Our approach to therapy with children is dually focused: we teach children how to cope with their feelings, modify their behaviors, and ultimately overcome the issues that brought them to therapy. We also take it a step further by integrating parent coaching children reach their goals faster when parents get involved too. We are also very sensitive to the fact that your child’s experience with us may set the tone for how they view therapy in the future. We know that if we can create a safe, supportive, (and fun!) atmosphere, your child is more likely to seek out a therapist or other supportive adult at a time of need in the future. With each child we work with, we are hoping to plant the idea that therapy is a helpful tool to use, and to eliminate the possibility that stigma interferes with them seeking help later in life when they’re in college or living on their own.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Session 1
A comprehensive history-taking and goal-setting assessment which is completed with the parent(s) only. Children do not attend this session because we want parents to freely discuss the issues that brought them to therapy and the impact it has on the household overall.
Session 2
This session is completed with parent(s) and child. The goal of this session is to help the child feel comfortable and to develop rapport with his/her therapist. We encourage parents of small children to let them bring something from home such as a stuffed animal or small toy. Our focus during this session is to spend as much 1:1 time with your child as possible.
Session 3 and beyond
Subsequent sessions will be scheduled according to your child’s treatment plan, which will be discussed with your therapist. Children who start with weekly sessions typically see the fastest results. The frequency of sessions can be adjusted according to your availability and are reduced as your child demonstrates improvement.
Termination & Maintenance Sessions
Once your child reaches his/her goals, therapy can be discontinued. But don’t worry, you can always come back! Check-in sessions are also always available on an as-needed basis for clients who have already addressed their goals in therapy but want a random session here or there to get back on track. Treatment can also be restarted on a consistent basis as well.
I'm interested in services for my child, do we both come to the first appointment?
Initial sessions are typically with parent(s) only. We complete a full intake assessment and discuss many things that children don’t necessarily know about or need to hear. The child accompanies a parent to the 2nd session. The 2nd session is typically divided in two. Both parent and child are together in the beginning, and then child spends the second half of session with therapist only. Future sessions will be 1:1 with your child. We will schedule parent-only sessions and family sessions based on your goals and needs during treatment. In some cases (mostly teenagers), we will allow the child to attend the first session.
