When faced with the adversity of a Mental Health Illness, finding the “right” therapist can be just as demanding and draining as the illness itself. In times of need, the most important and first step should be finding someone to help. Not everyone is fit for helping. Your teen needs a therapist who can create a welcoming client-to-therapists’ atmosphere which often times is a very difficult task.  The therapist is an essential factor for the successful development of your teen, reiterating the importance of find the right one.

In “Teen Therapy: Finding The Right Therapist”, author Liz Logan lays out three principles which will help lead you to the “right” therapist.

1) Trust your instincts:

There is no better indicator than your gut feeling.  The person you choose should feel like someone who you can trust to lead your teen to betterment. It is also very important to respect your children’s options, as they will be the ones who will be working with the therapist. If your teen cannot connect, recovery will be minimized.

2) Be open to being involved throughout your child’s therapy if necessary:

The therapist is only part-time; the other 99% of the support will be coming from you as a parent. Being involved as a parent and showing your activeness in their recovery can have a major impact. Dr Bob Noone suggests that when searching for the “right” therapist, search for one who allows the parent to be involved in the therapy. This is a great way to facilitate your activeness and show your teen your supporting role.

3) Bring your teen into the selection process:

No one but your teen can really know if this is a good fit. All you as a parent can do is be assertive in the selection process and really encourage their decision. Be a resource for them, and try to help in anyway possible.

-Don Kneepkens

Logan, Liz. “Teen Therapy: Finding The Right Therapist.” Make It Better. Aug. 2009. Web. 27 Apr. 2012. <http://www.makeitbetter.net/family/parenting/79-teen-therapy-finding-the-right-therapist>.