How to Find a Therapist for Teens in Los Angeles

Locating and selecting a therapist for your teen in Los Angeles can seem like a daunting task, but it does not have to be.

There are countless therapists that specialize in a myriad of different areas specific to teens and adolescence. In fact, due to the vast possibilities present, Los Angeles may be the ideal location to find a therapist that best meets your child’s specific needs. There are several ways to go about finding a therapist for your teen in LA. Below are various options for where to start your search for a therapist. 

Primary Care Doctor

One place to start the search for a therapist for your teen is to make an appointment with his or her primary care doctor. Most primary care doctors will have a carefully considered list of mental health professionals that specialize with adolescence and teenage issues. Beginning the process by enabling your teen to briefly address his or her concerns (or a parent synthesize his or her concerns regarding his or her teenager) with a primary care physician can be helpful in the initial stages of narrowing down the mental health needs of the teenager. 

Insurance Company

Not all mental health professionals accept insurance, and in some cases, certain therapists can seem monetarily prohibitive. However, many insurance plans do come with a mental health allotment for therapeutic care. Call your insurance company to fully understand the mental healthcare coverage benefits. They will not only clarify what is available to you (monetarily) but they can also provide you with a list of clinicians that are covered under your healthcare plan. 

Word Of Mouth

Seeking the guidance from a mental health professional in LA is not uncommon. It is highly likely that at least one person in your social network goes to therapy. Even if the mental health needs of your teen and those of the person in your network vastly differ, ask if you can reach out to his or her clinician for a recommendation. Many mental health providers have a list of clinicians to whom they refer clients they are unable to treat. 

Internet

There are a number of teenage therapy and therapeutic clinician options listed on the Internet. If you know a specific aspect of your teenager’s mental health needs (i.e. social pressures, eating disorders, other specific mental health illnesses…etc.) you can do an Internet search to locate a clinician that has experience in that area. If you are unaware of the specific needs of your teen and simply feel he or she would benefit from speaking with a mental health professional you can do an Internet search surrounding teen mental health in LA and many options will surface.

Regardless of they way in which you locate a therapist for your teen, it is always highly recommended to do your due diligence. You should feel comfortable asking for his or her educational qualifications in regards to mental health and more specifically working with adolescents and teenagers. Also it is acceptable to request a trial appointment and treat it as an interview to make sure the therapist is someone you would like providing mental health support to your teenager. 

Please keep in mind that finding a perfectly matched therapist does not necessarily happen immediately. Have patience. While it is helpful to give a therapist an open-minded chance, if the therapist does not seem like a good fit for your child, find a different therapist. Furthermore, it is not uncommon to grow out of a therapist. If, for example, a therapist that you may have initially thought to be an excellent match for your child, no longer meets your child’s needs do not hesitate to switch to another. 

For Information and Support 

Seeking help is never easy, but you are not alone! If you or someone you know is in need of mental health treatment, we strongly encourage you to reach out for help as quickly as possible. It is not uncommon for many mental health difficulties to impact a person for the long term. The earlier you seek support, the sooner you and your loved ones can return to happy, healthy and fulfilling lives.