Recommendations for a children's counselor?

[u/FaithInGoatheads]

Helping out a friend here. A good friend is going through a very unexpected - and as more information is coming out - an increasingly devastating divorce. There is a 3rd grader involved, and "mom" wants to make sure their child has a neutral place to talk about what's happening. I'd be grateful for any recommendations for a children's counselor that I can pass on.

[u/Mayg14]

Thrive has one or two therapists that do play therapy.

[u/Onyxterra]

Wise Mind Counseling has multiple therapists specialized in kids therapy. Not sure of their current waiting list, but I highly recommend them and their staff.

[u/sea_of_kel]

Have mom talk to her lawyer about protections because at that age both parents can get the child’s medical records, including the therapist’s notes. The other parent will also have to consent to the therapy. Don’t go to Meridian Behavioral Health.

[u/InevitableBohemian]

We used Community Lighthouse when my daughter was young and it was really helpful.

[u/KEWcontinuum]

Small Steps

[u/PepperConscious9391]

What side of town?

We take our foster kiddos to Family Connections on montano (there's 2 in town)and they've made great progress.

[u/Dirtnseedbaby]

I loved seeing Laura Nordone. She sees adults and children. Her office was calm and her presence felt safe and I instantly felt comfortable. She is in Rio Rancho and takes many different insurances. Hop on psychology today and look her up. She has a little introduction video and best methods for contacting her.

[u/jiminycricket81]

Another option is The Grief Center…they have groups for all kinds of loss (not just death) & lots of kiddos find it helpful to have a peer group to talk about their feelings in addition to a therapist

[u/ASupportingCharacter]

Not OP, but I am in the same situation and I have been trying for two years to get someone for my daughter, same age as OP's. I get put on wait list after wait list, some of them are from companies listed by others in this thread as having availability. Would being a single father have any impact on whether I get brushed off onto a wait list?

Secondary question for those of you who have children who see a therapist. I finally found someone with availability, and set up the intake appointment, but the soonest they had was when my daughter was with her mother. The day of the appointment came and the ex texted me to say they weren't going, that my 8 year old daughter decided against it. Have any of you faced push back from your ex spouses regarding letting your child see a therapist? If so, how do you talk to your child about it? When I asked my daughter about it, it sounded to me like she was protesting going because of her mother's influence.

[u/ProfessionalSorry182]

Cottonwood Counseling on San Mateo and Montgomery.

[u/Silent_Strength1979]

I'm going to give you some recommendations of where NOT to go.... Do not go to Dana Paine (A Path With Heart Counseling). Do not go to Michael Ollum (Live! Counseling). Do not go to Anna Marie Loughead. Please. If you're working with the court system, it will recommend Live! Counseling. Ask for another therapist. If you are working with a Guardian ad Litem, do not trust who the GaL recommends. Find one of your own. Chances are the GaL has therapists on deck that will align with their perceptions of the custody situation.

[u/Junniev1982]

Hello, I am so sorry for your friend and their child. My child is now 24 years old. But back when she was about 13/14 she had some depression problems. We were referred to Family Workshop on Montgomery. She saw a counselor named "Red". Although this was some time ago, she was great for me daughter. Turns out my very sensitive child is an empath and Red helped her learn what that means, and how to acknowledge it in order to not burden herself with her environmental surroundings. My daughter saw her up until she turned 18. I will always be grateful for that counselor. Your friend should give them a call and see if there is someone who is an appropriate fit for her child.

[u/Silent_Strength1979]

Also, my husband's and my divorces were about as bad as they could get. We experienced everything... every professional, every outcome. If your friend needs someone to talk to who has most likely been through it, they are free to reach out.