How to Choose a Therapist
Parents wish to be treated as full partners in their child’s care, but many feel they are ‘talked down to’ by professionals. They may feel they are misunderstood and that professionals don’t understand what it is like to look after their child. A parent may not know what questions to ask, know where to go to get information, or how to access services to help their child.
The “right” therapist for yourself, your child or your family can make a difference in helping your family. A professional should be concerned with every aspect of a child’s and/or family’s life – heritage, spirituality, disabilities, language. Services should aim to minimize the affect of disability on the family and provide for an opportunity to live as active and independent life as possible.
How do I find a therapist who is qualified?
Select a therapist who understands your child’s disability. Additionally, issues of chemical dependency, adoption and foster care may also be important components to your child’s mental health if applicable.
Several ways to start the process are:
- Ask your agency social worker or case manager to recommend someone.
- Talk to other adoptive/foster families who have had good experiences with a therapist.
- Ask your primary care physician or other health care professional. Tell your doctor what background is important to you in choosing a therapist so appropriate suggestions can be made.
- Consider the gender and age of therapist and the gender of child, particularly with a child exhibiting special needs. Some children with fragile backgrounds interact and trust one gender and age more than the other.
- Yellow page or health plan listings can be valuable if you take your time to call and discuss your needs briefly with the therapist.
Often, you get a feel for whether or not this person serves other special needs families and you can schedule an introductory session without charge.
What do I ask a therapist that I am considering using?
Call and request five minutes of a potential therapist’s time on the phone or preferably 15 minutes in person or email. Use this time to ask some questions which will help you make your decision as to the best therapist for you.
- What type of license do you hold?
- What is your approach to therapy?
- What kind of and how much experience do you have in dealing with grief and loss associated with foster/adoptive care?
- Do you specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of a particular condition ?
- How long will it take to get an appointment?
- How often do you normally expect to see clients?
- What are the standard fees for services?
- Insurance coverage?
- Payment arrangements?
What can I expect from a therapist?
- An understanding of your child’s disability and, if needed, foster/adoption and how it impacts the family.
- A diagnosis, if appropriate and indicated, of any condition affecting your child, or referral to appropriate services.
- The ability to ease and help in crisis.
- Availability and willingness to be reached during a crisis.
- Compatibility with you and your child.
- Tangible relief.