Counseling or Therapy for Children During Divorce, Part II: Considerations for Choosing Your Child's Therapist

As our blog post last week discussed, the most important part of selecting a therapist or counselor for your child is that your child trusts the therapist, meshes well with the therapist, and wants to continue to go to therapy. If the first therapist chosen isn't the right fit for your child, it is always okay to search for a therapist who can be a better fit. Below are a few considerations you should make when you are selecting a therapist for your child. 

Considerations for a Child's Therapist.
Knowledge and Experience Working with Children: You should connect your child to a therapist who specializes in treating children and has significant experience or training in doing so. Ask potential therapists about their training, certifications, and the percentage of their work that is devoted to child clients.

Type of Therapy Provided: Is your child preschool age? Your child might need play therapy and you should look at therapists who provide that type of therapy. Has your child gone through a traumatic event(s)? That child may need a trauma-focused therapist or EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to assist in processing the traumatic memories and associated symptoms. Are you concerned your child may also need medication to cope with their depression or anxiety symptoms? Your child may need a Psychiatrist or Nurse Practitioner who can prescribe medication, in addition to a talk therapist.

Type of Clinician and Credentials: There are many different types of clinicians who are trained to provide therapy including Licensed Counselors (LPCs) or Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCMHCs), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), Clinical Psychologists (PhDs), and more. All of these clinicians are highly trained to provide therapy but vary in the types of therapy modalities they utilize in their sessions and the way they approach therapy with a child.

Cost: Many therapists and counselors do not accept insurance. They charge each client a flat rate cost out-of-pocket (or have a sliding scale fee for lower-income clients). Many therapists will provide a “Super Bill” to self-file with your insurance as an out-of-network provider. If you see many out-of-network providers, this can provide some relief from therapy costs once you hit your out-of-network maximum. If you need to make sure that a provider is in-network for insurance purposes, check the therapist’s website to see if they take your insurance. Psychology Today also lists the types of insurance each therapist takes, but the website may not be up to date, so it is important to always check with the therapist’s office directly.  

If you need child therapist referrals as your child navigates the separation and divorce transition, please feel free to reach out to our office. Our practice regularly intersects with local child therapists and we can refer you to child therapists that can meet your child’s needs.
 

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