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

Looking for a pediatrician, child psychologist or child psychiatrist in New Jersey? Parenting Pathway lists 718 child health and mental health providers across New Jersey. 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 New Jersey pediatricians also diagnose and manage ADHD themselves. Not sure who does what? Read pediatrician vs child psychologist vs child psychiatrist.

Browse providers in New Jersey by type:

• Pediatricians in New Jersey
• Child Psychologists in New Jersey
• Child Psychiatrists in New Jersey
• All providers in New Jersey by city

Paying for care in New Jersey

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 New Jersey may qualify for free or low-cost coverage through NJ FamilyCare, New Jersey’s publicly funded health insurance program for children and eligible adults. 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 New Jersey Early Intervention System (NJEIS), the early intervention program for New Jersey, 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 New Jersey

Major pediatric centers include Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital in New Brunswick, Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital in Hackensack, Goryeb Children’s Hospital in Morristown and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel. 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.

New Jersey’s Children’s System of Care, accessed through PerformCare, provides behavioral health, developmental disability and substance use services for children and teens, and families can contact it directly.

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 New Jersey’s largest cities

• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Hackensack (22 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Newark (22 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Clifton (16 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Jersey City (14 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Paramus (13 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Cherry Hill Township (13 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Morristown (12 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Edison (12 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Lakewood (12 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in New Brunswick (11 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in West Orange (10 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Princeton (10 listed)

See every city in New Jersey.

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