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Therapy for Kids Is a Team Effort: How Parents Can Collaborate With Therapists

Therapy for Kids Is a Team Effort: How Parents Can Collaborate With Therapists

Children Mental Health

We collaborate with our kids on all kinds of things. School. Sports. Hobbies. Medical treatment, for sure. We should be doing the same for mental health treatment. Therapy for kids is most effective when parents and therapists work together as a team. It’s no secret children thrive in any pursuit when the key adults in their lives provide consistent support, encouragement, and guidance. When parents actively participate in the therapeutic process with their children, they reinforce strategies, create a supportive environment, and help ensure their child’s success in treatment. Following is a more detailed overview of the parent-child-therapist dynamic, and the difference parent involvement can make.

Why Parent Involvement Matters With Therapy for Kids

1. Reinforces Therapy Goals Outside of Sessions

Think about it: therapy sessions are only a small part of a child’s week. When parents take the time and make the effort to reinforce the goals and techniques learned in therapy at home, their kids are more likely to develop lasting skills and make real progress.

2. Helps the Child Feel Supported and Understood

When it comes to having to accomplish a task or do a job, people of every age like to have a buddy or partner with them. Children are no different. Kids who see their parents engaged in their therapy journey feel validated and supported. This encouragement boosts confidence and motivation, making the therapeutic process more effective.

3. Builds Consistency Between Home, School, and Therapy

Children benefit from structure and consistency. Parent involvement in child therapy means parents, teachers, and therapists are able to align their approaches—in the process creating a stable environment where kids can thrive across different settings.

Ways Parents Can Collaborate with Therapists

1. Open Communication

With therapy for kids, maintaining open and honest communication with the therapist is crucial. Don’t be afraid to share observations about your child’s behavior, progress, and challenges. And don’t hesitate to seek clarification about treatment strategies.

2. Follow Through on Strategies

Therapists often recommend specific activities or exercises to practice at home. Parent involvement in child therapy means consistently implementing these therapeutic strategies, reinforcing the skills your children are learning in their sessions.

3. Attend Sessions When Needed

Showing up is 75% of success, some wise person once said. Some therapies, such as behavioral interventions or family counseling, benefit from parent participation. Being present in sessions allows you to learn techniques firsthand and apply them at home.

4. Set Realistic Expectations

When it comes to therapy for children, progress takes time and setbacks are normal. Don’t get discouraged. Trust the process and maintain your calm. Celebrate small victories, and remember that growth happens at different paces for every child.

5. Support Emotional Growth

Everyone benefits from some level of validation, including children. We all want to be heard. Encourage your child’s emotional development by validating their feelings and efforts. Create a safe space where they can express themselves without fear of judgment.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

1. Lack of Time

We all lead busy lives to one degree or another. Busy schedules can make it challenging to incorporate therapy techniques at home. Look for small, manageable ways to integrate them into daily routines, such as practicing skills during mealtime or bedtime.

2. Resistance From the Child

Most children are creatures of habit. We all like our routines. As such, it’s common for children to resist therapy or any changes to their routines. Use positive reinforcement, patience, and creativity to make the work of therapy more engaging and less stressful.

3. Uncertainty About the Process

Parents may feel unsure about their role in therapy for kids. This is normal, especially if this is your first time engaged in such an activity. If you have concerns or questions, ask your child’s therapist for guidance, resources, and reassurance. They are used to this. And a strong parent-therapist partnership can ease uncertainties and improve outcomes.

There’s Strength in Numbers

Therapy for children works best when it’s a collaborative effort between parents, children, and therapists. Of course it does. No one likes working alone if they don’t have to. By staying engaged, proactive, and supportive, parents can help their children make meaningful progress. The best results always come from teamwork. When parents and therapists work together, children have a greater chance of achieving long-term success.If you think your child may need therapy, or have questions about the process, Advanced Behavioral Health can help. Our team of highly experienced psychiatrists and therapeutic mentors provide a comprehensive approach to mental health treatment. We offer onsite, offsite, telehealth, community, and in-school therapy. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.

When you think of the well-being of a child, you first think of basic needs: food, water, and shelter. Once these needs are met, however, it’s crucial for a child to have emotional and social wellness as well. In this article, we will explore the impact social wellness has on the overall health of a child and great ways for children to garner social support in their lives.

It comes as no surprise that as human beings, we all need connection with others, no matter what stage of life we are in. In fact, having social support is a social determinant of health (SDOH) that significantly impacts the health of an individual. After spending the last few years in and out of isolation due to the Covid-19 outbreak, social support is more important now than ever before. Having social support means having family members and friends you can talk to and seek advice from when life feels challenging and overwhelming. Knowing you’re not alone in your life journey, especially as a child, creates a sense of belonging and empowerment throughout one’s life.

4 Types of Social Support

Emotional Support. This type of support lets you know that people care about you and have empathy for your experiences. Emotional support often looks like people checking in on you to let you know they’re thinking of you, and that they are there if you need anything. As a parent, make sure your child knows you can be a sounding board for them. If you have family members who can also show up for your children in this way, even better!

Practical Help. This type of support is when people give you something tangible or offer a service to help you out. This could be in the form of money, making food when you are sick, or helping to pack when moving. Having family and friends show up in this way shows your child what it looks like to be present for people you love.

Sharing Points of View. This type of support can often come in the form of affirmations and encouragement. For example, pointing out your child’s strengths to them and reminding them they can do anything they put their mind to. It can also look like sharing another perspective if they are being hard on themselves. For example, if they are angry with themselves after receiving a bad grade on a test, you can help them see it as a learning experience and a way for them to grow.

Sharing Information. This type of support is when someone shares what they’ve learned from their own life experiences. For example, if another parent has a child who struggles with socializing, they can share some tips and tricks they’ve learned to help their child find and create social support.

The Importance of Social Groups and Extended Support

Children who are connected to their family, friends, and people in their community have opportunities to learn how to speak, share, and get along with others. When your child feels connected to people in your neighborhood, it often allows them to feel physically safe which can alleviate stress and worry. Simply riding bikes, going on walks, and saying hello to neighbors with your kids can create this sense of security for them.

In addition to engaging with your neighbors, getting involved in local organizations can also create social support for your child. Signing up for a sports team, musical theater, art class or summer camp are all great ways to help your child meet new friends and learn important social skills that can carry them through their lives.

Tips for Helping Kids Make Community Connections:

Spend time outside in your neighborhood playing on the playground, going to a local farmer’s market, or scheduling a playdate with neighborhood kids.

Show your kids that connection is a two-way street. If your neighbors or friends go out of town, offer to get their mail, or water their plants and take your child with you when you go. This will show your child how you show up for people you care about.

Make sure you make time for socializing with friends as well. Your child looks to you first and foremost for how they should act and live their own life.

Encourage your child to step out of their comfort zone and do something they may be scared to do. As a parent, it’s your job to push them into something social for their own well-being at times.