A Guide for Parents: Dos and Don'ts When Your Teen Requests Therapy
As a parent, receiving a request from your teenager to attend therapy can be a moment of concern, confusion, or even relief. While it's crucial to recognize the bravery and self-awareness it takes for a teen to ask for help, it's equally important to handle the situation with care and understanding. Here's a comprehensive guide on the dos and don'ts when your teen requests therapy.
Dos:
Listen without judgment: When your teen expresses a desire for therapy, listen attentively and without jumping to conclusions or judgment. Create a safe space for them to open up about their feelings and reasons for seeking therapy.
Respect their autonomy: Acknowledge and respect your teen's autonomy and decision-making capacity. While you can provide guidance and support, ultimately, the decision to seek therapy should be theirs.
Validate their feelings: Let your teen know that it's okay to feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed. Validate their emotions and reassure them that seeking help is a positive step towards healing and growth.
Research together: Take the time to research different therapy options, therapists, and approaches with your teen. Involve them in the decision-making process to ensure they feel comfortable and empowered.
Normalize therapy: Discuss the benefits of therapy openly and normalize seeking help for mental health issues. Share personal stories or examples of individuals who have benefited from therapy to reduce stigma and encourage openness.
Provide support: Offer your unconditional support throughout the therapy process. Attend sessions with your teen if they request it or help them schedule appointments and arrange transportation.
Encourage patience: Remind your teen that therapy is a journey, and healing takes time. Encourage patience and perseverance, even when progress feels slow or challenging.
Don'ts:
Dismiss their feelings: Avoid dismissing or trivializing your teen's feelings or concerns. Even if their struggles seem minor to you, they are valid and deserving of attention.
Force them into therapy: Refrain from forcing your teen into therapy or making it feel like an ultimatum. Coercion can damage the therapeutic relationship and hinder progress.
Minimize their experiences: Avoid minimizing or downplaying your teen's experiences or comparing them to others. Each individual's struggles are unique, and it's essential to validate their experiences without judgment.
Overstep boundaries: Respect your teen's privacy and confidentiality within the therapeutic relationship. Avoid prying or demanding to know the details of their sessions unless they choose to share them with you.
Stigmatize therapy: Refrain from stigmatizing therapy or mental health issues within your family or community. Avoid negative language or attitudes that may discourage your teen from seeking help.
Expect immediate results: Understand that therapy is a process, and results may not be immediate. Avoid placing unrealistic expectations on your teen or their therapist and instead focus on supporting them through their journey.
Blame or guilt: Avoid placing blame or guilt on your teen for their struggles or for seeking therapy. Instead, offer empathy, understanding, and unconditional support.
In conclusion, when your teen requests therapy, it's essential to approach the situation with empathy, support, and understanding. By following these dos and don'ts, you can help create a positive and supportive environment for your teen's healing and growth journey.
Sources:
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. (2021). Children, Teens, and Depression: Signs and Symptoms. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-And-Teens-Depression-002.aspx
American Psychological Association. (2021). Finding the Right Therapist. https://www.apa.org/topics/finding-therapist
National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2021). Therapy. https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Living-with-a-Mental-Health-Condition/Seeking-Support-in-a-Crisis/Therapy
