Should Parents be Involved in Their Child’s Therapy
At North Texas Adult & Child Counseling Center, we recognize childhood as a fun, rewarding time of learning, imagining, playing, exploring, and growing, but also acknowledge that it can be thick with complex, negative emotions and experiences as children start navigating their internal and external worlds more autonomously. There are so many high moments in your parenting journey, but also many moments that leave you questioning what to do. Your search for parenting tips from a child therapist has led you to this blog, where we help you consider whether counseling for children is right for your child at this time in their development.
If you’ve never been to therapy yourself, the idea of bringing your child to counseling sessions could raise many questions for you. Will your child be able to talk to you about their therapy sessions? Will you be able to attend sessions with them? Would you be or should you be involved in your child’s therapy?
In a word, yes! When you pursue child counseling in North Texas with us, you’re working with a caring team that considers counseling for children as whole-family therapy. We believe that parents play a key role in their children’s and teens’ mental health journey, so we invite and encourage parents to participate in a part of each session. Our therapists are always listening to any worries regarding your child’s therapy. We’re ready to guide you as your household navigates changes because our priorities are supporting your young one(s) and supporting you as you support them.
Is counseling for children right for your family?
Even when you know counseling for children and parenting-focused family therapy sessions will benefit your child’s well-being, you may still feel a little nervous. Opening up about the challenges plaguing your child and household can be scary. It can be ten times scarier when misleading depictions of therapy in the media lead you to think your child’s therapist will judge you and the way you run your household and blame you for your child’s behavioral or mental struggles.
Ultimately, you might end up worrying that your involvement will be disastrous because
Your child feels like you’re forcing them to go
Your child won’t be candid with the therapist in your presence
Your child is defiant or combative
You and your child’s other parent are no longer together and they hate you or you hate them
Your ex may try involving their new partner in therapy
Communicate your concerns to your child’s counselor
Our therapy team of providers of child counseling in North Texas isn’t here to reprimand you, your ex, or your child, but to support you in navigating changes to your home life and helping your child do so in ways that protect and enhance their mental, emotional, and behavioral health.
When you tell us the issues you think might hinder therapy outcomes, we’ll know what to address to ensure a productive, supportive therapeutic environment.
Afraid your contentious relationship with your ex will negatively impact the therapy process? In child counseling in North Texas, our experts provide therapy support for children dealing with parental separation, divorce, and family conflict. We’ll work with them and with you and your ex to establish a healthy co-parenting dynamic and set respectful boundaries regarding new partners as necessary to get you all where you want to be as a family. Please note, however, that we cannot provide recommendations to family court on your behalf, and counseling can only begin with consent from all legal guardians.
Worried about your child being combative or defiant? Our child counseling in North Texas includes support for children dealing with ADHD, oppositional defiance, and emotional dysregulation. The behavior management experts here prioritize safety and encourage respect and consistency through constructive, positive reinforcement of self-managed behavior. We’ll work with your child to find fitting systems that effectively provide structure and guidance. Likewise, therapists specializing in ADHD will work with your child to equip them with strategies and coping skills for behavior moderation that they can rely on outside the therapy room.
How should parents be involved in child counseling in North Texas?
After spending 40 minutes of the session with the child, our therapists invite parents to the last 10 to 20 minutes to show them what their child learned. We formulate plans for you to support your child’s new strategies, skills, and systems at home and school.
Because counseling for children is also viewed as whole-family therapy, we use the Nurturing Parenting program to offer parenting tips and skills training as necessary. Maybe you need extra support, new ideas for being a better parent, and ways to be more encouraging of your child. We’ve got you covered!
Finding child counseling in North Texas with hours conducive to the entire family can be challenging, so our therapists work weeknights and weekends to involve both parents in the process as much as possible. Additionally, we provide in-session training and take-home information for you to implement between sessions to support your child’s ongoing therapy and health goals.
The positives of parental participation in counseling for children
Your involvement in counseling for children can significantly benefit your child. Some advantages include providing them with the necessary:
Encouragement and empowerment. It’s common for children to think their parent(s) send them to counseling for children because they’re “acting out” or receiving “bad” reports from teachers and babysitters. Your involvement in therapy can demonstrate to your child that you don’t see therapy as a punishment, but a promotion of healthy habits, self-care skills, coping mechanisms, emotional regulation, self-esteem, and more. Knowing you’re cheering them on (and willing to examine your own role in the conflict) can help your child engage more fully in the therapeutic process and strive toward their treatment goals.
Consistency. When you understand and can reinforce the techniques and strategies used in therapy, you promote consistency and ensure your child can apply what they’ve learned in therapy at home and in various settings. Your active involvement can help create a supportive and nurturing home environment where your child feels safe to express themselves and practice new skills.
Healthy communication. By participating in child counseling, you can learn how to express yourself, listen more effectively, respond in ways that are respectful to your child and yourself, and validate their feelings and experiences.
Modeling of positive behavior. Engaging in the therapeutic process equips you to model positive behaviors and coping strategies, helping teach children how to handle stress and emotions constructively.
Begin child counseling in North Texas today!
Knowing whether it’s time to start therapy for your child(ren) can overwhelm you, especially if you don’t know what to expect in sessions. Remember that you and your child aren’t on this journey alone. Just as you comfort your child through positive and negative experiences they have and support them through changes in your household and family dynamics, our North Texas Adult & Child Counseling Center team is here to support you through these circumstances. We’re committed to providing a safe, judgment-free environment for the entire family to feel understood and supported during life’s challenges.
Participating in and learning from your child’s therapy can help you inspire them to live their best life. Reach out to our team if you have questions, want to schedule a free consultation, and are ready to take that first step toward healing in a space where your child feels seen, heard, and valued.
