Many parents have questions about how to explain therapy to their young children and may not have clarity around what to expect when bringing their child to therapy sessions. In this post, you will find answers about what to say, how to prepare, and how to react to your child’s therapy.
How to Explain Therapy
1. Finding the right way to explain to your child that they are going to therapy can be very challenging.
The following is an example of how to explain what therapy is to a young child. Please feel free to adapt the statement according to your child’s age and circumstances.
“We are going to go see (therapist’s name). His/her job is to help kids with their feelings. He/she helps kids by talking and playing with them.”
Or
“I know you’ve been going through a difficult time lately. We’re going to go see (therapist’s name). His/her job is to help kids with (specific feeling/situation). I’ve met him/her, and they are really nice. You can talk to him/her about anything.”
2. Tell your child when and for how long the sessions are (ex. every Wednesday for about 45 minutes), as well as where you will be during the session (ex. in the waiting room).
3. Let your child know that therapy is a special time just for them. Make sure they know that it is not a punishment or a test. There is no need to tell your child to listen to the therapist, behave well, clean up, etc. One of the most important healing elements of therapy is the permissiveness for self-expression. For children in play therapy, if they feel the pressure to act a certain way in session, this may hinder the child’s natural self-healing process.
How to Support Your Child’s Therapy
1. Understand that talking about the child’s “problems,” especially behavioral concerns, in front of them can lead to negative self-beliefs in children. This is why it is often recommended that the intake session take place without the child present. Separate parent sessions are a great way to communicate this information to the therapist without the child present.
2. Remember that messes often happen in play therapy, and this is okay! It is best for your child to wear clothes that can get messy and try not to act surprised or upset if you see their clothes have paint or other craft materials on them when they leave the session.
3. Make sure your child has a healthy snack prior to the session and encourage them to use the bathroom before entering the playroom. Snacks and toys from home can be a distraction during play therapy.
4. Try not to force your child to come to sessions, but instead try to convince them to try it for a few sessions. Avoid giving consequences or punishments if your child refuses to come. This can
lead to a power struggle and create negative feelings associated with therapy. If there is a problem bringing your child to sessions, contact your therapist to discuss a plan.
How to Respond to Your Child After Therapy Sessions
1. As curious as you might be about what took place during your child’s therapy session, please resist the urge to ask your child what they talked about or did in the session. Confidentiality is a fundamental part of therapy, and it allows your child the opportunity to have a safe space to talk about situations and feelings. The therapist will share general information about themes and progress in your child’s therapy, and your child is free to share as much or as little additional information with you as they choose.
2. If your child shares something with you that they created during therapy, try being mindful not to judge or interpret their art, as this can be counterproductive to their therapeutic process. What you think of what your child created may or may not be the same as what your child intended to create. Giving your child the autonomy to decide what they would like to tell you about the creation is likely to be much more supportive of their therapy.