How to Find a Good Child Therapist Near You (Without the Overwhelm)

Feeling Lost Trying to Find the Right Therapist for Your Child?

You’re Not Alone—But You Don’t Have to Stay Stuck

You’ve decided your child or teen needs support—and now you’re staring at a sea of profiles, credentials, and waitlists, wondering: Where do I even start?

Finding a good child therapist near you can feel overwhelming, especially when you're already worried about your child’s behavior, anxiety, or emotional wellbeing. But it doesn’t have to be this hard.

Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to help you find a therapist who’s not just qualified—but a great fit for your child and your family.

1. Start With Your Child’s Needs

Every child is different—and so is every therapist.

Ask yourself:

• Is your child struggling with social anxiety, school avoidance, or panic around peers?

• Are they dealing with trauma or stuck in a cycle of fear, self-doubt, or big emotions?

• Are you looking for someone who specializes in teen mental health or works with younger children?

Narrowing down your child’s needs will help you know what to look for—whether that’s a social anxiety therapist, someone trained in EMDR therapy, or a therapist who’s amazing at working with highly sensitive kids.

2. Look for Specialized Training (Not Just General Therapy)

Not all therapists are trained equally—especially when it comes to working with kids and teens.

Look for clinicians with experience in:

• EMDR therapy (great for trauma, anxiety, or perfectionism)

• CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy—for challenging negative thinking patterns)

• DBT (especially helpful for emotional regulation and self-esteem)

• Play therapy or expressive arts (for younger children)

If your teen is dealing with social anxiety, you’ll want a social anxiety therapist who understands how to build confidence around peer interactions, presentations, and everyday stressors.

Bonus tip: If the therapist’s website includes terms like coping skills for kids, teen mental health support, or school stress, that’s a great sign they get what your child is going through…

3. Check for Personality Fit, Not Just Credentials

Therapy works best when your child likes and trusts their therapist.

Even the most highly trained clinician won’t be effective if your child doesn’t feel safe or seen. Look for someone who:

• Uses warm, age-appropriate language on their site

• Mentions building rapport with kids and teens

• Offers a free consultation so you can feel things out before committing

Read their bio, watch a video if available, and trust your gut. If it sounds like someone your child could open up to—you’re on the right track.

4. Ask These Questions Before You Book

Before scheduling your first session, ask:

• Do you specialize in teen mental health or anxiety in children?

• What kinds of approaches do you use? (EMDR, CBT, DBT, etc.)

• Have you worked with kids who have similar challenges to mine?

• Do you include parents in the process?

• What’s your availability and do you offer virtual sessions?

These questions help filter out therapists who aren’t the right fit—and quickly identify those who are.

5. Don’t Let the Search Delay the Support

The biggest mistake I see? Parents spending months trying to find the perfect therapist, while their child continues to struggle.

Finding a therapist your child connects with is important—but getting started is even more important.

If you’ve found someone with experience in child or teen mental health, who offers services like EMDR therapy or specializes in social anxiety, that’s a great place to begin. You can always adjust if it’s not the right fit—but starting therapy now can prevent small issues from becoming bigger ones.

Need a Place to Start?

At my practice, I specialize in working with children and teens struggling with anxiety, social stress, and emotional regulation. I offer EMDR therapy, coping skill-building, and personalized support for teen mental health in a way that’s approachable, collaborative, and effective.

📍Serving families virtually and in-person across New Jersey, Florida, and Vermont
💻 I offer free consultations so you can make sure it’s a good fit—before committing.

Let’s Make This Easier—Together

You don’t need to navigate this alone! If your child is struggling and you're ready to find support, let’s talk. I’ll help you understand your options, answer your questions, and create a plan that makes sense for your family.

👉 Schedule a free consultation today and take the first step toward finding the right therapist—for your child, and for your peace of mind.