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On average, patients who use Zocdoc can search for a Child and Adolescent Psychologist, book an appointment, and see the Child and Adolescent Psychologist within 24 hours. Same-day appointments are often available, you can search for real-time availability of Child and Adolescent Psychologists in your area who accept your insurance and make an appointment online.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for a Child and Adolescent Psychologist who takes your insurance. Just choose your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. If you’re not sure which plan you have, you can use Zocdoc’s insurance checker to find out.
Zocdoc is a free online service that helps patients find Child and Adolescent Psychologists and book appointments instantly. You can search for Child and Adolescent Psychologists by symptom or visit reason. Then, enter your desired appointment location and choose your insurance plan. Based on that information, you’ll see a list of providers who meet your search criteria, along with their available appointment slots.
When you search for Child and Adolescent Psychologists on Zocdoc, you can filter your results by gender, in addition to other criteria. That way, you’ll only see Child and Adolescent Psychologists who match your preferences.
On Zocdoc, you can search specifically for Child and Adolescent Psychologists with availability after 5 p.m.
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Child and Adolescent Psychologists on Zocdoc who see patients through online video visits will have a purple video icon on their profiles. You can also filter your search results to show only Child and Adolescent Psychologists who offer video visits.
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Zocdoc let's you see real-time availability for Child and Adolescent Psychologists. Many Child and Adolescent Psychologists offer appointments on Saturdays and Sundays.
Child counseling gives children and adolescents a safe, non-judgmental space to discuss their feelings freely. Since therapists are not persons of authority, unlike their parents or teachers, children can feel more comfortable opening up to them and discussing things they would not bring up elsewhere.
Child and adolescent psychologists have extensive clinical training to assess toddlers, children, and teenagers' mental, cognitive, and behavioral health. They are informed about the social, familial, and environmental factors that affect children's mental health and well-being.
Child counselors must complete an undergraduate degree (preferably - but not mandatory - in psychology) and a graduate program focusing on psychological theory and research.
Next, they join a doctoral program in clinical psychology with a concentration in child development or psychology, which takes 4-5 years to complete. It involves coursework on biological, behavioral, and cognitive psychology. Most doctoral programs require students to complete a one-year internship supervised by a psychologist and write a dissertation.
After graduating with a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) or a PsyD (Doctor of Psychology), psychologists must clear the Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology. This exam, facilitated by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Board, equips them with a license to practice. Some states require psychologists to clear a jurisprudence exam. It helps them familiarize themselves with the state laws on practicing psychology.
After receiving their licensure, psychologists can pursue a postdoctoral fellowship in child psychology. Fellowships take 1-2 years to complete, after which they must get certified by the American Board of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (ABCCAP) by clearing an exam. They can also apply to get certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) by meeting its educational and professional requirements, submitting practice samples, and clearing an exam once the board approves their application.
Child counselors possess many skills that make them adept at working with children and adolescents. Their responsibilities include:
Depending on a child's age and their concerns, specialists in child counseling near you can use different methods and approaches to therapy, such as:
Art therapy: Expressive arts therapy offers children a channel for self-exploration. It focuses on storytelling and narrative techniques, letting them express themselves through metaphors. If a child experiences something challenging to talk about, they can narrate it through their art. Their expression does not have to be literal; how they convey something provides further clarity about their state of mind, which child counselors then assess.
Play therapy: It is an umbrella term for various therapeutic methods that utilize play as a tool. During play therapy, counselors help children work independently, facilitating them with the skills required to assess their situation and solve problems.
An example of play therapy is 'nurturing play.' Here, the counselor gives the child a doll or a toy animal to care for. Their response can help the psychologist identify if the child feels neglected and needs care and nurturing from the people around them.
Play therapy is most beneficial for children between the ages of 3 and 12. This therapy method establishes a secure setting for kids by utilizing tools and procedures they are already acquainted with. It helps improve self-knowledge and expression, enhance problem-solving skills, reduce stress and boredom, and form better relationships.
Trauma therapy: Unresolved childhood trauma can result in lifelong physical and emotional issues. Physical, verbal, or sexual abuse, neglect, natural disasters, bullying/discrimination, loss of a loved one, and witnessing domestic violence are some traumatic experiences.
Child counselors help children and teens process trauma (through cognitive processing therapy), relieve emotional distress (through trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy), and reconfigure traumatic memories (through eye movement desensitization and reprocessing). They also treat children with prolonged trauma or multiple traumas with the help of narrative and prolonged exposure therapy.
Child counselors also work in school settings and offer group and family therapy, which helps children improve their relationships with peers and family members.
It's natural for parents to be concerned when their child's personality or behavior changes unexpectedly. These changes can be subtle or sudden, triggered by emotional events, or sometimes with no clear cause. Regardless of why they appear, noticing these shifts early can help parents decide whether professional counseling might be necessary. Here are six important signs that your child may benefit from seeing a specialist in child counseling near you:
Increase in defiant behavior
If your child becomes more argumentative, defensive, or oppositional at home and in school, it may be more than just a phase. Frequent defiance, especially over simple requests, can signal inner distress. These behaviors often show up as a call for help. It's helpful to stay in touch with teachers and caregivers who may also observe these changes.
