Healthy mental development is the lifelong process of building social, emotional and behavioral wellness. Your pediatrician can support this development by helping your child navigate symptoms, conditions and stress in a healthy way. They may also suggest that your child see a mental health or behavioral specialist if they feel it would be helpful.
Types of mental & behavioral health specialists
Many different types of specialists are available to help kids and their families with mental and behavioral concerns. Below is a round-up of different mental and behavioral health specialists who work with children, teens and young adults. License and practice requirements may differ from state to state.
Developmental-behavioral pediatricians
Developmental-behavioral pediatricians are trained to help children with developmental, learning, emotional and behavioral concerns. These include conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They help children and families manage challenges caused by childhood illness or disability. These doctors provide behavioral support, prescribe medicine if needed, and typically work with other doctors and counselors to meet families' needs.
Adolescent medicine specialists
Adolescent medicine specialists are medical doctors with additional training in caring for teens and their families. They help teens and families with common conditions such as eating disorders, substance use, depression and anxiety.
Child neurologists
Child neurologists are medical doctors trained to diagnose and treat children with concerns of the nervous system. They help determine if a child has a brain condition that affects learning and behavior and what treatment is best. These doctors can prescribe medicine and have experience doing so for brain conditions and behavioral challenges.
Child & adolescent psychiatrists
Child and adolescent psychiatrists are medical doctors trained to diagnose and fully treat emotional and behavioral symptoms and diagnoses as well as psychiatric disorders. They can prescribe medicine if needed. These doctors have special training in treating children, teens and families.
Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners
Nurse practitioners with advanced psychiatric training are advanced practice nurses who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental health symptoms and conditions. They typically work with a psychiatrist. These nurses can evaluate your child, prescribe medicine if needed, and fully treat mental and behavioral concerns.
Psychiatric physician assistants
Psychiatric physician assistants are advanced practice practitioners who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental health symptoms and conditions. They typically work with a psychiatrist. These practitioners can evaluate your child, prescribe medicine if needed, and provide a range of treatments for mental and behavioral concerns.
Clinical child psychologists
Clinical psychologists are licensed doctoral (PhD)-level specialists trained to diagnose and give psychological tests. They are trained to treat learning, behavioral and emotional concerns such as depression, anxiety, and conduct disorders, as well as adjustment problems related to medical illnesses. Some are experts in caring for children and teens.
Child psychologists
Psychologists with a master's degree are licensed specialists trained to give psychological tests. They also counsel individuals and families. In some states, they may be independently licensed to work. In other states, they may work only if supervised by a doctoral-level licensed psychologist or psychiatrist.
School psychologist
School psychologists are doctoral or master's degree specialists who work with children at school. They evaluate and counsel children with learning, emotional, and behavioral concerns.
Licensed clinical social workers & licensed social workers
Licensed clinical social workers and licensed social workers are master's- or doctoral-trained specialists who diagnose and treat mental and behavioral health concerns. They also counsel children and families.
Licensed clinical social workers help families deal with physical, mental or emotional challenges. They may teach children how to recognize and manage feelings, develop communication and relationship skills, and build problem-solving and coping skills. They may also help families link to community resources.
Clinical therapists
Clinical therapists are master's- or doctoral-trained specialists who counsel children and families. They build skills around feelings, communication and relationships and problem-solving and coping. They may help families link to community resources.
Substance use specialists
Substance use specialists are trained to evaluate and treat substance use disorders in children, teens and families. They may be physicians, psychologists, social workers or counselors with special interest and training in addiction.
Other mental health professionals
These include counselors, nurses with specialized training, art therapists, music therapists and family therapists who are experts in helping children and teens with mental health concerns. They can also help families support and care for their children.
Community resources & family support groups
Community mental health resources include mental health professionals and services offered through health departments, public mental health programs, religious organizations, nonprofit counseling agencies, colleges and medical centers.
Family organizations and support groups are local and national organizations offering a range of resources including brochures, books or information posted on the internet; public speakers and conferences; and support and advocacy groups.
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