What Every Parent Should Know Before Working With a Child Therapist

Starting therapy for your child is not significantly different from venturing into an unfamiliar, uncharted territory, wondering what might come at you. It’s a poignant step in supporting their emotional and mental health, and it’s natural to have questions or concerns about the process and how a child therapist might help.

The great thing about working with a child therapist is that it’s a tried and tested collaborative effort between the therapist, your child, and you as a parent. The goal is to help your child feel safe, heard, and understood while also providing them with tools to navigate life’s challenges.

In case you’ve been wondering what to expect once you start working with a child therapist, let’s clear up some wrong ideas you might have about what therapy means for both you and your child.

It’s important to separate fact from fiction to make an informed decision.

Common Myths About Child Therapy

Myth 1: Therapy is only for kids with serious problems

One of the biggest myths is that therapy is reserved for children facing major issues, like trauma or behavioral disorders. While therapy is certainly helpful in such cases, it’s also beneficial for a wide range of challenges that children face, like grief and managing school stress. Therapy is also helpful to equip your child with skills for emotional growth, and can help children develop social skills and build resilience.

Myth 2: Kids will eventually outgrow their issues

It may be true that children are adaptable, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need support. In fact, early intervention is the best way to prevent smaller struggles from becoming larger ones later on.

Myth 3: Therapy sessions are just about playing anyway

If you’ve ever seen a therapist’s office filled with toys, you might have wondered what they’re there for. Many parents assume that these toys are just for play, but in reality, they serve a therapeutic purpose. Play is a language for kids that allows them to express their thoughts and feelings in ways they might not be able to with words.

A Child Therapist uses play to observe how children react to different situations, helping them understand the child’s emotional state and what they’re struggling with.

Now, let’s talk a bit about some real-life situations where your child could benefit from professional support.

Why Your Child Might See a Child Therapist

Adjusting to a new school or home Moving to a new neighborhood or switching schools is a major adjustment for kids. Sometimes, a child needs extra help to work through lingering feelings of uncertainty or anxiety during transitions, teaching them ways to cope with change.

Building confidence and social skills Some kids struggle with social interactions or have trouble speaking up in group settings. Therapy is great for developing confidence and boosting their communication skills, making it easier for them to connect with others.

Coping with family changes Big changes in the family, such as the arrival of a new sibling, a divorce, or a death, can leave kids feeling confused or overwhelmed. Counseling helps them process their emotions and adjust to the new family dynamic.

Managing academic stress School is stressful for many children. From pressure to perform well, difficulties with homework, or trouble with teachers and classmates, children could learn some healthy ways to handle school-related anxiety and pressure through counseling.

Dealing with bullying Bullying is, unfortunately, a common experience for many children. Therapy helps kids understand their feelings, build coping strategies, and develop the resilience needed to face difficult social situations.

Even if you think the issue your child is facing is small, therapy can still provide them with valuable tools for emotional growth and resilience.

What happens in a session with a child therapist?

If you’re also wondering what goes on in a therapy session, it’s important to understand that the approach will vary depending on your child’s age and personality and the therapist’s style.

Here’s a general breakdown of what you might expect:

Younger Children

Smaller kids usually do well if a play-based approach to therapy is used. Those sessions might involve activities like drawing, playing with toys, or role-playing.

While these activities may seem simple, they’re also a way for the therapist to observe how your child processes emotions and handles challenges. For example, a child might act out a scenario with dolls or action figures, which gives the therapist valuable insights into how they view certain situations.

Older Children

As kids get older, therapy generally involves more direct conversations. They get to talk about their feelings, discuss challenges they’re facing, and work on problem-solving methods. The therapist may use role-playing, journaling, or other activities to help children express themselves and learn coping skills.

The Parent

After a session, the therapist shares updates on your child’s progress and offers suggestions for how you can reinforce what’s been worked on in therapy at home. Your involvement is crucial because it helps create consistency and reinforces the skills your child is learning in therapy.

As a parent, your involvement is essential to the success of therapy. There are some ways you can also play an active and helpful role in the process.

How You Can Help Your Child as a Parent

Share your insights You know your child better than anyone, so your observations are incredibly valuable. If you’ve noticed any changes in behavior at home or if your child is struggling with something, sharing this information with the therapist will help them tailor their approach to your child’s specific needs.

Support therapy goals at home Therapists tell parents which activities or exercises to work on with their children at home. This could be anything from practicing deep breathing for anxiety to playing a communication game. By listening to them and doing these things at home, you’re helping your child build on the skills they’re learning in therapy.

Being patient and encouraging Building trust with your child is key to the success of therapy as your child works through their feelings. Encourage them to talk openly and let them know that it’s okay to feel how they’re feeling. Your support gives them a safe environment where your child feels comfortable expressing themselves.

Professionals don’t always use the same types of therapy on kids. Each one chooses their own out of many different approaches to treatment that you could consider trying for your child.

Different Types of Child Therapy Approaches

• Play therapy will mainly focus on using play as a way to communicate and process emotions. The therapist observes your child’s play to gain insight into their thoughts and feelings.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy, which mostly uses role-playing, relaxation techniques, and exercises to help kids manage anxiety or depression, is meant to help them recognize and change negative thought patterns.
• Family therapy is where parents, children, and sometimes siblings work together to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen relationships.
• Parent-child interaction therapy is all about improving the relationship between parent and child. Parents receive coaching on how to manage the way a child behaves in a more positive and constructive way.

Therapy doesn’t end when you leave the therapist’s office. There are plenty of fun activities you can do at home to help reinforce what your child is learning in therapy.

Fun Ways to Support Your Child’s Therapy

• Create a “feelings jar” where each family member can write down how they’re feeling.
• Start a gratitude journal as a family to celebrate the positive moments.
• Use games like charades to practice expressing emotions.
• Engage in spiritual practices together, such as prayer, reading Scripture, or serving your church and community together.
• Set aside a special daily connection time to bond with your child. If you’ve been hesitant about therapy, we hope this article has helped you see the benefits of working with a child therapist. Whether your child is struggling with a big mental health issue or just needs some extra emotional support, therapy is a good place to start.

Starting therapy is a positive step toward helping your child thrive. There are many skilled child counselors on this site ready to help. Take the first step today and give your child the support they deserve.