Child (Pediatric) Behavioral Therapist – Career, Salary & State Licensure

Child behavior therapists are mental health counselors or marriage and family therapists who specialize in treating children and adolescents. They have earned master’s degrees in their field and have specific education and training on how to help young clients.

Professionals in this field can diagnose mental illnesses, write treatment plans, provide therapy, and collaborate with family members and other professionals. While there is no certification or license specifically for child behavior therapists, many may choose to pursue certification in child-centric treatment methods such as play therapy through the Association for Play Therapy (APT).

Child behavioral therapists work in private clinics, government agencies, social services, hospitals, and outpatient or residential clinics. Job duties vary based on experience and place of employment, but typical daily duties include:

Meeting one-on-one with young clients
Evaluating the mental health of clients
Developing treatment plans to address clients’ concerns and issues
Educating family members, teachers, or caregivers about a client’s issues and providing them with tools to help the client succeed at home and at school
Referring clients to other service providers such as doctors, psychiatrists, behavior analysts, or social workers
Maintaining client records
Assisting with insurance billings

To practice in this field, most professionals become licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs). Becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist can also be an option. If pursuing this career via licensure as a mental health counselor, this is one possible pathway:

How to Become a Child (Pediatric) Behavioral Therapist

Step 1: Graduate from High School or Obtain a GED (Four Years)

Graduating from high school or completing a GED is the first step towards becoming a child behavioral therapist. Students who wish to pursue this career should focus on classes such as social sciences, psychology, English, and child development. Volunteering or working with kids can help provide early experience and training as well.

Step 2: Complete a Bachelor’s Degree (Four Years)

Earning a bachelor’s is an essential step as the majority of master’s programs require applicants to have already completed an undergraduate degree. There are not very many counseling master’s programs that are specific to children, so undergraduate studies are an excellent time to gain the experience and education needed.

Step 3: Obtain an Advanced Degree (Two to Eight Years)

A master’s degree in counseling or a related field is required for licensure in all 50 states. There are very few master’s in child and adolescent counseling, so students should look for programs that offer elective courses or practicums and internships focused on children.

Step 4: Apply for Initial State Licensure (Timeline Varies)

While not required in every state, it may be necessary to obtain provisional, intern, or associate licenses. These licenses are issued post-education, but before completing the required supervised work experience. To apply, candidates will need to submit official transcripts, an application, an application fee, and often pass a background check.

Step 5: Complete Supervised Practice (Two to Three Years)

Supervised work experience is required to become a child behavior therapist in every state. The number of hours can range from 1,500 on the low end to 4,000 on the high end. Often, these hours must be earned while holding a provisional, intern, or associate license at a licensing board-approved workplace.

Step 6: Pass State Licensing Exam (Timeline Varies)

Passing a licensing exam is a required step in every state. The exam required varies by state, with some states even allowing applicants to choose which exam they complete.

Step 7: Apply for State Licensure (Timeline Varies)

A license as a mental health counselor (or marriage and family therapist) is required in all states. Candidates must meet education, testing, and work experience requirements.

Licensing & Certification Requirements By State for Child (Pediatric) Behavioral Therapists

Child therapists in Alabama must fulfill the requirements to become Associate Licensed Counselors (ALCs) or Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC).

What Do Child (Pediatric) Behavioral Therapists Do?

Meeting one-on-one with young clients
Evaluating the mental health of clients
Developing treatment plans to address clients’ concerns and issues
Educating family members, teachers, or caregivers about a client’s issues and providing them with tools to help the client succeed at home and at school
Referring clients to other service providers such as doctors, psychiatrists, behavior analysts, or social workers
Maintaining client records
Assisting with insurance billings

How Much Do Child Behavioral Therapists Make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2023), child therapists working as substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors earn $60,080 per year on average.

Child Behavioral Therapist Professional Associations & Resources

Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling (ACAC)
Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology
Association for Play Therapy
Child Mind Institute
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
American Counseling Association (ACA)
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA)

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Child (Pediatric) Behavioral Therapist