Therapy looks different for each therapist, family, and child. During an initial phone consultation, you will learn more about your therapist’s style and preferences. Always ask questions! You’ve already done the hardest part--reaching out for help. You are not in this alone anymore.

Here are some ideas of what to expect during the first few sessions:

Time with just you (the parent) and the therapist. Your child’s therapist will want to know more about you, your family, and what is bringing you to therapy. Because children listen to everything we say (especially when it’s about them!), it can be very helpful to meet with your child’s therapist alone. This will give you a space to express your concerns, receive support, and make a plan together. It also will help your therapist better understand your child and come up with a few ideas of how to proceed.
Time with your child and her therapist. This is equally as important! Even if you ultimately decide that family therapy will be the best fit, this helps your child get to know and trust her therapist.
Feeling understood and listened to. This can take some time, so be patient, and speak up if you are feeling misheard or misunderstood. As a therapist, my main hope is to be able to understand you and your family! If I don’t understand your situation, it is much harder to support you. It is so important that you feel comfortable to share information about your family’s history and current concerns. As always, ask questions about what is happening, what the plan is, and what will be coming next.
Mixed reactions from your child. This can be frustrating! Teens and older children might say that they hate going, or never want to go back. Or, they might say that they love it, and refuse to tell you what’s happening. Younger children might report that they just played the whole time. All of these reactions are common, and usually mean that the child is building a relationship with their therapist--great! A solid relationship between therapist and child makes all of the difference in therapy.
Mixed reactions (or impatience!) yourself! Again, totally normal and understandable! You’ve been waiting for things to get better, and they will! It just takes a bit of time. Ask questions and seek clarification, and give the process some time to work. When given space and time, you might be amazed at what your child is capable of.