How to Find a Child Therapist in Dover & Kent County, Delaware
· Parent Resources · By The CCD Clinical Team · Clinically reviewed by Lisa R. Savage, LCSW
Looking for a child therapist in Dover or Kent County, DE? What to look for, how telehealth and school-based care work, insurance accepted, and how to get started — from the team at CCD.
Deciding your child needs therapy is one thing. Figuring out who to call — especially in Kent County, where options can feel thinner than up north — is another. You don't need to get it perfect. You just need to know what actually matters. Here's how to think about it.
Start with what your child is actually dealing with
The best first filter isn't location or credentials — it's fit for the problem. A therapist who's wonderful with anxious kids may not be the right match for a teen working through trauma, or a 6-year-old whose ADHD is making school a daily battle. Look for someone who names your concern — and for younger children, ask whether they use play therapy, since that's how little kids actually process things.
What the credentials mean (in plain English)
Delaware therapists carry different letters, and they're less mysterious than they look:
- LCSW — Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- LPCMH — Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health
- Psychologist (PhD/PsyD) — can also do testing and evaluations
- LAC / associate-level — a fully-trained clinician working under supervision (often a great fit, and more available)
Any of these can be an excellent children's therapist. What matters more is their experience with kids your child's age and the issue you're facing.
You have more options in Kent County than you might think
You don't have to drive to Wilmington or Newark to get your child quality care. CCD serves Dover and the surrounding Kent County communities two ways:
- Secure telehealth — the same expert care from your own living room, for families anywhere in Kent County: Dover, Camden-Wyoming, Smyrna, Milford, and beyond.
- School-based therapy — through Delaware's largest school-based mental health program, our clinicians work on-site in Dover-area schools, including the Capital and Caesar Rodney districts, so kids get support right where they spend their day.
You can see the full picture on our Dover therapy page.
Fit matters more than the perfect résumé
Therapy works because of the relationship. A child who feels safe and understood will make more progress than one matched to the most impressive credential on paper. It's completely okay to try someone and, a few sessions in, decide it isn't clicking. A good therapist will want that honesty, not take it personally.
A few questions worth asking
- Do you work with children my child's age, and with this specific concern?
- What does a typical session look like?
- Do you offer telehealth, school-based care, or both?
- Do you take my insurance?
Insurance and cost
Cost shouldn't be the thing that stops you. We accept most Delaware Medicaid plans, along with Aetna and Highmark. If you're unsure whether your plan is covered, it's worth a quick call rather than an assumption.
How to get started
If you're in Dover or anywhere in Kent County and looking for a child or teen therapist, you can complete our new client enrollment form online or call us, and we'll walk you through it.
Looking for a child therapist in Kent County?
Telehealth across Delaware and school-based care in Dover-area schools. Start online, or call 302-292-1334.
Start new client enrollment →You can also meet our clinicians first — sometimes seeing a real face makes that first step feel less daunting. Reaching out isn't a sign something's gone wrong. It's one of the most ordinary, loving things a parent can do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find a child therapist in Dover, DE?
Start with the specific concern (anxiety, trauma, ADHD, behavior, a teen who's struggling), then look for a clinician experienced with that issue and your child's age. In Kent County, consider telehealth and school-based options — both give you access to therapists without a long drive.
Does CCD have an office in Kent County?
Our main office is in Newark, but we serve Kent County families through secure telehealth across Delaware and through on-site, school-based therapy in Dover-area schools. Many families never need to leave home.
Does insurance cover child therapy in Delaware?
Often, yes. We accept most Delaware Medicaid plans, along with Aetna and Highmark. Call 302-292-1334 if you're not sure about your specific plan.
Can child therapy be done online?
Yes. Secure telehealth is real therapy — for many children and teens it works just as well as in person, and it removes the commute, which makes it far easier to keep appointments.