Questions to Ask a Child or Teen Therapist in Harrisonburg, VA
Finding a Counselor: Child Therapy or Teen Therapy in Harrisonburg, VA
Melissa Deaton Cook LPC
Bilingual Child and Teen Therapist
Your child and teen's mental health is important to you.
The Shenandoah Valley has many great psychologists, counselors, and therapists. But how do you know which one is a good fit for your child or teen? What should you ask when consulting with them and deciding? How can you best determine which Harrisonburg counselor can provide good child and teen therapy?
Call Melissa Deaton Cook LPC, Harrisonburg therapist at 540-416-1628 for Child and Teen Counseling
Finding the right therapist is key. This is even more important when looking for a counselor for a child, tween, or teen. You want someone who your child or teen can connect with and who is qualified and experienced in the counseling room.
Let me help you with questions to ask when looking for child or teen therapy in Harrisonburg, VA.
Your child or teen’s welfare is the most important thing to you. You want them to feel supported, feel safe, and thrive. Finding the right Harrisonburg therapist is more than just a wait list and a check box. For best results, your child or teen needs a good relationship with the therapist they work with. Following are some questions to help get you started when consulting with a child or teen therapist in Harrisonburg, VA for counseling.
As a child and teen therapist providing counseling in Harrisonburg, Va I aim to engage their curiosity and things they are interested in and love to use as a platform for healing, learning, and growth.
Melissa Deaton Cook LPC provides bilingual counseling in Harrisonburg, Va.
7 things to ask a Harrisonburg counselor when looking for child or teen therapy in Harrisonburg, VA.
*When you call to consult with a prospective Harrisonburg therapist speak not only to what your child or teens are struggling with but also to what their strengths and interests are. This can help you and the therapist determine if it will be a good fit.
Melissa Deaton Cook LPC Bilingual Child and Teen Therapist uses games, sand tray, music, expressive arts, nature, and cognitive therapy when providing counseling in Harrisonburg.
*Ask how the therapist works with children and teens. What does their style of counseling in Harrisonburg look like? Do they provide play therapy, sand play, or expressive arts, in conjunction with typical cognitive therapy? Do they have any specializations?
*Ask about how the therapist engages with the parent or family system. Is this in alignment with your expectations?
* Let the therapist know if your child has been in therapy previously. If so, what was that experience like?
All are welcome.
* If there are special circumstances such as custody battles, adjudication issues, social service involvement, or extensive hospitalizations discuss this with the therapist up front to make sure that they are able and willing to walk this path with you. If you have a special circumstance would there, be additional fees for court appearances or letters of reference to lawyers, probation officers, or social services?
*Where finances are concerned, you will want to know if services are fee-for-service (private pay), if they accept your insurance, or if they do not accept insurance will they provide a super bill for you to turn into your insurance if applicable.
*Lastly, if your teen is hesitant to attend therapy, ask the Harrisonburg therapist if they would take a few moments to speak with your teen on the phone. For some adolescents this is a big help, for others, it does not matter. You are the expert on what will work best for your teen.
Melissa Deaton Cook LPC works with ages 5-18 in Harrisonburg VA and the Shenandoah Valley
Your young one is your heartbeat. You deserve to know that they will be well supported and guided by whoever works with them. Both your concerns and their pain are real. They deserve to be seen, heard, and believed in. Not all therapists work the same. I believe it takes special skills to work with children and teens. Finding the right therapist for your child or teen will increase a positive outcome and help them grow and flourish. You and your family deserve a child or teen therapist who can best support your child or teen during this difficult time. I hope this helps you find the right therapist in Harrisonburg, VA, and the Shenandoah Valley.
Melissa Deaton Cook LPC Bilingual Child and Teen Therapist
When hiring a therapist to provide counseling in Harrisonburg, Va for your child or teen you want someone who is knowledgeable. Someone who understands kids. Your Kid!
You want someone your family can relate to, feel safe with, and learn to communicate with.
You deserve support from someone who can help you and understand your child and teens development and mental health issues. Your child and teen deserve someone who “speaks their language” not just another mark in the schedule book.
Therapy isn’t just for chatting weekly, it is about reaching your goals, easing your worry, and getting real support for both you and your young person. I hope this helps you find the right child or teen therapist in Harrisonburg, VA. Someone who can help you and your loved one.
Melissa Deaton Cook LPC ~
child and teen psychotherapist
Melissa Deaton Cook LPC, NCC, ACS
Melissa is a bilingual licensed professional counselor in Virginia and Pennsylvania. Melissa helps kids feel safe, supported, & empowered to be their best unique selves! She helps struggling children and teens to know that they are seen, they are heard, and that they matter with the help of trauma informed expressive art, sand tray, play therapy, nature based, and cognitive therapy.
“Melissa is like a child and teen first responder” Jennie -First Responder.
Melissa helps dis-regulated children and teens struggling with trauma, depression, anxiety, mental health issues, behavior issues, family separations and more to regulate and learn to function in their community. All are welcome! Melissa’s focus is to help kids learn to regulate, communicate, and strengthen their relationships in the home and community so they can develop the capacity to grow and become their best selves. Melissa may be contracted for child, teen, and family therapy, dynamic trauma trainings, expressive arts workshops, and team building events.Melissa also provides expressive arts workshops and drum circles through The Growing Space, in Dayton VA.Learn more about Melissa’s background, approach, and services here at spiralroots.org
Other Blogs In This Series: Searching for Counseling For Children and Teens in Harrisonburg, VA and the Shenandoah Valley? https://www.spiralroots.org/blog/searching-for-counseling-for-children-and-teens-in-harrisonburg-va-and-the-shenandoha-valley
Looking for a Counselor in the Shenandoah Valley? How to find a Child or Teen Therapist in Harrisonburg, VA Today. https://www.spiralroots.org/blog/looking-for-a-counselor-in-the-shenandoah-valley-how-to-find-a-child-or-teen-therapist-in-harrisonburg-va-today