It can be stressful to see your child struggle with their mental health. Navigating the mental health care system and finding a therapist can feel like a lot to figure out.
Our mental health experts have information on where to start and what questions to ask.
Finding Mental Health Professionals
Where do you look for a children’s mental health specialist? You can start with places you know first.
- Your child’s doctor - Your child’s primary care provider may have a list of recommendations. Some providers may even have a mental health professional in their own office! Other health care providers, such as your local children’s hospital, can be a useful resource. These professionals understand pediatric mental health and have a network of providers in their system.
- Your child’s school - Call your child’s school and ask to speak with the counselor, as they may have connections with community mental health providers. You can also ask about getting counseling through the school. The school counselor may be able to help your child or point you in the right direction.
- Your employer - Check to see if your company has an employee assistance program (EAP). These programs may include a certain number of therapy sessions a year for you or covered family members. All help through a therapist should be confidential and is often a great way to get help fast.
- Your insurance company. Call your insurer or go on their website for a list of mental health professionals in your area. You should be able to see which providers are in your network or see if there are any out-of-network benefits if you find a therapist that doesn’t take your insurance.
- Other organizations. Many national organizations keep a list of mental health services and support groups in various communities.
Questions to Ask
When you’ve found a potential therapist, check to see where they are located. Ideally, you’d like to see someone as close to your community as possible. You want them to be a part of the larger team/community that your child is a part of.
Here are some questions you may want to ask to make sure they’re a good potential fit.
- What kinds of treatment do you offer? Make sure the professional you are considering has training in evidence-based treatments for mental health. There are numerous types of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and play therapy counselors often specialize in at least one.
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Some therapy techniques may be a better fit for children or certain issues such as anxiety or angry outbursts. Make sure the therapist treats children or adolescents.
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What are my payment options? Depending on your child’s health care coverage, different options will be available. If you’ve contacted your insurer, you will know if they have in-network or out-of-network coverage for mental health treatment. Ask the therapist if they take your child’s insurance or any at all. If you don’t have insurance, some providers provide reduced costs, income-based costs or payment plans. Take the time to find out costs before you go.
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How long will it take for my child to receive treatment? Unfortunately, you may have to wait to see a therapist. Knowing how long it will take to get in to see someone will help you compare options. While you’re waiting, we have some strategies and ideas you can try at home.
If you’re a family of diverse background, you may have some additional questions to ensure a good cultural fit, including:
- Have you treated patients who look like/identify with my child?
- Have you done multicultural work or taken classes or courses on race, culture and ethnicity?
- Do you have experience treating patients who’ve experienced oppression and/or racism?
- Do you feel comfortable working with an interpreter?
- How do you make sure your treatments are relevant to people who look like my child?
If you’re concerned about your child’s safety, call your county’s crisis line. If you or your child have suicidal thoughts and need immediate help, call or text the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or text the Crisis Text Line by texting "START" to 741-741. If there is an immediate safety concern, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Ready to put your child on the road to better mental health? Start here.