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Evidence-based Approaches

Mental Health Information for Parents, Caregivers, and Families Based on the Best Available Science

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When to Seek Help for Your Child

As a parent, it can be hard to know when your child’s behavior is just a part of growing up or a sign of a bigger issue. There are several things a child and adolescent mental health professional will look at to determine if a child or teen’s behaviors are problematic:

• Is the behavior more intense than it should be?
• Does the duration of the behavior continue after the situation has passed?
• Is the behavior typical for his/her age level?
• Is the behavior upsetting to your child or other family members?
• Does the behavior prevent your child from interacting with friends or performing well in school?
• Is the behavior inappropriate to the situation?
• Does the behavior happen for no obvious reason?
• Does your child avoid important social, school or family activities because of the behavior?

All children are different, and even the most typical child or teen may engage in “problematic” behaviors from time to time, especially when they are tired, stressed or sick. However, if your child or teen repeatedly engages in inappropriate or unwanted behaviors, consider meeting with a mental health professional.

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How do you know if therapy is working?  Once you have found a therapist you like and have started treatment, you may have questions about whether the therapy is working. It is imp [...]

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Find a clinical child and adolescent psychologist in your area.

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Advice for Selecting a Psychologist

Finding a therapist for your child can be confusing. We offer advice on how to find a therapist who is dedicated to using evidence-based therapy that will work for your child

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FAQ

Recent Questions

Recent Answers

Q

Should I be directly involved in my child’s therapy sessions?

A

Created on August 5, 2017. Last updated on March 31st, 2017 at 07:56 pm

How best to participate in a child’s therapy depends primarily on the child’s age, the nature of the problem, and whether research supports parental involvement in the type of treatment your child is receiving.  CLICK HERE to read more.

Q

What happens in therapy sessions?

A

Created on August 5, 2017. Last updated on March 31st, 2017 at 07:41 pm

What happens in a therapy session depends on the type of evidence-based therapy that the provider practices. Evidence-based therapies include non-drug treatments that have been proven through research to work effectively. CLICK HERE to read more.

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EffectiveChildTherapy.org is for informational purposes only. If you feel you need immediate intervention please dial 911, or call your local mental health center or mental health provider.



Partner Sites:

Evidence-based Services Committee of Hawaii