Child therapy in Boston, MA
When something feels off with your child, it's hard to know what to do. Find a child therapist in Boston who specializes in helping kids and families navigate challenges.
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Therapy in Boston by the numbers
Based on 2748 licensed therapists across the US, including 11 in Boston · Updated July 2026
What to expect from therapy in Boston
Whether or not it's connected to academic pressure, student mental health, and perfectionism, here's what to expect when working through a child's struggles with a therapist in Boston.
Hearing the family's story
Before working with your child, the therapist gathers background from you — development, school, recent changes — and may ask for input from teachers with your permission.
Getting comfortable
Early sessions with your child are about trust. Younger children often play or draw while they talk; older children and teens may simply chat about their interests at first.
Working on the problem
Once trust is there, sessions target the concern itself — worries, anger, sadness, school problems — with activities and skills suited to your child's age.
Family check-ins
Expect periodic sessions with parents or the whole family to review progress, agree on next steps, and decide together when therapy can wind down.
Example searches in Boston
Illustrative examples, not real client stories — describe your own situation to see who fits.
"Anxious child therapist in Boston"
Situation: Parents in Boston whose child has stomachaches before school and struggles to separate at drop-off
Example match: Matched with a child therapist using CBT and parent coaching for childhood anxiety
"Help my child after our divorce"
Situation: A family in Boston whose child became withdrawn and tearful after the parents separated
Example match: Connected with a child therapist experienced in divorce adjustment, involving both parents where possible
"Teen counseling for self-esteem"
Situation: A family in Boston whose teenager has become withdrawn and critical of their looks since starting high school
Example match: Connected with an adolescent therapist experienced in self-esteem and body image
Child therapy for student and university families in Boston
For families tied to a university in Boston, the academic calendar shapes home life: a move at the start of a program, crunch weeks around exams, another move when a degree or contract ends. Children feel each of those transitions. Child therapy meets children where they are: younger children work through play, drawing and games, older kids and teens talk more directly, and parents are part of the work at every age.
Cognitive behavioral approaches suit older children and teens, especially for anxiety, low mood and anger. Family sessions may also be recommended to address dynamics at home that affect the child.
What the listings show for child therapy in Boston
Boston has 11 therapists on FindSupport. We don't count yet how many of them list work with children, so the focus areas on each profile are your guide.
Each Boston profile notes whether the therapist sees clients online, which matters if you'd like child therapy from home. Teens often find video easier to fit around school, while younger children usually start in person.
Typical fees in Boston, $130–$260 per session, are below the $150–$300 in Cambridge; whichever city you choose for child therapy, ask about insurance and sliding-scale fees.
Questions to ask a child therapist
Any talk of self-harm or not wanting to be alive needs a same-day response: call or text 988, or go to the nearest emergency room. Many parents wonder whether a problem is "just a phase". If it has lasted several weeks, is getting worse, or affects school or home life, it's worth a conversation with a child therapist.
Ask whether the therapist's hours fit around the school day; late-afternoon slots can fill up fast. Ask whether the therapist works with perfectionism and performance anxiety in children and teens; CBT has good tools for both. Ask how they'd explain confidentiality to your child, and what they would always tell you, such as safety concerns. A short list of two or three child therapists in Boston, picked on the focus areas and fees their profiles list, is enough to start.
Other places to look for a child therapist near Boston
Compared with the rest of Massachusetts, Boston has a shorter list than Cambridge, 11 against 28; video sessions with Massachusetts-licensed therapists widen the choice for child therapy. Cities outside Massachusetts count for child therapy only for in-person visits or for therapists also licensed in Massachusetts: Hartford, CT lists 6, 17% of whom work with children; New Haven, CT lists 8.
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Find child therapy help in Boston →Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should a child start therapy?
Children as young as 3-4 can benefit from play therapy. For older children and teens, talk therapy and CBT are effective. If you're noticing behavioral changes, it's never too early to consult a child therapist.
How do I find a good child therapist in Boston?
Look for therapists who specialize in children and adolescents, have experience with your child's specific concerns, and use age-appropriate methods. FindSupport matches you with child specialists in Boston based on your child's needs.
Will my child know they're in therapy?
For younger children, therapy often looks like play. Older children and teens are typically aware they're seeing a therapist. A good child therapist will make the experience comfortable and age-appropriate.
How many therapists does FindSupport list in Boston for child therapy?
The Boston list has 11 therapists so far. Not every profile names child therapy as a specialty; the focus areas on each one show who takes it on.
Where else in Massachusetts can I find a child therapist?
Elsewhere in Massachusetts, FindSupport lists 28 therapists in Cambridge, 4% of whom work with children; 5 therapists in Worcester. Therapists licensed in Massachusetts can see you by video wherever in the state they're based, so distance matters less than fit.
How much does child counseling cost in Boston, MA?
Child therapy in Boston typically costs $130–$260 per session. For a sense of scale, twelve weekly sessions at that rate come to about $1,560–$3,120 before insurance or sliding-scale discounts. If you plan to use insurance, check whether the therapist is in network; if not, ask about a sliding scale or a superbill for out-of-network reimbursement.
Can I see a child therapist online in Massachusetts?
Yes — video sessions work well for most concerns. The therapist needs to be licensed in Massachusetts (where you are during the session), so a child therapist elsewhere in the state can see you in Boston as easily as a local one. Video sessions tend to suit older children and teens better than young children, who usually do best in a room with toys and art materials.
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