Child Therapist vs Child Psychologist: Your Questions Answered

Introduction

You love your child and you want what's best for them. It's understandable and commendable that you would seek help when you feel you (or in this case, your child) may need it. But you're not quite sure where best to start and who to talk to. A child therapist or a child psychologist? You're in the right place. This article will help you determine where best to start seeking help and the types of professionals you can talk to. While you might not have all the answers yet, being on the journey is the most important part, so we're glad you're here.

What’s the Difference Between a Child Therapist and a Child Psychologist?

A child therapist is a licensed mental health professional who helps children manage emotional, behavioral, social, and other challenges through different types of therapy, including, but not limited to, talk therapy and play therapy. Child therapists include Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), or Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs). Other names for a child therapist are "child counselor" or "child psychotherapist". They focus on helping children express emotions, build coping skills, and improve relationships and behavior.

A child psychologist, on the other hand, is a type of therapist who has a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) and specialized training in child development, assessment, and treatment. While child psychologists can provide therapy, they can also perform psychological testing and formal evaluations for learning disorders, ADHD, anxiety, and other conditions. So, while a child psychologist is a type of therapist, not all therapists are psychologists. The main difference lies in education, training, and the ability to provide diagnostic testing in addition to therapy.

How Do I Know If My Child Needs a Therapist or Psychologist?

Life is hard, and struggles are normal, especially for children. You’ll know it’s the right time to see a child therapist or child psychologist when these struggles regularly create problems in day-to-day life. 

If your child is struggling with emotions (such as frequent sadness, anger, anxiety), behavioral issues (such as difficulty at school), or relationships, they may need to see a child therapist. A therapist can help your child develop coping skills, improve communication, and manage everyday challenges. 

However, if the difficulties seem more complex (such as signs of ADHD, learning disabilities, or severe emotional or behavioral issues), a child psychologist may be a better fit. Child psychologists can provide both therapy and formal psychological testing to understand what’s going on. In general, start with a therapist for emotional and/or behavioral support, and consider a child psychologist for more in-depth evaluations and diagnoses to guide treatment if needed.

Which Is Better, a Child Therapist or a Child Psychologist?

One is not necessarily “better” than the other; it really depends on the needs of your child. Children can benefit greatly from many different, evidence-based approaches to therapy. There is Play Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and EMDR, to name a few. Child therapists and psychologists are trained in multiple types of counseling, so they will be best able to determine the needs of your child based on their unique strengths and weaknesses. However, as mentioned above, sometimes a deeper analysis is needed, and for that, a child psychologist is better.

Are Child Psychologists More Expensive Than Child Therapists?

Typically, psychologists are more expensive than therapists because of the higher level of education they have, as we previously mentioned. There are multiple factors that go into the final cost, but this is a good rule of thumb. This is another reason to consider the needs of your child. It may make sense to take your child to a therapist first, but if you think their struggles are more complicated, it may make sense to go straight to a child psychologist.

Child Therapy and Child Psychology At Meadowbrook Counseling

At Meadowbrook, we provide child therapy at all of our locations and child psychology in Lehi, Utah, and Gilbert/Mesa, Arizona. Our child therapists and child psychologists are ready to offer personalized care to help your child in their time of need. To start their journey of hope and healing today, please don't hesitate to reach out. We know healing is possible.