Mary Ann Benson, M.S.W., L.S.W.
One-on-one counseling is an important component of recovery work and it is critical when choosing a therapist for your child that you look for certain qualifications in order to be effective in helping your child on his or her journey to recovery. The necessary qualifications follow:
- The counselor should have the appropriate credentials in order to engage effectively with your child. Licensing requirements vary state-by-state, but a Certified Addictions Counselor (C.A.C) is the most qualified person to work with you and your child. That credential tells you that the individual has had extensive training in addiction work that many therapists do not have.
- If your child is between the ages of 3 and 11, they need to be involved with a counselor who is trained in play therapy as well as addiction work. “ Play therapy uses creative visualization, therapeutic storytelling, drama-role play, puppets and masks, sand tray/sand worlds, art, drawing, music, dance and movement and clay.” (Play Therapy – How does therapeutic play work? n.d.) Some may think that children so young could not be addicted, but I once had a client who had become addicted to pornography when she was five years old. She routinely visited a playmate in her neighborhood whose older brother was his sister’s babysitter. He watched inappropriate movies and shared them with my client and his young sister. It took her until her 40’s to overcome her addiction.
- The counselor needs to be compassionate and non-judgmental. Children are astute observers of human nature, and if there is any insincerity or shaming, the therapeutic alliance will be compromised and the necessary work will not be completed. Speaking about one’s addictive behaviors is extremely difficult and must occur in a safe, accepting environment.
- There needs to be a rapport between the counselor and the child. I have read that the skill level of a therapist is secondary to the relationship they form with the client. Your child needs to feel comfortable in the therapeutic setting. Obviously, this may take a few sessions, but if your child expresses reasonable concerns after the first few sessions, please address them.
- Your child needs to perceive the therapist as an ally. They will work as a team to determine goals and objectives for treatment. Therapists need to be directive at times, but at other times, they need to allow the client to be self-directed. It should be explained to the child before he or she attends the first meeting with the therapist that the role the counselor will fulfill is as a person who will help your child to learn the necessary techniques to modify the addictive behavior that is occurring and that they will work together throughout that process.
Curious to learn more? Check out our books, ; How to Talk to Your Kids About Pornography, which is also available in ; and .
Need Help with Tough Topics? We got you covered!Sources:
Play Therapy – How does therapeutic play work? (n.d.). Retrieved February 2, 2015, from http://www.playtherapy.org/playhowdoestpwork.html
