Where to Start When You Think You May Need a Child Therapist
We all know where to go when our kid has a physical ailment, right? There’s a great doctor in Grand Rapids for every physical need.
But what do you do when the problem is mental? There are so many types of mental health issues and therapists, counselors and psychiatrists – how do you know where to start?
We had the same questions ourselves so we polled parents in West Michigan to find the best child therapists and counselors in town.
We’re sharing who GR’s eleven favorite child counselors are, as well as shedding light on how counseling works.
It’s a tough but brave choice to change your family for good.
in this article
Grand Rapids Best Child Therapists and Mental Health Pros (2026 Results)
These top mental health professionals in Grand Rapids were voted on by our readers .
These are the pros that parents trust and kids love. Here you can find therapists that specialist in anxiety and depression, ADHD, autism and more.
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FCP Guide
Noelle Lynn at The ADHD Center of West Michigan
The ADHD Center of West Michigan is your dedicated partner in understanding and navigating the impact of ADHD on your life.
Focused solely on ADHD, our expert team - many with personal experiences - offers tailored support. We recognize the nuances and challenges of ADHD, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach.
Whether you are seeking coaching, therapy, assessments, educational therapy, or speech pathology services, we begin where you are and guide you towards your desired destination.
(616) 217-9477 | Visit Website
2025 East Beltline Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 | Map It
Noelle Lynn at The ADHD Center of West Michigan
The ADHD Center of West Michigan is your dedicated partner in understanding and navigating the impact of ADHD on your life.
Focused solely on ADHD, our expert team - many with personal experiences - offers tailored support. We recognize the nuances and challenges of ADHD, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach.
Whether you are seeking coaching, therapy, assessments, educational therapy, or speech pathology services, we begin where you are and guide you towards your desired destination.
2025 East Beltline Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 | Map It
FCP Guide
Lindsay Hams, MS CCC-SLP at Family Tree Therapies
Family Tree Therapies provides occupational and speech therapy, specializing in feeding, autism, ADHD/Anxiety, Down syndrome, and learning challenges.
We identify and help clients understand the root cause of functional challenges, while providing concrete solutions.
All of our therapists follow the same models to help clients reach their greatest potential!
Congratulations to Lindsay Hams, MS CCC-SLP for being one of the best in West Michigan.
(616) 447-7799 | Visit Website
2251 East Paris Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 | Map It
Lindsay Hams, MS CCC-SLP at Family Tree Therapies
Family Tree Therapies provides occupational and speech therapy, specializing in feeding, autism, ADHD/Anxiety, Down syndrome, and learning challenges.
We identify and help clients understand the root cause of functional challenges, while providing concrete solutions.
All of our therapists follow the same models to help clients reach their greatest potential!
Congratulations to Lindsay Hams, MS CCC-SLP for being one of the best in West Michigan.
2251 East Paris Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 | Map It
Chandra Criffield at Haven Therapeutic Services, PLLC
207 Fulton St East, Suite 3108, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
At Haven Therapeutic Services, Chandra Criffield’s approach largely draws upon Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) and as such, and is founded on principles that are both trauma-competent and relationally based. Her work tends to be infused with playfulness.
She also devotes time to conducting professional development trainings and presentations within school systems, churches, conferences, and social service organizations on topics such as trauma, grief/loss, the importance of play, and adoption issues.
2 – Kelly Boprie at West Michigan Eating Disorder Specialists
1861 R W Berends Drive Southwest, Wyoming, MI 49519
At West Michigan Eating Disorder Specialists, Kelly aims to create a safe, supportive, empathic and validating environment for the clients that she sees. She believes establishing trust and safety as well as being met with compassion and understanding are important and inform the therapeutic relationship.
She also has significant experience working with adjustment disorders, anxiety, depression, self harm, OCD, and social anxiety.
3 – Kaylin Ziebarth at Human Kind Counseling Group
2905 Wilson Ave SW Suite 252/214, Grandville, MI 49418
In Kaylin’s work with children, families, and adolescents she utilizes therapeutic techniques like play therapy, talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and art therapy at Human Kind Counseling Group.
She feels that helping an individual and their families navigate difficult situations and celebrate positive growth in therapy and everyday situations is such a unique and positive aspect of being a part of a family’s therapeutic team.
She has clinical experience working with children from ages 6-14 who may be experiencing anxiety, ADHD, social skill/social language concerns, mood dysregulation, family/peer conflicts, and adjustment to life or family changes. She also works with children who are on the Autism Spectrum on social engagement, conversation modeling, social interactions and other aspects that may accompany this diagnosis.
