Child Therapists in Indianapolis, IN

In my free time, I enjoy bouldering, outdoor sport climbing, reading, traveling, and spending time with my husband, young adult children, and grandchild.
As a psychologist, I thrive on challenges. I specialize in comprehensive and court-ordered psychological assessments for juveniles and adults. I have many years of experience testifying in court. My forensic referrals come from judges, private attorneys, public defenders, and State and Federal Public Defenders and include Indiana competency or insanity assessments, juvenile waiver, sex offender risk assessments, child hearsay, TR 35, and post-conviction relief. Additionally, after many years working in residential treatment, I have developed expertise with children/adolescents with severe emotional and behavioral disturbances.
In my free time, I enjoy bouldering, outdoor sport climbing, reading, traveling, and spending time with my husband, young adult children, and grandchild.
As a psychologist, I thrive on challenges. I specialize in comprehensive and court-ordered psychological assessments for juveniles and adults. I have many years of experience testifying in court. My forensic referrals come from judges, private attorneys, public defenders, and State and Federal Public Defenders and include Indiana competency or insanity assessments, juvenile waiver, sex offender risk assessments, child hearsay, TR 35, and post-conviction relief. Additionally, after many years working in residential treatment, I have developed expertise with children/adolescents with severe emotional and behavioral disturbances.

Yameen Chestnut
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, NCC
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Indianapolis, IN 46268
As a therapist, I bring a wealth of life experience as well as over 15 years of professional expertise with children in various settings, particularly those within the foster care system.
Consistent with several views expressed within the field of Positive Psychology, I believe in focusing on an individual's strengths and virtues to help individuals and families thrive. In addition to this approach, my collaborative, non-pathologizing style utilizes the inherent virtues of growth and change within individuals and families, allowing for a deeper understanding of each client's unique processes and functions, setting the stage for clients to develop self-agency and become the experts in their family system. Visit Amazon.com for my recent book on Relationships "The Games Boys Play".
As a therapist, I bring a wealth of life experience as well as over 15 years of professional expertise with children in various settings, particularly those within the foster care system.
Consistent with several views expressed within the field of Positive Psychology, I believe in focusing on an individual's strengths and virtues to help individuals and families thrive. In addition to this approach, my collaborative, non-pathologizing style utilizes the inherent virtues of growth and change within individuals and families, allowing for a deeper understanding of each client's unique processes and functions, setting the stage for clients to develop self-agency and become the experts in their family system. Visit Amazon.com for my recent book on Relationships "The Games Boys Play".

Hi, I’m Brittany! As a resident clinician passionate about supporting children, I have dedicated my practice to creating a safe, nurturing environment. Each child’s unique story inspires me, and I am committed to using therapeutic play to foster their growth and healing. My approach is grounded in empathy, patience, friendship, and a genuine love for supporting kids to find their voice and thrive.Although she has experience working with a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, peer-relationships, family-conflict, ADHD, and grief, she has a distinct passion for working with adoptees, neurodivergent youth, and athletes.
Hi, I’m Brittany! As a resident clinician passionate about supporting children, I have dedicated my practice to creating a safe, nurturing environment. Each child’s unique story inspires me, and I am committed to using therapeutic play to foster their growth and healing. My approach is grounded in empathy, patience, friendship, and a genuine love for supporting kids to find their voice and thrive.Although she has experience working with a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, peer-relationships, family-conflict, ADHD, and grief, she has a distinct passion for working with adoptees, neurodivergent youth, and athletes.

Jessica Hood
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Indianapolis, IN 46220
We have worked in schools, inpatient residential centers, child welfare, and outpatient settings.
Difficulty managing your child's behaviors at home, school, or community? Is your child angry, irritable, or moody? Constant phone calls about their behavior? Don't know where to turn for help? If YES to any of these, we hope you will take a moment to consider working with us. We know the stress can leave you reeling and exhausted! Now, take a second to imagine being less worried and less stressed about your child...We would love to help make that vision a reality for you.
We have worked in schools, inpatient residential centers, child welfare, and outpatient settings.
Difficulty managing your child's behaviors at home, school, or community? Is your child angry, irritable, or moody? Constant phone calls about their behavior? Don't know where to turn for help? If YES to any of these, we hope you will take a moment to consider working with us. We know the stress can leave you reeling and exhausted! Now, take a second to imagine being less worried and less stressed about your child...We would love to help make that vision a reality for you.

