Getting therapy for your child or adolescent should be a solution – not a problem.
When children are struggling with mental health issues and need professional support, therapy is meant to be part of the solution. But more recently in the U.S., finding a therapist for your child is now part of the problem. The reality is that finding a therapist can feel nearly impossible to many parents who are justifiably concerned.
Why is it so hard to find a therapist?
There are several reasons why find a therapist may be challenging, but the primary reasons why you might be experiencing longer than usual wait times is because:
Additionally, navigating the insurance system has made it very challenging for therapists to manage the administrative and clinical aspects of their business, and many providers are switching to private payment options which can further complicate the process for patients who want or need to use their in-network benefits.
The result is that many parents feel stressed and frustrated, and families and children are going without the mental health and wellness help they need.
Mental Health America, a non-profit organization, claimed that 15.08% of children under the age of 18 “experienced a major depressive episode” in 2021, and that over 60% of children with major depression did not receive any mental health treatment. Mental Health America along with other mental health non-profit associations have estimated that nearly 1 in 3 children in need are “going without” mental health support.
To say that “going without” is concerning is an understatement. The National Alliance on Mental Illness has advised that untreated mental health conditions nearly always worsen, and “going without” can result in disability, impairment, addiction or substance abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, and even suicide. While suicide is on the extreme end of possible risks, multiple studies including a CDC study have reported concerning data indicating that adolescent suicide attempts have been rising each year since 2007. According to many research organizations including the CDC and the United Health Foundation, suicide is currently the second leading cause of death among youths ages 10-24.
Fortunately, there is hope.
Without treatment, the consequences of mental illness for the individual, their families, and all of society can be severe, however, the reverse is also true. With mental and behavioral health treatment, quality of life can improve, symptoms can diminish or disappear, and the likelihood of scholastic, professional, and overall life success can be more certain.
If your child’s mental health symptoms are severe or serious, it is unwise to wait months to speak to a therapist. In serious or crisis mental health situations, guardians should call 9-1-1 or go to the ER immediately, or contact their county’s mobile assessment team. However, if symptoms are mild to moderate (meaning your life or the life of your child are not at risk) then there are many beneficial things a parent can do while waiting to get the support they need.
KIDStherapyfinder.com started our website to be a resource for parents who needed help finding therapists. Over the last year, what we have heard from providers is that many (not all) don’t need to advertise their service like they used to, as they already receive more inquiries than they can manage, and there is simply a lack of availability to see new clients. Because of this, we have expanded our site to incorporate additional types of support for families who need help for their family now.
Open to teletherapy? Great! Browse our KIDStherapyfinder.com directory with over 10,000 providers, you are still likely to find a provider who is accepting new patients. Here you can search by insurance, state, and more. Use our "Finding A Therapist For Your Child Or Teen" Guide for additional support.
There are some incredible telehealth platforms which is making access to provider support more convenient and accessible than ever. Telehealth platforms were already on the rise pre-Pandemic, but since the onset of COVID-19, the expansion of telehealth services by companies who offer therapy, psychiatry, and other wellness services is remarkable. We are particularly impressed with the way play therapists have gotten creative with offering online services to kids through therapeutic tech games, shared videos, whiteboards, and even virtual sand trays.
Here is what parents and guardians can do while waiting for a therapist appointment:
Building a strong parent-child connection through listening.
Hang in there. Being a parent can sometimes feel overwhelming, and you may not know what to say or how to react or respond. That’s ok. Listening is powerful. Just focus on building a connection with your child or teen so that they keep talking with you. At times, it can be hard for parents to control their reactions when their child shares distressing information, but do your best to remain calm, neutral, and comforting when your child or teen shares with you so that they are encouraged to keep opening up to you.
Remember that you as the parent or guardian are the most important person in their life. Take every opportunity you can to demonstrate to them that you are a trustworthy resource with whom they can safely confide and consult. We have many articles on how to talk with your child about their diagnosis and how to build emotional connections with children in a healthy way. Explore our articles for parents here.
Find a provider today
Visit www.KidsTherapyFinder.com and search our directory to find a therapist or provider for you and/or your child today. If you need any help or have any questions, use our Contact Us feature.
