Miller,
Geidel and Associates 
Non-Profit Family Counseling Center
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Non-Profit Family Counseling Center
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Has your child been referred for counseling?
A GUIDE FOR PARENTS
Q: What is wrong with my child? Ans: A recommendation for counseling does not necessarily mean that something is “wrong.” Most often there are specific issues that a child is having difficulty understanding and dealing with effectively. Counseling can help your child find new ways of seeing problems and give them new skills to use to overcome them. Q: Why can’t I help my child? Ans: In many cases your help will be very important in achieving and maintaining change in your child’s attitude and behavior. However, there are times and circumstances where it may be difficult for your child to talk directly with you about themselves and what they are experiencing. This is not necessarily a reflection of your parenting skills or the quality of your relationship with your child. Sometimes a therapist intervenes in a child’s life to validate and affirm that what mom and dad are saying and doing are all the right things. Q: Will I need to meet with the counselor or therapist? Ans: Yes. You are probably the most important person in your child’s life. Additionally, you have information about your child and family that will help your child’s counselor to better understand your child so that an overview and plan can be developed to suit your child’s individual needs. Initial and follow-up visits with your child’s counselor should be a normal and expected part of effective counseling. Q: How long will my child be in counseling? Ans: The time needed to help a child varies depending on the presenting problem. Every child and situation has its own unique characteristics and it can take some time to help a child identify, accept and resolve what is troubling them. Q: How will the counselor/therapist work with my child? Ans: The answer to this question depends on your child’s age, verbal and cognitive skills and the nature of the problem. For children under twelve years of age, play therapy in a designated play therapy environment is recommended. For children over twelve, on into the teen years, most often the counselor is a neutral party in listening and helping to resolve relational problems with parents, siblings and/or peers. Q: What should I say if family members or friends ask why my child is in counseling? Ans: You don’t want to ever communicate information that will violate the child’s emotional boundaries by being very specific, but you also don’t want to communicate by your silence that counseling is something to be ashamed or embarrassed about. Unfortunately, many people are misinformed about who enters counseling and why. Counseling is a way for your child to learn, experience and express his or her thoughts and feelings in a safe, secure, and trusting environment. Going to counseling is much like going to the doctor if we don’t feel well, except that what is troubling your child can’t always be seen on an x-ray or be verbalized. Q: How do I find a qualified counselor/therapist for my child? Ans: Often times the person who recommended counseling may be able to supply you with names of counselors in your area. Your child’s physician/pediatrician may also be a valuable resource in identifying the problems and making an appropriate referral. You can also try the community phone directory in your area. Most licensed therapists will advertise or be listed in this resource. Q: What kind of questions should I ask in discerning whether or not this therapist will work best with my child? Ans: Ask them to tell you a little about their educational background, their field of study, their specific license, their past experience working with children, and any particular areas in working with families and children in which they specialize. In asking these types of questions, you will begin to establish a phone relationship with this therapist and be better able to form your own sense and judgment about whether this is the right person to work with you and your family. |
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While
growing-up, children are faced with numerous developmental tasks and social
challenges. At times, they can become “stuck” or confused during this
maturation process. Attitudes will frustrate relationships, and behaviors
begin to disrupt school and/or home environments. When this happens everyone
suffers, most of all the child. If you are considering counseling as an option
for your child or entire family, we have listed commonly asked questions below
to help you in the process.