What is Child Counseling?

Child counseling is a specialized form of therapy designed to support children and adolescents facing emotional, social, developmental, or behavioral challenges at home or school. These sessions provide a safe space for young people to process difficult emotions and navigate traumatic experiences, fostering personal growth, healthy development, and positive change.

At Counseling Perspective, our therapists are also equipped to treat various mental health conditions in youth, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and eating disorders. We maintain a No Wait Policy, ensuring that any child or teen aged 18 and under will receive an appointment within 24 hours of contacting us.

Do We Need a Child Psychologist or a Child Counselor?

Both child psychologists and child counselors work to help young people navigate emotional and medical challenges that can affect their social interactions, academic performance, and overall well-being. While these terms are often used interchangeably, there are important distinctions between the two types of mental health professionals.

In Singapore, a child psychologist specializes in working with children and adolescents and holds at least a master’s degree in psychology, often followed by a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD), requiring years of study and practice.

On the other hand, a child counselor or therapist has a postgraduate diploma in a counseling-related field, with a minimum of 600 hours of direct counseling and 60 hours of clinical supervision.

While psychologists can diagnose and treat developmental conditions like ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), counselors provide similar support. For serious conditions, a psychologist may be more suitable due to their advanced training, but in most cases, the choice between a psychologist or counselor depends on the child’s comfort level with the therapist.