Counselor recs for sexually risky teen

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here ..so we don’t even talk to a therapist first who is geared toward teen issues such as these?
Go directly to ped?

No. Pediatrician has NO training in mental health. You want a neuropsychologist or a child psychiatrist who can point you in the right decision.

Or just a child psychologist. They can diagnose bipolar disorder and other mental health issues. You can see your pediatrician for severe mental health screening to see if emergency inpatient treatment is warranted, or recommendations. But it’s not where she will get the help she needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have the same issues with my DD. Also about to begin high school. She has been talking to a counselor but the behavior has not improved. The counselor has not suggested am evaluation for ADHD or anything else.
It’s frustrating and frightening. Taking the phone away is not the answer. High school aged kids need to be able to socialize normally, they need to fit in with their peers and they need to take responsibility for their behavior. I wish I could offer advice to you OP. I can only commiserate.

Yes, counselors will see you week after week for years and happily tale your money but they aren't qualified to make a diagnosis and most won't tell you to go get a diagnosis for the underlying cause of the behavior..if you're cured with medication or therapy that actually works, they'll be out of a job.

[Anonymous]

She definitely needs a psychologist and may have been sexually abused. That was the case for me and it started when I was very young. Was an older kid I adored, the adults around us had no idea what was going on. Made me hypersexual as a child I’m still healing from it in my 40s.

[Anonymous]

She gets a dumb phone. Try to find one without a camera. Sorry, but social media enables the behavior, which, yes, is really risky and can set her up for other major issues in later life. Limited, if any, internet access at home.

I hope she is on birth control?

Where is dad in all this?

I agree with others that she could have bipolar or something and maybe needs something more intensive in the way of therapy.

I'd also recommend that you insist on activities for her and keep her busy. Obviously no sleepovers, really can't be home alone, etc.

[Anonymous]

Obvs make sure she’s on birth control.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here ..so we don’t even talk to a therapist first who is geared toward teen issues such as these?
Go directly to ped?

No. Pediatrician has NO training in mental health. You want a neuropsychologist or a child psychiatrist who can point you in the right decision.

Or just a child psychologist. They can diagnose bipolar disorder and other mental health issues. You can see your pediatrician for severe mental health screening to see if emergency inpatient treatment is warranted, or recommendations. But it’s not where she will get the help she needs.

Recommendations for more appropriate providers like psychologists, that is.

[Anonymous]

Does she have friends? Female friends?

[Anonymous]

Do not go to a ped or psychologist unless it’s for a referral. Go to a neuropsych or psychiatrist. Once you have a diagnosis, then start therapy.

[Anonymous]

Family Compass in Reston, Dr. Moshe Shtuhl.
Or Dr. Diana Dahlgren in Fairfax or Virginia Smith in Vienna VA. This does sound like early bipolar, and you need help right away. Hugs and good luck.

[Anonymous]

PS Good luck finding a pedicure psychiatrist who will take a new patient at this time. Get with a good psychologist who can pull strings to get your DD in to see a good psychiatrist.

[Anonymous]

Pediatric not pedicure!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, yes talk to your ped to recommend a psychologist and psychiatrist. Your DD told you she feels more sexually needy than her peers. It is not safe for her to have internet access until she gets proper treatment for whatever underlying condition she has - ADHD, Bipolar, etc. Tell her that as her parent, you have to keep her safe and her desire for risky behavior needs to be professionally evaluated and treated before she can safely have access to the internet. There are lots of predators out there who prey on vulnerable teens. Good luck, Op.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here ..so we don’t even talk to a therapist first who is geared toward teen issues such as these?
Go directly to ped?

No. Pediatrician has NO training in mental health. You want a neuropsychologist or a child psychiatrist who can point you in the right decision.

A pediatrician who is comfortable with adolescents (not all are) can make sure she doesn't get pregnant and greatly reduce the risk of STIs.

She does sound like she needs a full evaluation from a child psychiatrist or child psychologist, but that will leave her at risk until she can get seen by them. You can try very hard to keep a child of 14 from engaging in risky behavior, but it's better to try very hard and have reliable contraception as a backup (among other things).

[Anonymous]

You already received great advice. To complement, buy her a vibrator. I’m serious.

[Anonymous]

Hugs Op

I missed the no internet days. Internet/social media is the devil for growing kids

[Anonymous]

Id worry more about delta