One in Five Minds Blog

You have identified that your teen can benefit from professional mental healthcare, and you’ve already scheduled the first appointment with a mental health professional. These are important first steps to have behind you. And as you now await that initial appointment, if you have not already done so, talking with your teen about attending therapy is very important.

Following a mental health diagnosis for your child, you may feel concerned, uncertain, and even fearful. On one hand, you finally have some answers. On the other hand, it opens up a world of new questions and emotions.

When you look at the calendar and see the holidays quickly approaching, what’s your initial reaction? While we tend to think of the holidays as a season of peace and goodwill toward all, in reality, it’s often a very stressful time, especially for parents.

Has your child been acting differently lately? Did they used to be organized, outgoing, and actively involved in class and social activities but have recently become withdrawn and disorganized? Have they even started sharing strange thoughts and ideas?

Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anxiety, autism, or another learning disability need support in all aspects of their lives, especially in the classroom. As a parent, you are the most important advocate for your child, but you’re not alone. Your child’s teachers and school administrators can provide valuable, much-needed support.

It’s a common misconception that psychotherapy is a one-size-fits-all type of treatment (i.e., everyone undergoes the same kind of therapy). But there are actually many different types of mental-health treatments available to your child, ranging from traditional “talk therapy” to play therapy to many specialized variations of treatment.