What can I expect if I bring my child to therapy?
Before starting therapy…
First, we want to acknowledge that trusting someone else with your child can be difficult, especially if you have had any negative experiences with therapy in the past! Before starting therapy with someone, we encourage you to find someone that specializes in or has a lot of experience working with children and someone that seems like they’d be a good fit for your child’s needs and interests. For instance, if your child likes arts & crafts, someone who offers art & play therapy might be a good fit. If your child likes video games, someone who incorporates games into therapy (yes, it exists!) might be a good fit. Finding someone that specializes in anxiety if you are struggling with anxiety, for instance, is also important.
During the first session...
During your first session at Work It Out Wellness, we like to meet with just the parents and/or caregivers. That way, we can hear from you – in detail – about your child’s history, current struggles at school or at home, and what your goals and hopes for therapy are. We may ask about what pregnancy or childbirth was like for you, how they do in school, what their peer relationships are like, what their biggest struggles are, and more. We like having a thorough background and history of what got your child to where they are now.
During the first few sessions with your child...
We spend the first few sessions with your child getting to know them and building trust. We ask them questions & they have space to ask us questions. We might do art projects, play games, or just chat – it is completely up to your child! We let them choose, so that they feel more comfortable.
Then... we work!
Once your child starts feeling more comfortable, we start working on goals. This may include building their “toolbox” with healthy coping skills, working through symptoms of anxiety, building confidence, improving social skills, and more. Each child has their own unique set of needs and goals, so we will build a treatment plan that works best for them. Work It Out Wellness believes in holistic and collaborative care, so we will work with you and your child to come up with the treatment plan!
Questions? Reach out to us, and we can set up a time to chat about your needs. If we aren’t a good fit, we are always willing to point you in the right direction and provide you with resources.
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