Helping navigate mental health challenges

Children’s Psychologist & Psychiatrist

We Accept Insurance

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Access to child psychologists right from your home

Convenient & flexible sessions to fit your child’s schedule

Work through difficulties & develop coping mechanisms

What is a Children’s Psychologist?

A children’s psychologist specializes in understanding the behavior and mental processes of children. They use their knowledge to help children and their families understand and cope with developmental disorders, learning difficulties, and emotional problems. Child psychologists may work in schools, clinics, hospitals, or run a private practice. They often work with other healthcare professionals, such as pediatricians and social workers, to provide comprehensive care for children.

Children’s psychiatrist vs. psychologist

A children’s psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has completed a four-year medical degree and a four-year psychiatric residency. They are licensed to prescribe medications and can provide a medical diagnosis for mental health conditions. Psychiatrists can use different types of psychotherapy and medication to help children with mental health problems.

On the other hand, a child psychologist has a graduate degree in psychology, typically a master’s or doctorate, and completed a clinical internship. They are trained to use psychological evaluations, assessments, and different forms of talk therapy to help children with mental health problems. The key difference is that unlike children’s psychiatrists they cannot prescribe medication.

The importance of mental health in children

It’s essential for children to have good mental health because it affects their overall well-being and development. Unfortunately, it is estimated that about 1 in 5 children in the United States has a mental health disorder. Without proper treatment, these disorders can cause problems in school, make it harder for children to make friends, and even lead to thoughts of suicide.

It’s important for parents, caregivers, and teachers to know the signs of mental health issues in children and get help when it’s needed. Early treatment can make a big difference in a child’s life and help them manage their symptoms.

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Why are child psychologists important?

A child psychologist can help your child understand and cope with any emotional, behavioral, or developmental issues they may be facing. They use techniques and theories based on psychology to help children understand their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors and learn how to manage them.

They can provide therapy, counseling, assessment, and even diagnose your child’s mental health conditions. They also work closely with families and caregivers, such as yourself, to help you understand your child and how to support them.

Suppose you are concerned about your child’s emotional well-being or behavior. In that case, a children’s psychologist can help your child work through their difficulties and develop the coping mechanisms to lead a happier and healthier life.

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We had the fortunate experience with Modern Recovery that we can’t express the gratitude in words. Our son needed a different kind of support and had tried the various live in session therapies. Modern recovery was a method that spoke to us and our son and we are thankful that it has worked so well for us. They were always available for questions and willing to work with us in our unique situations. Highly recommend if you are in need of this type of therapy.

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4 Months Ago

How do they assess & diagnose mental health disorders?

A child psychologist is trained to help assess and understand any mental health concerns a child may have.

They use different methods to gather information about the child’s symptoms, such as talking to the child, the parents, and other caregivers, observing the child’s behavior, and administering tests. With this information, the child psychologist can determine if the child has any specific mental health disorder, such as ADHD, anxiety, or depression. They will then create a plan to help the child manage their symptoms and improve their mental health. They also provide support and guidance to parents to help them understand their child’s condition and how best to support them.

Talk therapy
& other psychological techniques

Talk therapy, also referred to as psychotherapy or counseling, involves talking with a trained therapist to help individuals understand and manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

Children’s psychologists use talk therapy to help children and adolescents cope with various mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and trauma. Through talk therapy, children’s psychologists work with their young clients to identify and understand the underlying causes of their problems, develop coping mechanisms, and build resilience. In addition, they may use various other techniques, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, family therapy, and solution-focused therapy, depending on the child’s needs and preferences.

We Accept Insurance

We work with most major insurance providers to help minimize the cost of treatment. Let’s check to see if your provider will cover your treatment.

We’re in-network with BlueCross BlueShield

How to find a children’s psychologist?

When looking for a children’s psychologist for your child:

  • Ask for recommendations from your child's pediatrician or primary care physician. They can provide you with the names of local child psychologists or refer you to a specialist.
  • Check with your insurance provider. Many insurance companies have a list of in-network providers you can access on their website or by phone. Modern Recovery is in-network with BlueCross BlueShield.
  • Search online directories. Websites such as Psychology Today, the American Psychological Association, or the National Register of Health Service Psychologists provide directories of mental health professionals, including child psychologists, in your area.
  • Contact your state psychological association. They can provide a list of child psychologists in your area.
  • Ask other parents or educators. They may know of child psychologists in the area.