Hi, I am Emily! I have a BA in Psychology and Crisis Counseling, and an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a minor in Pastoral Counseling. I am currently a recent graduate with a history of working with crisis patients’ diagnoses, of anxiety and depression. I enjoy working with children and adolescents. I have experience working with children who have additional diagnoses and conditions including terminal illness, traumatic brain injuries, and disabilities.
Hi, I am Emily! I have a BA in Psychology and Crisis Counseling, and an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a minor in Pastoral Counseling. I am currently a recent graduate with a history of working with crisis patients’ diagnoses, of anxiety and depression. I enjoy working with children and adolescents. I have experience working with children who have additional diagnoses and conditions including terminal illness, traumatic brain injuries, and disabilities.

Take the next step in helping your child and yourself move forward.
My decision to become a therapist is rooted in my lifelong desire to help children develop and strengthen their coping skills so they’re able to improve their relationships and mental health today, and so they’ll become healthy adults down the road. I have a particular love for working with young people because I view them as remarkable. Seeing their creativity, insight, resilience, humor, curiosity, awe, and capacity for growth is a never-ending source of amazement for her. My goal is to help your child get to the heart of what’s keeping them from enjoying the life they want, and giving practical steps to move forward.
Take the next step in helping your child and yourself move forward.
My decision to become a therapist is rooted in my lifelong desire to help children develop and strengthen their coping skills so they’re able to improve their relationships and mental health today, and so they’ll become healthy adults down the road. I have a particular love for working with young people because I view them as remarkable. Seeing their creativity, insight, resilience, humor, curiosity, awe, and capacity for growth is a never-ending source of amazement for her. My goal is to help your child get to the heart of what’s keeping them from enjoying the life they want, and giving practical steps to move forward.

One specialty of mine is working with children who have behavioral or emotional concerns.
I assist children, adults, couples, and families in addressing the concerns that may be holding them back from the life they want. It is a fact that if our needs are not being met then we don't function well at home, school, work, or socially. I empower clients to meet their needs in healthy ways to live more fulfilling lives.
One specialty of mine is working with children who have behavioral or emotional concerns.
I assist children, adults, couples, and families in addressing the concerns that may be holding them back from the life they want. It is a fact that if our needs are not being met then we don't function well at home, school, work, or socially. I empower clients to meet their needs in healthy ways to live more fulfilling lives.

I have specialized in working with trauma, anxiety, depression, child behavioral problems, attachment issues, and within the family system.
While I am specifically interested in guiding children ages 3-11 who present with trauma, mood disorders, and/or disruptive externalizing behaviors towards a place of emotional regulation, I have worked with adolescents, adults, and adults older than the age of 65.
I have specialized in working with trauma, anxiety, depression, child behavioral problems, attachment issues, and within the family system.
While I am specifically interested in guiding children ages 3-11 who present with trauma, mood disorders, and/or disruptive externalizing behaviors towards a place of emotional regulation, I have worked with adolescents, adults, and adults older than the age of 65.
Margaret Nellie Farnsworth
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Indianapolis, IN 46216
Throughout her career, Nellie has provided counseling to people across ages and stages of life, including counseling children, adolescents, and families in schools and in the foster care system, as well as adults and couples in an outpatient and addiction treatment program.
Nellie, MA, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Indiana, holds a Master of Arts in Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy from Indiana Wesleyan University, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Illinois. She is a counselor who works with children, adolescents, and adults, helping them achieve greater personal and emotional wellbeing. Everyone's needs are individual and personal, so Nellie comes alongside to support and work collaboratively with each person, working within the strengths and goals of each client.
Throughout her career, Nellie has provided counseling to people across ages and stages of life, including counseling children, adolescents, and families in schools and in the foster care system, as well as adults and couples in an outpatient and addiction treatment program.
Nellie, MA, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Indiana, holds a Master of Arts in Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy from Indiana Wesleyan University, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Illinois. She is a counselor who works with children, adolescents, and adults, helping them achieve greater personal and emotional wellbeing. Everyone's needs are individual and personal, so Nellie comes alongside to support and work collaboratively with each person, working within the strengths and goals of each client.

