Your therapist is excited to partner with you and your child on this therapeutic journey. Intake sessions will typically be with the child or teen only, but you are welcome to accompany your child for a portion or all of that session. Following the initial intake session, your therapist will initiate a parent meeting. Before the first parent meeting, here’s some helpful information to set the stage for success:

How Therapy for Children and Teens is Different

Therapy often looks different for children and teens than it does for adults. Building trust and rapport may take longer due to:

• Limited ability to identify and express emotions
• Isolated behaviors away from the therapy room
• Hormonal changes impacting mood and behavior
• Resistance or uncertainty about asking for help

Therapy may include creative approaches like music, art, and play, which allow your child to explore their emotions and experiences in ways that feel natural to them.

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Tips for Supporting Your Child in Therapy

1. Seek Therapy for Yourself
As a parent it is difficult to see your child struggle. The challenges your child faces are often part of a larger family system, and there are many dynamics involved. Seeking therapy for yourself or attending parent consultations with your child’s therapist can help you process your emotions and feel more equipped to help your child. Let our team know if you need to be connected to a therapist; we can help.

2. Create a Therapy Ritual
Develop a predictable routine on therapy days to help your child emotionally transition before and after sessions. For example:

• Changing into comfortable “art clothes” if needed
• Having a snack and water ready before sessions, especially if coming from school
• Taking time to quietly prepare together

3. Communicate with Your Child’s Doctor
Let your child’s primary care doctor know they’re attending therapy. The doctor might recommend additional support, like considering or adjusting medications to complement the therapeutic process.

4. Build a Strong Parent-Child Bond
Strengthen your connection by dedicating time for intentional bonding. Try activities like:

• Cooking or baking together
• Watching a movie or playing a game
• Taking a walk or engaging in another shared hobby
• Reading a book aloud, or reading the same book simultaneously

5. Adjust Your Expectations
Therapy is a journey, not a quick fix. It’s natural to want to see immediate improvements, especially when your child is struggling. However, healing and growth take time. Reflecting on your expectations and approach can help you support your child in meaningful ways:

• Be Patient with Progress
  Understand that therapy focuses on helping your child build long-term skills and resilience, rather than quick behavioral changes. Progress may feel slow at times or take unexpected paths. Celebrate small victories, like your child opening up about their feelings or practicing a new coping strategy, even if larger changes take more time.
  
• Recognize the Layers of Growth
  Growth isn’t always linear. Your child may show progress in some areas while continuing to struggle in others. Therapy often uncovers deeper issues that need addressing before noticeable changes occur. Be prepared for moments where things seem to “get worse” before they get better, as this is often part of the healing process.
  
• Avoid Comparison
  Every child’s journey is unique. Resist the urge to compare your child’s progress to others, whether it’s friends, siblings, or even your own experiences. Therapy is tailored to meet your child’s specific needs, and their timeline will reflect that individuality.
  

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At times, your therapist may invite you into sessions, so we ask that you stay on-site during your child’s appointment. By partnering with your child’s therapist and staying actively involved, you’re fostering an environment where growth and healing are possible. 

During the first parent meeting, your therapist will gather family history, medication history and ask you about what brought you to therapy. Filling out the history tab in the patient portal will speed this information gathering up so that there is more time to talk about any problem areas and desires for treatment. This meeting will be more interview style than future parent sessions. 

Future parent sessions are scheduled quarterly at minimum. However, you may request check-ins at any time by emailing your therapist! There may be times we ask for your participation in sessions as well. Your support is greatly appreciated and we look forward to supporting your family!