When meeting with therapists that specialize in working with teenagers you are probably starting off based on a referral and the credentials the teen therapist holds. Experience and credentials are important, but it’s usually the personality of a therapist and the therapeutic rapport that develops between teen and therapist that is the most important factor of all.
The relationship between the teenager and the therapist is crucial because an adolescent is generally going to be apprehensive and perhaps resistant, so if the teen therapist can’t click with the client the sessions may be futile. This relationship is ultimately the most critical factor in a therapist being able to successfully provide help to a troubled teen.
In choosing a therapist, think about which person is most likely to be able to bond with your teen and pay close attention to your gut feelings in making your decision. Ideally, your teen needs to be part of this process, even when you are the one insisting they participate in therapy. In most cases it works well for parents to do the work of getting referrals and doing the initial screening. Then provide this information to your teen and let them make the final decision. If after a few sessions the relationship does not seem to be coming together between the teen therapist and your teen, it may be necessary to go through the process of choosing again or asking the therapist to refer to a teen therapist they think will be a better fit.
