By Contributing Author Running Girl, of Kay Nou = Our House
Photo from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/andjohan/
Guess what? None of us are perfect parents. No matter how naturally parenting may come to us, we all run into issues that require extra help. Although our boys may have fantastic relationships with parents and can seemingly talk to us about anything, there are times in their lives when they need other adults to confide in. Sometimes parents are not enough.
There is nothing wrong with asking for help. Once you have decided to ask for help you might worry about where to turn. Here are some tips about where to find help for your kids.
Ask your pediatrician. Did you know that they probably have a list of counselors already printed out? It doesn’t have to be embarrassing. They probably won’t even ask why you need the list. They just pull it out of a file and give it to you.
Ask your son’s counselor or social worker at school. They have a list of providers and can work with you to find someone. The school can be as involved as you want. If the issue involves something at school, it might be helpful to have your outside provider in contact with the school.
Check with your health insurance. They have lists of providers who are within your service.
A spiritual advisor may have suggestions about where you can turn for help.
Ask friends. You may be surprised at how many of your friends have faced issues within their families as well and have decided to seek help.
Once you have the names of providers, you will need to determine the differences between psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers or licensed professional counselors. Once you have these definitions, you can decide who and what kind of services you need. Be careful of the labels psychotherapists or therapists. States generally don’t regulate those terms, so anyone can call themselves a therapist.
When you make initial phone calls, don’t be afraid to ask questions about training and experience. Also, be sure you are comfortable with your choice of provider from the first visit. There are a lot of options available. You need to find someone who is a good fit for you and your child.
Once you have found someone you like, you are in charge of your care. You can meet with them just a few times or for an extended period of time. Some issues are bigger than others. You may need help for awhile. Other times, it may only take a few visits to come up with a game plan that works for your issue.
The nice thing is that once you have a relationship with a counselor, you are now a patient. When and if another problem crops up, it should be easier to get an appointment without a long wait.
Once again, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Think of how good it feels when you are able to help others.
Take care of yourself and your family. You won’t be sorry.
About the Author: Running Girl is the mother of 3, a wife, music teacher and long distance enthusiasts who lives in Western New York. Please visit her blog at kaynou.wordpress.com
