Providing therapy for kids and adolescents is something I look forward to everyday that I come into the office. Sadly, many therapists miss out on that opportunity. And, if many therapists are being open and honest, a part of the reason they turn away minors is because they don’t want to have to manage the parent(s) on the side. However, I find that just about every parent is great at letting me do my job as long as we establish the boundaries and expectations of their child being in Therapy with me. Many parents ask me, “What should I ask after session?” or “Should I say anything at all about the therapy?” It can be a helpless position–Investing money into the process and then having to be a bit in the dark for a stretch of time. The good news–you’ll eventually get feedback in regards to the case and we always begin the process with a parent meeting. But waiting for the feedback requires patience and trust. A parent needs to allow their child the time and space they need to let the therapeutic process take hold. Below, I have put forth some of the “Do’s” and “Don’t(s)” while your child is in Therapy. Certainly, these can be somewhat dependent on the case, but I find these to be pretty safe bets. To all the parents that work with me and trust me to do my job: Thank you!
Do’s:
1. Listen actively and empathetically when your child wants to talk about their therapy experience. You don’t always have to have the right thing to say, just being a listening ear is important.
2. Encourage open communication and provide a safe, non-judgmental space for your child to express their thoughts and feelings.
3. Respect their privacy and the confidentiality of their therapy sessions. Avoid pressuring them to share details they are not comfortable sharing. Trust that the therapist will tell you any important information that you need to know.
4. Be patient and understanding of their progress. Healing and growth can take time. Growth is also not linear, and setbacks are also a part of the process. As long as progress is generally being made, that is a positive outcome.
5. Support healthy habits and self-care practices that align with their therapeutic goals. The therapist may give your child “homework” to work on, like breathing exercises or grounding techniques. Be curious and participate in these activities with your child.
Don’ts:
1. Avoid being overly intrusive or prying about their therapy sessions. Let your child take the lead in sharing what they are comfortable sharing.
2. Refrain from passing judgment on the therapist or the therapeutic process, as this could undermine your child’s trust in the treatment.
3. Try not to make assumptions about their experience or pressure them to approach therapy in a way that doesn’t feel right for them.
4. Avoid dismissing their feelings or experiences, even if they may seem different from your own perspectives.
5. Refrain from making promises you can’t keep or offering unrealistic expectations about the outcome of therapy.
Remember that every child’s therapeutic journey is unique, and your support should reflect their individual needs and preferences. As always, please feel free to reach out to your therapist at Hope Heal Change Counseling to ask clarifying questions and to seek support. We are here for you and your child.
Kim