Special interest areas are giving parents tools to manage difficult behaviors, strengthening the child-parent bond, building relationship skills for individuals and couples, addiction counseling that includes care coordination with medication-assisted treatments for opioid and other use disorders, and therapies that work for managing depression and anxiety.
Are you looking for help with child/parenting concerns, relationship issues, and/or unhealthy patterns, including addictions? You don’t have to face these things alone! My experience and skills are helping children, families, adults and couples to work toward building healthy connections and relationships. My background includes training and practice in child-centered play therapy, early childhood mental health development at Riley Hospital, as well as marriage and family therapy. In addition to my private practice, I have worked extensively with incarcerated youth and women.
Special interest areas are giving parents tools to manage difficult behaviors, strengthening the child-parent bond, building relationship skills for individuals and couples, addiction counseling that includes care coordination with medication-assisted treatments for opioid and other use disorders, and therapies that work for managing depression and anxiety.
Are you looking for help with child/parenting concerns, relationship issues, and/or unhealthy patterns, including addictions? You don’t have to face these things alone! My experience and skills are helping children, families, adults and couples to work toward building healthy connections and relationships. My background includes training and practice in child-centered play therapy, early childhood mental health development at Riley Hospital, as well as marriage and family therapy. In addition to my private practice, I have worked extensively with incarcerated youth and women.

When you and your child feel ready to support their mental health through therapy, I am ready and excited to work with you.
Everyone wants to support their child and see them thrive. When your child struggles with conditions like anxiety, ADHD, depression, emotion regulation, post-traumatic stress or challenges related to neurodivergent conditions like autism, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure how to help. Therapy, especially play therapy, can be an important tool for helping your child express their emotions, process difficult experiences and learn healthier ways to deal with challenges. My job as a therapist is to provide space for your child to grow and heal while collaborating with you to support them.
When you and your child feel ready to support their mental health through therapy, I am ready and excited to work with you.
Everyone wants to support their child and see them thrive. When your child struggles with conditions like anxiety, ADHD, depression, emotion regulation, post-traumatic stress or challenges related to neurodivergent conditions like autism, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure how to help. Therapy, especially play therapy, can be an important tool for helping your child express their emotions, process difficult experiences and learn healthier ways to deal with challenges. My job as a therapist is to provide space for your child to grow and heal while collaborating with you to support them.
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My training at Indiana University School of Medicine/Riley Children's Hospital furthered my experience regarding pediatric psychology & the management of overlapping medical/psychological symptoms.
As a parent and psychologist, I enjoy supporting children as they grow and strive to be their best. At the same time, I realize that the maturation process is not always easy and both children and parents often need outside supports. Emphasizing a collaborative process with my clients and their relevant care providers, I value working together to establish goals, individualize treatment, and evaluate progress. My services include providing short and long-term therapy with children, adolescents, and young adults to treat problems involving anxiety, depression, mood disorders, relational/social concerns, ADHD, adjustment problems, and family issues.
My training at Indiana University School of Medicine/Riley Children's Hospital furthered my experience regarding pediatric psychology & the management of overlapping medical/psychological symptoms.
As a parent and psychologist, I enjoy supporting children as they grow and strive to be their best. At the same time, I realize that the maturation process is not always easy and both children and parents often need outside supports. Emphasizing a collaborative process with my clients and their relevant care providers, I value working together to establish goals, individualize treatment, and evaluate progress. My services include providing short and long-term therapy with children, adolescents, and young adults to treat problems involving anxiety, depression, mood disorders, relational/social concerns, ADHD, adjustment problems, and family issues.

Family education and support is essential to the services I provide, and I partner with caregivers to advocate for their child at home, at school, and in the community.
I am passionate about working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disabilities and supporting their families as they navigate home, school, and community. I believe strongly that our goal should never be to "cure" the individual with autism or make them fit the world but rather to help them be their most successful self by providing education, support, and accommodations as necessary. I also believe that a one-size-fits-all approach does not work, and each individual and family should be provided with supports that are tailored to them and are evaluated regularly as they grow and develop.
Family education and support is essential to the services I provide, and I partner with caregivers to advocate for their child at home, at school, and in the community.
I am passionate about working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disabilities and supporting their families as they navigate home, school, and community. I believe strongly that our goal should never be to "cure" the individual with autism or make them fit the world but rather to help them be their most successful self by providing education, support, and accommodations as necessary. I also believe that a one-size-fits-all approach does not work, and each individual and family should be provided with supports that are tailored to them and are evaluated regularly as they grow and develop.

