CHOOSING A COUNSELOR FOR YOUR CHILD (cont.)

At a minimum, you want to make sure to ask three things:

1. Is the therapist licensed? Every therapist has to have a license to practice in the state. Without that license, a person cannot legally provide therapeutic services. Cross such people off your list even if they seem like they know what they are talking about.
2. What are the therapist's fees and what are the therapist's policies on such things as missed appointments? Don't rule out therapists just because they don't take your insurance. A lot of times you can be reimbursed by your insurance company even if the therapist is not a part of their network. Usually a therapist will be more than happy to help you with this. Remember, your child is your priority and you want the best therapist, not the cheapest one. Competent therapists can be affordable, but they should be chosen because of their quality, not their cost. Don't be afraid to tell them what you can afford. Even the most expensive therapists may offer some sort of sliding scale fee, but you won't find out unless you ask. 
3. Ask the therapist what you and your child can expect in a session. Be alert to any therapist who guarantees that he or she can help your child. Everyone in the field would love to make that guarantee, but ethically none of us can. This is a definite warning sign!

How Do I Know if Therapy is Working? 

Remember that you will not always leave your sessions feeling happy. Sometimes therapy can be a very painful process. Your therapist might have to confront your child, you, or another family member about a problem or say things that are difficult to hear. When these feelings come up, don't jump to the conclusion that things aren't improving or your child isn't getting better. Progress in counseling means old patterns have to be changed. When those old ways of thinking aren't being used anymore, people feel lost. Expect that your child, you, or another member of your family will not feel comfortable changing and resist things. That's when it's very easy to say that things aren't getting any better. Trust your therapist and trust the therapeutic process. At the same time, however, don't be afraid to share your concerns with your therapist.

Final Thoughts 

Your child's emotional well-being is the most important consideration—he or she deserves the best. Don't ever settle on a counselor or therapist if your instincts tell you he or she isn't a good fit for your child. The more informed you are, the better chance that you will make the proper choice that's in the best interests of your child.

FAMILY OUTREACH NETWORK LINKS

Would you like to learn more about choosing a therapist for your child? We recommend the following sites:

• How to find a therapist gives an overview of the different types of mental health providers, as well as information about what to expect from different types of therapy.
• Choosing a Therapist provides practical information about what to look for in a therapist, as well as warning signs to be alert for.
• How to choose a therapist provides an excellent overview of things to consider when choosing any therapist.
• Choosing a therapist explains the difference between the different types of professionals who can provide therapeutic services.

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