MoodRx Clinical Staff - Sep 20, 2024
How do I find the right therapist for my teenager?
When you’re concerned about your teen’s mental health, it can be difficult to know how to approach the topic. There are many schools of thought about what’s “best” for teens who are struggling with their emotions, behaviors or relationships. The best approach for your teen will be unique to their situation and their personality.
Family dynamics are often a big factor in a teen’s mental health. To give them the most comprehensive support, you should be taking care of your own mental health, too. Consider starting both individual and family therapy at the same time so you and any other caregivers or siblings can learn about your roles in creating a healthy and supportive home environment.
In this article, we’ll discuss how to find a therapist your teen will connect with.
How do I find the right therapist for my teenager?
The first thing to do is gather information about what’s happening with your teenager and why they would benefit from seeing a therapist. Note any changes in your teen’s behavior, such as different eating or sleeping habits, self-isolation, or a loss of interest in school activities. Have a conversation with your teen about what they’re experiencing and listen to their point of view without judgment. What challenges would be the top priorities to focus on, and what are some goals your teen might work on with their therapist?
Once you have some ideas about what you’re looking for, get an understanding of your financial resources. Find out what your insurance covers and how many therapists will take your insurance. In addition to therapists in your local area, consider finding an online therapist. The MoodRx Therapy Network makes it easy to narrow down a few of the best options for your teen. The process begins with some virtual mental health assessments and a consultation with a licensed clinician. These first steps are free — you don’t pay for anything until your teen’s first appointment.
How do I know if my teen needs a therapist?
Teens may benefit from therapy if they’re having a hard time coping with a certain situation in their lives or if they’re having trouble managing their emotions. Some may have a diagnosable mental health condition, but a diagnosis isn’t necessary to see a therapist. One of the most important factors to consider is whether your teen’s social, emotional or behavioral difficulties are affecting important things in their life such as their education or family relationships. This will look different for every teen, and often, it can be hard to tell when they’re struggling. If you’re not quite at that point yet, remember that starting therapy before your teen is totally overwhelmed may help them be more prepared for their toughest challenges.
What should I be looking for in a therapist for my teen?
It will take some reflection and some research to determine the most important qualities you should look for in your teen’s therapist. In addition to credentials and licensure, they should have experience working with teens with similar needs and therapy goals. Ask them to talk about their therapeutic approach during your initial consultation. Some therapists take a cognitive behavioral approach, a relational approach or a mindfulness-based approach. The best type of therapy for your teen will depend on the life situation they want to work on and their personality.
You may want to find a therapist who understands what your teen is going through from a social or cultural perspective (e.g., a person with the same racial background or a person who identifies as LGBTQIA+). In the broadest terms, you’ll need to make sure the therapist you choose is within your budget range and accessible for appointments up to once or twice a week.
Consider these factors in your search for a therapist for your teen:
● A master’s or doctoral degree in a relevant field, such as social work or counseling
● A license to practice in your state
● Experience working with teens
● Experience with your teen’s condition or therapy needs
● Therapeutic approach
● Factors that make them a good fit, such as a shared background or identity
● Budget or insurance coverage
● Location and accessibility
How do I talk with my teen about starting therapy?
Some teens will be receptive to the idea of going to therapy, and others may not respond well the first time you talk about it. Be careful not to make accusations, blame your teen or shame them for what’s going on in their life. Open up the conversation by describing what you’ve noticed in a neutral tone. Ask them how they’re feeling about the situation, and find out their thoughts about possibly seeing a therapist. Once you know how they feel and what their concerns are, you can work on addressing those things.
Use MoodRx to find the right therapist for your teen
As you can see, there are a lot of things to consider in your search for a teen therapist. We’ve simplified the process so you can focus on what’s most important for your teen and your family. With the MoodRx Therapy Network, your whole family can monitor their mental health, match with the right therapists and manage their care. It all starts with a free mental health assessment and consultation with a licensed clinician. The clinician you speak with will handpick a few therapists who are likely to be a good fit for your teen.
We offer one flat rate for all of our therapists, and many insurance plans will reimburse you for our services as an out-of-network provider. We can provide a superbill to submit to your insurance company.
Have you talked with your teen about finding a therapist? Let’s find the best fit for your teen and your family. Send them a link to set up their free MoodRx account and get started with an assessment today.
