Child Therapy vs. Talking to a School Counselor: What’s the Difference?
If your child is struggling emotionally, behaviorally, or socially, you may be wondering where to turn for help. A common question many parents ask is: What’s the difference between a child therapist and a school counselor? While both can provide valuable support, their roles, training, and approaches are quite different.
Understanding these differences can help you make the best decision for your child and ensure they get the support they need to thrive—both in and out of school.
What Is a School Counselor?
A school counselor is a trained professional who works within a school setting to support students' academic success, social development, and emotional well-being. Most school counselors hold a master’s degree in school counseling and are certified through the state.
Their role includes:
Helping students with academic planning
Providing short-term emotional support
Addressing peer conflicts or bullying
Supporting students through transitions (like moving schools or coping with divorce)
Referring families to outside services when needed
School counselors often meet with students for brief, solution-focused sessions. They may check in once or twice or offer short-term support for minor challenges. Because they are part of the school system, their focus is largely on helping students stay successful in the classroom.
What Is a Child Therapist?
A child therapist (also called a child counselor) is a licensed mental health professional trained to work with children and families on emotional, behavioral, and psychological issues. Child therapists may hold degrees in clinical social work (LCSW), counseling (LPC), marriage and family therapy (LMFT), or psychology (PhD or PsyD).
Child therapists work in private practices, clinics, or community mental health centers—not inside the school.
They specialize in:
Anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief
ADHD, Autism, and other neurodevelopmental diagnoses
Family conflict and parent-child relationships
Emotion regulation and behavior challenges
Long-term therapeutic support
A child therapist typically meets with your child weekly in a safe, confidential space where the focus is on emotional healing and skill-building. Therapy is tailored to your child’s developmental stage, often using play, art, movement, or talk therapy as tools for expression.
Key Differences Between a Child Therapist and School Counselor
Let’s break down the key differences across a few important categories:
1. Setting and Scope
School Counselor: Works within the school, supports academic and social success, addresses school-related challenges.
Child Therapist: Works in private or clinical settings, addresses deeper or ongoing mental health and emotional issues.
2. Training and Licensure
School Counselor: Typically holds a master’s in school counseling. Trained in educational systems, academic support, and brief interventions.
Child Therapist: Holds a master’s or doctoral degree in clinical mental health. Trained in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders, providing long-term therapy, and working with families.
3. Length and Depth of Support
School Counselor: Offers short-term or intermittent support—often a few sessions.
Child Therapist: Provides ongoing, weekly therapy for months or longer if needed.
4. Confidentiality
School Counselor: Bound by school policies and may need to share certain information with teachers or administrators.
Child Therapist: Offers a higher degree of confidentiality, following HIPAA laws, with clear boundaries around parent involvement and child privacy.
5. Specialization
School Counselor: General emotional support and school-related challenges.
Child Therapist: Specializes in areas like trauma, anxiety, neurodivergence, behavior disorders, or parent-child attachment.
So Which One Does My Child Need?
It depends on what your child is going through.
When a School Counselor Might Be Enough:
Your child is dealing with a mild issue, like test anxiety, friendship problems, or a recent move.
The concern is school-based and hasn’t been going on very long.
Your child is generally functioning well in other areas of life.
When It’s Time to See a Child Therapist:
The issue is ongoing or getting worse over time (e.g., anxiety, sleep problems, meltdowns, aggressive behavior).
The struggle is affecting your child at home, socially, and in school.
Your child has experienced trauma, grief, or a major family disruption.
You suspect your child may have ADHD, Autism, anxiety, or depression.
You’re feeling stuck as a parent and don’t know how to help.
You feel like you and your child would benefit from doing family therapy as well.
Can My Child See Both?
Yes—and sometimes that’s the ideal situation.
For example, a child with anxiety may benefit from weekly therapy with a child therapist and also check-ins with their school counselor for support with test-taking or peer relationships. School counselors and therapists can often collaborate (with your permission) to create a more consistent support system for your child.
There’s No “Wrong” First Step
If you’re unsure where to begin, it’s okay to start with the school counselor. They know your child in the school context and can help you assess whether further support is needed.
But if your gut tells you your child needs more than the school can offer, or if you’re already seeing signs of deeper emotional or behavioral distress, reaching out to a licensed child therapist is a powerful first step.
You don’t have to have all the answers. Just showing up and asking for help means you’re already doing something good for your child.
Help Your Child Build Confidence and Calm with Child Therapy in Scottsdale, AZ
If your child is overwhelmed by big emotions, anxiety, or struggles at school, compassionate support can make all the difference. At Fuzzy Socks Therapy, we meet kids where they are—through play, creativity, and connection—to help them grow and thrive. Reach out today to explore how child therapy in Scottsdale, AZ can support your family’s unique needs.
To take the next step:
Meet with Lianna, child therapist
Help your child start feeling safer, more confident, and more connected—every single day
Additional Services Offered at Fuzzy Socks Therapy
Child therapy is just one of the many services we provide at our Scottsdale, AZ office. At Fuzzy Socks Therapy, we also offer Discernment Counseling for couples navigating big decisions, neurodivergent therapy, couples therapy, social skills groups tailored for kids and teens, and coaching for parents of neurodivergent children. If you’re curious to learn more about child therapy, take a look at my blog!
