| ent types of child and adolescent counselors are not | | | | build a solid rapport with your youngster or will your kid |
| equal. Only those parents with the right knowledge | | | | just come out rolling his eyes? |
| about child and adolescent counseling and its tools are | | | | At an initial consultation, an expert child and adolescent |
| likely to succeed in getting the best results for their | | | | therapist will work with you to determine what your |
| children. | | | | goals are for your child, what behaviors need |
| Even though many don't know where to find the | | | | eliminating and which ones need encouraging. He or |
| counselors with those tools, every parent wants the | | | | she will then set-up a clear therapeutic plan to help- in |
| peace of mind in knowing which type of counselor is | | | | a way you can understand. He will answer your phone |
| likely to put your child back on track. This all-important | | | | calls promptly and even communicate with your kids |
| help comes from local professionals like social | | | | school, if necessary. |
| workers, psychiatrists, psychologists and mental health | | | | Psychiatrists have a degree in medicine and get very |
| counselors who are licensed by the state to practice | | | | little training in child counseling. They are mainly used to |
| independently. | | | | prescribe psychoactive medications. Psychologists |
| Remember, the right child and adolescent counseling | | | | have a doctoral degree in counseling or psychology |
| professionals aren't just helpful; they're crucial to your | | | | and get most of their training in providing therapy and |
| childs long-term success. | | | | doing research. Social workers have a masters |
| Any counselor or therapist can be successful with | | | | degree and are usually trained in community casework |
| your kid for a short time. Given enoughpersonality and | | | | and counseling; mental health counselors have the |
| a few good jokes, most therapists can create some | | | | masters degree with most of their training in counseling. |
| instances of success in the short term. But it can't stop | | | | The best child and adolescent therapists will maintain |
| there. | | | | on-going communication with you and encourage you |
| New jokes and kindly lecturing only work for so long; | | | | to do the same. They will educate you and the |
| you need to make sure that your childs therapist is | | | | teachers on the best way to manage your kids |
| laying the proper groundwork for your kids future | | | | behavior. |
| success and stability in the years to come, not just a | | | | More than likely, instead of changing what you say to |
| day or two here or there. Expert child and adolescent | | | | your child, they will change how you say it. Your |
| counselors understand that you are not just looking to | | | | disciplinary plan will be reconstructed in order to work |
| solve your kids behavior problem for a few days; | | | | with your kids most powerful motivating elements, so |
| you're looking to create long term stability in his/her | | | | that you will get more cooperation instead of |
| personal relationships, success in school and a | | | | resistance. By utilizing things like effective |
| rewarding future in family and career life. . | | | | communication skills, consequence planning and |
| To help your child eliminate his anxiety, aggression, or | | | | strength-targeting an expert adolescent counselor can |
| other behavior problem, adolescent and child | | | | help you transform your son or daughter from being |
| counselors work by looking at what the causes of the | | | | self-defeating to being self-actualizing. |
| specific problems may be and applying their expertise, | | | | What's the easiest way to find the right child |
| experience and credentials in eliminating them. | | | | psychologist or counselor? Just conduct an internet |
| Important Questions: Does your childs counselor help in | | | | search with some or all of these keywords: child |
| a service-oriented manner by being available evenings | | | | adolescent counselor psychologist (and your location) |
| or weekends or do you have to struggle to get an | | | | e.g. Cary, Illinois. |
| appointment whenever he or she can get you in? Will | | | | Remember: Check years of experience, percentage |
| he or she bill your insurance directly with you paying | | | | of practice devoted to kids (should be at least 25%), |
| only the co-pay at each visit? Is s/he part of your | | | | licensure by the state and acceptance of your |
| insurance plan? Does he have over 10 years of | | | | insurance plan. |
| experience in treating children? Is he or she able to | | | | |