Finding Best Therapist for Your Teenager
Finding best therapist for your teenager
Teenage rebellion is a well-documented and accepted phenomenon in our culture. Teens have been acting out against their parents and authority figures for ages. But how do we as parents tell if my teen’s behavior is something more than typical age-appropriate angst? And what is our role in helping our teen seek and engage in counseling?
How to tell if your child needs help?
Monitoring your teen’s behavior will help identify if they need professional help. Here are some things to look for:
Decreased engagement in family events--are they withdrawing from normal activities around the house? Do they stop acknowledging you when they come home and scurry right to their room?
Physical changes–weight gain or loss, hygiene issues, extreme changes in appearance or dress can all be signs that your teen may have an unaddressed concern.
Drug or alcohol use–typically kids won’t be forthcoming about their substance use. However, look for changes in sleep patterns, new friend groups or old friends not hanging around, odd behavior. Trust your gut–if your kid seems off, there is likely a reason for it. Teenage addiction is real and there is help available.
Changes in emotion–increased anger, defiance, sadness, excitement. As a parent, these may be difficult to spot right away, but over time they will likely become evident.
Changes in behavior– engaging in illegal activities, self injury or cutting, sexual acting out, skipping school can all be signs that your son or daughter is struggling.
Why would a teen need therapy?
Just like adults, teenagers and young adults seek help for a variety of reasons. Some people seek therapy to address diagnosable mental health conditions. Others find developing a relationship with an objective third party incredibly helpful to help navigate their struggles and successes.
Common diagnoses treated in therapy include:
It is important to keep in mind that diagnosis should be made by a qualified mental health professional. If you suspect your teenager may have a mental health condition, find a therapist and ask for a diagnostic assessment. This evaluation will help determine an appropriate diagnosis for your teenager.
Drugs and alcohol in teenagers and young adults
Experimentation with substances can be a normal part of growing up. Many parents tried drugs and alcohol during their teenage years without any significant consequences. However, today’s substances are not the same as they were a decade or two ago which carries an increased risk for teens.
Here are some signs your teen may be beyond experimentation and moving towards more serious substance use:
Acting irresponsible
Ignoring rules
Physical changes
Changes in sleep patterns
Erratic behavior
Secrecy around their friend group
Dishonesty
Some young people may meet criteria for a substance use disorder that requires formal treatment. Others may not have progressed as far and could benefit from individual or group therapy with a counselor that specializes in addictions. Most licensed alcohol and drug counselors will offer a substance use assessment. Beware–if the counselor is employed by an organization and performs an assessment, they often will recommend that your teen attend treatment at their facility. If possible, it is best to have an independent counselor perform the assessment.
Teens usually don’t feel comfortable talking about their substance use with their parents. Talking with a professional can be a helpful way to address their concerns.
Does counseling work for teens?
Yes! Therapy works for teens and young adults of both genders.
Good therapists will have training in a variety of approaches. It is the responsibility of the therapist to apply the most appropriate modality when treating a client. Some common approaches that work well for teens are:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Skills-based approach that teaches people how their thoughts, emotions, and actions are interconnected and provides skills to change maladaptive thinking.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Helps teens with emotional regulation through skills-based mindfulness work. Highly effective for people with suicidal ideation and borderline personality disorder.
Motivational Interviewing (MI): Client-centered approach that helps teens explore ambivalence in a non-confrontational manner. Particularly effective with substance users who are unsure if they want to change.
There are many other modalities and approaches that therapists utilize. Your young person may not be receptive to all approaches and that’s perfectly okay. Trust in the therapists’ knowledge and ability will go a long way in helping to get your son or daughter well.
What to look for in a teen therapist:
There are a lot of therapists out there. The search can be overwhelming. Here are some tips of what to look for in a counselor for a teen:
Therapeutic Alliance: Overwhelming research shows that the single factor in predicting successful therapy outcomes in the quality of the relationship between therapist and client. Have your teen highly involved in selecting the therapist for them. Finding an adult they can trust outside of the family system is critical.
Character: Is the therapist consistent? Are they late to appointments? Do they seem more interested in collecting payment than helping your child? Not all therapists are created equal. Go with your gut on this one and listen to your kid. If there are issues within the first couple of sessions, don’t hesitate to make a change. Good therapists will help you find an appropriate referral.
Specialization: Is the therapist specialized in something appropriate for your teen? All too often we see “I specialize in treating individuals, couples, and families” in therapists’ bios. Specialization means that there is a specific intent on the client’s that the provider sees–not casting a wide net to catch as many fish as possible.
Credentials: Make sure your therapist is legally able to practice in your state. This usually requires a Master’s degree in counseling along with some experience.. Advanced degrees do not always mean more effective therapy. Rapport and the ability to relate to your teen are far more reliable indicators of successful therapy.
Reaching out for help can be difficult. It also can be life-changing. Please contact us if you need help finding an appropriate counselor for your struggling teen.
