5 answers
Brianna
Student
Morristown, New Jersey
1
Question
Asked
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How do I best prepare myself to practice psychotherapy in a specialized field?
I want to practice psychotherapy, but specifically for children. What field of psychology would this fall under? What do I need to study? Is it possible to specialize? I am a college freshman.
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5 answers
Tasha Gaskins, MSW, MPA
Culture & Operations Strategist/Consultant
2
Answers
Wake Forest
Updated
Tasha’s Answer
Hi Brianna,
I’m always excited to see new students interested in Social Work! Yes, I would absolutely encourage you to explore this field. I earned my BA in Psychology, but as I learned more about what I wanted to do, I realized that Social Work aligned better with my passion for working with children and families, which is what led me to pursue my MSW.
If you’re interested in becoming a therapist and working with children, Social Work is a great path. In graduate school, you’ll be able to choose a specialization that fits your interests and career goals. You’re asking the right questions early, and that’s a great sign. Wishing you the best as you continue to explore your options!
I’m always excited to see new students interested in Social Work! Yes, I would absolutely encourage you to explore this field. I earned my BA in Psychology, but as I learned more about what I wanted to do, I realized that Social Work aligned better with my passion for working with children and families, which is what led me to pursue my MSW.
If you’re interested in becoming a therapist and working with children, Social Work is a great path. In graduate school, you’ll be able to choose a specialization that fits your interests and career goals. You’re asking the right questions early, and that’s a great sign. Wishing you the best as you continue to explore your options!
Diana Rodriguez Velasquez
Psychologist
54
Answers
Memphis, Tennessee
Updated
Diana’s Answer
Hi Brianna!
It’s amazing that you already know you want to work with children — that clarity will help you a lot as you move forward.
Here’s how you can best prepare to practice psychotherapy in a specialized field like child and adolescent therapy:
1. Choose a psychology major (or a related field)
As a college freshman, the best first step is to build a strong foundation in psychology. Majoring in Psychology, Human Development, or Child Development will give you the core knowledge you need.
2. Decide which professional path fits you best
There are several ways to become a child therapist in the U.S. Here are the most common options:
→ Clinical Psychologist (PhD or PsyD)
• Requires a doctorate
• Training includes assessment, therapy, and research
• Can specialize in child and adolescent psychology
• Allows you to work in hospitals, clinics, and private practice
→ Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Requires a Master’s in Social Work (MSW)
• Focuses on therapy + case management
• Many LCSWs specialize in child therapy
→ Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or LMHC
• Requires a Master’s in Counseling
• Can choose a concentration in child counseling or play therapy
→ Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)
• Master’s degree that focuses on family systems
• Great option if you want to work with children and parents together
All of these paths allow you to provide psychotherapy, just with different training approaches.
3. Get early experience working with children
This is one of the best things you can do now. Look for:
• Volunteering with youth programs
• After-school programs
• Camps or mentoring programs
• Research labs focused on child development
• Assistant roles in clinics or schools
These experiences make you a stronger applicant for graduate programs later.
4. Explore specialized areas while you’re still in college
You can take classes or trainings in topics like:
• Child development
• Abnormal psychology
• Trauma-informed care
• Developmental disorders
• Play therapy
• Behavior analysis
This will help you discover what type of child therapy you feel most passionate about.
5. Yes — you can specialize!
Most specialization happens:
• During your graduate degree
• Through supervised clinical experience
• In your internships or practicum placements
• With additional certifications (like play therapy or trauma therapy)
Final encouragement
You’re already ahead by thinking about this as a freshman. If you stay curious, get experience working with kids, and pursue the right graduate program, you’ll be fully prepared to become a child psychotherapist.
If you want help comparing the different career paths, feel free to ask — I’d be happy to guide you!
It’s amazing that you already know you want to work with children — that clarity will help you a lot as you move forward.
Here’s how you can best prepare to practice psychotherapy in a specialized field like child and adolescent therapy:
1. Choose a psychology major (or a related field)
As a college freshman, the best first step is to build a strong foundation in psychology. Majoring in Psychology, Human Development, or Child Development will give you the core knowledge you need.
2. Decide which professional path fits you best
There are several ways to become a child therapist in the U.S. Here are the most common options:
→ Clinical Psychologist (PhD or PsyD)
• Requires a doctorate
• Training includes assessment, therapy, and research
• Can specialize in child and adolescent psychology
• Allows you to work in hospitals, clinics, and private practice
→ Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Requires a Master’s in Social Work (MSW)
• Focuses on therapy + case management
• Many LCSWs specialize in child therapy
→ Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or LMHC
• Requires a Master’s in Counseling
• Can choose a concentration in child counseling or play therapy
→ Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)
• Master’s degree that focuses on family systems
• Great option if you want to work with children and parents together
All of these paths allow you to provide psychotherapy, just with different training approaches.
3. Get early experience working with children
This is one of the best things you can do now. Look for:
• Volunteering with youth programs
• After-school programs
• Camps or mentoring programs
• Research labs focused on child development
• Assistant roles in clinics or schools
These experiences make you a stronger applicant for graduate programs later.
4. Explore specialized areas while you’re still in college
You can take classes or trainings in topics like:
• Child development
• Abnormal psychology
• Trauma-informed care
• Developmental disorders
• Play therapy
• Behavior analysis
This will help you discover what type of child therapy you feel most passionate about.
