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What to Expect in Therapy

Beginning therapy can feel like a big step for children, teens, and their parents or caregivers. Therapy provides a supportive, confidential, and non-judgmental space where young people can feel heard, understood, and accepted.

Getting Started

Following the initial parent interview, the psychologist will meet with the child or teen to begin developing a therapeutic relationship and to better understand their perspective and experiences. The approach and pace will be individualized according to the young person's developmental stage, needs, and comfort.

A child’s therapeutic journey begins with an initial interview with parents or caregivers. This meeting provides an opportunity for the psychologist to learn more about the child or teen, including their development, strengths, relationships, experiences, current concerns, and the circumstances that have brought them to therapy. Parents and caregivers can also share their observations, questions, and goals for seeking support for their children. If parents prefer, teens may be invited to attend for a portion of the parent interview.

The Therapy Process

Getting to Know Your Child or Teen

Therapy begins with building a trusting relationship where children and teens feel safe and comfortable sharing their concerns at their own pace. The first few sessions focus on getting to know your child or teen, understanding their strengths and challenges, and identifying their needs and treatment goals. The approach is tailored to their age and developmental stage, with progress reviewed throughout therapy and the approach adjusted as needed. With prior agreement from clients and parents or legal guardians, screening questionnaires may also be used to explore possible concerns or determine whether a more in-depth assessment would be helpful.

Therapy with Children

Therapy is often interactive and creative and may include talking, psychoeducation, books or worksheets, storytelling, art and drawing, role-playing, and play or sand tray therapy. These approaches help children express themselves and explore their experiences in ways that feel comfortable and developmentally appropriate.

Therapy with Teens

Therapy is generally more conversation-based and may include talk therapy, learning about emotions and behaviour, creative activities, and other approaches chosen together to reflect their needs, preferences, and goals. My aim is to provide a safe, supportive space where teens can better understand themselves, work through challenges, and develop helpful skills. When appropriate, therapy may also explore topics such as personal values, relationships, life experiences, and finding a sense of purpose as teens develop their identity and move toward greater independence.

Parent and Caregiver Collaboration

Parents and caregivers are a child’s most important sources of connection, security, and support. Therapy is intended to complement—not replace—these relationships. My role is to help children and teens better New verbiage reworked understand their feelings, develop new skills, and work through challenges, while supporting parents in helping their child apply these skills in everyday life. A strong partnership between the psychologist and family can help build on the secure relationships children rely on as they grow and develop.

For teens, therapy also provides an opportunity to develop independence and self-understanding. Their privacy and growing autonomy are respected, while parents and caregivers remain involved in ways that support their teen's well-being and safety.

Collaboration with Other Professionals

When helpful to the child or teen's care, the psychologist may collaborate with other professionals involved in their care, such as physicians, teachers, occupational therapists, or other school-based or healthcare providers. *With appropriate parental consent*, this collaboration can help coordinate information, recommendations, and strategies across the settings in which a young person lives and learns. Collaboration is tailored to each child or teen and family and is intended to provide coordinated, consistent support while respecting privacy and confidentiality.

Moving Forward

The overarching goal of therapy is to help children and teens develop a deeper understanding of themselves, build practical skills, strengthen relationships, and develop confidence in their ability to manage life's challenges.

Progress does not always happen in a straight line, and there may be times when challenges feel more difficult before things begin to improve. Goals and progress are reviewed throughout therapy to ensure that the work remains relevant and helpful.

As your child makes progress toward their therapy goals, sessions will gradually become less frequent to help them maintain their progress and continue practising the skills they have learned. When your child is managing their challenges more consistently and using these strategies in everyday life, we will discuss together when they may be ready to finish therapy.

When Referral to Specialized Services May Be Recommended

My goal is to ensure that each child, teen, and family receives psychological care that is appropriate for their needs. When a young person's needs fall outside the scope of my practice or require a more specialized level of care, I will discuss appropriate referral options with parents and caregivers. This may include referrals for:

Additionally, if there is little progress on treatment goals after a concerted effort to support therapeutic change, referral to other services may be considered in discussion with the client and parents.

Referral reflects my commitment to ensuring that children, teens, and families receive appropriate and effective support. When possible and appropriate, I am happy to collaborate with other professionals involved in a young person's care when they are referred.