Key Takeaways

• The intake session is the child’s first meeting with the therapist.

•  It helps the therapist gather key information about the child and their concerns, build rapport, explain their approach, and develop a treatment plan.

• The child therapy intake session typically involves completing paperwork, interviewing the parents, observing the child, setting goals, and planning the next steps.

It’s time for your child’s first therapy session. It’s a big step, but it’s normal to have some doubts and fears.

This article breaks down what happens in a child therapy intake session and how to support your child through it.

What Is a Therapy Intake Session? 

The intake session is the first meeting with a therapist. It helps the child and therapist get to know each other and see if they’re a good match.

Purpose of the Intake Process 

The intake session helps the therapist gather key information about the child. It helps them understand their concerns so they can develop a treatment plan.

It’s also a chance for the therapist to explain their approach and set expectations about working with them.

Most importantly, it helps build a connection. This first meeting helps families decide if the therapist is the right fit for their child.

How Intake Sessions Help Tailor Therapy for the Child 

During the intake session, the therapist gathers important details about the child’s background like age, family history and dynamics, medical history, and reasons for referral. This helps the therapist set goals and tailor their approach to meet the child’s needs.

Steps in a Child Therapy Intake Session 

Intake sessions don’t follow a fixed structure. How they work depends on the therapist, their approach, and the type of therapy. That said, there are a few things you can typically expect.

Standardized Assessments and Questionnaires 

Before the session, most therapists will ask you to fill out intake paperwork.

This may include consent forms allowing your child to participate in therapy, privacy information, and questionnaires.

You may also receive information about billing, communication, and scheduling policies.

Parent Interview 

Typically, the therapist will meet with both the parents and the child. They’ll conduct a detailed interview to understand why the child is seeking therapy and the family’s goals for treatment.

Child Observation and Interaction 

In this first session, the therapist will observe how your child plays, communicates, and interacts.

This helps identify any social, emotional, or behavioral challenges your child might be experiencing and guides the next steps in therapy.

Establishing Therapy Goals and Next Steps 

Once the therapist has all the necessary information about your child, they can outline the therapeutic goals.

At this stage, the therapist will help you look at where your child is now, and where you want to be, and break down the steps needed to get there.

How Parents Can Prepare for the Intake Session 

It’s normal for parents and children to feel anxious before the first therapy session.

Knowing what to expect can help ease some of those nerves.

Questions to Expect from the Therapist  

When preparing for your child’s intake session, it can be a good idea to anticipate the questions the therapist might ask. Some topics they may cover include:

• The child’s behavioral and emotional challenges

• The child’s medical history

• Pregnancy of the mother and early development of the child

• Previous experiences with mental health services

• Family dynamics or significant life changes (such as divorce, move, or loss)

• School performance and relationships

How to Talk to Your Child About the Session 

Starting therapy can feel scary for most children. Talking about it beforehand can help them feel more comfortable.

Be clear and kind when communicating with your child. Share your concerns and reassure them that there’s nothing to be embarrassed about.

If needed, use analogies to explain your point. For example, just like you see a dentist for a toothache, therapy helps with mental health challenges. The goal is to help them feel better.

Documents and Information to Bring 

You probably have a lot on your plate right now. Gathering the necessary documents ahead of time can make the intake process easier. Here’s what your provider may ask for:

• Insurance information - this includes your insurance card or proof of coverage, and social security number if the child is covered by Medicaid.

•  Custody information – requirements may vary by state, check with the organization what documents to bring.

• Proof of income – this could be a pay stub, social security check, or tax return.

• School records – this might include report cards or teacher notes.

• Medical history – this might include information about chronic illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, allergies, and developmental milestones.

What Happens After the Intake Session? 

At the end of the intake session, the therapist will likely explain the next steps and what to expect moving forward.

This is when the real therapeutic work begins, and the first results may start to show. 

Take this time to ask questions and address any concerns you have, including goals, your role in the process, and how they can support you along the way.

Developing a Therapy Plan 

By observing your child during the intake session and reviewing the information you provide, the therapist can diagnose and create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your child’s needs.

Scheduling Future Appointments 

As a parent, it’s important to collaborate with your child’s therapist to set clear goals. After that, you can schedule future appointments. 

The number and frequency of sessions will depend on your child’s needs, condition, and the type of therapy. The length of treatment may vary, but progress is usually noticeable after 12 to 16 sessions.

Parent and Therapist Communication Moving Forward 

Regular check-ins with your child’s therapist help you stay updated on their progress and any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan. 

Open, ongoing communication is essential for making therapy as effective as possible. 

You can expect the therapist to provide feedback on your child’s progress, offer opportunities to share insights on their behavior, and guide you on how to support your child in reinforcing positive changes.

Takeaway 

Starting therapy can be scary for some children. Knowing what to expect can help you support your child, boosting their confidence to face this experience.

The intake session is just the beginning of a journey toward positive change and emotional growth for your child.

Stay engaged, ask questions, and work closely with the therapist to ensure your child gets the support they need.

Sources

1- Hauber, K., & Boon, A. (2022). First-session therapeutic relationship and outcome in high risk adolescents intensive group psychotherapeutic programme. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 916888.

2- Srinath, S., Jacob, P., Sharma, E., & Gautam, A. (2019). Clinical practice guidelines for assessment of children and adolescents. Indian journal of psychiatry, 61(Suppl 2), 158-175.

3- Intake Assessment Forms. UC Davis Health. https://pcit.ucdavis.edu/forms/intake-assessment/

4- Jeon, M. H., & Myers, C. E. (2017). Triadic Model for Working with Parents in Child Therapy Settings. Journal of Education and Practice, 8(9), 5-12.

5- Patriarca, G. C., Pettit, J. W., & Silverman, W. K. (2022). Implementing cognitive-behavioral therapy in children and adolescents with anxiety disorders. Klinicheskaia i spetsial'naia psikhologiia= Clinical psychology and special education, 11(2), 108.