I see adults, couples, children and adolescents.
My approach is to understand my client through a complete history of childhood and adult experiences so that we can together explore how the client perceives the world. Sometimes experiences can cause clients to be anxious, defensive or make poor choices. I hope to help clients see how these approaches may have been useful in other times in life but may be less useful now. Sometimes a new approach to thinking is helpful. Other times insight and being understood can promote change.This approach also works with both parties in a couple to help regain trust and form new ways of relating.
I see adults, couples, children and adolescents.
My approach is to understand my client through a complete history of childhood and adult experiences so that we can together explore how the client perceives the world. Sometimes experiences can cause clients to be anxious, defensive or make poor choices. I hope to help clients see how these approaches may have been useful in other times in life but may be less useful now. Sometimes a new approach to thinking is helpful. Other times insight and being understood can promote change.This approach also works with both parties in a couple to help regain trust and form new ways of relating.

In addition to therapy, I also provide psychological assessments for children, adolescents, and adults.
Entering therapy is not always easy, but it's an important step towards change. I believe therapy should be a process where my clients and I work as a team to identify strengths and learn new skills to increase their ability to cope with stress, anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems. I specialize in treating children and adolescents with mood and behavioral disorders. When working with children, I believe it's important to engage parents in the treatment and empower them be a coach and implement strategies discussed in therapy at home with their children.
In addition to therapy, I also provide psychological assessments for children, adolescents, and adults.
Entering therapy is not always easy, but it's an important step towards change. I believe therapy should be a process where my clients and I work as a team to identify strengths and learn new skills to increase their ability to cope with stress, anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems. I specialize in treating children and adolescents with mood and behavioral disorders. When working with children, I believe it's important to engage parents in the treatment and empower them be a coach and implement strategies discussed in therapy at home with their children.

Hello! My name is Brooke. Are you struggling with your child’s behavior at home or school? Feeling depressed, anxious, or simply lost in life? Have you recently experienced any big changes? Has a traumatic experience occurred in you or your child’s life and you don’t know how to go back to normalcy? Do you think you may be in a abusive or narcissistic relationship? Do you have a child with an intellectual disability that is struggling with emotional/behavioral issues? If any of these scenarios connected with you, I would love to help you not only gain the skills you need to heal and cope through your journey, but to also flourish!
Hello! My name is Brooke. Are you struggling with your child’s behavior at home or school? Feeling depressed, anxious, or simply lost in life? Have you recently experienced any big changes? Has a traumatic experience occurred in you or your child’s life and you don’t know how to go back to normalcy? Do you think you may be in a abusive or narcissistic relationship? Do you have a child with an intellectual disability that is struggling with emotional/behavioral issues? If any of these scenarios connected with you, I would love to help you not only gain the skills you need to heal and cope through your journey, but to also flourish!

I have a variety of life and professional experiences that include working with children and teens, adults, Elders (65+), couples and families, healthcare and EMS.
I believe in creating an open and non-judgmental space where clients can feel safe to unpack and share their stories, find ways to cope with stresses, and navigate life’s challenges. I see individuals, couples, and families of all ages. My approach is a client-centered, creative, and collaborative process that incorporates elements of mind- body-spirit to promote full-person wellbeing. I work with my clients to develop a unique treatment plan to best fit their individual situations and needs. (Note: Services are self-pay, I am not able to take insurance).
I have a variety of life and professional experiences that include working with children and teens, adults, Elders (65+), couples and families, healthcare and EMS.
I believe in creating an open and non-judgmental space where clients can feel safe to unpack and share their stories, find ways to cope with stresses, and navigate life’s challenges. I see individuals, couples, and families of all ages. My approach is a client-centered, creative, and collaborative process that incorporates elements of mind- body-spirit to promote full-person wellbeing. I work with my clients to develop a unique treatment plan to best fit their individual situations and needs. (Note: Services are self-pay, I am not able to take insurance).