4 – Rebekah Karel at Leadlight Counseling
5360 Cascade Rd SE Ste 1, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Rebekah’s clients at Leadlight Counseling span from ages 3-14, and she specializes in working with those struggling with ARFID (avoidant restrictive feeding intake disorder). She is experienced in providing care for those with autism, ADHD, and OCD as ARFID has a strong correlation to these disorders.
She is a registered play therapist and incorporates a hands-on approach to therapy that keeps kids feeling safe and empowered. Rebekah makes every effort to create a safe and welcoming environment so every person gets the best treatment she can give.
4 – Gina Start
Gina works with clients of all ages, starting at age 5 all the way through to adults and seniors. She provides a safe and supportive therapeutic environment where clients can engage openly and work toward healing, balance, and renewed joy in life.
Her approach is empathic, compassionate, and tailored to each individual’s needs. She draws from a range of treatment models, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Strengths-Based practices, while integrating other methods as appropriate to the complexity of the issues at hand.
From anxiety and depression to PTSD and chronic pain, Gina’s focus is on walking alongside her clients with understanding and compassion as they work through pain, build resilience, and move toward healthier, more fulfilling lives.
6 – Christina Shug at Schug Counseling Services
121 S Main St, Wayland, MI 49348 – web
7 – Kaymi Hargrove at Lantern Counseling
4764 Fulton St E #101, Ada, MI 49301 – web
8 – Misty LaFree at Leadlight Counseling
5360 Cascade Rd SE Ste 1, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 – web
8 – Kelsey Klingenberg at Functional Kids Therapy
9809 Cherry Valley Ave SE # D, Caledonia, MI 49316 – web
10 – Jennifer Hayden at Leadlight Counseling
5360 Cascade Rd SE Ste 1, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 – web
10 – Kelley Stewart at ClearWater Counseling & Wellness
1525 E Beltline Ave NE #4598, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 – web
10 – Maicee VanSkyock at 616 Counseling
550 Cascade W Pkwy SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 – web
10 – Dr. Christina Warholic at Pediatric Mindworks Center at HRA Psychological Services
2851 Charlevoix Dr SE Suite 323, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 – web
Grand Rapids Top Therapy Offices (2026 Results)
In addition to voting for the best individual child therapists in Grand Rapids, we asked our readers to vote on the best therapy offices overall in GR — below are the top offices voted on by you!
Human Kind Counseling Group
2905 Wilson Ave SW Suite 252/214, Grandville, MI 49418
Human Kind Counseling Group focuses on letting “you be you”. They recognize each client is unique and diverse in their own beautiful way, and their goal is to give everyone a welcoming and accepting space in which to grow.
Their clients speak highly of the therapists here, expressing thanks for their compassion, their ability to create a safe space, and their knowledge and skill in helping kids navigate everything from ADHD to parents’ divorce.
2 – Leadlight Counseling
5360 Cascade Rd SE Ste 1, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 – web
3 – Haven Therapeutic Services
2845 44th St SW Ste. 120, Grandville, MI 49418 – web
4 – Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
300 68th St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49548 – web
5 – Counseling Center of West Michigan
360 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 – web
5 – Winning at Home
300 S State St, Ste 13, Zeeland, MI 49464 – web
7 – Pediatric Mindworks Center at HRA Psychological Services
2851 Charlevoix Dr SE, Ste 323, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 – web
8 – Second Story Counseling
1750 Grand Ridge Ct NE, Ste 200, Grand Rapids, MI 49525– web
8 – BRAINS
3292 N Evergreen Dr NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 – web
10 – Anchored Family Psychology & Counseling Associates
7086 8th Ave, Georgetown Township, MI 49428 – web
How Does Child Counseling Work?
Child counseling works differently than other health consults. You don’t get weighed at appointments or get shots. You don’t just go once a year for a well check appointment.
So how does it work? Here are answers to some common questions about child counseling.
At What Age Can a Kid See a Counselor?
Mental Health Issues Crop up at Any Age – And They Can see a Counselor at Any Time
I was shocked when my daughter became an emotional disaster in kindergarten. She had loved her young fives class the year before and had been a happy, enjoyable child. But as soon as “being in school all day, every day” hit, she lost it.
The first four weeks of school she sobbed uncontrollably 24 hours a day, desperate to go home and never return to school again. Her teacher was fantastic, and everyone worked hard to help her, but we were clearly out of our league. What was going ON??
Her pediatrician recommended a local child therapist and at our first visit, the lightbulbs went on. My child has anxiety.
She has never had to hold it all in for a long school day before. She loves the safety of her home and felt overwhelmed when she had to leave for long periods. She is used to Mom and Dad’s presence being her safety net.
