TIPS ON CHOSING A MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST FOR YOUR CHILD Where do I start? Looking for information can be a crucial first step. Parents may not be sure their child or teen has a mental health problem, not know exactly what it is, or wonder whether it is serious enough to seek help. All of these questions can be discussed with a professional mental health therapist. The following are some typical concerns and solutions. Who do I contact for counselling? It is very important to consider the training of the professional that you chose to see and to inquire as to his/her experience or expertise with the problem. Ensure that the professional is licensed and has the appropriate credentials. The most common counselling professionals are: Psychologists, Clinical Social Workers and Professional Counsellors with a minimum of a Masters degree. Your counsellor may also refer you to other professionals as required. Im embarrassed and uncomfortable about the problem. Feeling uncomfortable talking about personal problems is not uncommon. This can stem from feeling guilty and blaming oneself, or believing that certain issues should remain private. As a way to avoid addressing a problem, parents may ignore it, hoping the child will outgrow it. Like many things in life, individuals often imagine far worse than is the reality. Mental health professionals have experience with the issues, are familiar with your concerns, and are trained to put parents and teens at ease. If I need help, it must mean Im a bad parent. Unfortunately, mental illness is stigmatized in our society. Media images and news stories may portray distorted images of those with a mental illness as being violent and out of control and parents as being uncaring and uninvolved. But mental illness is real: it can be treated and should be considered similar to any illness. Like medical illness, we often do not know what the cause of mental illness is. Certainly no one would avoid treatment for diabetes or cancer, but the same person might feel ashamed of having a mental illness. The greatest harm comes from leaving mental illness untreated. My child wont go. Children and teens rely on and require the confident, clear thinking of their parents to get them involved in treatment. Talking directly and honestly with children can also allay their concerns. Forcing someone into treatment is usually unsuccessful. But an attitude of concern that transmits understanding of how difficult it is to accept help will be appreciated. It may be useful to point out how the problem interferes with enjoyment of life. If parents have a positive attitude about getting help, they will enable their child to follow suit. Approaching the issue as everyones problem and involving everyone in the solution will foster cooperation. I dont know how I would fit it in our busy schedule. It is important to make time available for treatment and to adjust your familys schedule. Be realistic about the logistics of getting to treatment. If the best professional is an hour away, you must decide whether you are willing to make the necessary arrangements or prefer to ask the professional for a comparable referral nearby, thus increasing the likelihood of your engaging in treatment. I cant afford treatment. If you have insurance they usually will cover some of the cost for a certain number of sessions. If you find someone who is not covered by your insurance plan, its worthwhile to ask your insurance provider if it can make a one-time exception and add the professional to the provider list for your individual case. You may also want to check with your employer EAP ( employee assistance program) and specify with them that you have found a therapist for your child and ask if they are willing to cover the cost of some of those sessions. If you need information about your EAP plan check with your manager or Human Resources I heard that treatment lasts forever. Certain myths generated by popular culture are outdated. Treatment only lasts as long as is necessary. The goal of any mental health treatment is for the individual to function independently and to feel successful and fulfilled in life. Different problems require different types of treatments for differing amounts of time. Certainly the sooner treatment is begun the better-the sooner the improvement and the better the prognosis. Other people will find out and think theres something wrong with me or my child. A therapist and a client/patient engage in a confidential relationship. Licensed professionals ( such as psychologists and clinical social workers) are bound by a code of ethics which legally allows information told to a therapist to be kept confidential between the patient and therapist. A mental health professionals main goal is to protect both the physical and emotional well-being of the patient. In certain situations, however, action must be taken or information revealed. In the interest of patient and public safety, mental health professionals are obligated to report any instances or information they have about abuse of children, the elderly, mentally or physically handicapped. In addition, action must be taken when there is a risk of danger to the self or others, e.g. by suicide or by threats on someones life. Other instances in which certain information can be revealed include giving specific information to an insurance company as stated by their policy, to collection agencies, when involved in legal matters concerning the persons mental health, and when involved in legal complaints against the professional. How do I decide if this is the right professional? Once a parent has decided on a therapist, it is important for the child or teen and parents to feel comfortable with the treating professional or agency. Having confidence in the person is essential for establishing a positive working relationship and important when facing difficult moments or decisions. Parents often benefit from having an initial consultation or one or two sessions before making a decision about ongoing treatment. The fit must be right in order to establish a good working relationship. What may work for one person may not feel right for another. However, if the parents or child feel uncomfortable after a few sessions, this should be discussed in order to assess the source of the problem. For example, is the difficulty due to embarrassment about discussing the problem, a child who is resistant because of anger at the parents for suggesting treatment, or is it incompatible styles between the professional and the patient? Successful therapy usually requires an investment of time and energy on the part of the professional, parents and child. The parents and child must also participate and take responsibility for putting the learning into practice. It is important for everyone involved to monitor change and progress. Andrea Addington, MSW, RSW Counselling for Teens, Moncton, NB Professional Counselling&Wellness Services Website: andreaaddington Email: wellness@andreaaddington
Posted on: Fri, 07 Mar 2014 03:57:06 +0000
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