How to Become a Child Behavioral Therapist

One in five children in the US struggled with mental health or a learning disorder before the pandemic. The World Health Organization’s 2024 report shows that mental disorders affect 13 percent of 10-to-19-year-olds.

These numbers show why becoming a child behavioral therapist is more significant than ever. Mental health counselor jobs are growing faster, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics expecting a 19 percent increase between 2023 and 2033. This growth rate is nearly three times higher than the average across all occupations.

The path to becoming a child therapist takes 7 to 10 years of dedicated education and training, though no prior experience is needed to start. This career path offers both personal fulfillment and financial stability. Mental health counselors earn an average of $65,100 per year.

This piece will guide you through each step to become a child therapist or pediatric therapist from scratch. You’ll learn everything from choosing the right education path to getting your license and starting your career in this rewarding field.

Understand the Role of a Child Behavioral Therapist

Learning about what child behavioral therapists do and their responsibilities helps anyone thinking about this career. The introduction gave us a general career outlook, so let’s explore what this profession really involves.

What does a child behavioral therapist do?

Child behavioral therapists are mental health professionals who help assess, diagnose, and treat children with emotional and behavioral challenges. They work specifically with young clients from toddlers through adolescents, unlike general therapists.

These professionals have several key duties:

• They evaluate children’s behavioral, emotional, and psychological needs thoroughly
• They create tailored treatment plans based on proven methods
• They use therapy methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• They track and record how clients progress
• They work with families, schools, and other healthcare providers

Child behavioral therapists use creative approaches beyond just talking. They often work through play therapy, art, or storytelling to connect with younger clients. Young children might not have the words or self-awareness to share their feelings directly.

“A child therapist understands this challenge and uses creative methods to help the child communicate and process their emotions,” notes one expert in the field.

Common challenges children face

Children need behavioral therapy for many reasons. The World Health Organization reports that 13 percent of 10-to-19-year-olds live with a mental disorder. Child behavioral therapists often treat:

• Anxiety and depression
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD)
• Trauma-related disorders
• Autism spectrum disorders
• Family conflicts and social difficulties

The CDC shows that disruptive behavior disorders include “externalizing” behaviors—when children act out toward others. This might mean arguing with adults often, showing aggression to people or animals, or breaking rules on purpose.

Children with behavioral problems often have experienced trauma, face developmental issues, or find it hard to control their emotions. These mechanisms play a significant role in treatment.

Why this role matters in today’s world

Child behavioral therapists’ importance has grown over the last several years. One in five children in the US struggled with mental health or learning disorders before the pandemic. The pandemic made things worse by creating new challenges like social isolation, disrupted schooling, and more family stress.

Early help makes a big difference. Children who get the right behavioral therapy often show:

• Better emotional control and coping skills
• Improved social skills and ability to build relationships
• Higher self-esteem and confidence
• Stronger academic results
• Better family relationships through clearer communication

This work also helps prevent mental health issues from getting worse as children grow up. Therapists teach children how to handle big emotions like anger or anxiety early. These vital life skills help clients throughout their lives.

People who want to become child therapists without experience should know that this role changes lives. The chance to shape a child’s future makes this challenging career deeply rewarding.

Start with the Right Education Path

The trip to becoming a qualified child behavioral therapist starts with the right educational foundation. A solid base comes from good planning and understanding what this specialized field requires academically.

What degree do you need to be a child therapist?

You’ll need to follow a well-laid-out educational path to become a child behavioral therapist. The original step requires completing a bachelor’s degree, which usually takes about four years of full-time study. You must then earn a master’s degree in counseling or a related field since all 50 states require this minimum for licensure.

Some specialized roles need doctoral-level education. Most states require child psychologists to have a doctoral degree from an APA-accredited university. The doctoral path gives you two main options:

• PsyD. (Doctor of Psychology): Emphasizes applied clinical skills
• Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy): Focuses more on research and teaching

The educational path from bachelor’s to licensed professional typically takes 7-15 years. This timeline varies based on your chosen specialization and whether you pursue doctoral studies.