I am also available to present educational sessions for parents and teachers at your preschool or child-care center.
I have extensive experience helping preschool-age children struggling with behavioral and developmental difficulties. My focus is to help parents find the best ways to help their children. I communicate with caregivers or teachers who have regular contact with my clients, collaborating to help clients adjust in multiple settings. I also provide group educational sessions for parents and teachers of preschool-age children. Please see the description of "groups" for more details.
I am also available to present educational sessions for parents and teachers at your preschool or child-care center.
I have extensive experience helping preschool-age children struggling with behavioral and developmental difficulties. My focus is to help parents find the best ways to help their children. I communicate with caregivers or teachers who have regular contact with my clients, collaborating to help clients adjust in multiple settings. I also provide group educational sessions for parents and teachers of preschool-age children. Please see the description of "groups" for more details.

I’m a Child and Adolescent Psychologist with over a decade of experience working alongside youth, families, and young adults to create meaningful changes in their lives. An Indiana native, I earned my doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Indianapolis. I have extensive experience providing evaluations and treatment to individuals and families with complex needs. My areas of expertise include evaluation, mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, emotion regulation, and family conflict. I’ve worked in a variety of settings including community mental health, college counseling, state hospitalization, and residential care.
I’m a Child and Adolescent Psychologist with over a decade of experience working alongside youth, families, and young adults to create meaningful changes in their lives. An Indiana native, I earned my doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Indianapolis. I have extensive experience providing evaluations and treatment to individuals and families with complex needs. My areas of expertise include evaluation, mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, emotion regulation, and family conflict. I’ve worked in a variety of settings including community mental health, college counseling, state hospitalization, and residential care.

I'm experienced with children and adults with ADHD, behavioral problems, trauma, depression, anxiety, and addiction.
Hey there! I'm excited you’re here. Balancing work, relationships, and family can be extremely difficult...adulting is rough, am I right? Growing up in the Google era, I too understand the social media anxiety experience. How do you manage information overload and make meaningful connections in a rapidly changing world? If you’re feeling lost or anxious- let's talk! I am here to help individuals learn how to manage life’s challenges in a effective and positive way. Additionally, I offer animal therapy with the adorable ICAN therapy dog, Levi (see pic below), providing unique support in our healing work together.
I'm experienced with children and adults with ADHD, behavioral problems, trauma, depression, anxiety, and addiction.
Hey there! I'm excited you’re here. Balancing work, relationships, and family can be extremely difficult...adulting is rough, am I right? Growing up in the Google era, I too understand the social media anxiety experience. How do you manage information overload and make meaningful connections in a rapidly changing world? If you’re feeling lost or anxious- let's talk! I am here to help individuals learn how to manage life’s challenges in a effective and positive way. Additionally, I offer animal therapy with the adorable ICAN therapy dog, Levi (see pic below), providing unique support in our healing work together.
See more therapy options for Indianapolis
Nearby Child or Adolescent Therapists Searches for Indianapolis
- Avon
- Brownsburg
- Carmel
- Castleton
- Fishers
- Greenwood
- Lawrence
- McCordsville
- Mooresville
- Plainfield
- Southport
- Zionsville
Child Therapists
Child psychologists in Indianapolis, IN provide mental health therapy to children and are experts in child development.
Every comprehensive review of therapy with children shows that all credible approaches, when performed by a competent mental health clinician, produce almost the same results. About half of all kids will get better. Of those that improve, 80% will show progress in a relatively short time, while the remaining 20% will need longer-term support.
The best child therapists in Indianapolis build great relationships with the child and the parent. They also see the child's strengths and are open to hearing the child's possible solutions to the challenges the child faces. Finally, a good therapist appreciates the child's culture and is sensitive to the values of the child's community.
Every comprehensive review of therapy with children shows that all credible approaches, when performed by a competent mental health clinician, produce almost the same results. About half of all kids will get better. Of those that improve, 80% will show progress in a relatively short time, while the remaining 20% will need longer-term support.
The best child therapists in Indianapolis build great relationships with the child and the parent. They also see the child's strengths and are open to hearing the child's possible solutions to the challenges the child faces. Finally, a good therapist appreciates the child's culture and is sensitive to the values of the child's community.