There are many different terms for the specialists that work with children to better their mental health. It can be confusing to understand the differences between the titles and to understand who can best help your child through the struggles they are experiencing.

This article seeks to explain these differences and serve as a guide to help you make an informed choice for your child or adolescent. To start with, we will cover the similarities between the different roles, then explore the differences.

• Have the goal of seeking to support kids and improve their lives
• Offer care and support for children and adolescents
• Seek to help children better their mental health

When a parent or guardian is looking for help for their children, understanding the differences between professionals and their specialities is important. Below the description of each role is explained.

A child therapist is a broad, umbrella term that can include any of the following:

• Psychologists
• Psychiatrists
• Life coaches
• Counselors
• Social workers

Therapists are usually licenced and can hold a variety of different degrees including a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), a Master’s degree, a Medical Degree (MD) or a certification in a variety of different fields. These fields can cover a broad range of specialities like substance abuse, social work, life coach, marriage counselling, family counselling, psychiatry, etc.

A simple way to put it is that any practitioner can be called a therapist, but there are different specialities that fall under the general term of therapist.

If you are seeking a therapist for your child, make sure to check out the education credentials of the specialist you are reviewing. You want those credentials to be in line with the issue or struggle that you are looking to receive help with.

A child counsellor is another term for a child psychologist. They are mental health specialists who support your child with social and emotional insights into their mental health. A child counsellor can be referred to as a child therapist or a child psychologist.

They have taken specific training and have the necessary education to properly understand and diagnose the issues that your child may be facing. They can work with your kids to assist them with understanding what is going on in their minds, bodies and lives.

If you are considering a child counsellor to work with your child, do your research and make sure that they have completed a Master’s or higher in psychology and have specific training and/or experience in supporting children’s mental health.

As a parent or guardian, you want to see your child happy and healthy. When they start displaying behavioural issues, you should always trust your gut. If you’ve noticed a change in your child, whether they are more withdrawn, acting out, or have been through a major change in life, they may benefit from talking to a professional counsellor.

A child psychologist is a licenced and registered professional who has taken specific social science training in the form of a Master’s degree from an approved psychology program. This Master’s degree usually includes a practicum, followed by one to two years of supervised practice to become a fully Registered Psychologist.

A child psychologist is a therapist who specializes in mental health and provides therapeutic services for your child. They can help them learn coping strategies, provide counselling and diagnose underlying mental health disorders. A psychologist cannot prescribe medication, but may work with a psychiatrist to assist a child when needed.

In general, a child psychologist has the following:

• An advanced degree in psychology
• Ability to diagnose disorders or behavioural issues in children
• Ability to determine a treatment plan based on observations and diagnoses
• May work with a psychiatrist if required
• Has specialized experience in providing support and care for children and adolescents
• Will likely have certifications and training specific to the unique needs of children

A Registered Provisional Psychologist is a psychologist who has completed their Master’s degree in Psychology and related practicum. After this they must work a minimum of 1600 hours under the supervised guidance of a Registered Psychologist. Once this experience has been gained, they can apply to become a Registered Psychologist. They may also have additional experience and certifications that contribute to their overall education.

A Registered Psychologist is someone who has taken the necessary Master’s level education, related practicum and has completed a supervised practice of an additional one to two years before they can become fully registered.

It’s perfectly normal for your child to have ups and downs emotionally – all kids do. But how do you determine if what your child is going through is normal, or if they may need help from a psychologist to get them through?

Here are a few warning signs that your child may benefit from help from a professional psychologist:

• Your child is withdrawn from activities they used to enjoy or withdrawn from friends and family
• Your child is dealing with a stressful situation such as bullying, a health problem, a divorce, a new school or city, a new sibling or the death of someone close to them
• They are engaging in self destructive behaviour like hurting themselves, picking skin or pulling hair
• Your child makes comments like no one loves me, or no one would miss me if I ran away
• Your child is showing signs of anxiety and is afraid and/or worry around normal activities
• There has been a significant change in appetite or sleep patterns with your child
• Your child talks about suicide or other forms of self harm
• Your child is struggling with confidence and self worth
• Your child is having problems with their relationships with family, friends or teachers

As a parent or guardian, you know your child best. If you feel that something is amiss or wrong, you are almost certainly correct. Pine Cone Health has professional child psychologists to help your child or adolescent through this struggle. It’s always better to go and have things checked out if you have a concern.

A child psychiatrist is a medical doctor who is a mental health provider and can prescribe medication for your child if required. Like other doctors, they have at least seven years of post secondary education, but also have a speciality in mental health. They understand how medications affect the brain. A psychiatrist is the only mental health professional who can prescribe medication when required. They typically do not provide counselling services.

This is a common question that we get from parents and guardians. Now that you have an understanding of the difference between the two types of professional mental health specialties, you are in a better position to determine which is appropriate for your child.

We typically recommend that you start with a child psychologist and see how things progress with your child’s mental health. If there is still more progress that needs to be made, some questions that are helpful in deciding if a psychiatrist is something to explore include:

• Has your child been in therapy for a while and is still struggling with behavioural issues?
• Has your pediatrician or psychologist recommended you see a psychiatrist to explore if medication is right for your child?
• Would you like to learn more about the medications that are available and if they would be appropriate for your child?

When it comes down to it, you want what is best for your child. As a caring parent or guardian, it is difficult to watch your child struggle with life’s challenges. No matter which direction you take, the most important thing is that your child likes and trusts their therapist and feels comfortable opening up with them. You should always trust your instincts and go with a therapist who has the right experience and empathy to help your child feel safe and supported in a non judgemental environment.