Mental Health Care

What is mental health care?

Mental health care is a type of health care that provides support and treatment for emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs. Mental health care can help your child cope with problems, manage stress, and adjust to illness. 

How mental health care services can help 

Mental health providers may use psychotherapy (counseling, talk therapy), behavioral interventions, and other treatments to address specific needs.  

Your child may only need one brief session or short-term therapy. Or therapy may be ongoing. Therapy may include family counseling, group therapy, or peer support groups.

Mental health care can help your child:

• Adjust to illness, life changes, and treatment transitions
• Manage emotions or behaviors
• Cope with treatments and side effects
• Manage pain
• Follow medical plans, such as taking medicines
• Have less distress during medical procedures
• Manage sleep problems
• Diagnose and treat depression and anxiety
• Identify and address developmental delays 
• Get academic testing and school support
• Cope with grief and loss

Types of mental health providers

Providers may include:  

• Clinical psychologists: licensed health professionals who specialize in psychological testing and psychotherapy.
• Licensed clinical social workers: licensed providers who provide support for mental, emotional, social, behavioral, and practical needs. 
• Licensed professional counselors: licensed mental health providers who offer counseling and other mental health services. 
• Psychiatrists: medical doctors who can diagnose mental health disorders and prescribe medicines and other treatments.
• Psychiatric nurse practitioners: advance practice registered nurses who are trained to assess and treat mental health conditions. 
• Neuropsychologists: experts who offer neuropsychological assessment and treat issues that affect thinking, mood, and behavior. 
• Pastoral counselors: religious counselors who help people cope with mental health problems from a faith viewpoint.

Your child may have mental health services as part of their care team. Or you may seek care from community providers. Your care team can help you find resources in your local area.

Learn how to Find a Mental Health Provider.

Psychological testing and assessment 

Psychological tests and assessments help providers understand and treat problems. 

Tests may measure: 

• Attention, learning, and memory
• Skills in school and work
• Mood and emotions
• Behaviors
• Developmental milestones
• Personality

A psychologist or other specialist will meet with you and your child. They may ask questions to learn more about thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The psychologist will review your child’s medical records and talk with other members of the care team. This information is used to make a plan to meet your child’s specific needs.  

Learn more about psychological and neuropsychological evaluations.

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