Ever feel like you need a PhD yourself to find the perfect therapist for your child?
The world of mental health professionals can be a tricky one—one filled with acronyms
and titles that you may have never heard of. To keep it simple, I’m going to take you
through three mental health specialties and break down what they do best. Finding the
therapist that is right for you and your child isn’t something to be taken lightly, and just
like you wouldn't take your car to the veterinarian for a tune-up, it is crucial to find a
therapist that is exactly what you are looking for.
First up, we have Registered Social Workers (RSWs). These individuals have
completed a four-year undergraduate degree in a Bachelor’s of Social Work. RSWs can
also choose to complete a Master’s of Social Work after completing their Bachelor's
degree, which is an additional two years of knowledge and clinical training to specialize
in specific areas of social work. RSWs are trained in a variety of skills when it comes to
mental health, which can range from support within a community for schools and
hospitals to developing intervention plans and providing resources directly to families.
They are able to provide evidence-based therapeutic counselling to help individuals and
families cope with mental health issues as well as improve their overall well-being. In
more specialized roles, you can see RSWs in the healthcare field helping clients with
terminal conditions and mental health issues, child welfare working to protect the
well-being of children and support families in crisis, as well as long-term care patients.
Think of RSWs as the Swiss Army knives for mental health, trained to tackle a broad
spectrum of issues in various environments.
Next, let’s talk about Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs). To become an RCC,
one must hold a Master’s degree in counselling psychology, which again involves an
additional two-year program following the completion of a four-year undergrad
program. While RSWs often focus on your child’s well-being in the community, RCCs
are primarily focused on individual and family counselling in schools and clinics. RCCs
use therapeutic approaches like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and other
evidence-based practices to help treat individuals with depression, anxiety, and trauma.
Although RCCs are highly skilled with therapeutic approaches, they are not able to
diagnose mental health conditions. However, they are equipped to develop treatment
plans and assess the client’s needs, applying their extensive knowledge and experience
of therapeutic techniques.
Remember that PhD we talked about earlier? Those would be Psychologists! In
addition to their four-year bachelor's programs, psychologists have to complete a PhD in
a doctoral psychology program which can take anywhere between an additional five to
seven years. PhD programs include years of rigorous coursework, research, and clinical
training, where they are taught a variety of psychological disciplines and research
methods to help treat their future clients. Psychologists have the most broad scope of
practice, as they are permitted to conduct psychological testing and evaluation to
properly diagnose individuals and provide subsequent treatment. Think of psychologists
as experts on the human brain, equipped to deal with complex mental health issues with
a deep understanding of human pattern and behaviour. These are your people to go to for psychoeducational testing if your child has a learning disability, or to make a formal
diagnosis.
RSWs, RCCs, and Psychologists all have to write vigorous exams and have hundreds
of hours of supervised practice before they are allowed to work with any child.
Now let’s dive into titles like Registered Therapeutic Counsellors (RTCs) and
Registered Professional Counsellors (RPCs). Now, because of their names, they can often
be mixed up with RSWs and RCCs. Confusing, right? But, the key difference to note is
that while RTCs and RPCs can hold certificates and specialized training in the mental
health field, they do not have master's degrees. Same goes for Life Coaches—although
they can be incredibly motivating, they typically don’t have the same level of education
and mental health training as the other titles we have mentioned. RTCs, RPCs, and Life
Coaches can be very helpful in goal setting and personal growth, and some parenting
support, but will not have formal education in child psychology or child development.
Which is why it is important to take a look at a therapist's background of education
when choosing the right therapist for your child.
Now that we have a little bit more background on these different mental health
professionals, let’s discuss how this decision affects your child. This is where the
importance of pediatric specialization comes into play. Mental health professionals with
extra training in pediatrics understand the nuances of child development and can tailor
their approach accordingly. Essentially, you want one that speaks “kid” fluently. Mental
health professionals that have additional pediatric training understand the factor of
child development when it comes to treatment plans. They understand that kids aren’t
just tiny adults; they have their own ways of thinking and feeling. Pediatric specialists
use treatment methods like play therapy, art therapy, and parent-child interaction
therapy, all techniques designed to effectively cater to a child’s developing brain.
Choosing a therapist with a pediatric specialty ensures that your child receives care that is both evidence-based and developmentally appropriate. Which is why at Bright Star, not
only do all our therapists hold a minimum of a Master's Degree in counselling
psychology, clinical psychology, or social work, they also have extensive knowledge and
training in pediatric expertise.
As you set out on navigating the maze of healthcare professionals, hopefully this
will help you find the mental health professional that is right for you. Credentials and
expertise is important, but making sure you find a therapist with the appropriate
pediatric experience will be the key to creating a supportive therapeutic environment
where your child can thrive. So when finding a therapist for your child, don’t be afraid to
ask questions and find that pediatric mental health and counselling expertise.
Written by Josie Latifpour
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