Your Child's First Therapy Session
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Starting therapy can be a significant step forward for your child’s mental health and overall well-being. But it's natural for both of you to feel a mix of emotions about the first session. Understanding what to expect can help to reduce some of your anxieties and help you and your child feel more prepared.
Understanding the Importance of Therapy
Child therapy is designed to help children navigate emotional, behavioural, and developmental challenges. Whether your child is dealing with anxiety, depression, behavioural issues, or developmental delays, therapy provides a safe space to express feelings, learn coping strategies, and develop healthier behaviours.
Before the First Session: Preparation Tips for Parents
Have an Open Conversation: Talk to your child about why they are going to therapy in a way that is age-appropriate. Emphasise that therapy is a place where they can talk about their feelings and problems with a safe person who can help.
Choose the Right Time: Schedule the session at a time when your child is least likely to be tired or hungry. This ensures they are more likely to be receptive and engaged.
Complete Necessary Paperwork: Make sure you’ve completed all the required paperwork before you come along for your first appointment. At Harrison Child & Family Psychology, we send out your initial paperwork in a welcome email, shortly after you first schedule your appointment. Having this completed before you come in means your first appointment can get started smoothly and on time.
Prepare a List of Concerns: Write down specific issues or behaviours you’ve noticed that you want to address. This can help guide the conversation during the initial assessment.
Familiarise Your Child with the Process: Explain to your child what will happen during the session. You can say something like, “You’ll meet with someone who will talk to you and play some games to get to know you better.”
The First Session: What to Expect
The first therapy session is often called an intake or assessment session. This session sets the foundation for future therapy by establishing a rapport between the therapist and your child and gathering crucial information for treatment planning.
Introduction and Building Rapport: Your psychologist will start by introducing themselves and explaining their role including areas of confidentiality. Depending on the nature of the session (i.e., parent-only vs. whole family attending); your clinician will try to spend some time building rapport with your child through conversation, play, or other engaging activities. This helps your child feel comfortable and safe. It’s important to remember, that each child is different and sometimes a child may take a couple of sessions before they feel comfortable disclosing more personal information with your psychologist.
Parental Involvement: Depending on your child’s age, your clinician may spend some time talking with you alone to gather background information. They will ask about your child’s developmental history, family dynamics, and specific concerns you have.
Child’s Perspective: Your psychologist will spend one-on-one time with your child to understand their perspective. They may use various tools such as drawing, playing, or talking to help your child express their feelings.
Observation and Assessment: Your clinician will observe your child’s behaviour, emotional responses, and interaction style. They may also use standardised assessment tools to gather more information and to set a baseline on symptom severity prior to formal intervention. Your psychologist may continue to use these standardised assessment tools throughout the course of your child’s treatment so that they can assess the effectiveness of the treatment on your child’s presentations.
Discussion of Goals: Toward the end of the session, your clinician will discuss preliminary observations and potential therapy goals with you. This collaborative discussion ensures that everyone is on the same page regarding what the therapy will focus on and what type of therapeutic modalities may be used in course of your child’s treatment.
After the Session: Next Steps
Discuss the Experience: Talk to your child about how they felt during the session. Encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings about the therapist and the activities they did.
Follow Up: Your clinician will likely schedule follow-up sessions. Regular attendance is crucial for progress. Ensure you understand the frequency and duration of the recommended sessions.
Implement Strategies at Home: Your psychologist may provide strategies or exercises to practice at home. Consistency between therapy sessions can significantly enhance the effectiveness of the treatment.
Stay Involved: Maintain open communication with your clinician about your child’s progress. Your insights are valuable and can help tailor the therapy to better meet your child’s needs.
Addressing Common Concerns
Will My Child Like their Psychologist?
Building a therapeutic relationship takes time. It’s normal for children to take a few sessions to warm up to their psychologist. If concerns persist, discuss them with your clinician to find a solution.
What If My Child Doesn’t Want to Talk?
Therapists are trained to work with withdrawn or reluctant children. They use various techniques to engage and build trust. Non-verbal methods like play and art can also be effective.
How Long Will Therapy Last?
The duration of therapy varies depending on the child’s needs and the goals set. Some issues may be resolved in a few sessions, while others may require longer-term intervention.
Preparing for your child’s first therapy session involves understanding the process, setting the right expectations, and actively participating in the journey. Therapy is a collaborative effort between the clinician, the child, and the parents. By being informed and supportive, you can help make the experience positive and impactful for your child.
Taking this step demonstrates your commitment to your child’s mental health and well-being. With the right support, your child can develop the skills and resilience needed to navigate life’s challenges successfully.
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