Anonymous wrote:I disagree. What will your kid have to give up to make time for this, and perhaps that fun activity was more therapeutic?

My son's therapist (who he saw after we faced some serious illness within the family) talked to me a whole lot about my son and how kids process things. Sometimes they do so best by NOT PROCESSING UNTIL READY.

Like an hour a week is going to hurt a teen, my kids are not that tightly scheduled.

Even my therapist (who specializes in difficult child custody cases) says that kids don't need "prophylactic" therapy (i.e, preventative therapy without having a distinct psychological need).

Teens probably do benefit from having trusted mentors that are not their parents, though. And many can and do benefit from therapy with a professional. But I do think that some therapy can mess kids up, too. If everything is fine, I wouldn't send my teen to a therapist.

Anonymous wrote:Teen years are hard, all teenagers could benefit from seeing a therapist (counsellor, psychologist ) to talk about things.

wrong. my teen is very happy, healthy and mentally balanced and stable. she has healthy relationships with her peers, has good friends and is very social.

I agree with the statement. All adolescents can use an adult who will guide them in a non-threatening manner through the tough times of adolescence. That person can be a a "counselor"/Therapist, Clergy, coach, scout leader, or even parents.

I think the kids that ket in the most problems are ones that either don't have the appropriate guidance.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I disagree. What will your kid have to give up to make time for this, and perhaps that fun activity was more therapeutic?

My son's therapist (who he saw after we faced some serious illness within the family) talked to me a whole lot about my son and how kids process things. Sometimes they do so best by NOT PROCESSING UNTIL READY.

THIS. Therapy is not for everyone. It's only beneficial if the person in therapy is willing to be honest, forthcoming, and introspective. If the patient is not interested in being there, then therapy is pointless.

... And for what it's worth, after a few visits getting to know my son, she concluded he did not need therapy, handed us her card and said we were always welcome back should circumstances change.

So, it isn't just whether the patient is interested and willing Sometimes it is just unnecessary or not a time where the talking will achieve anything.

Same here but the therapist she said she wished more parents checked in to see if it is needed until waiting until a child has gone off the rails and then they need a year or more of therapy instead of a few check in meetings.

I think it's often more beneficial for the parents to see the therapist instead of the child. The parents need the skills to help the child and have the power in the household to implement change.

Definitely

absolutely not.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I disagree. What will your kid have to give up to make time for this, and perhaps that fun activity was more therapeutic?

My son's therapist (who he saw after we faced some serious illness within the family) talked to me a whole lot about my son and how kids process things. Sometimes they do so best by NOT PROCESSING UNTIL READY.

THIS. Therapy is not for everyone. It's only beneficial if the person in therapy is willing to be honest, forthcoming, and introspective. If the patient is not interested in being there, then therapy is pointless.

... And for what it's worth, after a few visits getting to know my son, she concluded he did not need therapy, handed us her card and said we were always welcome back should circumstances change.

So, it isn't just whether the patient is interested and willing Sometimes it is just unnecessary or not a time where the talking will achieve anything.

Anonymous wrote:I disagree. What will your kid have to give up to make time for this, and perhaps that fun activity was more therapeutic?

My son's therapist (who he saw after we faced some serious illness within the family) talked to me a whole lot about my son and how kids process things. Sometimes they do so best by NOT PROCESSING UNTIL READY.

THIS. Therapy is not for everyone. It's only beneficial if the person in therapy is willing to be honest, forthcoming, and introspective. If the patient is not interested in being there, then therapy is pointless.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Disagree. I would have been really angry had my parents insist that I see a counselor for no reason. It would have been counterproductive to whatever they were trying to do.

You seem to have anger issues.

I don't at all. But I would have been really resentful that my parents made me do that when there was no reason for it. Too much navel gazing isn't good for everyone.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I disagree. I don't think all teens need a counselor.

I didn't say NEED. I said could benefit from.

PP here. I still disagree.

Why?

Because sometimes what you most need is introspection on one's own. Sometimes it isn't time to "fix" whatever it is.

I disagree. What will your kid have to give up to make time for this, and perhaps that fun activity was more therapeutic?

My son's therapist (who he saw after we faced some serious illness within the family) talked to me a whole lot about my son and how kids process things. Sometimes they do so best by NOT PROCESSING UNTIL READY.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree. Every person on this planet could benefit from seeing a therapist.

+1
People on this thread that are so insistent that this is the case are part of the problem. They firmly believe that seeing a therapist/counselor/attending a group or anything else related to mental health = bad.
Why is it "bad" to proactively take care of your mental well-being? Everyone agrees that regular exercise is healthy. It's so frustrating to me that people are so resistant to the idea of taking care of mental health as well.

Well said. Taking care of mental health is important.

Anonymous wrote:Disagree. I would have been really angry had my parents insist that I see a counselor for no reason. It would have been counterproductive to whatever they were trying to do.

You seem to have anger issues.