Helping Children: Child Psychology Services
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Preparing Children for Therapy

Preparing children for therapy is essential to ensure they feel comfortable and ready to engage in the process. Here are some steps to help prepare your child for therapy at Helping Children Clinic: 
  • Age-Appropriate Explanation: Depending on the child's age, provide a simple and age-appropriate explanation of what child therapy is (such as play, reading and discussing books, drawing, painting) and why they are going to see a therapist. Use language they can understand and avoid overwhelming details. Dr. Johnson sends articles about child therapy for parents to review.  
  • Normalize Feelings: Let the child know that it is normal to have feelings and that therapy is a safe space to talk about or play out and process their emotions and experiences without judgment. 
  • Read and Discuss the Intro to Dr. J Book: This book introduces Dr. Johnson, the rooms, and some of the routines at the clinic. Each child is unique, so parents decide how many times to read the introductory social narrative that Dr. Johnson sends to you. Familiarizing your child with Dr. Johnson and the clinic can help build trust and reduce anxiety. You can also look at the helpingchildren.ca website and discuss the photos of the play rooms and the toys.  
  • Encourage Questions: Be open to answering any questions the child may have about child therapy. Address their concerns and contact Helping Children for additional information. 
  • Discuss Goals: Talk to the child about the goals of going to therapy and what parents hope Dr. Johnson can help with. Let them know that Dr. Johnson is there to support them and help them feel better. 
  • Share Positive Experiences: If you know another child or an adult who has had a positive experience with therapy, share that with your child to help normalize the process and reduce any stigma. 
  • Ensuring a Safe and Secure Environment: Please explain to your child that parents or the trusted adult that brings them to therapy must stay in the waiting room during the session. Let them know that having a trusted adult a few feet away ensures their safety. In the beginning stages of therapy, children decide where the parent sits (sometimes parents join the child in the playroom) and if the playroom door is open or closed (waiting room must be empty if open). The child decides when the playroom feels comfortable and they are ready for their therapeutic privacy. We always figure out how to make sure your child feels safe and secure in the clinic.  
  • Manage Expectations: Let the child know that therapy is a process, and it may take time to feel better. Encourage patience and remind them that Dr. Johnson is there to support them throughout their journey. 
  • Follow Up: After the first session, check in with your child to see how they are feeling about the experience. Reinforce your child's right to keep their therapy sessions private if they wish to do so. Avoid pressuring them to share details about their sessions if they prefer not to discuss it. Address any concerns they may have and offer ongoing support and encouragement.  
By following these steps, you can help your child feel more at ease and prepared for their therapy sessions, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of the therapeutic process. ​
Helping Children Live Happy and Healthy Lives.

Welcome to Helping Children, a platform dedicated to providing insight into our child psychology services (available to Alberta residents)
and our professional practices. Additionally, we offer valuable information and resources related to child psychology and development on this site.
It's crucial to understand that this website does not substitute for mental health therapy; rather, it operates as an informational and educational platform, offering information about our child therapy practices and highlighting some resources we use from the field of child psychology.

Please note that Helping Children is not liable for the use or misuse of the information provided on this website. We strongly urge users to exercise responsibility and consult with qualified professionals when utilizing information presented here. We share our resource books as a reference
for families who may want to become familiar with them. Our choices are made based on their alignment with our educational content,
​and we do not receive any financial benefits from their purchase.

To enhance the visual appeal of our content and maintain transparency, we incorporate images from reputable sources like Canva and Unsplash. Additionally, we use images of the Helping Children Clinic to provide an authentic representation of our practice. It is important to be aware that
the images of the Helping Children Clinic displayed on this website are protected by copyright. Any reproduction or usage without explicit permission
is strictly prohibited to safeguard our intellectual property.

In case of emergencies, please contact your medical or mental health professional, or dial 911 immediately.

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Please click here to view our full disclaimer.

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  • Home
  • Child Psychology Services
  • All About Therapy
    • Our Therapeutic Model
    • Child Therapy Approaches
    • Preparing Children for Therapy
  • The Clinic
    • Meet Dr. J
    • Playrooms
    • Fees
    • Location
    • Philosophies & Practices
  • Resources
    • Articles >
      • From Dr. J's Desk: Newest Article
      • Kids Mental Health & Yoga
      • Ask a School Psychologist
    • Teacher Resources
  • Contact
  • Full Disclaimer