Child Therapy FAQ
How Can I Tell If My Child Needs Therapy?
Oftentimes, parents consider therapy when they feel what they have tried to do is not working. They can’t figure out how to help their kids manage their emotions better. Parents come to therapists when their strategies turn to arguments. Or, when their concerns get validated, and they feel like their kid is struggling.
But, there is no real way to answer the question of if your child needs therapy. Not without an evaluation and intake session. This is because every child is different.
Some of the things that you, as a parent, can look out for are:
Difficulties adjusting to a big change or changes in your kid’s life
Lashing out or having temper tantrums
Socially withdrawing from their peers
Increase/decrease in sleep and/or appetite
Any change in your child’s behavior that seems to be unpleasantly affecting their lives
If you have found this blog post, you have likely noticed a change in your child’s behavior. You've likely been doing your research about it, and are wondering if a therapist would be able to help.
It doesn’t hurt to reach out and schedule a consultation just in case!
How Long Will My Kid Be In Therapy?
This question is very hard for clinicians to answer. It is difficult with a given situation at hand but much less for general FAQ purposes. But parents do ask this a lot!
It really does depend on:
The child
Their comfort level
The situation that brings them to sessions
The therapist
Their support system
A better way to answer this question would be if the child and parents are on board and involved in treatment. Is the child warming up to therapy easily? Is the situation not too severe/traumatic? If the family is working on all the new changes and toward the agreed-upon goals, the child therapist can make quick progress. Thus, shortening the length of treatment.
The length of therapy, goals, and child’s progress is something you should know about every step of the way. A good child therapist will always include the parents in their child’s treatment.
What Are Some Of The Expectations From My Child In Therapy?
Your child’s therapist should start with an intake session. Here, they gather background information about the situation at hand. They will ask how long you have been feeling worried about your child. They should also ask about your child’s and family’s history.
In the meantime, it is vital that your child and you feel comfortable with the child therapist. And, that they come across as warm and friendly.
A very important part of this first session is making a list of attainable goals together. These goals should be ones that everybody agrees on. Everybody involved in child therapy needs to be on the same page about the goals. Only by doing so can a child therapist and client work toward them together.
What to Expect From Child Therapy in Philadelphia, PA
First, child therapy goals are set and a plan is created. The child therapist should tell you how often they would like to have sessions with your child. Then, they can put you on their schedule.
The clinician should also go over the rules of confidentiality during this time. Plus, they should make sure that your child understands them as well.
After the first intake session, you as the parent should be expected to have involvement in child therapy. This occurs on occasion on some level. It would be considered a red flag if you are not expected to take part whatsoever.
Another expectation that you should have from therapy is that it should not be a “be-all-end-all” fix.
You should not expect to send your child to therapy for their therapist to fix for you. There should be “homework.” Or, things that your family needs to install within the home to reach progress together.
Another expectation should be that your child feels comfortable with the clinician and you feel they are a good fit.
You may be a parent of a child that you feel needs more support with managing their emotions. Or, working through a situation. If so, you may have some more questions than the ones answered in this blog post.
The more specific questions about your situation would need to be answered in a free, 15-minute consultation call. Feel free to schedule today!
Begin Child Therapy in Philadelphia, PA
Our team of therapists understands how hard it can be to find the right therapist to address your child's concerns. We can support your family from your Philadelphia, PA-based counseling practice. To start therapy and have any other questions answered, please follow these steps:
Meet with a caring therapist
Start thriving with the support of a child therapist
Other Services Offered with Amel Counseling
Child therapy isn't the only service offered at our Philadelphia, PA-based therapy practice. Our team also offers online therapy, play therapy, counseling for teens, grief and loss therapy, therapy for teens and kids of color, and support for parents. Learn more about parent coaching or our available groups including the worry warriors, culturally confident teen group, and our teen girls group.
