How to Find a Child Psychologist or Pediatrician in Texas: A Parent’s Guide

Looking for a pediatrician, child psychologist or child psychiatrist in Texas? Parenting Pathway lists 1,578 child health and mental health providers across Texas. This guide explains where to start, how to pay for care and which free state programs can help your family.

Start with a pediatrician

For most concerns, including behavior, anxiety, attention, sleep or development, your child’s pediatrician is the best first step. They can rule out physical causes, screen for common conditions and refer you to the right specialist. Many Texas pediatricians also diagnose and manage ADHD themselves. Not sure who does what? Read pediatrician vs child psychologist vs child psychiatrist.

Browse providers in Texas by type:

• Pediatricians in Texas
• Child Psychologists in Texas
• Child Psychiatrists in Texas
• All providers in Texas by city

Paying for care in Texas

If you have private insurance, call the number on your card to check your mental health benefits, whether you need a referral and whether testing needs prior authorization. Federal parity law means most plans cannot make mental health care harder to access than medical care. Our guide to finding a child psychologist covered by insurance walks you through it.

Children in Texas may qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Texas Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). You can check eligibility and find your state’s application at InsureKidsNow.gov. For typical prices, see how much a child psychologist costs.

Babies and toddlers: free early intervention

If your child is under 3 and you are worried about how they are developing, such as their speech, movement, play or social skills, you can contact Early Childhood Intervention (ECI), the early intervention program for Texas, directly. You do not need a referral from a doctor, and evaluations are free. Our milestone checker shows what most children do at each age.

School-age children: help through school

From age 3, your local public school district must evaluate children who may have a disability affecting their learning, at no cost to you. Ask in writing for an evaluation. If your child qualifies, they may receive support through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 plan, which can include counseling, accommodations and classroom support.

Children’s hospitals and specialist care in Texas

Major pediatric centers include Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Children’s Health in Dallas, Cook Children’s in Fort Worth, Dell Children’s in Austin and The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. Specialist services such as developmental-behavioral pediatrics, child psychiatry and neuropsychological testing are often based at these centers, and waits can be long, so ask your pediatrician to refer early if they think it is needed.

Texas also funds the Child Psychiatry Access Network (CPAN), which lets pediatricians consult child psychiatrists, and TCHATT, which provides telehealth mental health support through participating schools. Ask your pediatrician or school whether they use these programs.

If your child is in crisis

If your child is at risk of harming themselves or others, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), go to your nearest emergency department or call 911.

Find providers in Texas’s largest cities

• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Houston (229 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in San Antonio (139 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Austin (108 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Dallas (98 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in El Paso (37 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Fort Worth (37 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Plano (32 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Corpus Christi (30 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Katy (29 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Lubbock (28 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Sugar Land (27 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Frisco (26 listed)

See every city in Texas.

This guide is general information, not medical advice. Program names and eligibility rules can change, so check official state sources for the latest details.