Child and Adolescent Mental Illnesses FAQ - Treatment of Mental Illness in Children and Adolescents

The mental health professional you choose for your adolescent should have expertise in dealing with the unique problems of adolescence. You should feel comfortable with the therapist and feel that you can establish open communication, and that you can get your questions answered. However, your adolescent may not feel comfortable with the therapist, or may be hostile to him/her.

When adolescents are involved in therapy, they can and should speak for themselves. Parents may or may not be included in the therapy sessions, or may be encouraged to participate in family therapy or group sessions. Therapy with a peer group is helpful for many teens.

The adolescent and the therapist should discuss what each expects to accomplish. In addition to mental health therapy sessions, treatment for substance abuse may be necessary in order to address mental health problems. The entire family may be asked to participate in a number of sessions to help understand how the family communicates, works together, and how they can assist with the adolescent's problems.

It is important for parents to understand that there may be certain aspects of the therapy that should remain confidential between the mental health professional and the adolescent. Before treatment begins, the parents, the adolescent, and the therapist should come to an agreement as to what information will be disclosed to the parents.

It is just as important in adolescent therapy as it is in adult therapy to periodically evaluate the progress of the treatment and the relationship with the therapist. Once your adolescent has been in therapy for a while, ask yourself the following questions to see if you believe therapy is working.

If you answer "yes" to most of them, then you can be confident that therapy is helping. If you answer "no" to most of them, then you may want to get a second opinion from another therapist and consider making a change in your adolescent's treatment.

1. Is our adolescent more positive about therapy?
2. Has the therapist diagnosed the problem and are the two of them working toward treatment goals that include our adolescent's strengths?
3. Is our adolescent becoming free from any use or addictions to drugs and/or alcohol?
4. Has our relationship with our adolescent improved?
5. Is there communication between the therapist and us, the parents?

Your adolescent and the mental health professional will probably decide they are ready to stop therapy when the adolescent:

1. Is generally happier, more expressive and cooperative, and less withdrawn.
2. Is functioning better at home and in school.
3. Is free from use or addictions to drugs and/or alcohol.

Ending therapy may be an anxious time for adolescents and parents. Problems may reappear temporarily. The therapist should be available to provide counsel and support for a period of time after your adolescent finishes therapy. Give yourselves some time to adjust before considering going back into therapy. You and your adolescent may benefit from participation in support groups.

Parents of children and adolescents with emotional disturbances need to know what the full range of services for their children should be. Here is a set of ideal options ranging from home-based services to the most restrictive hospital setting. Ask your child's doctor, school counselor or your local Family Guidance Center for help finding and arranging for the services described below.

Home intervention
The purpose of the home-based model of treatment is to provide intensive in-home crisis intervention to keep children from being placed outside their homes, away from their families. Such programs are directed toward managing crises and teaching families new ways of resolving problems to prevent future crises.

Successful home intervention programs have therapists available to families 24 hours a day for 4 to 6 weeks. During this period, families receive regular training sessions in their homes and may call on the therapists for help any time a crisis arises. The therapist can provide behavior interventions, client-centered therapy, values clarification, problem solving, crisis intervention, and assertiveness training. They also help with home management and budgeting skills, advocacy, and referral for legal, medical, or social services.

Intensive home-based treatment helps make a more accurate assessment of the child and of the family's functioning. This treatment also makes it easier for the therapist to show and develop new behaviors in the child's normal environment. Therapists can directly observe the treatment plan and revise it when needed.

reviewed by:
Harry Croft, MD (Psychiatrist)
Medical Director, HealthyPlace.com