Questions Parents and Caregivers Should Ask About Treatment

If your child or teen is receiving mental health treatment, the following questions are vital for you to ask.  This will ensure your child's needs are being met and all parties are on the same page.  No one can advocate for your child better than you can!!

• Does my child need additional assessment and/or testing (medical/psychological etc)?
• What are the recommended treatment options for my child?
• Why do you believe this form of treatment is indicated for my child? How does it compare to other programs or services which are available?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of the recommended treatment?
• *Does my child need medication? If so, what is the name of the medication that will be prescribed? How will it help my child? How long before I see improvement? What are the side effects which commonly occur with this medication? 
• What are the credentials and experience of the people treating my child?
• How frequently will treatment sessions occur?
• Will the treatment sessions occur with just my child or the entire family?
• How will I be involved in my child's treatment?
• How will we know if the treatment is working? What are some of the results I can expect to see?
• What should I do if the problems get worse?
• What are the arrangements if I need to reach you after-hours or in an emergency?
• As my child's problem improves, does this program provide less intensive/step-down treatment services? 
• How will the decision be made to discharge my child from treatment? 
• Once my child is discharged, how will it be decided what types of ongoing treatment will be necessary, how often, and for how long?

Source: American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), 2000.

*Please note: My personal clinical approach to the mental health treatment of children and adolescents is to include medication ONLY after consistent psychotherapy has been attempted.  I recommend in most cases, a child or teen begin with outpatient therapy prior to being considered for psychotropic medications.  If it is determined that my clients would benefit from a medication regime, I work closely with prescribing psychiatrist to promote accurate medication regimes.  It is my goal to help all my clients establish the necessary skills to function without medications following successful outpatient therapy. In the majority of the cases, this is a reality.  On occasion, it is in the best interest of the child or adolescent to remain on medication indefinitely.