fee per session?
Does the therapist accept insurance or offer private-pay services?
Can the therapist provide a superbill for potential out-of-network reimbursement?
Are there additional fees for parent consultations or other services?
What is the cancellation policy?
How frequently are sessions typically recommended?
If you are considering private-pay therapy, you may also want to ask what is included in the therapist's services and how treatment is structured.
For example, specialized treatment may involve more than meeting with a child for a weekly appointment. Depending on the treatment model, it may include parent guidance, individualized treatment planning, progress monitoring, and opportunities to receive feedback and practice new skills.
It is also important to understand that out-of-network reimbursement is not guaranteed. If you plan to submit a superbill to your insurance company, contact your insurer to verify your specific out-of-network mental health benefits before beginning treatment.
The goal is to find a therapist whose expertise, treatment approach, and financial arrangements are appropriate for your family's needs.
How Do You Know If You've Found the Right Child Therapist?
Finding the right therapist involves more than checking credentials or choosing the first available appointment.
You want someone who understands your child's developmental needs, has experience addressing the concerns your family is experiencing, and can explain how treatment will support meaningful progress.
You should also feel comfortable asking questions, sharing concerns, and participating in the treatment process.
A good therapeutic fit means that you understand what treatment involves, feel supported as a parent, and have a clear understanding of the goals you are working toward.
If you are considering therapy for your child, remember that you do not have to wait until behavioral or emotional difficulties become overwhelming before seeking professional guidance. Early support can help families better understand their child's needs and identify effective ways to address challenges.
Looking for a Child Therapist in Miami, Florida?
If your child is experiencing frequent tantrums, difficulty following directions, challenging behaviors, or anxiety, finding a therapist with specialized experience in early childhood can make an important difference in determining the most appropriate treatment approach.
At Empowering Families Counseling, I provide specialized therapy and parent support for families navigating childhood behavioral difficulties and anxiety.
I am Alexis Landa, MS, LMHC, PMH-C, a Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Therapist and Within-Agency Trainer, and Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional.
My work focuses on helping parents understand their children's emotional and behavioral needs while developing practical strategies to support positive changes at home.
I specialize in:
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT): Evidence-based treatment for young children, typically ages 2–7, experiencing behavioral difficulties, including tantrums, defiance, aggression, and difficulty following directions.
Childhood Anxiety: Support for children experiencing separation anxiety, excessive worries, fears, and other anxiety-related difficulties.
Parent Guidance: Individualized support to help parents better understand their child's behavior, strengthen parent-child interactions, and navigate everyday parenting challenges.
My approach emphasizes the importance of parent involvement, developmentally appropriate treatment, and practical strategies that families can incorporate into their everyday lives.
If you are unsure whether your child would benefit from PCIT or another therapeutic approach, I offer a complimentary 15-minute consultation to discuss your concerns, answer questions, and explore whether my services may be a good fit for your family.
Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing a Child Therapist
1. At what age should a child start therapy?
Children can benefit from developmentally appropriate therapy beginning in early childhood. The appropriate treatment approach depends on the child's age, developmental abilities, and presenting concerns. For example, PCIT is designed primarily for children ages 2–7, while older children may be better able to participate in structured individual therapy approaches such as CBT.
2. How do I know if my child needs a therapist?
You may consider seeking professional support if your child experiences frequent or intense tantrums, persistent anxiety, difficulty following directions, aggression, emotional outbursts, or challenges that interfere with everyday routines, relationships, or school functioning. You do not need to wait until difficulties become severe to seek guidance.
3. Should parents participate in child therapy?
Parent involvement can be particularly beneficial when working with young children. Parents help children practice emotional regulation, communication, and behavioral skills in everyday situations. The amount of involvement depends on the treatment approach, but parent guidance can help support the generalization of skills outside therapy sessions.
4. What is the difference between a child therapist and a play therapist?
A child therapist may use several treatment approaches, including play therapy, CBT, behavioral interventions, and parent-child interventions. A play therapist specifically incorporates play as a primary therapeutic tool to help children express themselves, explore emotions, and work through challenges. The appropriate approach depends on the child's developmental needs and treatment goals.
5. Is PCIT better than traditional child therapy?
Neither approach is universally better. PCIT is an evidence-based treatment specifically designed for young children experiencing behavioral difficulties and emphasizes parent involvement and live coaching. Traditional child therapy may be more appropriate for other emotional or psychological concerns. The best approach depends on the child's age, needs, and treatment goals.
6. How long does child therapy take?
The length of treatment varies depending on the child's concerns, treatment approach, and progress. Some concerns may be addressed within a shorter period, while others require ongoing support. Structured treatments such as PCIT are progress-based, meaning treatment continues until parents demonstrate mastery of specific skills rather than ending after a predetermined number of sessions.
7. How much does a child therapist cost?
The cost of child therapy varies depending on the therapist's credentials, experience, location, and treatment approach. Some therapists accept insurance, while others provide private-pay services. If you are considering private-pay therapy, ask about session fees, payment policies, and whether the therapist provides superbills for potential out-of-network reimbursement.
8. Can I find a child therapist who specializes in both behavior and anxiety?
Yes. Some therapists have specialized experience addressing both childhood behavioral difficulties and anxiety. However, the treatment approach may differ depending on the child's primary concerns. For example, PCIT may be appropriate for behavioral difficulties, while CBT or specialized anxiety-focused interventions may be more appropriate for children whose primary concern is anxiety.
9. What should I ask during a consultation with a child therapist?
Use the consultation to discuss your child's age, presenting concerns, the therapist's specialized experience, treatment approaches, parent involvement, session fees, and expectations for treatment. You should leave with a clearer understanding of whether the therapist's services are appropriate for your family.
10. Does a child therapist in Florida offer virtual therapy?
Some Florida-licensed mental health counselors offer telehealth services to children and families located in Florida. However, not every treatment approach is appropriate for virtual delivery. Ask whether the therapist offers telehealth and whether the specific treatment model can be delivered effectively in that format.
