Montgomery County is a great place to live, and to parent.  We have so many options.  For activities, for camps, and for schools.

With this many options, finding the right fit for your child can be exhausting.  And it’s even harder when you’re looking for something as important as a child therapist. 

Add to that the increased demand for child therapy during the pandemic. Child therapists are fully booked. It’s more difficult than ever to find the right match for you and your child.

There are 225 listings for child psychologists in Bethesda.  And hundreds more if you’re also willing to drive to Kensington, Rockville, Potomac, Chevy Chase, or Silver Spring. 

Who do you call first?  What questions should you ask? How do you know if your child needs therapy?

And what’s right for your child?  Or your other child, who needs something totally different?  (Hint: it starts with what’s right for you.) 

Our friends ask us these questions all the time.  But you might not have a friend who’s a therapist.  So we’re answering them for you right here. 

We want to help you find the right child therapist in Kensington, in Rockville, in Bethesda.  Or anywhere in Maryland.

Rather than finding the closest child therapist, let’s look for the right child therapist who’s also nearby.  Here are a few places to start your search.

1.     Google

 Don’t use your zip code as your primary search term.  Instead, google “child therapist” or “child psychotherapist” and the issue you are seeking to address.  For example, try “child therapist ADHD,” “child therapist tantrums” or “child therapist anxiety.”  

Google will automatically give you results that are close to your location, and searching only for providers in Rockville or Bethesda will eliminate those who have listed their address as North Bethesda or Chevy Chase, even if they’re closer.  

 2.     Psychology Today, Good Therapy, or Therapy Den

Your Google search will bring up a few paid listings and a Psychology Today link near the top.  Psychology Today and other similar databases charge a monthly listing fee.  Therapists whose practices are well known and have enough referrals typically don’t choose to be listed. If you do use these databases, look for providers who mention children or parenting right away.

Click to view the therapists’ websites.  If you can’t immediately tell that they treat children and families, move on.  If you like the information on the website, add the provider to your list.

Good Therapy and Therapy Den do but offer different search parameters than Psychology Today.  For example, if finding a therapist of a particular ethnicity or belief system matters to you, Therapy Den allows you to search for that.

3.     Your insurance provider

If using your insurance is a must, start with the list of “in-network” providers from your insurance company.  You’ll still want to do a Google search to narrow the list to those who match your criteria.  Or to view the websites or Psychology Today listings of the providers on the list.

Finding the best child psychotherapists in Maryland

Ok, so you’ve done a basic search.  Here’s our quick checklist for narrowing down your search results.  A good child therapist

•  Is licensed in Maryland (LCMFT, LCPC, LCSW-C, Licensed Psychologist, LCPAT).  For more about Maryland licenses, see our Child Therapy page.

• Has clear expertise and experience in treating children.

• Features children and families on his/her/their website.

• Incorporates play.  (Play based approaches are most effective for children.)

• Offers a free consultation (usually 15 minutes) before starting therapy.

   

“The best child therapist” actually means someone who is right for your child and for you.  If you’ve found someone who passes the checklist and you like their blog or website, call them!  And if someone meets all the criteria but doesn’t interest you, cross them off the list.

Do ask your friends. You’ll be surprised at how many of them have searched for a child therapist themselves. They may already know someone great.

Should you choose a Child Psychologist, Family Therapist, Counselor, Play Therapist, or Art Therapist?

The therapists on your list will have a variety of different credentials.  And that’s ok.  Different types of child therapists have much more in common than they have differences.

But here’s where we’re a little biased.  We believe that family therapists make the best child therapists.  More specifically, family therapists with expertise in child psychology.

Here’s why:

Children come to therapy for different reasons, but they are all about relationships.  He keeps hitting his brother.  And you’re feeling like a terrible parent because you can’t get it to stop.

She’s afraid to go to school.  And it makes everyone’s morning unbearable.  It has a way of wrecking your whole day and making you dread tomorrow.

Any child therapist will teach your child impulse control.  And emotional regulation.  A family therapist will focus on ensuring that you’re also reconnecting positively with your child.

When you’re involved in learning and growing with your child, your child’s behavior gets better faster.  Your relationships heal in the process.  And you get your sense of competence back. 

To find someone whose primary training is in family therapy in Maryland, look for LCMFT or LGMFT after their name.  Art therapists (LCPAT), counselors (LCPC), and licensed psychologists all might have training in family therapy.  You just have to ask.

“Play therapist” is a name for someone who has one of the licenses listed above and uses play as their primary intervention.  Asking the questions below will help you understand how the therapist uses play, whether they call themselves “play therapist” or not.

Making the most of your free consultation with a child therapist in Maryland

Remember, those free consultations are free!   Good therapists want you to find the right fit.  It is ok and expected for you to call around before you commit.

Here are a few questions to ask in the first conversation:

What types of therapy do you provide?  

How do your methods differ when working with children of different ages?

What days and times do you currently have available?

How long are your therapy sessions?

Do sessions occur weekly?

Are they online, in person, or both?

What does therapy cost?  (And does insurance cover it?)

What is the role of the parent in child therapy?

How and how often do you talk with parents about their child’s therapy?

How will we know when therapy is finished?

Do call around.  But if you find someone you really like, get back to them within a few days.  Schedules fill up quickly.

And trust your instincts.  If you don’t like the therapist or don’t feel respected in the first conversation, move on.  This person may be “the best” but isn’t the best fit for you.

We hope this post helps you find the right child therapist in Maryland, whether you’re close enough to reach our Montgomery County office or elsewhere in the state.  If you’re still feeling stuck, request a free 15 minute consultation.  We’d be happy to help you find the right child therapist for your family. 

Looking to schedule a child therapy appointment with us?

We’re convenient to Bethesda, Kensington, Chevy Chase, Garrett Park, Rockville, and Silver Spring and available online from anywhere in Maryland.  Click here for more information about our child therapy services in Maryland.