Key Takeaways

• Recognize that patient confidentiality can complicate assessing the effectiveness of your child's therapist.

• A good child therapist communicates with parents while respecting the child's trust and confidentiality.

• Small shifts in your child's confidence at home and school and positive behavioral changes can indicate that therapy is working.

Deciding to send your child to therapy is an important step in getting them the mental health support they need.

However, it can also be confusing for parents.

Understanding your role in the therapeutic process and how to work together with your child's therapist can promote a better outcome.

Here, we'll discuss goal setting, how to talk about therapy with your child, and questions you should ask the therapist.

Questions to Ask Your Child's Therapist

Consider these questions to ask your child's therapist to learn more about how to best approach child therapy.

Questions on Role of the Therapist

The role of your child's therapist is to help them improve their behavior, navigate challenging situations and emotions and develop positive coping mechanisms.

As your child works through their feelings with their therapist, they become more resilient and strengthen their ability to deal with life's challenges.

Your child's therapist should also collaborate with you as a parent and provide you with the education, guidance and support needed to foster positive behavior at home.

Questions to Ask

• "What is your approach to therapy with children?"

• "How do you tailor therapy to my child's unique needs?"

• "What specific techniques or methods do you use?"

Questions on Goals for Child Therapy

During the first session, you may spend a lot of time discussing your observations and concerns for your child and any other issues that you feel should be addressed.

Many worried parents wonder how long treatment should take and when to expect progress. However, it's important to remain realistic about expectations. 

Therapy can be a gradual process, depending on the complexity of the issues.

Questions to Ask

• "How often should we meet?"

• "What is your treatment process like?"

• "How can we establish our long and short-term goals?"

It is also helpful to find out more about their experience working with children and treating the concerns your child may struggle with.

This will help you determine whether this provider may be the right fit early or if you should keep looking.

Questions on How to Discuss Therapy With Your Child 

If your child has never been to therapy, the first visit can feel overwhelming. Getting your child used to discussing their feelings can help normalize the process.

By openly expressing your own feelings and concerns, you show your child that therapy is not something to be embarrassed about.

In general, you should consider your child's age and developmental stage when talking about therapy. Some child therapists prefer to meet with caregivers before starting their sessions with the child.

If this is the case, you can ask them how to best prepare your child for their first appointment.

Questions to Ask

• "What's the best way to explain therapy to my child?"

• "How can I help them if they are nervous before their appointment?"

• "Is there anything specific I should tell my child to expect?"

An experienced therapist can offer helpful information to guide your discussions about counseling with your child.

Questions on How to Support Your Child at Home

Your child's therapy sessions don't simply end when their time is up at the office. Parents should also reinforce the skills they learn during therapy while at home.

As their guardian, you can help support your child's progress by encouraging them to practice these skills between sessions.

To provide effective support, you need to understand the therapy goals. Don't hesitate to ask your child's therapist to explain them in detail so you know exactly how to reinforce them.

Questions to Ask

• "How can I reinforce what my child is learning in therapy?"

• "Are there specific strategies or exercises we should practice at home?"

• "How can I help my child manage emotions and behaviors between sessions?"

Questions on Evaluating Therapy Outcomes

Once your child's therapy sessions are underway, it's natural for parents to question whether they're effective. Some ways to evaluate therapy outcomes include:

• Looking for positive changes in your child's behavior.

• Directly asking your child if they feel therapy is working.

• Asking your child's therapist if they think things are going well.

Having a frank, honest conversation with your child's therapist can be a good way to determine whether your child is progressing.

By occasionally checking in with your child and their therapist, you'll know whether things are heading in the right direction.

Questions to Ask

• "How do you assess whether therapy is effective for my child?"

• "What specific progress should I look for at home?"

• "How will we know when my child is ready to reduce or stop therapy?"

Questions Addressing Concerns and Challenges

If you believe your child isn't receiving what they need from therapy, don't hesitate to speak up.

If your child's therapist isn't open to modifying their approach or seems unresponsive to your feedback, consider making a change, particularly during the early stages of therapy. 

There is nothing wrong with telling your therapist you don't believe they're a good fit. Not all therapists work well with everyone, and that's okay.

By providing feedback, you are not only advocating for your child's mental health but also learning more about what may and may not work for your child's needs.

Questions to Ask

• "How will you handle resistance if my child is hesitant about therapy?"

• "What should I do if my child seems to regress or struggle more after starting therapy?"

• "How do I know if therapy is working for my child?"

Questions on Establishing Open Lines of Communication

Honest and open communication is vital throughout the therapeutic process.

Maintain an open line of dialogue and express any concerns or questions you have directly with the therapist.

While open communication is key, it's also important to remember not to overstep any boundaries. Avoid intruding on any sessions unless you've been invited into one.

Confidentiality is vital to foster an environment where your child feels safe enough to express their thoughts and feelings openly.

Questions to Ask

• "How often will we have check-ins about my child’s progress?"

• "What is the best way to communicate with you between sessions?"

• "Will I receive updates on what is being discussed in therapy?"

Questions on Involving Other Support Systems

In many cases, the best therapeutic outcomes occur when you involve other support systems in your child's care.

You may find it beneficial to consult your child's teacher regarding their classroom needs or to develop effective behavioral management plans for your child.

Additional support can be obtained through after-school programs, support groups for other caregivers and specialized services tailored to your child's needs.

Questions to Ask

• "How do you collaborate with teachers, school counselors, or other professionals?"

• "Should we inform my child’s school about their therapy?"

• "Can you provide guidance on how to talk to family members about my child’s therapy?"

Takeaway 

Parents play a very important role in supporting their children's mental health.

Our mission at Emora Health is to help families by connecting them with dedicated therapists who can improve the emotional well-being of children facing challenging situations.

To find the right therapist for your child, start your search here.