Question:
My daughter exhibits almost all of your warning signs. She is going to a Christian therapist an has been on a very low dosage of Prozac---haven't seen alot of difference. The therapy---yes, i agree it helps.Some changes, but not a lot. She's been going to a therapist since around Thanksgiving. what do you suggest?Answer:
ParentingTeensOnline expert Dr. Michael Schwartzman is a family therapist in New York City and the co-author of "The Anxious Parent". He answers:
Your question raises, for all of us, the issue of how to tell if your child is getting better while in psychotherapy. And, how do you know whether it is the medication or the talk that is making the difference? The most straightforward way of figuring out the answer to these questions is to ask for a meeting with your child's therapist. If your child is below 18 and you are raising your child in your home, you have a right to direct information from your child's therapist just as you do from their pediatrician, teacher, dentist etc. Although the therapist will keep confidential what your child says, they should give you a sense of what the issues are and how you child is doing with them. Certainly the therapist will be able to offer you guidance on issues that you bring up, and you should feel free to bring up issues that you are aware of in your child's life. Similarly, you should be able to ask specifically about the Prozac and the pros and cons of it for your daughter. You are also entitled to know about your child's goals in therapy and the therapist's opinions about how and when your child will achieve those goals, or what impedes that process. Prognosis is something you can ask about. It is also a good time to ask the therapist for ideas on how you may be encouraging or interfering with her growth, and changes you might make to support your child's efforts.