Warning signs in a child therapist, psychologist, or counselor
Choosing a child psychologist, therapist, or counselor is an important decision that impacts your child’s mental health and development. You may have already started looking and there are some great options in Westlake, OH but sometimes it’s difficult to tell if a therapist is going to be a green or red flag based on a website or even during the first appointment. Below I’ll outline some red flags to be aware of when selecting a therapist for your child.
1. Lack of Proper Credentials
This is typically something quick to check. A competent child therapist should have the right credentials, such as being a licensed clinical social worker (LISW), a psychologist (PhD or PsyD), or a licensed professional counselor (LPCC). Or are are supervised by a licensed professional. In Ohio this may refer to graduate level students on field placements or LSW’s and LPC’s. Always verify their qualifications and membership in professional organizations.
In Ohio this website is a tool to look up any professional who holds a license.
2. Poor Communication Skills
I’m going to be upfront that balancing confidentiality (privacy) for kids and teens and communication with parents is often a delicate balancing act. However, effective therapists should be able to explain their methods, be transparent about their process, and not dismiss parents' concerns about your child's treatment.
3. Lack of Experience with Children
Therapy with children is very different from adults. Your child’s therapist should have specialized training in working with children and ample experience in dealing with issues specific to children and adolescents. Clear red flags would be a therapist who only works with adults agreeing to treat your child, someone whose training in child therapy only consists of a continuing education program that doesn't involve supervision/hands-on training, and (depending on your child’s age and developmental level) a therapist who expects your child to sit and talk for 45 minutes.
4. No Clear Treatment Plan
This may depend on your therapist's style but most therapists set goals and have a treatment plan that includes goals, strategies, and how you will measure progress. If this is not outlined, it may indicate an unstructured approach. If you or your child prefer an unstructured approach that may be okay but if either of you prefer more structure and this happens I recommend first asking to develop goals and treatment plan. If the therapist is able to do this with you and you are happy with the plan then you may wish to continue. If the therapist is defensive, confused, or hesitant when this is requested then this is a red flag.
5. Limited Parental Involvement
How parents are included in treatment may depend on the therapist's style and treatment goals but if you ask to speak with your child’s therapist and they do not permit this then that is a red flag. Good therapists will walk that fine line between updating you on the process, progress, and provide updates and strategies to support your child at home.
6. Over-Promising Results
Be wary of any therapist who guarantees quick “fixes” or claims that they can “cure” your child within a short timeframe. Effective therapy often takes time and consistent effort. It would be normal and a green flag for a therapist to say something like “generally my patients start to improve after 3 months” if you ask how long treatment takes. However, this is very different than a guarantee that your child will be “cured” in 3 months because everyone is different and we can’t guarantee results. The other thing to keep in mind is your child is not a ham (they can’t be “cured”) and they’re not broken (they can’t be “fixed”).
7. Ethical Concerns
I have been told some unfortunate stories about unethical therapists, counselors, and psychologists. The tricky thing in the area of therapy is people may not know what is unethical behavior and when it happens people may not feel comfortable disclosing they were in therapy and reporting it. The good news is that most therapists are ethical! Red flags include: violating your child’s confidentiality, unprofessional conduct (for example, the therapist conducting a virtual appointment in a public area like while they are shopping), or any inappropriate personal relationships with your child (some therapists do allow texting or calling in between appointment but this and any limits/boundaries of this should be discussed with both you and your child during the initial appointment and your child shouldn’t be in constant contact with their therapist in between appointments). It’s best to report any ethical concerns to the appropriate licensing board immediately. In Ohio this website has a complaint form for psychologists.
8. Lack of Rapport with Your Child
Sometimes building a relationship with kids and teens happens immediately but more often it takes time. Therapy with children is different from adults in that usually when adults come to therapy they want to be there but kids sometimes feel that they have to go or their parent is making them. With this said, the relationship between the therapist and your child is the most important part of therapy. If your child consistently feels uncomfortable, won’t talk, or continues to show resistance toward the therapist, it might be time to consider another provider.
9. Ignoring Family Dynamics
Children do not live in a bubble. Family dynamics play a significant role in a child's mental health. Therapists who overlook or disregard the impact of family relationships and home environment may not provide comprehensive care for your child.
10. Insufficient Progress Monitoring
Regular progress check-ins are important to make sure therapy is working and your child is making progress on their goals. Therapists should periodically evaluate and communicate your child’s progress and be flexible enough to adjust the plan if needed. Whether this is done through asking you and your child or formal rating scales checking on progress should be a standard part of therapy.