Mistreated: A Parent Guide to Understanding Mental Health Treatment for Kids

By Nikole Seals

There are more therapist today than ever before in history. And yet, the number of kids being diagnosed with mental health conditions has skyrocketed. Is the number of children with faulty brain chemistry really on the rise or are we seeing the side effects of over labeling and overmedicating today's youth?

As a parent, you are expected to make health and wellness decisions on your child's behalf. Which can be overwhelming under normal circumstances. But when your child is suffering, you feel a sense of desperation and a natural instinct to protect your kid. Under these circumstances, it's quite easy to succumb to fear and feel pressured into making decisions that don't feel quite right. You want to end your child's suffering but question if putting them on powerful, psychoactive drugs is your best and only option?

This guidebook provides parents and caregivers with the knowledge and tools they need to make confident and informed decision about mental health treatment for their kids.

Readers learn:

• How therapist and doctors make their diagnosis
• The benefits and risk of putting kids on medications
• What to do when you notice concerning behaviors or symptoms
• How to choose the right kind of mental health professional, what to ask, and how to know it's a good match for their kid
• How to advocate for their child with less fear and more confidence
• Alternative treatment options for restoring their child's health and wellness

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nourished Minds
• Release date: Oct 28, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393279747

Nikole Seals

Nikole Seals has worked in the field of family counseling and social services for over twenty years. She has extensive knowledge and work experience in the areas of child welfare, juvenile and family court, individual and group therapy, addiction counseling, health education, family advocacy, and personal development.  Having the opportunity to work with hundreds of clients, she discovered that many people were being misinformed and misguided in getting the help they desperately needed. To fill that gap in services, Nikole launched NourishedMinds.com, an online resource for individuals and families providing specialized family services and empowerment tools. Nikole holds a master’s Degree in Social Work, a Bachelor of Science in Child Development, and has an additional three years of advanced studies in the field of holistic health. She is a popular public speaker and author of the essential guide for parents, Empowered Parenting.

Book preview

Mistreated:

A Parent Guide to Understanding

Mental Health Treatment for Kids

Copyright © 2019 Nikole Seals

All content is protected by copyright under the United States and foreign laws. All content remains the property of Nourished Minds and its licensors. Any use of the content not expressly permitted by these terms and conditions is a breach of these Terms and Conditions and may violate copyright, trademark, and/or other laws. Content and features are subject to change or termination without notice at the discretion of Nourished Minds. All rights whether expressed or not are reserved by Nourished Minds and its licensors.

Mistreated:

A Parent Guide to Understanding Mental Health Treatment for Kids

First Printing: 2017

Publication number: NM00173

Cover Photo: Pixabay and Graphics: Canva

Published and distributed in the United States by Nourished Minds

www.NourishedMinds.com

This quick guidebook was written for educational and informational purposes only. Suggestions and recommendations in this book are not intended to diagnose, prescribe, treat, or cure any disease or medical condition and are not to be used as a substitute for regular medical care. Any and all recommendations and advisements made by the author are not intended as treatment or prescription for any disease or medical condition and use or application of said advisement and information is done so at the reader’s own risk. Readers of this guide should consult with a qualified physician or health care provider prior to the implementation of any recommendation.

Table of Contents

Introduction

CH. 1- Mental Health Treatment: More Art Than Science

CH. 2 - The Truth About Medications

CH. 3 - The Risks No One Tells You About

CH. 4 - How to Advocate for Your Child’s Treatment

CH. 5 - How to Find the Right Mental Health Professional

CH. 6 - Alternative Treatment Options

Ch. 7 - Helpful Resources

Introduction

GENERALLY, MY WORKDAYS were quiet aside from the monotonous hum of the air conditioning and daily meetings with staff and clients. But all that changed when the clock struck three.

You could hear their screams before the school bus even had a chance to grind its way into first gear and roll out the driveway. A quick click of the security locks on the front door, and then the entire facility would be filled with a symphony of high-pitched shrieking, skidding sneakers, and the thud of backpacks being flung down the hallway. It was madness, and for some strange reason, I loved it.

Back then, I was the manager of a residential treatment program that