Choosing the right undergraduate major

Several majors can prepare you well for advanced studies in child behavioral therapy:

• Psychology or child psychology
• Applied behavioral analysis
• Education or early childhood education
• Child development
• Social work
• Counseling
• Sociology

Any program that teaches lifecycle development or lets you work directly with children creates strong foundations. Your undergraduate courses will cover simple psychology, child psychology, developmental psychology, statistics, and upper-division electives related to child therapy.

New students should know that not all universities offer specific undergraduate programs in childhood therapy. Notwithstanding that, most schools provide psychology and counseling courses that help you progress toward graduate degrees in child therapy.

Learning about online and flexible options

Many institutions now offer flexible educational paths for aspiring child behavioral therapists. Online programs are more available today, so you can balance your education with work commitments.

To cite an instance, Pepperdine University offers a Master of Arts in Psychology that takes 18 months to complete. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology has an online Master’s degree you can finish in just one year.

Here’s what to think over when researching online child psychology programs:

• Accreditation: Make sure recognized bodies like CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) accredit the program
• Curriculum alignment: Find programs with courses and internship opportunities that match your career goals
• Format: Check if classes run live or use pre-recorded lectures
• Financial aid: Look into non-repayable aid options each school offers, including scholarships and grants

Master’s programs in child counseling typically need 60 credit hours for licensure tracks. Non-licensure options might need fewer credits, around 48. These programs teach you specialized knowledge in child development, therapeutic techniques, ethics, and family systems.

How to Become a Child Therapist Without Prior Experience

Your path to becoming a child behavioral therapist starts with hands-on experience. You don’t need formal experience to start building skills and learning about this specialized field.

Volunteering and internships with children

Volunteer work gives you a great way to start working with children in therapy. Hospitals look for volunteers who can make kids’ lives better. These roles need no special skills because training is typically provided on-site. Here are some places where you can volunteer:

• Pediatric hospitals or pediatric wings in general hospitals
• Community mental health centers
• Homeless shelters and food pantries
• After-school programs and camps
• Big Sisters/Brothers or YWCA programs

Remote volunteering has become a good option if you have a busy schedule. You can support others’ mental health from home, campus, or anywhere that works for you. This setup works great for international students or people juggling studies with other commitments.

Any time spent helping children builds your foundation. Working as a teacher’s aide, camp counselor, tutor, or activities assistant in retirement communities adds valuable skills to your toolkit.

Shadowing professionals in the field

You’ll learn a lot about daily practices by shadowing experienced child therapists. Many places run internship programs that connect classroom theories with ground applications.

A good internship usually includes:

• Training in evidence-based practices like Play Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Weekly supervision from clinical supervisors
• Learning about different therapeutic approaches
• Working with clients under supervision

Psychology students can find paid internships at behavioral health facilities to build up clinical hours toward their degree. These jobs let you work directly with special needs children while getting valuable professional experience.

Building soft skills like empathy and communication

Personality traits and soft skills are the foundations of success as a child behavioral therapist. The U.S. Department of Labor says professionals who work with children in therapy settings do best when they show compassion, have strong people skills, and listen well.

Gentle behavior ranks among the top qualities to develop. Children in therapy often come from traumatic backgrounds. They need therapists who speak softly and stay calm and consistent.

Speaking with empathy makes a big difference. Good child therapists put themselves in their young clients’ position. Knowing about popular toys, games, and shows helps start conversations with children naturally.

The most important thing is dealing with your own childhood issues first. Just like airplane safety instructions say, you need to take care of your own emotional needs before you can help children with theirs.

Licensing and Certification Requirements

Getting your license is a huge step toward becoming a child behavioral therapist. You can’t legally practice without proper credentials, whatever your education or experience might be.

How to become a pediatric therapist legally

Each state has its own legal requirements for child behavioral therapists, but they share common elements across the country. Since there’s no standard certification just for child behavior therapists, most professionals choose to get licensed as mental health counselors or marriage and family therapists.

You’ll need these qualifications to practice legally:

• A master’s degree in counseling or related field (every state requires this)
• Provisional/associate licensure while you complete supervised experience
• Credits that meet your state’s educational standards (usually 48-60 semester credits)
• Training in child abuse identification and reporting
• Age requirement of 21 or older
• Good moral character as defined by your state’s licensing board

Some states let you qualify through national certifications. New York accepts certification from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).

