Four questions to ask when choosing the right therapist for your child

If you are reading this blog, you probably want to find the right help for your child. However, knowing what kind of professional is a good fit for you and your family can be challenging, especially given the high number of therapists with variable qualifications available. Therefore, I want to share some MUST questions to ask this professional before committing to therapy.

Question#1. Are you specialized in children and youth?

If the answer is yes, follow up with additional questions about how many years of experience they have, how much supervision they received before becoming an independent therapist, and the type of approach they use. Typically, the more age-restricted they are in working with young populations, the more specialized they also are. Be aware that if a therapist indicates they work with all ages or couples and families, they may not be considered "specialized in children and youth."

Question #2. What are your qualifications to work with children and youth?

In the past few years, the number of counselling/mental health clinics has dramatically increased in the lower mainland of BC, particularly in the Tri-Cities, where our clinic is located. One of the reasons seems to be that getting an online master's degree in counselling in Canada has become easily accessible for many due to its flexibility, minimal enrollment requirements, and short program duration compared to those offered at traditional and more reputable universities.

Thus, when looking for a therapist, it will be essential to know:

• What kind of degree does the therapist hold?

  • Is it a bachelor's only, a master's or a doctoral-level degree?

  • Be aware that terms like "therapist" or "psychotherapist" can be used by individuals with no graduate-level training who obtained some professional certification from a professional college.

• What type of program did the therapist attend, and from which university (reputable or not)?

  • The Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) sets high standards for accrediting psychology programs and internships in Canada.

  • Therapists who graduate from CPA-accredited programs typically come from well-recognized universities that require rigorous coursework, extensive research, and hundreds of supervised clinical hours to earn their graduate-level degrees.

  • If you're unsure, check the list of CPA-accredited programs to help you make your decision.

• What kind of supervised practicum and previous work experience does the therapist have?

  • To determine if the professional has sufficient knowledge to work with your child, you must also inquire about their prior clinical experience in the field.

    
    

  • Be aware that many recent grads now have an "RCC" or "CCC" designation and little counselling experience. Just looking at their credential titles can be misleading.

  
  

  Important note!

• In some provinces, like Alberta, individuals with master’s degrees can register as psychologists and transfer their credentials to BC, where they are grandfathered under the title "psychologist."

• This difference in registration requirements can create confusion about the qualifications expected of psychologists in BC (who require a doctoral degree), potentially misleading the public about a professional’s training.

• Psychologists, social workers, and counsellors/therapists have different backgrounds and qualifications. To better understand the difference, click here.

Question #3. What type of treatment do you offer?

This is a crucial question, as evidence-based treatments are much more likely to be successful than talk therapy. Here are three of the gold-standard treatments for children and youth (however, there are more):

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)

For specific information about these modalities, please check out this short article.

Question#4. Does my child feel connected with you?

Beyond finding a qualified therapist, the therapeutic connection is essential for positive results. While therapists have different styles and experiences, feeling heard and engaged and having fun during sessions are important components for successful treatment. Below are a few more points to consider:

• Does the approach match my child's developmental level?

  • Young children need much more interactive activities than teens.

  • Thus, the younger, the more active and engaging the sessions should be.

    
    

• Does my child feel comfortable opening up?

  • Warming up to a new person to talk about personal things can be challenging at first.

  • However, if, after a few sessions, your child continues to have a hard time talking or engaging, it might be a red flag.

    
    

• Is the therapist empathic and a good listener?

  • Of course, therapists need to talk and teach skills during sessions.

  • However, they should also be curious and listen to what you and your child have to say.

  • If you or your child don't feel heard, you may need to give the therapist some feedback.

    
    

• Does the therapist offer parental support or involve the parent in the treatment process?

  • Even though therapists must be cautious and compliant with protecting their clients' confidentially, it is also essential to have some degree of parental involvement (when possible) during treatment to improve communication between the parent and child and for the child to practice strategies and receive support outside of the sessions.

  • The younger the child, the more parental involvement is recommended, as parents can serve as great coaches to help their child manage their emotions and face their fears.

    
    

• Was the therapist recommended through word of mouth?

  • Knowing other families who had a positive experience with a therapist can be helpful.

  • A quick Google search can also help you gather more background information about a professional before scheduling a consultation call.

  • However, please consider questions 1-3 while doing your research.

    
    

Final Words

Finding the right support for your child can be challenging. Beyond reviewing a therapist’s credentials, areas of expertise, and experience, it’s just as important to consider the connection they build with your child. A good fit often means your child feels comfortable, engaged, and even looks forward to sessions—despite the tough topics they may need to navigate.

I hope this blog helps you make an informed decision about which mental health professional you will choose for your child.

Warmly,

Dr. Juliana

NOTE about the author: Dr. Juliana is the clinic director of Beacon Psychology Clinic and a Registered Psychologist passionate about mental health. She works as a clinician, researcher, supervisor, trainer, consultant, and public speaker. Her clinical approach is grounded in research and based on individual and family CBT and ACT. ​