Tag: therapy

By Paula Miller
Day Treatment

Everyone has struggles getting along together as a family. But this? This is different. Your child is defiant and sometimes even out of control. They won’t tell you what is wrong. Or maybe, they don’t want to get out of bed. Getting them to go to school is nearly impossible. They don’t want to take a shower and they wear the same clothes for days. As a parent, you’re worried. You aren’t sure what to do, but you know that something needs to be done. The question is, who can help?

When a child is showing signs of mental or behavioral health issues, it can be confusing to try and figure out who the child needs to see. Your search for services may uncover several local providers – each with different titles, and each with their own expertise. It can be hard to know which one is the right one to help your child and your family.

To help take out some of the guesswork, we’ve put together a road map of four types of mental health providers and what they can help with:

Therapist or Counselor: Individual or family appointments are attended at this person’s office (called outpatient sessions). Clients can see them weekly, bi-weekly, or more or less often depending upon need. This person is not a doctor and does not prescribe medications.

Psychologist: Is a doctor in the sense that they are a PhD in their field which involves extensive education. That’s where the title “Dr.” comes from. If they have PhD at the end of their name they are this kind of doctor. They do not prescribe medications. Some provide counseling sessions while others do evaluations which involve intensive testing to determine a more precise diagnosis for your child.

Psychiatrist: This is the medical doctor and has M.D. at the end of their name. They can prescribe medications. Appointments with them are usually to get the basic information about what has been going on and then deciding if medications are a good choice for your child. They go over the effects of the medication and any possible side effects. After the initial appointment you return to give updates to the doctor and discuss how the medication is working. They do not do counseling sessions.

Nurse Prescriber: Many people think that this person is a doctor because they prescribe medications. This is a registered nurse who has special training and licensing to be able to prescribe medications. Many people go to a nurse prescriber because it is easier to get in for an appointment with them than it is to get in with a psychiatrist.

If you are concerned about your child’s behavior, of the most important things to remember is don’t wait. The way mental health is set up, you have a starting point with a therapist and then you progress from there. If behaviors have been going on for a while don’t hesitate to make that first appointment and talk to someone. If problems and behaviors continue, consider seeing a psychiatrist. You will need a referral from your child’s primary care physician. Getting in for an appointment can take months, so it is important to set this up as soon as you think you need to.

Parents sometimes delay getting help for their child until things are serious enough that they are causing terrible disruption in the family. These families may be desperate to get their child into a more intensive type of service such as Day Treatment, only to find out that their insurances require that less intensive services such as outpatient therapy be tried first. That is why it’s important to get started with a counselor or therapist right away.

The Counseling Clinic at Family Services is currently taking appointments for virtual, outpatient therapy sessions and can be reached at 920-436-6800. Sometimes parents hesitate because there is still stigma attached to mental health services, but please don’t be afraid to reach out. That’s what therapists are there for and they want to help.

If your child and family have already tried less intensive services, but are still struggling, then our Day Treatment program may be a good fit. Day Treatment can help your child learn how to manage their emotions and develop responsible thinking while participating in intensive group therapy for issues such as trauma, family problems, or abuse. Call 920-433-3372 ext.100 to get the intake process started with a phone interview. There is currently no wait list for adolescents ages 14-18 years old. We look forward to talking to you!

By Vicky Coppens, MSW, LCSW
Counseling Clinic Supervisor/Therapist

Mental health providers have had to quickly adapt to delivering virtual therapy services to their clients online or by phone due to COVID-19. If you or someone you know is experiencing challenges with their mental wellness during the pandemic, virtual therapy may be a nice support to help you through this time.

Meeting with a therapist virtually, instead of in person, can be a different experience for many. As a therapist and telehealth provider, I’ve put together the following tips to help you get the most out of every virtual therapy session.

Create a Private Space

Make sure that you are able to engage in your session in a quiet, confidential space in your home. Avoid any areas where you will be easily distracted. If you live with others, consider placing a Do Not Disturb sign on the door of your quiet space and have a conversation prior to your appointment regarding your need for privacy. You may also consider using headphones or earbuds that are compatible to your device (laptop, phone etc.) to ensure privacy.

 

Acknowledge Your Feelings About Telehealth

Keep in mind that it is natural to feel nervous or even awkward prior to starting telehealth therapy. Tell your therapist how you are feeling; they should be able to help you to work through any feelings of discomfort. Ask for what you need. Remember, you are looking for support during a challenging time. If therapy does not appear to be going in the direction that you would like, tell your therapist! Any feedback you give them should be welcome.

 

Be mindful

Prior to your session, make a list of what you want to address. It’s important for you, the client, to direct your session. In the moment you may forget what it is that you wanted to talk about, particularly if this is your first virtual therapy experience. Another good way to stay focuses is to avoid any multitasking during the session. For the next 45 to 50 minutes, allow yourself to fully engage with your therapist. Try to make eye contact with your camera and focus on what you and your therapist are saying to each other. Make sure that your device is fully charged and is working well prior to the appointment. This will ensure that you are able to fully engage in your session without worrying that your device is going to lose power at any moment.

Again, meeting with a mental health therapist via telehealth may feel uncomfortable at first. However, if you keep these tips in mind and prepare yourself ahead of time, the experience will likely be effective and even enjoyable.

If you are interested in booking a virtual therapy session, Family Services’ Counseling Clinic is currently accepting new clients. To schedule and appointment or learn more, please call (920) 436-6800.