It’s normal to feel hesitant or nervous to sign your adolescent up for counseling, especially if you have no previous personal experience with counseling. Television episodes, movies, and social media often portray mental health counseling with an altered perception that is at times inaccurate. Many parents are unsure about the mystery of mental health counseling and can feel hesitant if they have heard or believe common “myths”. Have you heard these myths?
1) “Counseling is Only For Teens with Serious Issues”
Your adolescent doesn’t need to be diagnosed with a mental health disorder in order to seek counseling. Counseling can be beneficial for a wide range of mental health issues. Many therapists work with adolescents who have common relationship struggles or are facing issues that are typically encountered by many adolescents, such as stress, adjustment problems, self-esteem issues, or conflict with peers.
2) “I Don’t Want Anyone Finding Out My Adolescent is in Counseling”
Most mental health professionals, including Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC’s), follow strict HIPAA/confidentiality guidelines and aren’t allowed to discuss or contact someone about your adolescent’s counseling without your prior permission, including schools and doctors. This even includes being unable to confirm to another individual (without your permission) that your child is currently receiving counseling. Exceptions to these rules do exist for emergency situations involving the physical safety of your adolescent or other people, or when the counselor is required by law or court order to disclose information.
3) “Why Pay for Counseling When I Can Get Advice From Other Parents?” and “What the Counselor Will Say Is Common Sense”
The importance of the support, encouragement, and advice of family and friends should never be undervalued. However, an unbiased professional is likely able to give your teen insight into issues and greater understanding in relationships that a friend or family member may be unable to. Mental health professionals are specifically educated in the dynamics of relationships, in a deeper understanding of various mental health concerns, and help in better understanding reasons behind feelings and behaviors.
4) “Counseling is Too Expensive”
Costs of counseling vary based on a number of factors. If a counselor is unable to meet you at your needs-level, he/she can refer you to a counselor who can. Many health insurance companies are able to compensate, and counselors who operate out-of-network with insurance companies can provide necessary paperwork for you to submit to your health insurance company for reimbursement.
5) “The Counselor Will Judge Me or Think I’m a Bad Parent”
Seeking help for mental health issues means taking action. Parents who seek out help for issues before they become more deep-rooted have insight and inner strength as parents. Much the same as physical health and going to see a doctor, it is important to take your child to a professional when there is an issue or something feels “off”. A counselor is there to encourage you as a parent and provide helpful techniques if you’re interested. There are many reasons behind adolescent’s behaviors and feelings, and counselors understand how stressful parenting can be.
6) “I Don’t Have Time to Take My Teen to Counseling”
Life can be busy and stressful, especially when you have a busy teenager as well. Counseling can often improve your teen’s behavior and help your teen manage stress, therefore, improving the difficulty of the day-to-day of your teen’s packed schedule. Counselors can schedule your teen’s appointments in different ways to fit their schedule, such as offering early evening appointments. One of the benefits of online counseling is that your teen is able to receive counseling from home, and there is no commute time needed. Counseling is most often scheduled as a one-hour session once a week.
And last but not least….
7) “I’ll Just Wait to See If Things Get Better”
It’s very common for counselors to hear from parents upon initial phone call that they wanted to wait and see if things improved on their own first. So, if you as a parent have thought this, you aren’t alone and shouldn’t feel embarrassed. However, what we know from mental health counseling and research is that most often mental health issues don’t improve without intervention or help. In fact, typically mental health issues can get worse or increase over time without intervention/help. However, it’s never too early or too late to seek help for an issue, no matter how long it has been a problem.
One related concern is that parents may feel uncertain about whether or not their teen is actually experiencing a mental health issue. The great news is that if you are unsure, a counselor will be able to evaluate/assess the possibility or likelihood of this during an initial appointment with you and your teen. Your counselor will give you feedback and let you know if counseling is recommended.
If you have any questions or concerns related to seeking counseling for your teenager, we are always here and available to talk.
Nicole Carroll, Ph.D., LPC, RPT
Ph.D. in Early Childhood Development, Licensed Professional Counselor
Email: Dr. Carroll@type1talkcounseling.com