She’s been in therapy ever since, and it’s been worth every minute, and every penny. Sometimes she sees her therapist every few weeks. Other times she can go a few months. She probably will see a therapist for the rest of her life. It’s simply what she needs to do to be healthy.
How Frequent Are Appointments?
Therapy appointment frequency varies. When a child first meets with their therapist, they often are coming in once a week or once every two weeks while the therapist assesses the child and starts building a plan.
Some children will need weekly or bi-weekly appointments, while others may do well with monthly visits. My daughter’s therapist has her on an “as-needed” schedule, so now we reach out when she needs a check-in. This is about once every three months for us.
Some children may need bi-weekly appointments their whole life. It just depends on their personal situation and goals.
Do I Attend the Sessions With My Child?
Child therapists all have different systems, but in our experience, the child sees the counselor privately during most of their one-hour appointment time.
Parents can meet with the therapist privately before the meeting to discuss anything important, and often the counselor will bring in the parent at the end of the child’s session to go over things they talked about and possible plans.
Sometimes this is with the child present, and other times, you talk to the counselor alone.
It may feel weird to leave your young kid alone with a therapist, but it really gives the child a chance to be honest with their counselor without fear of Mom or Dad overreacting or getting upset.
How Do I Choose a Child Therapist?
You obviously want to find a counselor who specializes in working with kids.
If your child has a specific diagnosis such as autism, ADHD, ODD or anxiety, you will want to make sure the counselor is experienced in that area.
Most parents prefer to meet with the child counselor first, just to make sure it will be a good fit for their kid. Please remember you might not find the best fit with the first counselor.
Sometimes it takes a little trial and error – and, while potentially frustrating, that’s ok!
Our daughter found her perfect match with her second child therapist. Kelly Griffin, MA, LLP is a literal wizard and has helped all three of my kids grow into their best selves.
Mental Health & Insurance
Sadly, insurance coverage for mental health is murky at best. But when you’ve decided you need professional help, you still need to start here to determine your coverage.
If you don’t have insurance, see what other resources are available.
Some companies around Grand Rapids have mental health options for their employees and families. My husband’s job, for example, offers employees and dependents six free sessions with specific therapists covered under their insurance plan.
If you have health insurance, call your provider. They can give you specific information about how much coverage you have and which providers participate with your plan. From there, you can approach some of the specific resources in this article.
While difficult to find, there are offices out there like Leadlight Counseling that accept Medicaid.
Even if you do not have insurance, you still have options.
- In Kent County, Network 180 is the best place to start (800-649-3777).
- In Ottawa County, contact Community Mental Health (866-512-4357).
- Another valuable community resource is 2-1-1. You can call 2-1-1 from any landline phone and a trained staff member will help get you in touch with the appropriate health or human service organization you need. (If you are calling from a cell phone, the Kent County number is 1-800-887-1107 and the Ottawa County number is 877-211-LAKE.) Anytime I have called, the staff have been very helpful and well informed. There is no cost for this service and it is available 24-7. You can also check out Kent County 211 online here or Ottawa County 211 online.
- Find more options at Free Clinics of Michigan, where you can search by location.
Normalize Talking to Your Kid About Their Mental Health
If you view this as a positive experience, your child will, too.
I framed my daughter’s therapist appointments as a fun opportunity to figure out how her brain works and how to feel more calm at school and in certain situations. I told her that her therapist had tricks for helping her brain to not worry as often.
We were excited to meet someone who was going to help us! And to this day, she looks forward to her counseling sessions. (Partly because her counselor has therapy dogs, but also partly because she enjoys the peace these visits bring.)
It’s normal to have some reservations about seeking counseling for your child, but if you can see the bright side, they will, too.
If you have a child with a lot of anxiety, give them some choices about seeing the counselor. (Do you want to write down some questions for the counselor ahead of time? Do you want me or Dad to go with you? Is there something you would like to take with you to help you feel more comfortable?)
Whatever angle you think is going to work best with your child, use it. When more people use these services to help their children, the stigma occasionally associated with them will melt away.
Remember — happy children (help) make for happy adults. Why not give them the tools to help them for the rest of their lives? Care for your family’s mental health. Your future self will thank you for it.
Amanda Haveman, LLMSW at Dare To Be Counseling is great with children and teens of all ages. https://www.daretobecounseling.com/amanda-haveman
Before I met one, I had no idea that kids as young as 5 would require therapy. We shouldn’t underestimate the young since they have feelings too. My therapist at https://truetherapy.org/services/trauma-therapy/ has a patient who is only five years old and has severe adhd and depression.
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