I have two teenage sons. I don’t know what it is like with teen daughters (yet, I’ll have one of those in a few short years), but I can tell you teen boys are rarely the picture of “happy”. They no longer exhibit the kind of joy and wonder they did when they were small. Now they grunt in response, call you “bro” instead of mom, listen to their videos and music way too loud (even with headphones), eat all the food in the house, and regularly ask for money to hang out with their friends. There are days they rarely come out of their room, let alone speak to anyone in the house.

With all the changes in their behavior, it can sometimes be difficult to know when they are exhibiting “normal” teen behavior, or if there is something more serious going on. As parents, we generally have pretty good instincts when it comes to our children. If you feel like your teen is showing signs of distress, depression, anxiety, or even difficulty adjusting to all the changes that occur with hormones, high school, friend groups, etc., it might be time to reach out to a teen therapist.

When you are ready to look for a teen therapist in Birmingham, Alabama, Google will probably be the first place you go. Once you have found a few therapists that seem like they could be a good fit it is time to figure out what questions you should ask to find the best choice for your teen.

 Questions to ask a teen therapist in Birmingham, AL

1.      Logistics in teen therapy – Ask about the policies and procedures of their practice. How much does a session cost? How long do sessions last? Do you take insurance? Do you offer virtual appointments? Can you work around my teens’ school and extracurricular schedule? What is your cancellation policy? Do you meet with the parents?

2.      Qualifications of the teen therapist – Ask what the therapist’s qualifications are. Are you a Licensed Professional Counselor (requires more hours of direct counseling with a supervisor), a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (requires more education specifically dealing with marriage and families), an Associate Licensed Counselor (under supervision and still working on getting their hours for licensure), or a Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (under supervision and still working on getting their hours for licensure)? How much specific training have you had in teen therapy?

3.      Experience in teen therapy – Ask how long they have been working with teens and adolescents. Also, ask if they have experience working with the specific issues your teen is facing. Do you understand the challenges teens face? Do you have experience working with teens who suffer from depression and anxiety? Have you worked with teens dealing with body image issues, and if so, do you have training for this specific area?

4.      Their own therapeutic journey – It is okay to ask a prospective teen therapist if they believe in the service they provide. Did they receive their own therapy as a teen? Did they find it helpful?

Finding the right therapist for your teen is so important. The client-therapist relationship will determine the success of therapy for your teen. Be sure to include them in the process and listen to what they find important in a therapist. When asking the questions above, look for the person your teen feels most comfortable with. Look for someone who will support them and take the time to build a trusting relationship where your teen feels confident and safe to share with their therapist

 Is your teen ready for counseling?

If you are ready to get your teen the help they need, call us at 205-538-3978 or email us at hello@sparrowcounsel.com for a 15-minute free consultation to discover how the right therapist can make the difference. 

Click here to read more about Teen Therapy at Sparrow Counseling.