Seeking care for a teenager
You can request a consultation to discuss your concerns, your teenager’s age, and the kind of help you are looking for. Ask how Sarah assesses treatment fit and how your teenager can be included in the conversation.
Bring questions about confidentiality, consent, caregiver participation, and how information will be shared. These arrangements should be clear before treatment begins.
How family involvement is discussed
Sarah uses emotion-focused family therapy and family-based treatment-informed approaches among the methods available in her practice. The role of caregivers depends on the person’s age, goals, needs, and treatment plan.
Ask what family participation would look like in your situation. FBT-informed work does not by itself mean enrollment in a complete, structured FBT program. Explore the approaches.
Questions to bring to the consultation
- Is outpatient telehealth appropriate for the concerns we are seeing?
- How will my teenager participate in decisions about care?
- When might caregivers join a session?
- What should we expect around privacy and communication?
- Do we need a medical provider or dietitian involved?
- How would coordination with an existing treatment team work?
Supporting an adult loved one
If you are reaching out on behalf of a partner, adult child, or friend, ask about the process for involving that person and obtaining any necessary permission. A family inquiry does not establish a therapy relationship or give access to someone else’s private information.
Resources for the conversation
Explore when a teen is reluctant to try therapy and supportive conversations about eating concerns. These educational articles can help you prepare questions; individualized guidance comes from a clinician familiar with your situation.