Marian
Camden, Psy.D., LLC Licensed
Psychologist 7500 E.
Arapahoe Road, Suite 375 Centennial,
CO 80112 Phone: 720-493-4827
Fax: 303-779-8572 What to Expect When Your Child Comes to Therapy Bringing a
child in for therapy is a big decision for most parents, This handout answers basic questions about
child therapy and provides an overview of how I work with children and their
families. We will certainly be talking
more as our work together progresses. The first meeting: I usually
meet with a young child’s parents first, for discussion of the issues, back
ground information about your child, and mutual questions and answers. Your child will come in for the second
session in most cases. Older children
and adolescents often join their parents for the first meeting. Collecting Information: I gather
information about your child first and foremost from you, because you know your
child best. In addition to our meeting,
I will give you a child history form to complete at home and return to me at
the next appointment. I invite both
parents to participate as much as possible.
Often, the teacher, pediatrician, CFI, or other professional has
important information to share. I will
obtain your written permission before consulting with any other professional about
your child. Introducing your child
to therapy: You might
tell your child he or she will be meeting with a psychologist or therapist who
likes to talk and play with children and help them feel better about any
worries or problems they have. There will
be toys, books, games, and at supplies in the therapist’s office. Let them know
I am a “talking doctor” and will not give them shots! Therapy should never be presented as a
punishment for some kind of displeasing behavior. Instead, I encourage you and your child to
think of therapy as a chance to talk, learn, have fun, feel better, and often
do better in the world. In the first
session with young children, I sometimes read a book with them about play
therapy, to help them understand what to expect in our time together. You might enjoy reading the book, too. Your child’s first
session: Children vary
in their first response to meeting a new therapist. Some children separate easily from their
parents in the waiting room, while others need the security of having a parent
join them for some or all of the first session or two. We will do whatever helps your child feel
most comfortable. What happens in your
child’s therapy sessions: I employ a
number of approaches in child therapy, depending on your child’s age, needs,
temperament, and life situation. I often
engage children in semi-structured play therapy. In my office I have a number of toys, games,
dolls, and art activities that provide your child with opportunities to express
his or her feelings as well as the situations and relationships (real or
symbolic) they connect to their feelings.
Sometimes I offer children verbal interpretation of their play for
discussion, and sometimes I simply allow them to resolve their feelings as we
interact symbolically in the play process.
Young children don’t usually come in and talk directly about their
issues as the adults do. However, I will
help your child find words for thoughts and feelings, because language gives
all of us more clarity and power about our lives. I will often problem solve with a child as
well about how to handle a problem or feeling.
Sometimes parents join their children in the room for discussion or play
when I think it would be beneficial. Your child is
likely to do art projects, play games, and even be silly in therapy. Parents wonder if this is “really therapy” or
if it is “really helping.” A lot of what
helps and heals in therapy, both with children and adults, is the therapy
relationship itself. Because children
don’t naturally spend a lot of time talking about their problems, playing and
having fun together helps build a trusting and safe relationship between child
and therapist. New neuropsychological research
suggests that physical activity while processing feelings and thoughts helps
keep the brain active and alert to new processing in ways that simply sitting
still do not. Techniques that activate
the brain and body in this way are increasingly used in adult therapy as
well. Activities also simply give
children something to do with their hands so that talking directly about issues
and concerns does not feel too intimidating or uncomfortable for them. Older children and teens may engage in more
straightforward discussion of their issues.
There is no one right way that therapy should happen. Every person is unique and so is every
client-therapist relationship. How we communicate
about your child: Therapist and
parents working together is important.
We will usually have meetings periodically to talk about your child’s
progress, your observations and mine, and continuing concerns we have. I may ask for such a meeting and you are also
welcome to request one any time. I say
more to parents about the content of actual therapy sessions with young
children than with older children and adolescents, because privacy and
confidentiality become increasingly important to children as develop. You can always tell me anything you think
I should know: either in a meeting, in a
brief voicemail message, a note, or a fax.
I try not to get into discussions with parents before or after therapy
sessions because we don’t want children to feel we are talking behind their
backs. My schedule also does not permit
me to talk with parents on the phone at length, beyond scheduling issues,
unless we make a specific telephone appointment. I feel
privileged to work with your child and to earn your trust. I would like you and your child to be as
comfortable, informed, and involved as possible. You can also support your child in therapy by
keeping appointments regularly, arriving for appointments on time, letting me
know your questions and concerns, keeping your account up to date, and
following through with your child on any therapy homework or parenting/family
experiments we agree to try. Thank you,
and I look forward to working with you and your child! This blog is copyright 2011 by Marian Camden, Psy.D., LLC. All Rights Reserved. |
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