Teenagers have to deal with many struggles almost on a daily basis. They often experience a lot of changes during this stage of their development, and sometimes all your teenager needs right now is someone to talk to.
Unfortunately, not all of them will be able to open up to their parents, so a youth counselor might be better suited to ensure your child’s needs are addressed, especially if they are dealing with a mental health issue.
Traits to Look for in a Youth Counselor
Turning to a professional is one of the best things parents can do to ensure their teenagers grow up happy and healthy. Before you choose your child’s youth therapy provider, here are 6 signs to look for in a counselor:
- They like working with children
The first condition seems obvious, but that’s also why it’s overlooked. Working with teenagers and children is a lot different than working with adults, and it’s very important for the youth counselor to genuinely like what they do. If they don’t, it will 100% affect the quality of their services.
- They have patience and empathy
These are two of the biggest qualities a youth counselor should have. Teenagers can have a difficult time opening up, so the counselor should be empathetic to your child and patient for them to arrive at the point where they can talk openly during youth therapy.
- They are licensed
Credentials matter as well, so be sure to check the youth counselor is licensed to practice in your state and has all their paperwork up to date!
- They have good referrals
The youth counselor should have no problems offering you referrals. Hesitation in this area can be a tremendous red flag you should not ignore. Talking to other parents about their experience can help you understand if the youth counselor is a good fit to help your own child.
- They take the appropriate approach
There is no one-size-fits-all to youth therapy, and what works for one child might not work for yours. It’s important for the youth counselor to decide their approach based on the particular needs and experiences of your child, to ensure they get the best possible help.
- They can connect to your child
Lastly, it’s a matter of chemistry. If the youth counselor cannot connect to your child, get them to open up and engage during the sessions, then they are not a good fit.
Bayless Healthcare’s Lighthouse Program
Our Lighthouse Program is exclusively addressed for teenagers aged 11 to 21 to assist them in overcoming various challenges, from managing disruptive behavioral disorders to addiction recovery.
During our program, your child will be assigned a primary therapist who will oversee their journey, but our integrated approach to health also means your child will have access to additional Bayless Healthcare services and specialists.
We believe this is the best approach to genuinely help teenagers and young adults deal with and overcome certain challenges they are facing, and cannot cope with by themselves. The Lighthouse Program includes several different youth therapy approaches, such as individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy.
The treatment plan will be established by your child’s primary therapist based on the specific needs the teenager has.
Want to Learn More?
There is nothing more painful for a parent than to see their child struggling. We are extremely sympathetic both to you and your child, and Bayless Healthcare is here to help you both overcome these challenges.
We encourage you to reach out to us directly to find out more information about our youth therapy services.