Finding the Right Therapist

There are numerous reasons why a parent might decide to seek therapy for their child. Some might have received a referral from the pediatrician, while other parents noticed their child doesn't seem to have the same skills as other children. Whatever the reason may be, finding a therapist that is the right fit for your child and your family is an important step in supporting your child’s overall development. 

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Regardless of your reasoning for pursuing therapy services for your child, finding the therapist isn’t always an easy decision. Here are a few things to take into consideration:

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WHAT ARE YOUR CONCERNS?

The first step in selecting a therapist starts with identifying your areas of concern and the type of therapist that would best address those concerns. Speech therapists not only work on speech and language delays, but they can also address other areas such as social communication/social pragmatics, oral motor or feeding issues, and cognitive-communication. Speech therapists can treat a wide range of disorders and ages.

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Occupational therapists work on fine motor skills that a child might need to complete activities of daily living (such as feeding or dressing), writing or manipulating small objects for play. They might also help children to learn how to respond to a sensory rich environment. On the other hand, a physical therapist treats gross motor delays or delays in independent movement. This means they will work primarily on skills that use large muscle groups, such as walking, running, jumping, balancing, and catching/throwing. Their overall goal is to have your child reach the highest level of independence as possible, given their age. 

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Distinguishing between these different types of therapies may seem overwhelming, particularly if your child is referred to more than one discipline. While there are some similarities, the scope of practice of each field differs. If you're having issues determining which discipline can best support your child, click here to schedule a free 15 minute consultation and let us guide you in the right direction.  

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FLEXIBILITY AND CONVENIENCE 

Trying to fit therapy into your already packed schedule can be a challenge. This is why finding a therapist that is right for you includes finding someone that is flexible and convenient in the services they offer. 

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For example, Benchmark Pediatrics is a mobile therapy service that comes directly to your home. No commute time required! Your child receives therapy at home, where they're most comfortable without the hassle of traveling. This allows you to participate more in the therapy while also saving time and it just might be an overall better fit for your schedule.

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Another factor that should be considered is the ease of setting up appointments. Do they have evening hours? Are they open on the weekends? Are they willing to work around your schedule? Scheduling and rescheduling appointments will become a part of your routine. If this is easy to do, then this suggests they have the staffing and flexibility to meet your needs. Remember…trying to schedule the support your child needs for development should not add more stress into your busy life. 

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PAYMENT OPTIONS

While cost may not be your main concern, it is still a factor that should be considered when selecting a therapist for your child. If you plan to use your insurance, you need to determine if the provider is considered in-network. How much is the copay? Is there a limit on the number of sessions? Do you have a deductible? 

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Recently, many families have opted to pursue private pay providers. Paying privately has numerous benefits that many individuals may not realize. Many families are choosing the private pay option because it allows them the freedom to pay for the services, they need rather than the services their insurance says they qualify for. Their therapy bill simply becomes another item to add to their monthly budget. Click here for our blog post on the benefits of pursuing private pay services. 

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FAMILY CENTERED

It is undeniable that one of the biggest factors determining a child’s success is family/parent involvement. Choose a therapist that is an effective communicator and allows parents to be active and meaningful participants in the therapy process. Your child’s therapist should not only be an excellent communicator, they should also be able to clearly explain the therapy process, set realistic expectations, provide regular progress updates, and be transparent about the outcomes of therapy. 

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INDIVIDUALIZED APPROACH

In an age where there are increasingly more and more restrictions placed on therapists by insurance carriers, many therapists are overworked and often end up seeing children in groups. This approach may work for some children, however, oftentimes the sessions become less personalized to the needs of your child. 

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A therapist should be tailoring each session to meet the specific and unique needs of your child. Each session should be planned and well thought out and the therapist should continue to apply evidenced based practices that have been shown to yield results. As your child progresses the session should also change in response to your child’s changing needs. 

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Selecting a therapist for your child can be an overwhelming process and this list is meant to provide you with a few factors to consider when deciding on the right therapist for your family. The goal is to select a therapist that genuinely cares about your child and makes them feel comfortable and confident. 

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