School Counselors vs. Child Therapists: Which Support Does Your Child Need?

Statistics show that about 1 in 5 children struggles with a mental health concern. If you're concerned about your child's emotional well-being, a school counselor or a child therapist can help based on their specific challenges. Understanding the differences between the two roles can help you choose the best support for your child's emotional growth.

Understanding the roles of school counselors and child therapists

School counselors and child therapists both help kids with mental health struggles. School counselors provide general and short-term support, while child therapists work on specific challenges over a longer period to develop healthy coping skills.

What is a school counselor?

School counselors are licensed or certified educators who design comprehensive school counseling programs to improve the success of each and every student. They must at least hold a master's degree in school counseling. They must also meet their state's certification and licensing standards.

School counselors must follow ethical and professional standards in accordance with the American School Counselors Association guidelines. In an ideal situation, one school counselor should be made available for every 250 students.

A school counselor is different from a school psychologist. A school psychologist has specialized training in mental health assessment and learning disabilities. They conduct evaluations, help develop education plans, and assist students who need more intensive behavioral or psychological support.

What is a child therapist?

A child therapist is a mental health professional who helps children address emotional, behavioral, and psychological issues through techniques such as play therapy, individual therapy, and family sessions. A child therapist has a master's or doctoral degree. These professionals may have different licences, including:

• Licensed professional counselor (LPC)
• Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)
• Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT) 
• Licensed mental health counselor (LMHC)
• Licensed psychologist (PhD or PsyD)

Many therapists also get certified in certain types of treatment that are specifically for kids, like play therapy to help younger kids make sense of difficult emotions, or trauma-focused CBT, to help children process traumatic events.

Key differences at a glance

A school counselor and a child therapist perform similar roles, but there are some important differences, too. School counselors support kids by helping with their academic and social development at school, whereas a child therapist works in a private setting and gives more concentrated care for major mental and emotional health problems.

Scope of practice

School counselors offer short-term, basic help to students at school. They focus on how well a student does in school and how they are doing emotionally. These professionals may help with:

• Addressing social-emotional issues like test anxiety, difficulty with peers or friends, and adjustment to transitions at school. 
• Supporting students in improving their study skills. 
• Helping students manage school or academic-related stress. 

On the other side, child therapists provide more intense and long-term mental health therapy. They can help with:

• Providing a formal mental health diagnosis, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and ADHD. 
• ​​Delivering evidence-based therapy interventions, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT).  
• Collaborating with parents and other caregivers to develop treatment plans. 
• Working with underlying issues like trauma. 

Qualifications and training

School counselors and child therapists follow distinct educational paths and require different supervised experience and state-specific licensing. A school counselor works in the educational system and focuses on students' overall development and academic success. A child therapist works outside of the school and can diagnose and treat mental health conditions. They may work for a clinic or have their own private practice. Your child can see them in person or virtually.

Services and interventions

School counselors help kids develop study skills and set goals. They also teach classes on how to deal with conflict, stress, and bullies. They offer short-term counseling, handle in-school crises, and can offer referrals for long-term therapy if needed.

A child therapist helps kids process their emotions and develop coping skills. They use different types of therapy (such as cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, and family therapy) depending on the child’s needs.

Cost and accessibility

Students and their families can get help from a school counselor for free. The school district and taxes pay for their services. Because they work directly at schools, they’re easy for students to reach during the school day. However, counselors typically serve large caseloads, sometimes 200 or more students. This means their support is usually focused on school-related needs and is typically short-term. 

Therapists for kids charge for each session. However, therapists' services are typically covered by insurance, and at Emora Health, there’s virtually no wait time. There may be a co-pay for services depending on your insurance plan. 

When to choose a school counselor

A school counselor can provide valuable guidance and support for your child, particularly regarding academic issues. They serve as a key resource for families in the educational setting.

Academic and career guidance

If your child’s grades suddenly drop or they seem stressed and unfocused, a school counselor can help identify the problem and develop improvement strategies. They can also help kids deal with test anxiety and improve their study skills.

School counselors also support career planning by helping older students explore their interests, understand different career options, and prepare for vocational programs or college. 

