Does my child need therapy? How do I find a child therapist? What are the questions to ask a therapist? If you find yourself asking these questions, you are in the right place.

The search for a child mental health care professional can feel daunting and confusing for many caregivers. That’s why we are here. At Hopscotch, we know that caregivers want what is best for their child, and we believe that finding a therapist who has the specific qualifications necessary to help your child should be easy. If you are a caregiver searching for a child or teen mental health professional, here is a complete, seven-step overview for how to find the therapist your child needs.

Step 1: Determine if your child needs therapy.

It is normal for children and especially teens to feel sad, anxious, or stressed intermittently. Bouts of anger, nervousness, or irritability caused by school or family life are part of growing up. But as a parent, how do you know if your child’s struggles are typical or something more serious? And when should you find a therapist for your child?

There are many symptoms that signal a child may need professional mental health support, but here are some primary indicators that finding a child therapist may absolutely be beneficial:

• Major changes in sleep, appetite, or relationships.
• Sudden loss of interest in activities or friendships they used to enjoy.
• More angry, sad, or anxious days then neutral or happy days.
• Expressing thoughts of self-harm or suicide. (Even if it is in a joking manner, verbalizations of thoughts about self-harm or suicide must be taken very seriously.)
• Prolonged increase in regressive behaviors such as frequent bedwetting, toddler/child aggression, tantrums, or immature ways of talking.
• Intense inability to concentrate, focus, make decisions, or remember instructions.

Step 2: Identify your child’s specific needs and the particular type of therapy they will require.

Once you have discerned that your child could benefit from professional mental health support, the next step for parents is to educate themselves about the different types of therapy and types of therapists that exist. In many cases, the age and specific need of your child/adolescent will determine what types of therapeutic methods or clinicians may be needed.

Step 3: Learn the ins and outs of your healthcare coverage.

There is a preconception that mental health treatment is expensive, and while this certainly can be the case, it is not always true. We recommend caregivers take the time to learn the ins and outs of their healthcare coverage, because many factors can impact therapy costs substantially, especially if there are school or government benefits available.

A great place to start is to simply call your insurance provider directly and ask what types of services are covered vs. not covered. Taking some time to become an expert in the premiums, copays, and deductible costs for in-network and out-of-network benefits will arm you with the information necessary to make your child’s mental healthcare manageable and sustainable. At Hopscotch, we work with major national insurance carriers, so that your child can see a provider who is in your network. Our customer support team is here to help you navigate the insurance coverage process.

Step 4: Research your child provider options.

There are several ways you can go about searching for a child or teen therapist: You can search through your insurance company’s network. You can ask your pediatrician or school counselor or a trusted friend for a recommendation. You can search on local community or online parenting groups. And you can search a provider network like Hopscotch. We take your location and concerns about your child into account to suggest a number of therapists who would be a good match. Browse our child therapist directory here and begin creating a list of options.

Once you have a list of child therapists you think may be a good match for your child’s behavioral needs, it’s time to determine fit. Here are 14 great questions to ask a child therapist before scheduling an initial consultation with them:

14 Questions to Ask a Potential Child Therapist 

1. What current openings are available? Is there a waiting list? If so, how long is the wait? 
2. Please confirm that you accept __________ (name) insurance?
3. Do you charge any additional service fees, testing costs, or copays?
4. What is the billing cadence? (At Hopscotch we handle all billing.) 
5. What certifications, qualifications, experience, licenses, or training do you have?
6. Do you have a list of services/programs you offer?
7. Are there any services/programs you do NOT offer? (IE: Medication, family/group therapy, etc.)
8. How many years of experience do you have treating this issue/topic?
9. Do you provide accommodations for children/adolescents who require extra support such as _____________ (state your child’s specific needs)?
10. Does your program have any unique features, benefits, products, or utilities?
11. What is the cadence for progress updates? Are progress updates given in-person, in writing, or over the phone? 
12. Would you be willing to provide two current or former client references?
13. What is your expectation for parental involvement? 
14. How do you approach diagnosis and treatment planning?

Step 6: Look out for red flags.

Hopscotch’s therapists are all carefully vetted - we complete background checks, interview them, verify their license and education and approve them through an internal credentialing committee. But as a general rule, it is always best for parents to exercise a degree of caution when seeking a child therapist. Here are five common red flags to be wary of:

1. Lack of appropriate licensure – Be mindful of false marketing of qualifications. 
2. Violating boundaries and/or confidentiality in treatment – Boundaries and confidentiality must be honored and respected by therapists at ALL times. 
3. Ineffective communication skills – The mark of an effective therapist is that they are a superb communicator. 
4. Excessive oversharing or self-disclosure – Sharing a certain amount of personal information may occasionally be appropriate, but if the therapist is relying heavily on their own personal, non-professional experiences, then this is ultimately detrimental. 
5. Tardiness – Therapists are accountable for consistently starting/stopping sessions on time. 

Step 7: Select a provider and book your first appointment.

By this step, you will have the information necessary to make an informed decision and schedule either a consultation (Hopscotch offers free 15 minute calls with our providers) or schedule your first appointment. All that is left to do is to prepare your child/adolescent for what therapy will be like before their first appointment. 

Keep learning about child therapy

• The top 4 types of child therapists
• How to talk to your child about therapy
• How child therapy works: what parents need to know
• How to determine the type of therapy your child needs