Continued from Page 2

Early diagnosis and medical treatment are essential for depressed children.  

Depression requires professional help, self-help, and support from family and friends.   

Comprehensive treatment often includes both individual and family therapy.

Depression

There are several ways to get referrals of qualified mental health professionals, including the following:

• First, check with your insurance company for any limitations.
• Talk to family members and friends for their recommendations.  If you participate in a parent support group, ask other members for their recommendations.
• Ask your child's primary care physician or your family doctor for a referral.  Tell the doctor what is important to you in choosing a therapist so he or she can make appropriate recommendations.
• Inquire at your church, synagogue, or place of worship.
• Network the resources listed on your state's Family Help page.
• Look in the phone book for the listing of a local mental health association or community mental health center and call these sources for referrals.  

Ideally, you will end up with more than one therapist to interview. Call each one and request to ask the therapist some questions, either by phone or in person. You may want to inquire about his or her licensing, level of training, expertise, approach to therapy and medication, and participation in insurance plans and fees. Such a discussion should help you sort through your options and choose someone with whom you believe you and your teen might interact well.

Return to Parent Central 

------------------
Please visit the sponsored links on this page. Although they are advertisements, these companies have been carefully selected to provide you with a relevant resource to an issue that you may be having with your teen.