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

Looking for a pediatrician, child psychologist or child psychiatrist in Florida? Parenting Pathway lists 1,509 child health and mental health providers across Florida. 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 Florida pediatricians also diagnose and manage ADHD themselves. Not sure who does what? Read pediatrician vs child psychologist vs child psychiatrist.

Browse providers in Florida by type:

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

Paying for care in Florida

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 Florida may qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Florida KidCare, which includes Medicaid, MediKids and Florida Healthy Kids depending on your child’s age and family income. 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 Steps, the early intervention program for Florida, 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 Florida

Major pediatric centers include Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Nemours Children’s Health, Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando and UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital in Gainesville. 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.

Florida has many bilingual providers, particularly in South Florida, so ask practices whether they offer care in your family’s language.

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 Florida’s largest cities

• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Miami (164 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Orlando (118 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Tampa (97 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Jacksonville (85 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Hollywood (29 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Fort Lauderdale (28 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in St. Petersburg (27 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Gainesville (26 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Pensacola (26 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Boca Raton (25 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in West Palm Beach (24 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Lakeland (23 listed)

See every city in Florida.

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