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

Looking for a pediatrician, child psychologist or child psychiatrist in Ohio? Parenting Pathway lists 701 child health and mental health providers across Ohio. 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 Ohio pediatricians also diagnose and manage ADHD themselves. Not sure who does what? Read pediatrician vs child psychologist vs child psychiatrist.

Browse providers in Ohio by type:

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

Paying for care in Ohio

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 Ohio may qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Ohio Medicaid, which covers children in eligible families through its Healthy Start program. 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 Help Me Grow Early Intervention, the early intervention program for Ohio, 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 Ohio

Ohio has an unusually strong network of children’s hospitals, including Nationwide Children’s in Columbus, Cincinnati Children’s, UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s and Cleveland Clinic Children’s in Cleveland, Akron Children’s and Dayton Children’s. 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.

Many Ohio children’s hospitals run their own behavioral health clinics and outpatient programs for children and teens, so ask your pediatrician which ones serve your area.

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 Ohio’s largest cities

• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Cincinnati (91 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Cleveland (48 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Columbus (43 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Toledo (28 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Akron (25 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Dayton (20 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Westerville (18 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Mason (16 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Westlake (12 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Dublin (9 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Canton (9 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Reynoldsburg (9 listed)

See every city in Ohio.

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