We invited two child practitioners to share about how Parents and Caregivers find them and how they describe their main concerns. Did you know the relationship between practitioner and client is the main determinant of therapeutic success.
Allie Spomer, MS, LPC
National Certified Counselor
How Parents Tell Me They Found Me
– When I ask parents about the process of them finding a counselor, they usually tell me that they do a google search of “child therapist” or “teen therapist” for their area and see my name on the search results page.
– Another way parents have said they found me is through recommendations of other professionals or clients, I have seen in the past.
– Parents describe their main concern about their child in the initial phone call usually explaining the reasoning why they believe their child needs counseling. They will usually discuss present behaviors or recent hardships the family has gone through, like a death or divorce.
How Parents Describe Their Main Concern
– Behaviors that have been present for a while
– Teachers reports causing tension at home
– Divorce
– Death in the family
– New behaviors
– Inappropriate sexual behaviors
Meghann Henderson, MA, RP
Registered Psychotherapist
Child Therapy Halton
How Parents Tell Me They Found Me
– Currently, most of my referrals come from word of mouth from my current clients.
– I’m also in some “mom groups” on social media, so some of my referrals come from parents posting in those groups asking for help with their children. When I see those posts, if it seems like something I could help with, I respond to the post providing them with a little bit about me, my website and my email address. Or, if I think that another professional might be a good fit, then I provide the parent with that information.
– I offer complimentary 15-minute consultation phone calls to parents to determine if I might be a good fit for their family and their child. During this time, I provide the parent a little bit of information about me, allow parents (or caregivers) to ask any questions they might have, and I ask the parent to provide me a little bit of information about their child and the current issues or concerns.
How Parents Describe Their Main Concern
– Most parents contact me seeking support for their child regarding anxiety (their child is experiencing excessive worries), or “sadness” (depressive symptoms). I have also been receiving a lot of referrals for preteens and teens regarding school-related stress and “perfectionism”.
– Some parents have already sought a formal diagnosis for their child (depression or anxiety), while others have noticed signs and symptoms of depression or anxiety, but want to focus more on treating the symptoms as opposed to focusing on a formal diagnosis.
– When I talk to parents, I encourage them to speak openly (honestly), and frankly about their child and whatever is going on. Parents are the expert on their child, so I really want to hear their perspective and their thoughts on what’s going on for their child.
– I always seek to establish an open and supportive relationship with parents. I’m not here to judge, I’m here to help their child (and them in their parenting of their child). I always reinforce this with parents, as I’ve had a lot of parents (initially) express concern that they were worried they’re doing something wrong (in their parenting). I really want them to know that I’m not ever judging them, and that my role is to support and help, and that my work with them, their child, and their family, never comes from a place of judgement.
I think that involving parents is the therapeutic process is really important and often has really positive results.
