Finding a Good Therapist for Your Child
Where to Begin
Circumstances
Certain circumstances might necessitate finding a therapist for your child. For instance a continual pattern of depression, anxiety and other psychological or emotional problems with your child. Some vents may be cause for finding a therapist for your child. This would be things like a divorce, moving, a death in the family or other stressful situations.
Indications
Not all children who experience stressful events need a therapist. You might consider finding a therapist for your child if your child shows signs of distress. These sign could be things like suddenly falling behind in schoolwork, losing sleep, mood swings and depression. Your child may benefit from counseling if they have behavioral problems, anxiety, outward displays of anger or other emotional problems.
Stigma
Don't let the stigma of seeking professional help keep you from finding a therapist for your child. Your child should see a good example from you in this area. There is nothing wrong with seeking help for a problem. Finding a therapist for your child when they are having difficulty shows them you care about them and want to help.
Qualifications and References
Finding a good therapist for your child may mean checking the qualifications of the therapists you are considering. Don't assume your therapist is licensed, ask to see the paperwork. A good therapist will have no objection to this. Talking to patients may also help with your decision. Ask for references and former or current patients who can tell you about their experiences with this doctor.
Specialties
Many therapists specialize in certain types of therapy. Finding a therapist for your child may involve searching for a therapist that specializes in handling similar cases. For instance if your child is having suicidal thoughts, you will need a therapist who specializes in treatment of depression. The more experience the therapist has in dealing with a certain issue, the better for your child.
Compatibility
Personality is an important consideration when finding a therapist for your child. Keep in mind that you are not the one who has to get along with the therapist. If your child dislikes his therapist, it's likely there will be no benefit to seeing them. Your child may have to see several therapists before finding one who is compatible.
Resources
There are resources available to help in finding a therapist for your child. Talk to someone at your child's school for recommendations. If that doesn't help, try some online resources. There are several websites offering nationwide directories and referrals to therapists based on your needs and location.
Two good ones are findachildtherapist.com and psychology.com.
Sources:
http://www.findachildtherapist.com/
http://www.psychology.com/
http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/feelings/finding_therapist.html
Published by Jaipi Sixbear - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle
Jaipi is the author of "Creating Your Own Aura of Happiness" This award winning web writer is co-owner of several writing websites. She's a featured parenting contributor on Yahoo! Shine and Yahoo! Voices. S... View profile
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2 Comments
Post a CommentThat's events not vents.
Good advice for parents who don't know where to turn. As parents of five, who'd both seen enough therapists to cure Woody Allen, we saw the gamut of symptoms in our different kids at different times... school phobia, withdrawal, teen drug abuse, sudden rages, falling behind in school, anxiety attacks... not all in 1 kid, but spread among the 5 over decades. All were great kids at different times! But 3 out of 5 had serious sleep disorders that affected their ability to be in school at times. So we saw therapists more than we visited the dentist. OMG... the variations in personalities and techniques was eye-opening. Sometimes it was just a personality misfit, as you mentioned. Sometimes we gained a great deal of help. Other times, not so much. (A few were a fiasco.) But we have no regrets about going. We were parents who loved our kids, were at the end of our rope, needing some one who could help us help them. At very least, the kids couldn't say we neglected them or didn't care!