There are a multitude of helping professionals that can provide a referral or recommendation for a local therapist.
- You could ask your young person’s pediatrician or school guidance counselor to direct you to an outpatient therapist or group practice.
- You can also use your insurance plan’s health care navigator to identify behavioral health providers that accept your specific health insurance plan.
- Lastly, you may want to consider using an online database for a search. Online search engines can also be tremendously helpful in identifying providers that specialize in treating specific disorders, such as eating disorder specialists. Online search engines can also help in conducting research about which treatment modalities are most effective in addressing specific behaviors, such as self-harm. Using that information to find the right kind of therapist can optimize treatment.
Important Considerations
Cost/Insurance
What type do they accept? Do they offer a sliding scale or free services?
Treatment modality
What kind is the best fit? Does the therapist that you have contacted offer that modality? Do you need more than one provider (e.g., one for medication management and one for talk therapy)?
Gender/race/ethnicity preference
Sometimes people have a preference about the gender, race, or ethnicity of a provider, and this can be particularly true of younger individuals. For instance, having a provider of the same gender may make it easier for a young person to discuss the somewhat uncomfortable aspects of puberty, like navigating the onset of menstruation.
Experience
How much experience does the provider have with preteens and teens who have similar needs to your young person? (LGBTQ+, ADHD, Anxiety, Trauma, Autism Spectrum, Mood Disorders, Family Interventions, etc.)
Confidentiality
All mental health providers have certain client confidentiality standards that they are ethically and legally obligated to uphold. For instance, they could not share personal information about your family with another client, as it would be patently unethical and illegal to do so. When providing services to youth, nearly all mental health providers are mandated reporters, meaning they must file a report with their local child service agency if they suspect any maltreatment or neglect of a minor.
Beyond these clear guidelines, it is recommended to have a conversation with a provider about what to expect in terms of your young person’s privacy. What will they share with you, as a caregiver, and what can your young person expect for discretion? For instance, will information be disclosed about developmentally appropriate situations, like becoming sexually active? It is important for your young person to have an understanding of these expectations and for you and your young person to be in agreement.
It isn’t always “Easy”
There are a multitude of reasons why identifying a provider is more challenging than one may think. You must take into consideration all of the different types of providers: psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, life-coaches, each with their own credentials and purpose. You must learn to navigate the insurance process, then connect with a myriad of individuals to determine whether or not they’re currently accepting new clients.
Of course, there is also the very real challenge of renouncing stigma. We are gradually beginning to experience a transformation in mental health, with more individuals acknowledging “wellness” is a more holistic concept. Still, many adults have lived through a time when euphemisms were used for therapeutic services, such as “talking to someone.” There is no shame in seeking services for yourself or for your young person. It should be considered as standard of a practice as regularly seeing a dentist. Providing your young person with an opportunity to increase their self-knowledge and resilience is always a good thing.
Brief Explanation of Providers
Psychologists, social workers, licensed mental health counselors, and psychiatrists are all able to provide talk-based therapy, with minor variations in the way that they approach the work.
- Psychologists, for instance, possess a doctorate in psychology and are known for diagnostic testing and assessment.
- Social workers have formal training that is more focused on systems theory, and they perceive their client through the lens of their wider community.
- Psychiatrists are medical doctors who, in addition to providing therapy, are also able to prescribe psychiatric medication.
All of these providers are able to provide talk-based therapy and provide therapeutic interventions.
Emergency Service Providers
If your young person is engaging in more serious behaviors, such as self-harm, you should be sure to have crisis line information accessible. You should ensure that your young person also has access to this information, and encourage them to use it as needed. You could normalize this conversation by letting them know that you understand that it may be easier for them to seek the support of a more neutral adult during times of emotional dysregulation.
In case of an acute crisis, such as your young person sharing that they have a plan to commit suicide, know the contact information for your local emergency psychiatric services. Such agencies often have a mobile component. This enables them to come to your home to conduct a psychiatric assessment and determine whether or not your young person requires a higher level of care, such as a temporary psychiatric hospitalization. If they do not have such a service in your area, your young person can have a similar emergency psychiatric evaluation conducted at your local hospital’s emergency department.
National Crisis Support
1‑800‑273‑TALK (8255)
Samaritans
Text: 1-877-870-HOPE (4673)
National Provider Finder
www.psychologytoday.com
Therapy for Black Kids
www.therapyforblackkids.org
Teen Counseling
www.teencounseling.com
Therapy for Black Girls
www.therapyforblackgirls.com
Latinx Therapists & Speakers
www.latinxtherapy.com
Asian and Pacific Islander Therapist Finder
www.asianmhc.org
