Parenting
By Rebekah Hudson
By Rebekah Hudson
As a parent, you might be wondering: “How many types of child therapists are there, anyways?” The answer is…a lot. Understanding the different types of child therapists out there can be a bit overwhelming. (Seriously… Why so many abbreviations? LCSW, LISW, LPC, LPCC, LMHC… the list goes on.) At Hopscotch, we know how exhausting it can be to find the exact therapist your child needs. There are just so many questions, namely: Who helps with what? And, (most importantly) which type of therapist does my child need?
Having foundational knowledge of the different types of pediatric behavioral therapists available can help bring you one step closer to securing the support your child needs. In general, a child therapist needs to be fully licensed to practice (not an intern of provisionally licensed therapist) in most states in order to bill insurance. If you have a child under the age of 18 who you suspect would benefit from some psychological or behavioral support, then chances are you will need to find one of these four types of child therapists.
Pro-Parent Tip: As you explore options, you’ll probably come across the credential, PsyD, which is different than the PhD. A PhD in Psychology is a doctorate degree in Psychology, which can be focused on clinical work with patients, scientific research, or other areas. A PsyD stands for Doctor of Psychology and is a more hands-on approach program of psychological study designed for students on a direct path towards practicing psychology in a clinical setting. Someone with a PsyD or PhD in psychology is considered a Doctor in the same way that anyone with a doctoral-level degree holds the title of Doctor. However, because neither a PsyD or a Psychology PhD is considered a “medical doctor,” generally neither can prescribe medication or conduct medical treatments.
Who can prescribe psychiatric medication? Generally, only a doctor, such as a pediatrician or a child and adolescent psychiatrist, or Licensed Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (LPNP) can make professional recommendations on a particular medication and/or prescribe medication. Note that some of these mental health professionals are prescribers only and refer out for counseling services for their clients to places like Hopscotch!
A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) are all different titles for the same thing. They are qualified for diagnosing and treating mental and emotional disorders including addictive disorders and can treat a host of psychological and behavioral problems. LPCs are often specialized and may focus on various topics or niches within the mental health industry such as child counseling, play therapy, substance abuse counseling, eating disorder counseling, or general family counseling.
Graduate Degree in counseling program accredited by the CACREP
Post-graduate supervised clinical work experience (state requirements vary)
State License (State requirements vary, but it typically requires passing either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE). Also note that renewal requirements vary by state, so it is good to confirm the “active” status of a license.)
A Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) may also be called a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW), and their range of expertise is generally broader than the services provided by an LPC. LCSWs are professionals who are trained in the same counseling methodologies that an LPC is, however, the way in which a LCSW will apply psychotherapeutic methods goes far beyond the structured environment of a clinic. Whereas an LPC uses psychotherapy methods to help an individual or family overcome a specific behavioral or mental health challenge, LCSWs are trained to make assessments based on social, economic, and environmental influences that impact the mental and physical wellbeing of their clients.
Because the support and resources that an LCSW offers is often supplied through government agencies, community agencies, or non-profits, LCSWs are able to go beyond the purview of counseling to provide a wider range of mental health, psychological, and psychiatric support. Specifically, LCSWs are trained to help individuals and families secure social services such as welfare, government assistance programs, government healthcare accommodations, and other related resources that generally don't fall into the category of mental health counseling.
In addition to psychotherapy training, Licensed Clinical Social Workers are required to be proficient in topics pertaining to social policy, social justice, and social services administration – topics typically not covered in general counseling programs. Other requirements and credentials to look out for include:
Graduate Degree in Social Work
Post-graduate supervised clinical work experience (state requirements vary)
State license (requirements vary by state, but they typically require passing the applicable board-certified Social Work Examination. Also note that renewal requirements vary by state, so it is good to confirm the “active” status of a license.)
In marriage and/or family therapy, treatment is not focused on one specific person, but rather the relational dynamics of the family or relational unit as a whole. Marriage and Family therapy is generally more short-term than individual psychotherapy treatment, and session format is typically very solution focused. Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) are trained to improve family communication and interaction quality, and they are able to treat a wide range of concerns including depression, family dysfunction, marital distress, relational conflict, addiction, family grief coping, family transition adjustments, etc.
LMFTs are Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists who have specialized in psychotherapy and emotional disorders pertaining to marriage, couples, and family systems. Other training credentials include:
Graduate Degree in Counseling
Post-graduate supervised clinical work experience (state requirements vary)
State license (Requirements vary by state, but they typically require passing the National Examination for Marriage and Family Therapists administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards. Again, note that renewal requirements vary by state, so it is good to confirm the “active” status of a license.)
A Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT) goes beyond the limitations of talk therapy and uses the arts to cultivate self-awareness and facilitate the development of coping skills. An LCAT will rely on a variety of therapeutic art methodologies including drawing, painting, sculpting, and photography, however other expressive forms of art such as music, dance/movement, and writing may also be used. Through the creative process, LCATs help patients explore complex thoughts and feelings through artistic expressions that foster healing and post-traumatic growth.
Credential requirements are established by the American Art Therapy Association, Inc. (AATA) but generally, to practice Art Therapy, an individual must be both a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Registered Art Therapist (ATR). Other credentials include:
Graduate Degree in Art Therapy
Post-graduate supervised clinical work experience (state requirements vary)
Certified Registered Art Therapist (ATR)
State license (requirements vary by state)
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Watching your little ones struggle is hard. Hopscotch is here to help you find a provider who can meet your child’s needs, whether they’re dealing with anxiety, depression, ADHD or another behavioral issue. We partner with national insurance carriers to ensure your session is covered.
Watching your little ones struggle is hard. Hopscotch is here to help you find a provider who can meet your child’s needs, whether they’re dealing with anxiety, depression, ADHD or another behavioral issue. We partner with national insurance carriers to ensure your session is covered.
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