Help!...My Child Needs Help!

Help!...My Child Needs Help!

 

Does your child or teen seem to be withdrawn? Are they acting out? Do they seem angry and you are not sure why, or maybe you do? Has there been changes in their lives or in the life of your family? Does your child or teen seem to be struggling for no apparent reason? Are your child’s friends not the best? Are their school grades dropping?

If you answered yes to any of these questions or all of them it may be time to seek professional help for your child or teen. I know this is something that is scary for a parent because you feel helpless and you want your child to feel “better.”  

Trying to find the right help can be a challenge. Finding a therapist that can work with you and your child is the first thing. What is the therapist’s background? Do they understand and have experience with children and teens? How often can your child see them? Therapy needs to be consistent for it to be helpful.

Is the therapist’s office inviting for children and teens? Some things I do to make my office “kid friendly” is it is intently decorated to draw kids in, but, it is also to be therapeutic. I have a couch with stuffed animals on it for holding while we talk. My office is set up for play and art therapy. The biggest thing I have is a snack bucket. I fill it with healthy snacks, pretzels, Goldfish crackers, granola bars. It is hard to talk to a hungry kid.

So, how do you begin your search for a therapist? Ask your child’s doctor, talk to the school counselor, ask friends, talk to your pastor. They will have ideas and places to check out. Call more than one therapist. Ask them questions. This is your child’s mental health. It is as important as their physical health. You should feel that your child’s therapist makes your child a priority and your child should feel comfortable with them because the things they need to talk about is scary. They need to feel they can trust their therapist and you as a parent need to know that your therapist is going to work with you as the parent. If you do not get this feeling then keep looking. Do not settle for the first person you come across.