Noticeable changes in habits or interests
Shifts in sleep, appetite, or usual activities can suggest emotional or psychological challenges. If your child suddenly loses interest in things they once enjoyed or shows signs of disrupted eating or sleeping for over two weeks, a consultation with their pediatrician may be the first step.
Persistent worry or sadness
While all children feel worried or down from time to time, ongoing or intense anxiety or sadness may be a red flag. If these emotions interfere with daily life, it's a strong indicator that professional help may be needed.
Regressive behavior
Regression—like bedwetting, tantrums, or clinging—can sometimes appear when significant life changes occur. But when these behaviors return unexpectedly, it may be time to look deeper. Language regression or exaggerated fears are other signs to watch for.
Withdrawing from others
Social withdrawal, especially in typically social children, is another concern. Skipping playdates, eating alone, or refusing to leave the house are common signs of isolation linked to emotional distress.
Self-Harm or hopelessness
If your child talks about self-harm or shows behaviors like head-banging or hurting themselves, it's important to act immediately. These are serious signs that require prompt, professional support.
As indicated above, childhood trauma can lead to long-lasting consequences in adulthood. A study states that adults in psychiatric outpatient programs had a higher rate of traumatic events as children compared to adults not in treatment. Another study found that people with childhood trauma experienced detrimental outcomes when they became adults, including mental illness, addiction, and health problems.
The effects of early trauma can result in mental health problems such as eating disorders, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and substance and alcohol use disorders. Additionally, experiencing sexual abuse as a child can increase suicide ideation in adults, according to a survey in 2017.
Yes, it is possible to prevent or lessen the consequences of childhood trauma. The first step is to show support and find a mental health expert qualified to treat the specific trauma your child is experiencing, getting them into therapy as soon as possible. Experts also recommend family therapy, particularly trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. These sessions guide parents/caregivers on how to help and encourage their children at home, avoid blame, listen effectively, and monitor for worsening symptoms.
Mental health conditions can significantly impact how children and teenagers behave, learn, act, manage emotions, and form relationships. If your child faces problems with learning, making friends, or expressing themselves, they can benefit from therapy. With Zocdoc, you can book sessions with top-rated child counselors from your home!
Start by creating an account on the Zocdoc website. Next, mention your condition, location, preferred date and time of appointment, and insurance plan on the website. It will generate a list of child counselors and psychologists near you. Want to narrow down your search? Use the various filters available on the website to sort the profiles by the doctor's gender, the languages they speak, and more!
If you need help finding child counselors who accept your insurance, our online patient help center can assist. On Zocdoc, you can link your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account. Keep in mind that each appointment can only use one insurance plan.
For those with multiple insurance plans, you can add secondary insurance details to the appointment notes. If your provider uses Zocdoc's intake forms, you can enter your secondary insurance information.
All doctors' profiles listed on Zocdoc come with in-depth information about their education and training, experience, licensure, certifications, and expertise. Additionally, you can review ratings and feedback from confirmed patients before finalizing your choice.
Schedule an appointment once you have identified a child or adolescent therapy specialist near you. You can book in-person or virtual sessions on Zocdoc; check for a purple-colored video icon on doctors' profiles to identify those offering video consultations.
With Zocdoc, you can book appointments before, during, or after office hours, depending on the child counselor's availability. You can also book appointments on weekends and holidays if the counselor's schedule permits.
Booking appointments with experts in child counseling near you on Zocdoc is 100% free, safe, and simple!
As per the 2019 National Health Interview Survey, 16.8% of children and teens between 12-17 years and 10.8% of children between 5-11 years are likely to receive treatment (taking medication and/or seeking therapy) for mental health concerns in the last 12 months. Boys (9.8%) were more likely than girls (7%) to take prescription drugs for psychiatric problems.
A 2019 research study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that, in 2016, 16.5% of school-aged children were diagnosed with a mental illness. Between 2016-2019, approximately 6 million children aged between 3-17 were diagnosed with ADHD; the number was 5.8 million for anxiety disorders, 5.5 million for behavioral disorders, and 2.7 million for depression.
In the spring of 2020, researchers conducted a national survey among high schoolers. One-third of all participants reported feeling unhappier than usual. In another study conducted among 1000 parents by the Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago in 2020, 71% of participants mentioned the COVID-19 pandemic had negatively impacted their child's mental health.
Zippia's research (last updated in July 2023) on the demographic of child and adolescent therapists revealed there were over 112,914 child and adolescent therapists practicing in the US. Of these, 79.1% were women, and 20.9% were men. About 15% of them belonged to the queer community.
American Psychological Association
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[3]
The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.