Considering A Child Therapist? What To Know

Over 41 million US adults see a therapist yearly, but many parents may be unsure whether to send their children to therapy. Children might experience a reduced capacity to explain what they're experiencing or the ability toput labels on their emotions. Often, it can be a guessing game for parents to figure out what's wrong. 

Deciding whether your child would benefit from child therapy or childrens therapy, such as pediatric counseling, can be a personal decision that depends on their individual needs and circumstances. Researching therapy options, understanding childhood mental health, and discussing your child's needs with them can support your decision process. You can also gain input from your child's doctor, teacher, or others in their lives.

Signs your child may benefit from therapy 

As your child ages, they may experience new emotions, sensations, and occurrences that are confusing to them. Therapy can be a place for these kids to discuss these without judgment. No matter how your child starts therapy, getting support and learning healthy coping skills can help children become well-functioning adults. 

A few reasons children might attend therapy can include the following: 

• An adverse or traumatic experience in life
• Online or in-person bullying 
• A family move to a new town or new school
• A divorceor other separation
• Stress 
• The loss of a parent, sibling, friend, or pet 
• Puberty 
• A lack of emotional support from parents
• A chronic health problem or a terminal condition 
• Adolescence 

Below are a few signs your child might benefit from a therapist. However, this is not a comprehensive list, and talking to your child further may benefit you if you are unsure. 

Profound behavioral changes 

If your timid child is suddenly lashing out at you and others, or your bubbly child grows cold and distant, it may signify a mental health condition or traumatic stress. These changes can be signs that your child would benefit from mental health support from a family or individual therapist. Suppose your young child starts having accidents after being potty trained, has signs of panic in certain situations, or wakes up with nightmares. In that case, it can also signify that a child has experienced an adverse event. One in every seven children has experienced a traumatic event, so checking in with your child or signing them up for therapy may benefit them, just in case. 

Some children might want to quit school activities or start physically lashing out at their parents. You can check in with your child's teachers to see how they are acting at school and make a plan with their academic counselor. Not all behavioral changes may be due to trauma, so monitoring your child's behavior over time and in different settings may help you make a decision. 

Mental health symptoms 

In some cases, symptoms may be signs your child has a mental health condition like anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Try to read about the signs and symptoms of these various conditions but do not make a diagnosis yourself. A doctor or mental health professional can accurately diagnose through testing and clinical interviewing. In some cases, medication may be recommended. 

Emotional changes 

Children who struggle to express themselves or talk about their feelings may benefit from therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy. If your child is suddenly crying a lot, shutting themselves in their room, or arguing more, it could signal a deeper issue. Children and adolescents may benefit from speaking to a therapist through in-person or online therapy modalities.

Choosing a modality: Play therapy and other techniques

Children and teens may be diagnosed or examined before determining what therapy and treatment plans may benefit them. However, if you already have a diagnosis from a medical provider or are wondering if a particular therapy could be suitable for your child, you can discuss your options with a therapist. For example, many children benefit from play therapy, which allows them to learn about and express themselves through play. Or if your child has been diagnosed with OCD, you might try exposure response therapy (ERP), an effective treatment used to treat childhood and adult OCD. You can also reach out to a therapist if you notice warning signs of a mental illness but your child has not been diagnosed with one.

Look for therapists who specialize in each type of treatment you're interested in and get their opinion on your child's symptoms through an initial consultation. You may read about treatment online and think it may work. However, a therapist can offer a professional and informed opinion. Once you meet with a therapist, they can offer a more specific plan for your child and provide you with further resources for reading if you wish. If your child is struggling, a therapist can guide them in staying healthy in all aspects of life, regardless of their diagnosis or medical history.

The search for a mental health professional 

As you look for a suitable therapist for your child, there are several questions you can ask yourself and your child about the process, including the following: 

• What gender therapist does my child want?
• How old should the therapist be?
• Should the therapist have any religious or spiritual beliefs that they incorporate into their therapy and treatment plans?
• What types of therapy am I seeking?
• What personality types would be the best fitfor my child?
• Would my child prefer an LGBTQ+ therapist?
• Would my child prefer a BIPOC therapist? 

After you've discussed your options for a therapist for your child, you may start searching for a fit. As you go about choosing a therapist, consider asking them questions such as:

• How long have you been practicing therapy for kids?
• What are your areas of specialty?
• What kinds of treatment plans do you use?
• How will you keep track of and report my child's progress?
• Have you successfully treated a child like mine before?
• What types of therapy are you trained to perform?
• What's your style as a therapist?

Finding the right therapist can be a process, especially if you are searching for someone who specializes in a rare condition or performs specific, less common types of therapy. If you are matched with or find a therapist who seems promising but have reservations later on, you can switch providers. If your child feels uncomfortable with their therapist, get their input, so you know what to avoid in a future provider.  

Child therapy focuses on your child's mental health, which means addressing their needs and feelings. If a child is not benefiting from a therapy method, it may mean a switch could be beneficial. 

Caring for yourself 

Supporting children can be challenging. To best offer guidance to them, consider supporting yourself first. Having a positive support system and finding methods of self-care that work for you can be vital. 

Child therapy may be challenging for your child at first. If your child has never been to therapy before, the experience might initially feel awkward or confusing. You can support them by being there to listen, comfort them, and talk when they're upset. If you go to therapy as well, let them know that their parent also takes care of their mental health so is a role model. Studies show that young children often mimic their parents, so seeing a parent in therapy might help them normalize their treatment.

Finding support as a parent considering a child therapist

It can be hard to watch your child struggle with their mental health, and you may experience your own symptoms of stress or a mental health condition. In these cases, parenting therapy or individual treatment may benefit you. 

As parents can often be busy, and driving to an in-person session might prove challenging, you can also consider online counseling. Many different therapeutic strategies are performed in an online setting and have resulted in success in treating a variety of mental health conditions.

The efficacy of online cognitive behavioral therapy

Additionally, studies have shown that online counseling is as effective as traditional in-person therapy in treating long-term exposure to stress. Parents who sign up for a platform can take advantage of phone, video, or live chat sessions with a licensed therapist and attend sessions whenever possible. In a meta-analysis of 13 studies, researchers concluded that online cognitive behavioral therapy can decrease stress, as well as depression and anxiety, in participants.

If you're interested in online therapy, consider signing up with a platform like BetterHelp, which offers a growing database of counselors for adults who specialize in various areas of mental health. If you have a teen child, they can also take advantage of online therapy through an online platform like TeenCounseling for ages 13 to 19.