Have you considered in-home therapy for your child? Are you interested in learning more about the available in-home therapy options for you and your child? We can help.
Are you driving to therapy appointments only to find out that your child refuses to participate? If so, traditional therapy may not be the best approach for your child.
In-home therapy services may offer you and your child potential benefits in a more comfortable setting.
What is In-Home Therapy?
In-home therapy services are sessions that take place at the patient’s home instead of a traditional office. This type of therapy can be beneficial for individuals who face barriers to attending traditional therapy, such as disabilities, transportation issues, or other unique circumstances.
Good Therapy provides articles and resources on in-home therapy.
Aside from therapy services, some agencies also offer additional in-home support services such as parent coaching, skills training, case management, attendant care, or crisis intervention support.
For parents who face barriers to receiving traditional office-provided services, in-home supportive services can be a lifesaver.
Benefits of In-Home Therapy
Receiving services for months or years can be stressful. In-home therapy provides convenience and comfort.
In our family, Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) is a primary area of treatment planning. Our children with RAD exhibit more intense symptoms at home. In-home services allow professionals to view behaviors in and outside of the family home.
As a parent with multiple children, it’s crucial for me to have providers observe my family’s dynamic and behavior in real-world situations. Even in a two-parent household, it’s often challenging to ensure the safety of the entire family when one child is having a tantrum. We’ve discovered that in-home services provide professionals with the opportunity to develop practical plans to help us cope with these situations.
Having professionals in your home observing your family requires trust. It is equally important to have the right in-home professionals working with you and your family.
You can find in-home therapists in your area at Psychology Today.
Is In-Home Therapy Right for Your Child?
In-home therapy can help address behavioral issues, anxiety, depression and improve family dynamics.
While in-home services may not be for everyone, it could fit some families well. In cases where children are resistant to traditional therapy they may respond to a provider in their home.
Families with logistical barriers to treatment, such as transportation, may also benefit from in-home therapy.
Children with severe disabilities may also have difficulty attending in office therapy services. In-home services can provide support to the family that would otherwise be unavailable.
Some states offer specialized teams who work alongside parents in an attempt to keep the child placed in the home. These teams can provide needed supports to families who are struggling to keep a child out of residential treatment or other hospitalizations.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides resources for families seeking mental health support.
How to Find an In-Home Therapist
Referrals to finding in home services can come from many providers. Possible referrals for an in-home therapist:
- Pediatrician
- Current Therapist
- School Counselor
- Your Community Mental Health Provider
- Online Directories
- Insurance Covered Provider List
- Parents as Teachers Groups
- Local Parent Support Groups
- Online Discussion Boards
Not all therapists advertise their ability to provide in-home services. It never hurts to ask a provider if they can do sessions at home, even if it is on an occasional basis.
Potential Challenges of In-Home Therapy
There are advantages to receiving services in the comfort of your own home, but there can also be some challenges. Inviting professionals into your home means sacrificing some of your privacy and that of your family members.
It’s crucial to convey the importance of family involvement when a provider works in your home. Not all of our children must participate in every in-home session, and each has their own providers. We put the onus on the team of professionals to communicate the family’s strengths and needs. It’s helpful to be upfront about each child in our home being responsible for their healing and not their siblings’ progress.
If you’re uncomfortable receiving personalized feedback on parenting and family dynamics, in-home services may not be the best fit for you.
While in-home services can be challenging, they can also be a resource for some families. Although inviting professionals into your home requires a strong therapeutic rapport, it can also provide much-needed support.
More Helpful Posts for You:
Best Residential Treatment for Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) Treatment Centers – Listing by State
Help for Parents Whose Child Needs Residential Treatment
Click here for a free PDF printable checklist of the 7 steps to take when your child needs residential treatment.
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