This week is Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week and according to the CDC, the percentage of adolescents with a mental health diagnosis rose 3% from 2019 to 2022. Of those adolescents, just over half received treatment from a mental health professional (CDC). Finding the right therapist for your child is important in supporting their mental health and can often feel an impossible task. If don’t know where to start, here are 5 factors to consider when searching for the appropriate therapist for your child:
1. Demographics
Ask your child what they want in a therapist. For example, many kids want a therapist of their same gender, ethnicity or a specific age. Identifying the qualities your child is most comfortable with is an important first step in supporting their mental health journey.
2. Therapy Modalities
Therapy is so much more expansive than simple talk therapy. Especially for children and adolescents, there are therapists who specialize in play, art or other expressive therapy modalities. Many children find these movement-based therapies easier than sitting down and talking. There are also family therapy options, animal-assisted therapy and more trauma-focused modalities, like EMDR. Take time to research the types of therapy available and which ones your child would benefit from.
2. Insurance & Payment Options
You’ll likely want to find a therapist that accepts your insurance; many search engines such as Psychology Today, have an “Insurances Accepted” filter which will narrow down the list of therapists in your network. If you aren’t concerned about staying in your insurance network, you can broaden your search to include private pay therapists.
4. Time & Location
How far are you willing to drive for therapy? And is your child open to virtual sessions? It’s also important to ask whether your child’s therapist has availability after school or on weekends, as many are less limited during these times. You’re likely fitting therapy into an already busy schedule which makes accessibility extremely important. Again, search engines will allow you to narrow your search based on location.
5. The Compatibility Test
This is probably the most important factor to consider: does your child like their therapist? Do they feel comfortable talking to them and being alone with them? If your child isn’t comfortable, therapy will only be a waste of time and money. As therapy begins, check in with your child at the end of each session. If at any point, they aren’t “vibing” with their therapist, it’s okay to look for other options.
Therapy is a uniquely individualized process, on that may make time to get right. And that’s okay! Be patient in the process and both you and your child seek to find a therapist that you both trust. If you need additional support in this search, reach out to a member of Decade2Connect’s team today! Our therapists are passionate about supporting every child’s mental health.
