Did you know that 70% of children and teens with mental health issues don’t get the help they need when they need it?
If you have a teen that you’re concerned about, don’t wait until it’s too late. The earlier you get your child professional help the bigger chance they have of recovery and the better they’ll be able to deal with their mind.
But finding therapy for teens and good EMDR counseling isn’t always easy. Where do you even start to look for a counsellor to help your loved one?
Get the help you need in this guide.
What is EMDR Counseling?
If you’re on the hunt for therapy for teens, you’ll probably come across EMDR. EMDR stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, and it’s an extensively researched method that’s designed to help those suffering from trauma or a distressing experience. In teens, this is commonly:
- The death of a loved one
- Bullying at school
- Divorcing parents
- Trouble with their image and eating disorders
It can also be used to treat depression, panic disorders, and anxiety. EMDR benefits are well-reported and it could be the perfect way to help your teenager. If you’re looking for EMDR in Albuquerque, here are some tips to help you find the right therapist.
Do You Know the Issue That Needs to Be Addressed?
You don’t always know exactly what’s wrong with your teen, but if you do it can help you find a therapist. For example, if your child is struggling with anxiety and panic attacks, you’ll know to look for a therapy center that deals with anxiety. One that doesn’t won’t be the best place to help your teenager.
If you don’t know exactly what’s wrong, don’t worry! Just be sure to find a therapist who deals with a wide range of mental health issues.
Understand What Happens at Teen Therapy
Most therapy centers will approach mental health help differently. When looking into different places, you should make sure that you know what sort of programs they run and the methods they’ll use. For example, some therapists may encourage talking circles therapy & wellness, taking a more holistic approach to recovery, while others will encourage one-on-one therapy and use a more direct, medical approach.
If you can, speak to your teen about what kind of approach they think they’d prefer. If they struggle to be open about their problems then talking therapy may scare them off. If they’re very creative, places that offer art therapy and more open-minded approaches to recovery may be a better option.
Ask Your Network
It’s so unlikely that your teen will be the only one in your network who has struggled with mental health. If you have their permission to share their struggles with other parents, then ask around to see if anyone has tried therapy with their children before. If they have, they may have some recommendations of where to go and who to see, which would be a big help!
You could also ask in private social media groups, like those for local parents. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing the information on social media, you can also ask your child’s school for recommendations. They should have a list of credible therapists and be able to support you as you help your teen.
Are They Experienced?
Therapists may have different areas of expertise. You can find therapists that are trained to deal with teens, but that isn’t always essential. The most important thing is that they have experience dealing with similar issues, be it the age range of your child or the issues they’re dealing with, but they don’t have to be niche therapists.
If you’re unsure of a therapists experience, just get in touch with them! They should be happy to help.
Client Testimonials and Reviews
Just as with everything else you hand over your money for, it’s important to find out the reviews of the therapists you’re looking into. Some websites may have client testimonials, but remember that these can be edited and filtered by the therapist, so they’re likely to be biased. No smart therapist would add a negative review to their site!
Your best bet is to do a quick search of the therapist or clinic and see what you find. If there are past reviews, go through them and see what people are saying. Don’t just look for red flags, but also for the positives to learn more about the therapist, such as what they helped the client with and which of their methods worked the best.
Get in Touch With Your Chosen Therapists
Once you’ve found a therapist that looks reliable and suits your teenager’s needs, it’s time to get in touch. You should start by asking any questions you need to know, either over email, on a phone call, or in person. Some common questions to ask include:
- Can you help with these issues? (list issues you’ve identified)
- Are you used to dealing with teenagers?
- How will you help my teenager?
- How much are your rates and are you covered by my insurance?
Ask anything else you need to – don’t be shy, this is important! You can also gauge the professionalism of the therapist and the rapport you have with them by speaking to them, which should tell you more about whether this is the right person for your child.
Book in at Talking Circles Today
If you have a teen who could benefit from EMDR counseling and wellbeing therapy, our team at Talking Circles can help. We deal with anxiety, trauma, depression and more, ensuring your child gets the professional help they need from experts you can trust. To find out more, be sure to get in touch with our team today.
