What do you do when you’ve exhausted every last resource to help your child overcome an academic, mental, emotional or behavioral struggle? You turn to a therapeutic educational consultant, like Rae Guyer, who specializes in identifying the appropriate care and educational settings for children, adolescents and young adults. Therapeutic consultants share their extensive knowledge of the many therapeutic programs and schools around the country, and help with the navigation of a complex and emotional process.
One of the top concerns for parents when searching out a therapeutic program or school is the safety for their child. In fact, that worry keeps many parents from making a decision on treatment until they are on the brink of disaster. Rae helps relieve those fears.
I recently sat down with Rae for an interview about how she got into this line of work and how she brings comfort and hope to her clients.
How did you get into therapeutic educational consulting as a profession?
Rae: I have a child of my own that attended different treatment programs throughout his adolescence. Each program was necessary and I’m very thankful for them. And so is he. They were not a quick fix, but he came out on the other side and is thriving now. Everything he gained from each of the different programs were cumulative and stayed with him. Not only personally, but I watch over and over how good programs save kids and families.
Why do you want to help other parents?
Rae: It’s in my nature to be helpful. When you have a child who is struggling with something of which they can’t overcome on their own or with the help that we as parents have provided, it’s a level of grief like no other. Because I have lived through what I help other parents through, I’m able to show up for them with deep empathy, compassion and knowledge.
What is your step-by-step process of helping families?
Rae: I help parents go through the whole process, from beginning to end. First, we start with a discovery call. I don’t put a time limit on this call, because I think it is important to give parents the chance to tell their story without feeling rushed. I wouldn’t want to accept a client unless I’m 100% sure that I can give a very valuable service. In addition, they need to trust me. Families come to me in a crisis, and this is about their child — we don’t have time or resources to waste.
Depending on the struggling loved-one and the family, a course of action is recommended. Every child, every young adult, and every family is different, and with different needs. I not only recommend options, I help navigate through everything.
Why would someone choose to work with you to find a therapeutic program over a therapist or psychiatrist?
Rae: I am not a therapist or a psychiatrist, and do not diagnose a person. I listen to what the family shares, and use my extensive knowledge of different therapeutic educational programs to act as a liaison between the family and the program. Therapists do a lot of good and are necessary. They typically do not have the knowledge of programs that I have. I consistently travel around the country spending time at programs getting to know everything about them, including their clinical teams and owners.
What should parents know before hiring a Therapeutic Educational Consultant?
Rae: I am unbiased. I don’t work for anyone but the struggling loved one. I don’t receive any kind of referral fees from programs and schools. I suggest and simplify the very complicated process of choosing the best place for the child. I have a curated list of programs that excel at treating young ones while maintaining high quality standards. It would cost parents many years of time to do all the due-diligence that I’ve done and they don’t have the time because they are more than likely in a crisis.
How does a parent know when they need to seek help from a therapeutic program for their child?
Rae: My services would be helpful after parents feel that they have tried everything else and nothing has been working.
What can happen if a parent waits too long?
Rae: Well, the sooner the better for the kids’ sake. Parents often wait too long to get help because it’s scary to hand your child over to someone else. When parents stay in denial and fear, it only hurts their child.
What if a child refuses to go for treatment?
Rae: There is no one answer to this question. Usually it takes a period of time for kids to decide that they feel better at their new treatment program or school. In cases with substance use, it can take some time for the kid decide that they feel better at the program or school than how they felt on the substance.
Kids hardly ever want to go into a program, but once they get settled and feel safe, they learn that it’s okay to have struggles. They will usually use the tools they learn and grow to appreciate them.
We have to take care for our children until they can take care of themselves. That is our responsibility as a parent.
How can the parents justify the cost of hiring a consultant like you when they are already spending a lot of money for everything else?
Rae: Well, I invite you to visit my website, www.TherapeuticEC.com. On the page, Why Therapeutic Consulting, there is a long list of reasons to use a therapeutic consultant. A parent really can’t afford to not use a therapeutic consultant.
If You Are Looking For Help For a Struggling Child
If you are looking for help for a struggling loved one, reach out to Rae Guyer for a free discovery call here. If she’s not the right fit for your situation, she will direct you to an alternative source.