Understanding supervised clinical hours

Supervised clinical experience is the life-blood of licensing requirements. Required hours can vary quite a bit:

• States typically want 1,500-3,000 supervised hours after graduation
• Some places require up to 6,000 hours
• This usually takes 2-3 years to complete

You’ll work under a licensed professional’s guidance during this time. Your documented client work must meet specific standards:

• Direct client contact (face-to-face sessions)
• Individual and/or group supervision
• Case management and documentation
• Appropriate settings (schools, clinics, hospitals)

Your supervisors need specific qualifications too. They often need several years of experience and sometimes special training in supervision.

Passing the licensing exam

Your exam requirements depend on your career path and state. Common tests include:

• Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) for psychologists
• National Counselor Examination (NCE) for counselors
• National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)
• Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) exam

On top of that, many states require jurisprudence exams to test your knowledge of local mental health laws. You can find study guides and practice tests to help you prepare.

After you pass your exams, submit your application to the state licensing board. Include proof of your education, supervised hours, exam scores, and fees (usually $180-300). Licensed professionals must keep their credentials current through continuing education – typically 40 hours each renewal period.

From Graduate to Professional: Launching Your Career

Your career as a child behavioral therapist begins right after completing your education and getting your license. This final phase turns your theoretical knowledge into practical skills through real-life applications.

Finding your first job in child therapy

The right strategy and persistence will help you land your first position. The mental health counselors’ job market is growing faster, with experts predicting a 19% growth between 2023 and 2033. New licensed professionals will find many entry-level opportunities in this promising field.

These approaches will help you find your first position:

• Entry-level roles like Autism Therapy Technician positions typically pay between $17-$21 per hour
• University career services often connect graduates with behavioral health organizations
• Facilities where you completed clinical hours might offer internship-to-employment pathways

Money matters aside, you should focus on positions that offer mentorship and ongoing training. Learning from experienced professionals is a great way to get the expertise you need as a new therapist.

Work settings: schools, clinics, private practice

Child behavioral therapists work in a variety of environments that each come with unique benefits. Common work settings include:

Private practices let you set flexible schedules and focus on specialized areas. School settings connect you directly with education professionals while helping students succeed academically. Hospital and medical center roles involve working with healthcare teams that support children through medical conditions or crises.

Community mental health centers expose you to diverse populations and team collaboration. Whatever setting you choose, your daily work typically involves one-on-one client meetings, mental health evaluations, treatment planning, and coordination with families or caregivers.

Joining professional associations for support

Professional organizations become valuable resources throughout your career. Members get these benefits:

Job opportunities through exclusive postings and networking eventsMentorship connections with seasoned practitionersContinuing education through webinars, conferences, and workshops

The American Psychological Association, Association for Play Therapy, and American Counseling Association deserve your attention. These associations boost your professional credentials and provide social connections that help prevent burnout.

Become a Child Behavioral Therapist Starting Today

Starting a career as a child behavioral therapist comes with its share of challenges and rewards. You’ll grow from a complete beginner to a qualified professional who can change children’s lives. The path takes 7-10 years of education and training, but qualified professionals are in high demand, making it worth the time and effort.

A bachelor’s degree in psychology or related field starts your education. Next comes a master’s degree that meets your state’s license requirements. Real-life experience through volunteering, internships, and learning from professionals who have been practicing for years helps bridge theory and practice. Your success depends on developing people skills like empathy, gentle communication, and active listening to connect with young clients effectively.

Each state has different licensing rules, but most need supervised clinical hours and passing standardized exams. Once you get your credentials, you can work in schools, hospitals, private practices, and community centers.

This career path deserves your attention if you want to help children overcome behavioral and emotional challenges. The field will grow by 19% through 2033, showing the rising need for qualified professionals. Beyond the average yearly salary of $65,100, watching children develop healthy coping skills and emotional control brings the greatest satisfaction.

Patience, persistence, and passion pave the way to becoming a child behavioral therapist. The path might be long, but the chance to shape a child’s future makes this challenging career worth it. Every milestone brings you closer to a profession where you’ll make a real difference in children’s lives daily.