Changing Your Child's Therapist

Finding the right therapist for your child can be a challenge. You may go through several rounds of research, contact providers, and attend initial sessions before finding a good fit. But even after all that, you may eventually decide that the therapist is not working out.

This can be a difficult decision, but it's important to remember that both you and your child have the right to change therapists at any time. If you're considering a change, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Reasons for Changing Therapists

There are many reasons why you might want to change your child's therapist. Some common reasons include:

• Personality mismatch: Your child may not feel comfortable with the therapist's personality or style. For example, they may feel intimidated by a therapist who is very serious or outgoing, or they may prefer a therapist who is more laid-back.
• Lack of progress: If your child is not making progress in therapy, consider changing therapists. This could be because of a lack of rapport between the therapist and your child, or the therapist may not have enough experience with your child's specific issues.
• New issues: As your child grows and changes, they may develop new issues that their current therapist is not equipped to address. For example, if your child was initially seeing a therapist for anxiety, but they are now struggling with depression, you may want to find a therapist specializing in depression.
• Insurance changes: If your insurance changes, you may no longer be able to afford the current therapist or the new insurance may not cover their services.
• Relocation: If you move to a new area, you will need to find a new therapist for your child.

How to Change Therapists

If you've decided that you want to change your child's therapist, there are a few steps you can take:

1. Talk to your child: Let your child know that you're considering changing therapists. Explain why you're thinking about this and listen to their feedback. It's important to get their input on the decision, since they're the ones who will be seeing the therapist.
2. Talk to the therapist: If you're comfortable doing so, you can talk to the therapist about your concerns. This gives the therapist an opportunity to address your concerns and make changes to the therapy. However, you're not obligated to do this.
3. Find a new therapist: Once you've decided to change therapists, you can start looking for a new one. You can ask for recommendations from friends, family, or your child's doctor. You can also search online or through therapist directories.
4. Schedule an initial session: Once you've found a few potential therapists, schedule initial sessions with them. This will give you and your child a chance to meet the therapist and see if you're a good fit.
5. Make the switch: If you and your child decide to switch therapists, let the old therapist know. You can also ask the old therapist to provide a summary of the therapy sessions to the new therapist, which will help the new therapist get up to speed on your child's case.

Tips for a Smooth Transition

Changing therapists can be a difficult process for your child. Here are a few tips to help make the transition as smooth as possible:

• Talk to your child about the change: Explain to your child why you're changing therapists, and answer any questions they have. Be honest with your child and let them know that it's okay to feel sad or angry about the change.
• Help your child prepare for the first session: Talk to your child about what to expect during their first session with the new therapist. You can also role-play the session with your child to help them feel more comfortable.
• Be patient: It may take some time for your child to adjust to the new therapist. Be patient and supportive during this time. It's also important to remember that the new therapist may need some time to get to know your child and their needs.

Changing therapists can be a difficult decision, but it's important to remember that both you and your child have the right to make this change. If you're not happy with the current therapist, don't be afraid to look for a new one.