Questions to Ask Your Child’s Therapist
Has your child been struggling with behavioral issues, anxiety or depression? Talking to someone might help your child through a challenge they’re facing.
Being involved and knowing the right questions to ask a potential child psychologist can make a difference in how your child’s therapy sessions and experience may go. Whether you meet up virtually or in person, having an in-depth conversation about your worries or concerns can ensure the potential therapist will be a good match for your child.
Making the call to schedule a therapy appointment and find the right therapist could help your child develop coping skills and a way forward through whatever challenges they are facing.
Why a Parent’s Involvement in Their Child’s Therapy Matters
As a parent, you play an important role in your child’s therapy even if you can’t understand what your child is experiencing or your previous attempts to comfort or communicate with them have proven unsuccessful. Your child’s therapist might have the education, training and skills to intervene and provide professional guidance and support, but you are still the one who knows your child best.
By attending your child’s therapy sessions, you’ll be able to provide helpful information and context, such as what methods have and haven’t helped in the past, that the therapist can use in their approach. Being present is also helpful during sessions where your child is unwilling to engage with the therapist.
While it’s natural for older children or teens to desire some privacy at times, younger children will benefit from you being more involved in their therapy. In the process, you’ll learn what kind of coping skills and techniques they are learning about so that you can help them regulate their feelings each day.
5 Questions to Ask Your Child’s Therapist
One of the most important ways you can be involved with your child’s therapy is by making sure the therapist is a good match, and knowing how to talk to your child’s therapist is the first step. Need some guidance on how to do that? Here are five questions you should ask.
1. What Is Your Background in Therapy?
Because therapy for children is much different than therapy for adults, you’ll want to make sure the therapist you choose has experience working with children and has in-depth knowledge about the specific diagnosis or issues your child is dealing with. If the therapist has helped children conquer similar issues in the past, you can feel more confident knowing they are well-equipped to help your child.
2. What Kind of Therapy Approach Do You Use?
Different therapy approaches will work better than others depending on your child’s age and development level. Imaginative play, which can involve playing games or using puppets or dolls to communicate, is a great option for younger children. On the other hand, teens will likely respond better to a more traditional talk therapy approach with a relatable, conversational tone.
3. How Long Does It Take to Start Seeing Progress and Results?
It’s normal to wonder when you will start seeing some progress and results in your child’s life. Before your child starts therapy, ask the therapist how they plan on setting short- and long-term goals — along with how they plan to handle any setbacks that may come up along the way. Because every child is unique and may be dealing with complex situations or struggles, progress can vary, and knowing what the process may look like from the start can help you have peace of mind.
4. Will I Receive Updates or Progress Reports?
No matter if you plan on attending every therapy session or just a few here and there, you’ll want to ask the therapist how they plan on updating you on your child’s progress. One approach that some therapists use is sending out regular progress reports that allow you to see how well your child is moving toward their goals. This method also helps you make any necessary adjustments to the “homework” they’ll be doing at home.
5. How Much Can I Expect to Pay for Sessions?
While your main focus is most likely on seeing results, don’t forget to ask about the cost of sessions. This factor is important to consider because, unlike other types of medical appointments, therapy sessions in private practices are not always covered by insurance. Keep in mind that even if this is the case, though, some insurance companies will reimburse a portion of the cost, making therapy sessions more affordable for your family.
We Can Help Your Child Grow
Here at Courageous Kids Counseling, our child therapists provide evidence-based therapy approaches to help your child deal with anxiety, grief, trauma and depression. We offer a flexible approach and deliver individualized attention depending on your child’s specific needs, whether they would benefit from play therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy.
Ready to help your child heal and thrive?
Reach out to our skilled team to set up an appointment today!
