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What To Look For In A Psychologist

What To Look For In A Psychologist

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5 Tips for Finding a Psychologist Near You

What to Look for In a Psychologist in Maryland

If you, your child, or your family struggles with emotional, mental, or behavioral difficulties, you may be looking for a psychologist near you who can help. With so many different types of therapies and counseling available, it may feel intimidating to find the right psychologist for your needs.

When choosing a psychologist, therapist, or counselor, here are some things to look for:

1. Find a psychologist experienced in your specific needs.

Make sure you are looking for a psychologist who specializes or has experience in your particular area of concern. For example, if your child is struggling with behavioral issues, look for a psychologist who is experienced in addressing behavior modification and working with children.

2. Find a licensed psychologist.

When looking for a psychologist in Maryland for yourself or your family, make sure he or she is licensed in Maryland. Not all counselors are licensed, but a professional license ensures that a psychologist has received specific training. You can check the Maryland licensure boards to confirm that a psychologist is licensed, and you can also find out whether the board has ever taken any action against that psychologist for an ethical violation.

3. Look for the psychologist’s payment options.

Whether you have private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or no insurance, be sure to look for a psychologist who can accommodate your payment needs. Contact your insurance provider before your first appointment to learn what is and is not covered.

4. Look for a psychologist who will provide a treatment plan.

You should find a psychologist who is willing to help create a detailed treatment plan for approaching your specific problems. This should include what the psychologist will do, how the treatment will specifically address the identified issues, and how to know that you are making progress.

5. Find a psychologist you trust.

More than anything else, you should be able to trust and feel comfortable with the psychologist you choose. Once you find a psychologist you may be interested in seeing, contact them to find out if you can get a consultation or otherwise ask questions and find out more about them and how you feel around them. The psychologist you choose should be sincere and confident in their ability to help you, and make you feel comfortable with being honest without fear of judgment.

Find a qualified psychologist in Maryland

Advanced Behavioral Health in Maryland offers counseling to help you and your family address a variety of emotional, behavioral, and psychological problems. We have a team of highly experienced psychiatrists, psychologists, and nurse practitioners who offer a range of psychiatric treatments based on your specific needs.

Our licensed therapists can conduct an evaluation in your home to identify the specific problems that need to be addressed. After the evaluation, we will help create a treatment plan with specific goals and steps for managing these problems. Our licensed counselors meet with you and your family once or twice a week to help build a comfortable relationship and actively work on your family’s specific concerns.

While our clinic-based therapists provide traditional counseling at our clinic locations, our licensed therapists also provide off-site counseling services in your home, community, or your children’s school. This way, you have access to counseling and therapy in a safe, comforting, and convenient environment.

Contact Advanced Behavioral Health today to learn more about our services and how we can help you and your family.

When you think of the well-being of a child, you first think of basic needs: food, water, and shelter. Once these needs are met, however, it’s crucial for a child to have emotional and social wellness as well. In this article, we will explore the impact social wellness has on the overall health of a child and great ways for children to garner social support in their lives.

It comes as no surprise that as human beings, we all need connection with others, no matter what stage of life we are in. In fact, having social support is a social determinant of health (SDOH) that significantly impacts the health of an individual. After spending the last few years in and out of isolation due to the Covid-19 outbreak, social support is more important now than ever before. Having social support means having family members and friends you can talk to and seek advice from when life feels challenging and overwhelming. Knowing you’re not alone in your life journey, especially as a child, creates a sense of belonging and empowerment throughout one’s life.

4 Types of Social Support

Emotional Support. This type of support lets you know that people care about you and have empathy for your experiences. Emotional support often looks like people checking in on you to let you know they’re thinking of you, and that they are there if you need anything. As a parent, make sure your child knows you can be a sounding board for them. If you have family members who can also show up for your children in this way, even better!

Practical Help. This type of support is when people give you something tangible or offer a service to help you out. This could be in the form of money, making food when you are sick, or helping to pack when moving. Having family and friends show up in this way shows your child what it looks like to be present for people you love.

Sharing Points of View. This type of support can often come in the form of affirmations and encouragement. For example, pointing out your child’s strengths to them and reminding them they can do anything they put their mind to. It can also look like sharing another perspective if they are being hard on themselves. For example, if they are angry with themselves after receiving a bad grade on a test, you can help them see it as a learning experience and a way for them to grow.

Sharing Information. This type of support is when someone shares what they’ve learned from their own life experiences. For example, if another parent has a child who struggles with socializing, they can share some tips and tricks they’ve learned to help their child find and create social support.

The Importance of Social Groups and Extended Support

Children who are connected to their family, friends, and people in their community have opportunities to learn how to speak, share, and get along with others. When your child feels connected to people in your neighborhood, it often allows them to feel physically safe which can alleviate stress and worry. Simply riding bikes, going on walks, and saying hello to neighbors with your kids can create this sense of security for them.

In addition to engaging with your neighbors, getting involved in local organizations can also create social support for your child. Signing up for a sports team, musical theater, art class or summer camp are all great ways to help your child meet new friends and learn important social skills that can carry them through their lives.

Tips for Helping Kids Make Community Connections:

Spend time outside in your neighborhood playing on the playground, going to a local farmer’s market, or scheduling a playdate with neighborhood kids.

Show your kids that connection is a two-way street. If your neighbors or friends go out of town, offer to get their mail, or water their plants and take your child with you when you go. This will show your child how you show up for people you care about.

Make sure you make time for socializing with friends as well. Your child looks to you first and foremost for how they should act and live their own life.

Encourage your child to step out of their comfort zone and do something they may be scared to do. As a parent, it’s your job to push them into something social for their own well-being at times.