A thoughtful, personalized approach to help your family feel confident about starting therapy.

Written By: Kristin Ballard, PhD, LP

Finding the Right Therapist Can Feel Overwhelming—We’re Here to Make It Easier

Starting therapy is a big step for your family, and we know how much it matters to find someone your child or teen can truly connect with. At Ballard Clinic, we believe great therapy begins with two things: a skilled, compassionate therapist and a strong therapeutic match.

That’s why we’ve created a thoughtful, personalized system to help every family find the right fit from the very beginning.

What Happens When You Reach Out

When you first contact us, you’ll connect with one of our warm and knowledgeable Intake Coordinators. Their role is to really listen—learning about your child, your hopes for therapy, and any preferences you may have.

Behind the scenes, our Intake team and I (Dr. Ballard) carefully discuss which therapists might be the best fit. With a deep understanding of each clinician’s strengths, specialties, and style, we do our best to pair your family with a therapist who will feel like a natural fit for your child’s needs and personality.

What We Consider When Matching Clients

Your Child’s Needs and Goals

Every child is unique, and so are their reasons for starting therapy. Whether your family is navigating anxiety, ADHD, big life transitions, or parenting challenges, we’ll match you with a therapist who has specialized training in those areas.

For example:

• A teen experiencing intense emotions might thrive with a therapist trained in DBT.
  
• A younger child processing grief or big changes may benefit from someone skilled in play-based therapy.

Age and Stage of Life

We think about your child’s age and developmental stage when making a match. Some of our therapists specialize in working with preschool and elementary-aged children, while others focus on teens or young adults. We want your child or teen to feel seen, understood, and comfortable right from the start.

Therapist Life Experience and Personality

Some parents ask for a younger therapist their child can relate to. Others prefer a more seasoned clinician—or someone who’s also a parent and understands the ups and downs of raising kids. We take these preferences seriously and do our best to honor them.

Therapy Style That Fits Your Family

Our team uses a variety of approaches—including CBT, DBT, mindfulness, parent coaching, and play therapy. Whether you’re looking for a structured, skills-based approach or a warm, reflective space for your child to process, we’ll help match you with a therapist whose style aligns with your family’s needs.

Gender Preference

If your child feels more comfortable with a therapist of a specific gender, we’ll do our best to honor that request. Your family’s comfort and sense of safety are always our priority.

We Put Connection First

At Ballard Clinic, we believe the relationship between therapist and client is the heart of successful therapy. That’s why we focus on thoughtful, personalized matches—not just filling the next available spot.

And if it doesn’t feel quite right after the first few sessions? We’ll work with you to find someone who’s a better fit.

Ready to Begin?

We know how important it is to find the right person for your child or teen. Let us help take the guesswork out of the process.

Let’s Find Your Family’s Perfect Fit →