One thing that can have anywhere from a minimal to a tremendous negative effect on relationships is miscommunication. Not knowing what one side is truly thinking or feeling can lead to us making high-impact decisions based on assumptions, which itself can be a risky act. And figuring out what that side is going through is not always easy, especially if the person on that side is different from us. This is to say that although it is already considerably complex and difficult to do this with a fellow adult, it is even harder to see from the other side’s point of view if the person on that side is a child.
Many of us tend to overlook this basic difference, assuming perhaps that we “can’t be THAT different”, but the reality is that our perspective itself is already significantly changed from theirs because of age and experience. A child’s mindset, expectations, and responses cannot be expected to be the same as an adult’s, nor should an average adult without training in the matter assume a capability to see things from the child’s perspective. The difference is underscored even further when the child in question is coping with a particular medical or psychological situation that widens that divide and/or gives them more to have to deal with.
This is why in cases that warrant it, working with a child psychiatrist Melbourne is often the best thing to do. But how does one choose a child psychiatrist?
- Credentials are a good place to start. Always make sure to start by verifying that the psychiatrist in question has a license to offer mental health treatment, and is board certified. If nothing else, this is a stamp of approval that qualifies them to offer these services.
- Furthermore, check to make sure they are trained to specialize in this type of mental health aid. Not all are specifically geared toward working with children and providing for their unique needs. For that matter, study your case, or get a professional opinion, and see what type of professional your case needs – a school psychologist, a counseling psychologist, or a clinical child psychologist.
- Look into their approach to treatment, or theoretical orientation. Make sure as well to look up this theoretical orientation and see if it focuses on factors that are relevant or influential with regard to your child’s case. Ethical standards prevent psychologists from offering therapy in an area where they do not have training, so it is best to make sure there is a match.
You can visit VCPS website to request an appointment with any of the practitioners, http://www.vcps.com.au/childteen-services