So you’ve decided to schedule a therapy session for your child. You are likely experiencing a range of emotions on their behalf, not to mention how you are coping yourself! Rest assured that your child’s counsellor will communicate and guide you and your child every step of the way. Even so, there are some important things for you to know to set yourself and your child up for success.
Every child will have unique concerns, and it’s always important to recognize the potential challenges in the process. Regardless of your child or family’s situation, however, there are some important things to consider that will position your child to get the most out of their treatment. This is what we wish every parent knew before their child starts therapy:
You have a role to play.
As a parent, you have a critical relationship with your child and play a huge role in their life. Be open to involving yourself in the therapeutic process, should a shift in your actions benefit the progress of your child. Think of it like a couples counselling session: there won’t be progress unless both people agree to work on the relationship. In the same way, clients in a family session benefit when children and parents alike are open to examining themselves. This often involves putting in some serious emotional work! Though the goal is to improve things for the child, family sessions often benefit everyone involved.
Your child will follow your lead.
If you are calm and confident leading to their first session with a psychologist, it will go a long way to settling anxieties your child may be experiencing. Normalizing therapy from a young age is an incredibly powerful tool to break the stigma that often surrounds it. Children with positive experiences early on will have a head start in seeking help later in life, if and when they need it. You can discuss therapy with any child at an age-appropriate level. This may be as simple as saying, “we are going to meet a nice grown-up who talks to kids about their feelings,” to young children.
Therapy is confidential.
Confidentiality is a key tenet of therapy. You can encourage your child to feel comfortable knowing their therapist will keep the things they share private, allowing them to explore their feelings in a safe place. Depending on their age and circumstances, your child may discuss things with a therapist that they are not yet ready to share with you. It may be difficult, but keeping the pressure off your child to share what they discussed can make a huge impact on their therapeutic journey. Try to be encouraging and open without forcing the issue. Of course, limits to confidentiality are also important to discuss, and the therapist will always communicate with you if this situation arises.
Therapy takes time.
We can’t expect behaviour or mood changes to happen overnight! Just like with adults, children need time to feel comfortable with their therapist, process what was brought up in session, and incorporate what they learn into everyday life. You can also be a huge help to this process by supporting your child as they attend therapy, encouraging without undue pressure, and making yourself available when they want to connect with you.
Therapy sessions are a safe space for children and families to heal and grow. It is completely normal for you and your child to feel some anxiety about their upcoming session. The actions and attitudes in this article can go a long way to easing those anxieties, and set up your family for getting the most out of therapy. Taking the first step is often the hardest part to seeking help, so give yourself some credit for how far you’ve already come!