5. Yes — you can specialize!
Most specialization happens:
• During your graduate degree
• Through supervised clinical experience
• In your internships or practicum placements
• With additional certifications (like play therapy or trauma therapy)
Final encouragement
You’re already ahead by thinking about this as a freshman. If you stay curious, get experience working with kids, and pursue the right graduate program, you’ll be fully prepared to become a child psychotherapist.
If you want help comparing the different career paths, feel free to ask — I’d be happy to guide you!
Mark Piechowiak
MSW, LCSW passee
2
Answers
Joliet, Illinois
Updated
Mark’s Answer
Hi Tasha!
Working with children is especially gratifying, given you can change a person's life while they are young. I work with adults, but my classmates who worked with school-age kids sought internships in play therapy as well as DCFS fields. These will cover the trauma-aspects of kids you seek to help. I did have an internship in a hospice and I ran grief groups. We also did a grief camp for 3 days in which counselors and kids interacted while doing play therapy of sorts along with traditional group work. This was amazing watching team-building, expression of feelings and being in nature while addressing their issues with caring knowledgeable staff.
You could speak to a children's therapist in the field or a internship supervisor at your college for tips on how to seek local options based on your city/county availability.
Best of luck!
Mark Piechowiak, MSW '11
Working with children is especially gratifying, given you can change a person's life while they are young. I work with adults, but my classmates who worked with school-age kids sought internships in play therapy as well as DCFS fields. These will cover the trauma-aspects of kids you seek to help. I did have an internship in a hospice and I ran grief groups. We also did a grief camp for 3 days in which counselors and kids interacted while doing play therapy of sorts along with traditional group work. This was amazing watching team-building, expression of feelings and being in nature while addressing their issues with caring knowledgeable staff.
You could speak to a children's therapist in the field or a internship supervisor at your college for tips on how to seek local options based on your city/county availability.
Best of luck!
Mark Piechowiak, MSW '11
Janelle Ciapocha Zuziak, LICSW
Social Worker/Independent Consultant- Rodan and Fields
3
Answers
Updated
Janelle Ciapocha’s Answer
I would recommend seeking a degree in the social work field. It allows for more flexibility within the constraints of mental health. If you plan to work with children or desire to be in a school setting be sure to check with you school on which courses and practicums you would need to complete in the state you’re located.
Najah Barton
Mental health
5
Answers
Arlington, Virginia
Updated
Najah’s Answer
As someone who has chosen a path in counseling, education, and clinical work, I understand the importance of finding a field that truly aligns with your interests. What you're describing fits well within clinical or counseling psychology, focusing on children and adolescents, with a strong foundation in developmental psychology.
If you aim to provide therapy for children, it's crucial to grasp how their emotional, cognitive, social, and behavioral development progresses. Learning how to offer age-appropriate therapeutic interventions is key. As a college freshman, consider majoring in psychology or a related field like human development. Dive into courses such as developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, child and adolescent psychopathology, attachment theory, and trauma-informed care.
Specializing is definitely possible, but it takes time and attention to what genuinely interests you. Start by asking yourself:
- Are you more drawn to working with young children or adolescents?
- Do you feel a connection to trauma work, behavior regulation, identity development, or family systems?
- Do you see yourself doing play-based therapy, creative therapy, or more talk-based therapy as children grow older?
- Are you interested in treatment alone, or do you also want to focus on assessment and testing?
Your answers will naturally guide you in deciding whether to pursue a master's degree in counseling with a child-focused clinical training, a degree in social work, or a doctoral program in clinical or counseling psychology with a child track. Personally, I chose to specialize in counseling and pursued counselor education and supervision at the doctoral level. I love research, teaching, and helping other therapists grow.
Remember, your specialization will come from what excites and challenges you, not from choosing a label right now. Stay curious, reflective, and honest about your interests and the people you want to help. Your path in child psychotherapy will become clear over time.
Wishing you the best of luck on your journey!
If you aim to provide therapy for children, it's crucial to grasp how their emotional, cognitive, social, and behavioral development progresses. Learning how to offer age-appropriate therapeutic interventions is key. As a college freshman, consider majoring in psychology or a related field like human development. Dive into courses such as developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, child and adolescent psychopathology, attachment theory, and trauma-informed care.
Specializing is definitely possible, but it takes time and attention to what genuinely interests you. Start by asking yourself:
- Are you more drawn to working with young children or adolescents?
- Do you feel a connection to trauma work, behavior regulation, identity development, or family systems?
- Do you see yourself doing play-based therapy, creative therapy, or more talk-based therapy as children grow older?
- Are you interested in treatment alone, or do you also want to focus on assessment and testing?
Your answers will naturally guide you in deciding whether to pursue a master's degree in counseling with a child-focused clinical training, a degree in social work, or a doctoral program in clinical or counseling psychology with a child track. Personally, I chose to specialize in counseling and pursued counselor education and supervision at the doctoral level. I love research, teaching, and helping other therapists grow.
Remember, your specialization will come from what excites and challenges you, not from choosing a label right now. Stay curious, reflective, and honest about your interests and the people you want to help. Your path in child psychotherapy will become clear over time.
Wishing you the best of luck on your journey!