Social-emotional and behavioral supports

If your child experiences peer conflict or bullying, seeing a school counselor can be helpful. Counselors can also support kids through minor life changes, like moving to a new school or welcoming a new sibling.

When to see a child therapist

There are times when it would be better for your child to meet with a child therapist rather than with the school counselor.

This includes situations where emotional or behavioral problems are severe, long-lasting, affect multiple areas of life, or pose safety concerns.

Difficult family dynamics 

Family conflicts and communication issues can cause your child emotional distress and negatively affect their mental health. A child therapist provides your kid with a safe space to talk about what's bothering them. They also help them with creating coping strategies to promote healthier interactions and boost positive emotional development. They can do this through different forms of therapy, including family therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, and art (or play) therapy. 

Persistent mental health concerns

If your child seems to always be unhappy, too anxious, or has strong mood swings, you might want to talk to a child therapist. They can help them create positive ways to deal with their struggles and create an action plan for change.

Signs your child may be struggling include: 

• Significant shifts in eating, sleep,  or hygiene habits (e.g., losing a substantial amount of weight) 
• Changes in mood (e.g., increased irritability) 
• Significant decline in academic performance
• Isolation or withdrawal from friends and family
• Frequent, intense fear or worry 
• A trauma (e.g., loss of a loved one) 

Licensed therapists can treat mental health conditions, including:

• Depression and other mood disorders 
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 
• Trauma-related disorders (complex grief) 
• Behavioral problems (aggression) 

Confidentiality & mandated reporting

School counselors are primarily guided by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and state educational codes. The confidentiality limits with school counselors are more limited, and there is often a duty to share relevant information with the child's parents, administration, and other school staff for the student's safety.

A private child therapist is governed by their specific state's licensing board regulations, ethical codes, and HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations. There is a stronger level of confidentiality, and this information is generally protected (with some legal exceptions). Regardless of these differences, the core requirement to report suspected child abuse is a universal mandate for both.

Collaboration for holistic support

School counselors and child therapists can work together to provide holistic support for children. They do this by communicating and creating coordinated plans to promote good mental health both inside and out of school.

Communication strategies

With consent, school counselors and child therapists can bridge the gap between home and school. They may work together quickly and efficiently to process information, gather details, and make informed decisions about the next steps in a child's care plan.

They may also work together to monitor the child's progress. In some situations, a school counselor may provide the therapist with real-time feedback on the child's academic performance, classroom behavior, and social interactions.

How to decide: A parent's checklist

Like adults, kids can also struggle with emotional challenges. In some situations, visiting with a school counselor is appropriate, but other times, a child therapist may be a better fit. The best way to determine which to choose is to assess the severity of your child's emotional challenges and their goals.

Assessing severity and goals

Determine what kind of support your kid needs. If the issues are primarily school-related or short-term (like academic pressure or a temporary conflict), then a school counselor may be a good fit.

However, if your child's issues are severe, complex, trauma-related, or long-standing (such as with anxiety or depression), then a private child therapist may be a better option.

Questions to ask child therapists

Before getting your child set up with child therapy, there are several questions parents should ask providers. The answers to these questions can help you determine whether they are a good fit for your child:

• What is your professional background?
• How much experience do you have working with children in my child's age group?
• Do you have experience treating the specific mental health challenges my child is dealing with?
• Do you have training in providing trauma-informed care?
• What kind of therapeutic approaches do you use?

Finding the right fit is critical to the therapeutic process, so remember to trust your instincts. If you don't feel that the therapist is a good fit for your child, you have the right to continue looking.

How Emora Health can help

If you're ready to get your child started with therapy, Emora Health can help. Emora Health provides virtual therapy to kids, teens, and young adults throughout the United States. 

We can help with adjustment disorders, ADHD, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and much more. Our providers are results-oriented and offer flexible hours to meet families' scheduling needs. Your child can begin therapy in as little as two days. We accept most major insurance plans, so your out-of-pocket cost could be as low as $0. 

Get started with care today and explore long-term strategies that will help your child live their life to the fullest.