A Guardian's Guide to Therapy: How to Support Your Child As They Start Therapy by 30Seconds Mom

Therapy for young children is a different ball game. For the first six years of their lives, young children experience rapid physical, intellectual and social-emotional development, which becomes critical to their continuing growth. When issues arise, such as speech development delays, injuries and other conditions that may affect their physical, mental and emotional capacities, therapy can be an effective tool to address the problems, develop coping skills and modify behaviors.

The relationship between children and their caregivers can have a major influence on the child’s emotional regulation and behavior – this is why children in therapy often require their guardians and other family members to be present during sessions to achieve the best possible outcomes. Therapy conducted in this manner can assist both caregivers and children in learning new communication skills, building emotional regulation and facilitating these changes in a safe environment.

Supporting your child as they start therapy is as important as the therapy itself. Many kids may feel insecure, apprehensive or downright anxious about the experience, so preparing them with plenty of notice, showing support and ensuring the therapist has completed at least one of the requisite child and adolescent mental health courses in Australia can help start to form a positive experience from the get-go. 

If you are unsure how to support your child as they start therapy, there are a few more important things to do:

1. Normalize Therapy

For many children, the idea of therapy can be daunting. Talking about feelings at home can help set the stage to normalize the concept of therapy and get them into a positive mindset. It is also important to talk about therapy in terms of how it is going to help them rather than allowing it to be viewed as punishment. Touching on the concerning behaviors you are seeing and what the ultimate goal is can help normalize the issue and make them feel better about it.

Using developmentally appropriate language that connects therapy to something your child is familiar with, such as a doctor, can also help prepare kids for therapy. You may like to say something such as, “We are going to see a doctor who you can talk to about your feelings,” while also being conscious of clarifying that it is a different kind of doctor than they may have seen in the past.

Therapy is all about learning new skills that will help an individual manage their daily life. Framing it in this manner can help children understand this is another learning experience they will be taught, supported and helped through, and not to be feared.

2. Let Them Know You're There for Them

Communicating with your child and ensuring they understand you are there for them may help open communication between you and create a comfortable environment where they can be open and share information and progress with you. If you are struggling to do this, the therapist may be able to help establish the best way to achieve this. However, you must also be prepared to accept the possibility that your child may not want to share anything, which is OK, too.

Another part of showing support requires building a trusting relationship. You can do this by helping your child understand the purpose and goals of therapy and why you want them to do it. Acknowledge any concerns or fears they may have, and continue to reiterate that they are not in trouble, which is a common concern.

Finally, it is important to avoid being judgmental or critical. Therapy can be challenging, and displaying negative emotions can impact your child’s path to success. Focus instead on the positives. Even if the progress is little, it is still progress.

3. Respect Their Privacy

If you are not present at your child’s therapy session, it is understandable that you may like to ask about it. However, this can be detrimental if not handled appropriately. Your child may or may not want to talk in detail about the happenings of a session, and it is important for them to feel safe in their decision to share or not share and not feel obliged to answer your questions. Instead of asking “What happened?” or “What did you do?” try asking “How did it go?” An open-ended question may give them the flexibility to respond in a way they feel comfortable.

Respecting their privacy also requires you to become a good listener. This is true both when you are attending appointments and after. Listen to what is being said and give them the chance to talk to you about what they want to talk about. It can help you better understand your child’s perspective and build trust with you.

4. Talk About Your Mental Health

Your child’s need for information relating to your mental health may change as they grow older. There is no hard and fast rule regarding when you should start this type of dialogue. However, understanding your mental health difficulties from an early age may help them manage their feelings and emotions and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.

If your child comes to you with their own questions about your mental health, it may be a good time to start a conversation. Maintaining an open dialogue may help encourage future conversations and improve the normalization of therapy, the communication and trust between you, as well as build mutual respect.

5. Encourage Consistency 

As with many other constants in a child’s life, such as education, meals and even bedtime, consistency is important when utilizing therapy. Therapy is most effective when it is structured and consistent, and may result in the best outcomes for your child. Encourage consistent attendance and, when the time comes to end therapy, consider attending a closure session so they can reflect on their progress and achievements, as well as have a meaningful goodbye. 

Note: The content on 30Seconds.com is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice. The information on this site should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, and is not a substitute for professional care. Always consult your personal healthcare provider. The opinions or views expressed on 30Seconds.com do not necessarily represent those of 30Seconds or any of its employees, corporate partners or affiliates.

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