Family Road Map Guide

More About Behavioral Health
Providers
The organizations that give health and social services are often called providers.
Some providers have private practices that employ only one or a few staff
members. Some private behavioral health practices are attached to hospitals or
clinics. A larger organization that provides behavioral health services may be called
a CMHC (Community Mental Health Center), a CMHO Community Mental Health
Organization), or CMHA (Community Mental Health Agency). These organizations
may employ many psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, case managers, and
support staff.
Choosing Someone to Evaluate Your Child
A primary care provider may refer your child to a specific clinic, doctor or other
specialist. The school may suggest that you look for a specialist. Maybe you are
concerned about a problem and decide to look for help on your own. You may have
to pick someone from the list of providers in your insurance network. In any case,
the choice of a clinician is up to YOU.
How do you pick the right person? There are no simple answers. With some
types of insurance, you may not need a referral. Call the number on your insurance
card if you have questions about this. (See more about insurance in Guiding Star
Point 4, "Dealing with Treatment Bills and Benefits.")
Many parents are bothered by the thought of going to someone who will ask
them lots of personal questions. It’s easy to understand that feeling. This person
will ask a lot of questions about your family life. The way you and your child behave
toward one another will be observed. The evaluator forms an opinion of your situation
from the way you talk to your child, fill out forms, and answer questions.
Look for Clues, Trust Your Instincts
Remember that you also have the right to observe and evaluate the provider who
will work with your child. You are hiring that person to do a service for your child.
You are seeking help because you need to solve a problem. You can do that best
when you feel comfortable giving someone all the necessary information. That
means you need someone who knows how to listen. The best clinician will gather
the facts and not jump to conclusions. Even the most well-known or recommended
person in town may not be right for you or your child. You have to trust your gut instinct.
You must notice things, such as body language, that may hint about whether
the clinician and your child will get along. Some people like to bring a relative or
trusted friend along to the first appointment to get an independent view and have
someone to take notes on what was said.
Talking About
Therapists
In this book, the word “providers”
means people who
provide services.
"Clinician" means someone
who evaluates your child and
may later provide therapy.
The term “therapist”
usually refers to a psychologist
(PhD or PsyD), social
worker (LCSW), or licensed
counselor who provides “talk
therapy.”(Such therapy may
also involve other methods,
such as playing games or
doing activities with your
child.)
27