Almost 20 percent of children in the United States have a developmental or behavioral disorder. As a parent, you may wonder if you should seek possible solutions in behavioral therapy when you notice signs of a child’s disorder. The challenge, however, is finding the right specialist.
Finding a child behavioral therapist near you may be possible, but that doesn’t guarantee they’re the right fit.
Learn what to seek in a child behavioral therapist, tips for choosing one, and how to know when it’s time to begin the search.
Child behavioral therapy helps treat children and adolescents with behavioral problems. It focuses on helping the child understand the causes of their behavior and develop strategies to change it. A therapist might use cognitive-behavioral therapy, play therapy, or behavior modification techniques.
Children’s minds develop rapidly and their environment often affects their behavior. A therapist can help the child cope with adverse child experiences, recognize triggers for certain emotions, and develop better strategies for managing them.
This type of therapy treats various childhood mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, and ADHD. It can also provide children with the skills they need to cope with difficult situations in the future and build self-esteem and self-confidence.
Behavior therapy can take many forms and each is used differently. Understanding the types of therapy can make finding the right option for your child easier. Let’s look at the options.
While all children misbehave sometimes, certain behavior patterns may indicate a need for intervention. Here are a few warning signs and red flags you should never ignore.
Behavioral therapy’s effectiveness depends heavily on your child’s therapist. Make sure you research and speak with several child behavioral therapists before choosing one. Here are some tips on how to find recommendations and where to start.
Questions are critical to your search because they elicit responses that help you evaluate your child’s professionalism, suitability, safety, and overall healing process. Below are some questions that you should ask potential therapists.
Mental health professionals should always have a valid license and renew it regularly—it’s a crime for a therapist to practice without a license. A license shows the therapist has had formal mental health training and ensures that their methods align with your state’s ethical and legal codes.
Always check for a valid license and ask the therapist to provide proof of their credentials. It’s important to ensure that the therapist is qualified to treat the type of issue you are experiencing. Additionally, be aware of any restrictions or limitations that may be in place for their practice.
If you’ve verified details about their license, this question takes a step further to spell out their expertise. Asking a therapist how long they’ve been in practice provides valuable insights into their expertise, ability to decipher situations accurately, and how well they work with different children.
More experienced therapists often have a broader knowledge base, better-developed therapeutic skills, and are specialized in a specific area.. You’re looking for a specialist, so early practicing professionals who recently got their license may not suit your child’s needs.
Ask potential therapists what they specialize in and what type of therapy style they use. Various behavioral therapies exist, but not all have extensive research backing their practice, nor are all highly successful in achieving results. Some therapies are more efficient than others, and a child behavioral therapist should be able to share if they have a scientific research recommendation.
A therapist must provide a treatment plan explaining how they plan to work with your child to address your concerns. The plan should include a description of the treatment process, a method for measuring progress, and an estimate of how long it will take. If they can’t provide a plan, ask them how they intend to follow the treatment process and track success.
A parent’s role in the treatment process is important, and sharing information is crucial. Full disclosure, however, may lead to a disconnect between your child and the therapist. Confirm how often the therapist will share information about their sessions and what details will be included.
Many invaluable resources are available through mental health organizations for parents seeking assistance. Check out our list of essential youth counseling resources for parents and guardians. In addition, here is a list of helpful organizations:
Our team understands how stressful it is to notice behavior or warning signs in your children. If you need help with youth counseling near you, take the next step by consulting with Rawhide. Our team of licensed professionals specializes in scientifically backed child behavioral therapies to give children the best possible treatment.
Book an appointment to learn more about how we can help or contact us for more information.