Child therapy, counseling, psychotherapy, psychology, psychiatry, and pediatrics...oh my!

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Parents often wonder what's the difference between child therapy, counseling, psychotherapy, psychology, and psychiatry? Don't worry, for most people it's a bit confusing to differentiate these professions. I'll give you a brief overview to make the differentiation easier to understand.

Pediatricians are your child's primary care physician, if your child is exhibiting developmental issues a developmental pediatrician can provide and in-depth assessment of you child's development (physical, cognitive, social, and emotional).

Psychotherapy encompasses the various ways your child receives support to improve their mental health, this may include services such as social work, counseling, psychology, art therapy, music therapy, drama therapy, dance therapy, play therapy, and psychiatric nursing and counseling psychology. Essentially psychotherapy is a fancy work fro therapy.

Psychiatrists prescribe psychotropic medication for mental health symptoms and some psychiatrists also provide psychotherapy. In some states Psychologists may prescribe medications with a special license, and psychiatric nurses and your child's pediatric also can prescribe medications.

Psychologists provide mental health and cognitive assessments/evaluations and may also provide psychotherapy.

Creative arts therapists such as art therapy and music therapy are trained therapists in a specific modality. This requires advanced college training and often a master’s level board certification to practice these specialized modalities.

Not sure where to start to help your child? Schedule your child Support Consultation to learn more.