What to Look for in a Good Child Therapist

How Do I Find a Good Therapist for Children?

CDC research studies show nearly 6 million children aged 3-17 years struggle with anxiety. 5.5 million kids in the same toddler-to-teen age range have behavior problems. Some affected children suffer from both anxiety and behavior issues together. 

Most children in the United States foster care system have suffered trauma. A significant percentage of kids experienced child abuse and neglect while with their birth parents. Kids in foster home care may need help from a professional therapist to navigate the trauma they've faced. Foster children may also struggle with loss, anxiety, or depression after joining their foster families.

Among the responsibilities of a foster parent is to spot possible mental health conditions of your foster child. Together, foster parents and agency social workers can help kids navigate trauma. You can teach coping skills and self-care. However, when your foster child needs a higher level of mental health care, you may find yourself asking, what should I look for in a good child therapist?

You want to help the children or teens in your care, but it can be hard to figure out where to start when finding the right child therapist. To keep from feeling overwhelmed, learn more about the process and what to look for—finding a great foster child therapist is within reach. 

Why Foster Kids May Need Therapy

Every year, around 7.4 million kids may suffer from neglect or abuse, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Significantly more kids in foster care experience childhood trauma than those in the general population. 

Foster kids go through more than abuse, neglect, or other struggles before entering the foster system. Separation from biological family members is itself a major trauma that impacts foster kids in a number of ways. Many children grieve their loss and become depressed. Others feel anxious in such a time of uncertainty like their world is spinning out of control.

In response to strong and mixed emotions, some foster kids exhibit behavioral issues. 

Children come into foster care from unique situations. However, all have in common the state's determination that their living conditions put their well-being at risk. A trained therapist can help foster kids feel more comfortable and less anxious. With proper care, kids feel more supported and regain some control over their lives and well-being.

When searching for a good child therapist, look for specific traits and credentials. Certain qualifications will assure you that you've found an excellent child therapist for your foster youth. 

What to Look for in a Child Therapist: Tips and Traits

Expertise

What makes a good child therapist? The first qualifier is a therapist with specialized knowledge and experience working with kids in foster care. Search for a therapist who has worked with foster kids and knows how to reach them. 

Children have different worldviews from adults. Foster kids who are victims of neglect or abuse may act out or communicate differently. 

A foster care therapist must have training in trauma-informed care. Your child may also need someone with experience treating PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The right child therapist will know the best method of trauma care for your child. For instance, a child anxiety therapist is likely to use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

You want a therapist who can listen, understand feelings, and guide good choices of foster care youth. 

Communication

An essential therapist quality is to have excellent communication skills. The therapist you choose must communicate well with the foster child and parents. 

The lives of children in the foster care and adoption process are in a strange place. Good therapists understand their unique situations and know how to hear and understand them. They must have the interpersonal skills to help a reluctant child open up and talk about their experiences.

Child therapists must have vital communication with the foster parents, too. They must inform you about your foster child's progress and explain how you can help. 

Effective therapists can explain their diagnosis and treatment plan, including your child's situation, symptoms, and reasons for recommended actions. Strategies may include your child recording thoughts and moods in a diary to help identify patterns. Others may support good communication between you and your foster child.

Trust

Both you and your foster child must trust the therapist. This vital match may take time. Trying more than one therapist to find a fit is normal to experience. Your child must feel that their therapist is trustworthy to help. 

Read reviews from other foster families to learn about therapist candidates. Reviews or testimonials can help you identify important traits, including experience with similar issues. Reviews give you a feel for whether other clients trust this provider.

You can call potential therapists to learn about their experience and knowledge. Learn about potential treatment methods and what hard science makes their methods effective. Follow scientifically backed treatments. Fact-based methods may ease your mind about whether each therapist is trustworthy. 

Worth mentioning is the importance of building trust with your foster child. Having reliable, professional support and a trusted foster parent will greatly benefit your foster child.

Expectations

Different treatments and therapies exist. Knowing what to expect can help you and your foster child prepare and know what to expect. 

Different treatment methods are available. Some are short-term, and others are long-term therapy options. A Behavioral Therapist might use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), while a psychiatrist might specialize in Psychoanalysis. 

You and your child must feel comfortable with treatments, progress time, and expected outcomes.

Not every therapy is suitable for your foster child. If your child's therapist is unable to help, it's perfectly acceptable to find another professional. Choosing a therapist for your foster care child is personal. Someone good with another foster child may not be the right fit for yours.

Team Approach

Successful treatment and outcomes require teamwork. Good therapists view foster families as a critical part of the care team. Foster parents, case managers, and the Department of Social Services help care for your foster child's well-being. The team may extend to Kinship Care providers, potential adoptive family members, and CASA volunteers.

The care team works together to protect the best interests of the child. Your therapist may assign actions outside therapy and will guide you through the entire process. Like the rest of the team, your therapist must want to see your foster child grow and thrive.

The goal is to create a safe and nurturing environment for your foster child today. This is the foundation of a happy, well-adjusted, and independent life for your child tomorrow. 

What are the Traits of a Good Therapist? 

An excellent child therapist must have experience helping people who have dealt with trauma. For kids in foster care, therapists must be able to empathize with foster children and take a team care approach with foster parents. You want a therapist who can see the potential in your foster child and will make them feel valued and loved.

Foster parents must recognize when foster youth need professional support. Finding the right therapist to help your child cope with trauma isn't always easy. Similar to a good foster parent, a good therapist is patient and will listen to your foster child. This is the framework of trust and genuine connection. 

Call a local child-placing agency today to become a foster care parent. A representative will answer your questions and guide you every step of the way.