Teen counseling is an umbrella term which covers treatment created explicitly for adolescent patients. Teenagers who get counseling participate in talk therapy with a mental health professional in a safe environment to enhance their knowledge and expression of their emotions, recognize and resolve problems, and develop effective coping mechanisms. Below are the top 9 traits that you will find in a good teen therapist in Lake Worth, FL or anywhere across the country.
1. Is Compassionate
One of the most important goals of teen therapy, especially in early sessions is to build rapport and establish trust. Your child will easily sense if their therapist doesn’t enjoy their job. Thus, a passion for the work is necessary and a high degree of empathy is essential in a good therapist. As a parent, if you get the sense the therapist may not be a ‘good fit’, then go with your instincts. It is also important that the teen finds a sense of comfortability and has a say in choosing their therapist.
2. Has Good Listening Skills
Good therapists won't tell you what to do. Instead, they are there to attentively hear what you have to say before reflecting it to you so you can hear it yourself. After that, they offer insightful questions that enable you to form your judgments and view things from fresh angles. A teen therapy specialist in Lake Worth, FL can be beneficial for those who need a place to express themselves without being judged.
3. Can Deal With a Variety of Kids
The therapist working with your teen should be qualified to address their symptoms by their education, experience, and/or both. The therapist should be able to explain the process of therapy along with describing their "scope of expertise." Brittany’s scope of expertise lies with young children up to young adults. If you need a teen therapy specialist in Lake Worth, FL, you should find one who is a specialist within the age/ development of the patient. This can be answered in a free consultation via email or phone, or in the very first intake session with your chosen therapist.
4. Values the Special Characteristics of Children and Their Circumstances
The right therapist for children and teens needs to search for qualities that make them special. Additionally, even if your child has symptoms similar to those of other kids, the circumstances and reasons for your child's difficulties can be unique, and both the patient and the caregivers should feel valued as individuals with special and unique circumstances. All treatment is planned and unique to each patient; it is discussed and created in the first few sessions of treatment.
5. Is Easy to Interact and Talk With
A skilled therapist will make you feel at ease, making it easier to discuss your thoughts when you attend sessions. Be aware that a competent teen depression and anxiety therapy specialist in Lake Worth, FL should be easy to speak to, and they rarely will discuss personal details, as they are there to support YOU. This also means no purposeful connections outside of the office; no Snapchat, Instagram, or Facebook interactions with your therapist.
6. Is Trustworthy
A professional therapist arrives on time for each of her sessions, gives the parent plenty of time to make adjustments if necessary, and keeps personal information strictly confidential. Typically, these issues are addressed and resolved during your first session. In this way, trust is built over time. When topics like depression arise, you must be certain you can trust your therapist with these delicate personal matters. It is also important that the teen feels the information shared will not get back to their caregivers. The only times this would be broken, would be under circumstances surrounding suicidal ideations, self- harm, or reporting of neglect or abuse. Brittany Rice, LCSW understands the great importance of building trust with your teen and will help your child feel they are in a ‘safe space’ when they are with her.
7. Helps Open New Forms of Communication
Art therapy can help teens with their individual mental health. A good therapist will encourage teenagers to express themselves via other venues, such as art, physical activity, and more. Teens can greatly benefit from having the freedom to create using paints, writing, drawing, coloring, photography, and more. There is so much you can tell from looking at their work as well. When you feel your adolescent may benefit from art therapy, reach out to Serene Trails Therapy of Lake Worth and serving Wellington and all of Palm Beach County.
8. Respects Boundaries
A therapist's role is that of a professional psychotherapist, not that of a buddy or bestie. Professional therapists won't urge you to meet them between sessions, give you weird presents, make inappropriate remarks about your appearance, or go beyond your personal limits. They also have to keep in mind that HIPAA requires confidentiality, especially in public. If you run into your therapist on accident, they cannot engage with you first, but you are welcome to say hi, if you choose to; then they can respond accordingly.
9. Ensures a Pleasant Workplace
In treatment, you should be at ease and attentive. This demands that your therapist put forth the effort to create a conducive working atmosphere for the two of you. The room should be tidy, comfortable, and quiet enough for you to hear your thoughts — it doesn't have to have the most expensive furniture or be in an upscale neighborhood.
Therapist Brittany Rice, LCSW, is the owner and operator of Serene Trails Therapy, a mental health facility in Lake Worth, Florida. Brittany is a psychotherapist and licensed clinical social worker who helps infants, children and teens in the Wellington - Lake Worth area. She specializes in working with kids, teens, parents, and young adults to help them heal, reenergize, and recognize their inner strengths.
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