Would you send your teenage son to a female psychiatrist?

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Forum -> Parenting our children -> Our Challenging Children (gifted, ADHD, sensitive, defiant)

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amother

OP ↓

Wed, Sep 04 2024, 6:05 pm

My son needs to see a psychiatrist. He is 15.
The male one on staff is ridiculous to get an appointment with. They suggested a female.
Would you be comfortable having your son see one?
I am uncomfortable but it could just be my mishugas.

amother

DarkPurple

Wed, Sep 04 2024, 6:06 pm

amother OP wrote:

The question is would HE be uncomfortable. No sense in a therapist he's uncomfortable with. He's got to feel safe to talk and open up. I'd ask him if he's okay with it.

amother

Catmint

Wed, Sep 04 2024, 6:08 pm

Yes I would. Would you send your dd to a male?

amother

Green

Wed, Sep 04 2024, 6:11 pm

Female therapist ? No. Female psychiatrist whose primary interaction with him will be writing prescriptions after an evaluation? Yes if he has no male option available .

behappy2

Wed, Sep 04 2024, 6:27 pm

Yes, if my son was comfortable with it, especially a one time visit

amother

Mustard

Wed, Sep 04 2024, 6:33 pm

Preferably not
He may not be comfortable discussing every side effect or symptom
Hugs and hatzlocha

amother

Yellow

Wed, Sep 04 2024, 6:35 pm

amother Catmint wrote:

Yes I would. Would you send your dd to a male?

Nope

amother

Amber

Wed, Sep 04 2024, 6:40 pm

For meds only, yes
Any type of counseling, no

oneofakind

Wed, Sep 04 2024, 8:22 pm

I know many men and teenage boys who did. It's fine if the patient is fine with it.

amother

Snow

Wed, Sep 04 2024, 8:26 pm

Yes. My DS goes to a female, he’s 18. They talk about meds and physical and emotional symptoms . It’s not a therapy session where a strong emotional bond gets created . Also there is no physical examination . Until he was 18 I had to join him in most of the sessions anyway .

amother

↑ OP

Wed, Sep 04 2024, 9:20 pm

Thanks, I guess I will talk it over with my son and see what he thinks.

amother

Lawngreen

Wed, Sep 04 2024, 9:24 pm

I don't think it's a good idea at all. I wouldn't send my dd to a male either.

amother

Stonewash ↓

Wed, Sep 04 2024, 9:27 pm

amother Lawngreen wrote:

I don't think it's a good idea at all. I wouldn't send my dd to a male either.

Why not? I took my daughter to a male psychiatrist at 15, and he saved her life.
I would assume you would always be in the room with your child when seeing a psychiatrist. I don't think opposite gender is a problem.

Molly Weasley ↓

Thu, Sep 05 2024, 1:36 am

Echoing others, if it's just for a quick consultation, no difference than a regular pcp doctor's appointment, then it should be fine. But if it's going to be a regular occurrence, even if there's no real conversation, I would advise against it.

↑ Molly Weasley

Thu, Sep 05 2024, 1:37 am

amother OP wrote:

Thanks, I guess I will talk it over with my son and see what he thinks.

He may not be mature enough to make his own decisions. Whatever happens, hatzlacha.

amother

Clematis

Sat, Sep 07 2024, 10:23 pm

I would be ok , if my son is ok with it. You’d be in the room the whole time anyways and it’s a 3 month span in between visits usually

amother

↑ Stonewash

Sat, Sep 07 2024, 10:33 pm

I'm really surprised at some of the responses here. I would venture to suggest that unless someone has experience (whether with their child, spouse, or themselves) they should not respond.

Just to be clear - a psychiatrist is very different than a therapist. There is not alot of relationship going on. It's about getting a diagnosis and medication. I don't see why gender is an issue.

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