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Counseling 101: How do I get my teen to go to therapy?
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Often times, parents are more concerned about their teen’s behavior than their teen may be. This creates a conflict when you believe your adolescent may benefit from professional counseling, however, your teen does not think that he/she has “a problem.” There may be a variety of reasons why your teen refuses to come to therapy: from stigma, to defiance, to lacking insight into how their behavior is affecting themselves or others.
It is helpful to validate your teen’s concerns about coming to therapy. Talk with your teen about what he/she thinks therapy is, educate your teen where he/she may be lacking knowledge, let your teen know what is fact vs. myth. If you have been in counseling yourself and you feel comfortable disclosing this to your adolescent, it may be helpful to let him/her know what the process was like for you, and if you found it helpful. See if your teen may be willing to "give it a try," and that he/she doesn't need to make a long-term commitment.
Let your adolescent know why you are concerned. Help your teen understand that you want him/her to get help, and therapy is not a punishment for anything he/she has done, but rather you believe in your teen's ability to make positive changes and improve his/her behavior.
Lastly, remember that you are the parent. Setting boundaries and limits is very important to your adolescent’s development and crucial to his/her future success. If you have a concern about your teen that you feel you cannot manage on your own, it is extremely important to seek professional help, whether it is for yourself or your teen.
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