5. Pay attention to the therapist’s communication style.
Do they:
- Listen attentively and make your child feel comfortable?
- Use language that your child understands?
- Seem patient and understanding?
6. Discuss treatment approaches
If your child is a minor, ask these questions directly:
- What are your treatment methods?
- Are you familiar with _____? (for example, play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), EMDR?
- Are you flexible in your approach if our circumstances change?
- How will I be included in sessions?
- How will you teach us to bring the skills into our family system?
If your child is old enough to seek therapy on their own, encourage them to ask these questions during their first session.
7. Trust your instinct, always.
Ultimately, the best therapist for your child is one you both feel comfortable with. If you have any doubts, or if it just doesn’t seem like the right fit, it’s okay to keep looking. The key is to be patient, but also be persistent in this journey.
8. Build a collaborative relationship.
Once you’ve found the right fit, the real work begins. This involves:
- Working closely with the therapist to come up with a treatment plan that meets your child’s needs.
- Communicating openly and honestly. Tell them what’s working and what isn’t. A good therapist is always open to feedback from clients.
- The goal is to take skills and lessons from the therapy session and have them help you and your child apply them to your family’s specific needs.
- Being an active participant in your child’s therapy without breaking any boundaries. This will depend heavily on your child’s age and your personal relationship. Every family dynamic is different.
Remember, finding the right therapist is a journey, and it's okay to seek out different options until you find the best fit for your child. You are your child's advocate, and by taking the time to find the right support, you can empower them to reach their full potential.