Counselling for your child: what to expect

What you should know

Although each therapist has his/her own way of working with children, these are some of the broad aspects to counselling for children. It may differ from therapist-to-therapist.

• The parent/s/guardians are an integral part of the counselling process, but the primary 'client' is your child.

• As it is with counselling for adults, each session is roughly 55 minutes long.

• It is preferred that both parents/guardians are part of the counselling process with the child (the counsellor will explain how this works). This goes a long way in ensuring that the issue is addressed holistically.

• Do remember that the counsellor is your therapeutic partner in addressing your child's concerns/issues. An open and honest relationship between you and the counsellor will go a long way in addressing your child's needs. You should be able to talk to the counsellor about anything.

The first session: 

 - The parent/s/guardians will initially meet the counsellor alone and understand how the counselling process works. The parents can discuss their questions/concerns with the counsellor at this time. The child is generally not called in for the first session.

- The counsellor will ask you some questions about your reasons for seeking counsellor for your child and also take down some details about you, your child and family, etc. This helps the counsellor understand your situation better.

- You have every right to know how the counselling process works and the broad approach the counsellor will use for counselling your child. Please use this time to ask the counsellor any questions you might have. 

- The counsellor will guide you on how you can explain the counselling process to your child and prepare him/her (address fears, apprehensions, stigma etc.) before entering therapy. 

• Subsequently and gently, your child will start seeing the therapist by himself/herself (there might be exceptions if the child is very small). 

• Depending on the age of the child and your level of comfort, you will be asked to wait outside the counsellor's room while the session is in progress, or you may drop/pick up the child to the session (if the child is old enough).

• Depending on the issue being addressed, the counsellor will generally meet with you (the parent/s/guardian) once every 3-4 sessions that are had with the child to inform you of the progress.

• Remember, the same tenets of client-therapist confidentiality apply to your child's counselling sessions as well.   

Any questions? Mail me at: krithika.akkaraju@gmail.com