3 Tips to Get Your Teen to Talk to a Therapist

As a therapist who sees kids, one of the top 3 questions I get asked is, "How do I get my kid to talk to a therapist?" (The other two are: "How do you do it?" and "Can I get your thoughts on this?")

Worried parents know their kid could use some help and also wisely know that they might not be the ideal source.

But, their kid refuses to talk to anyone, claims it won't help, and frets that they don't want to tell their secrets to a stranger. These are, admittedly, relatable fears. They are also easily addressed to remove the blockade the progress.

In response to a recent exchange I had with an exasperated parent, I finally wrote down the 3 things that I've been sharing with parents for years. While nothing is guaranteed, these 3 tips have brought resistant kids into my office and led to a number of therapy success stories. Please keep in mind, that any discussion about therapy starts with honoring your kid's ability to know for themselves what kind of help they need.

3 Talking Tips for Getting Your Teen to See a Therapist

1. Talking to a therapist is unlike any other talk with an adult. The kid sets the agenda, there are no grades, there is no winner or loser, and you can vent or trash talk as needed. Really.

   
   

2. If there’s been a relationship breakdown between you and your teen, tell your kid that they will be the consultant to the therapist on how to make things better in the family. They have insider knowledge that I want to hear. Their expert advice about what needs to happen to get things unstuck is invaluable.

   
   

3. The rules of therapy are simple: mutual respect, no name-calling, and keep a calm body. In my office, you can curse, you can draw, and you can play with toys, including the sand table. We can even go head-to-head playing Connect 4, all while tackling mental health goals.

   
   

Small shifts in how you talk about therapy can make a big difference; shifting your teen from resistance to curiosity and, ultimately, engagement.

Is your teen ready to talk? Schedule a free, 15-minute discovery call HERE.

*I created a social media post with these same tips. You can check it out here.