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Child Therapy FAQ
How do I know if my child needs therapy?
Children may benefit from therapy when you notice changes in their behaviour, emotions, friendships, school engagement, sleep, or confidence.
As a relational, person-centred therapist, I focus first on understanding your child as a whole person – their feelings, experiences, and relationships. If they’re struggling emotionally or behaviourally, therapy offers a safe place to make sense of what’s happening and learn new coping skills.
CBT tools can also help them challenge unhelpful thoughts, reduce anxiety, and build emotional resilience.
What does a child therapist do?
My role is to create a warm, trusting therapeutic relationship where your child feels genuinely heard and valued.
Using a person-centred approach, I follow your child’s pace, interests, and needs.
CBT techniques are introduced gently when helpful—for example, activities that build awareness of thoughts, feelings, and actions, or structured tools for anxiety, worries, and behaviour patterns.
What happens during a session?
Sessions last 40-50 minutes adapted for a child’s developmental needs and preferences.
Depending on your child’s age and preference, we may use:
- Play, drawing, storytelling
- Talking through feelings
- CBT activities (e.g., worry mapping, thought-feeling-behaviour games)
- Coping-skills building
- Relational check-ins and reflection
The focus is always on safety, connection, and empowerment.
Will I be involved in the therapy process?
Yes. I involve parents in a supportive way while still protecting your child’s privacy.
Typically:
- We start with a parent consultation to understand your concerns.
- I offer brief check-ins with parents as needed.
- I may share general themes and coping strategies without breaking confidentiality.
- If safety concerns arise, I will speak with you directly (this is part of our contract).
Your role is important—we work as a team.
How long will therapy last?
Duration varies by child and presenting issue.
Most children attend weekly or fortnightly sessions for a number of weeks or months. We regularly review progress together so it feels purposeful and collaborative.
What types of therapy do you use?
My core approach is:
- Relational, person-centred therapy (building trust, emotional attunement, child-led exploration)
- CBT strategies for managing worries, low mood, behaviour patterns, and emotional regulation
This blend supports both emotional expression and practical coping tools.
How will therapy help my child?
Parents often notice:
- Better emotional regulation
- Increased confidence
- Reduced anxiety or distress
- Improved communication
- Healthier coping strategies
- More positive relationships at home and school
Therapy helps children feel understood, empowered, and more able to manage struggles.
What if my child doesn’t want to go?
This is very common.
I gently introduce therapy in a child-friendly way, focusing first on building safety and trust before exploring deeper issues. When children feel accepted—not pressured—they often open up naturally.
Is what my child says private?
Yes. I work with a contracted confidentiality agreement.
This means:
- What your child shares is private
- I share general themes or suggestions, not details
- I break confidentiality only if your child’s safety is at risk, or if legally required
We review this together at the start so everyone understands the boundaries.
How do I choose the right therapist?
Look for someone your child feels comfortable with.
In a relational approach, the connection between therapist and child is the biggest factor in positive change.
You’re welcome to have an initial conversation to see if my style feels like a good fit.
Online Child Therapy FAQ
Does online therapy work for children?
Yes—many children engage very well online.
The relational style works effectively over video because it’s based on trust, connection, and presence.
CBT tools adapt well to digital work through screen-share activities, online drawing, worksheets, and interactive tasks.
How do you keep kids engaged online?
Sessions are designed to be interactive and playful. I might use:
- Drawing tools
- Games and CBT worksheets
- Story-based activities
- Visual tools
- Emotion cards
- Conversational play
The relational connection keeps them emotionally engaged, while structured CBT elements keep them focused.
What technology do we need?
Just:
- A tablet, laptop, or desktop
- A stable internet connection
- A quiet, private space
- Access to Google Meet (no account required for the child)
I guide you through setup if needed.
Is online therapy secure and confidential?
Yes.
Google Meet sessions are:
- Encrypted
- Password-protected
- Not recorded
And we work within a confidentiality contract outlining privacy expectations and safety guidelines.
Where should my child sit during sessions?
A calm, semi-private space is ideal—somewhere they feel comfortable but not isolated.
You may be nearby for reassurance, but not directly in the session unless we’ve planned it.
How are online sessions structured?
A typical session includes:
- Relational check-in
- Play or expressive activities
- CBT worksheets or tools (if helpful)
- Reflection and emotional processing
- Closing and grounding
Each session lasts up to 50 minutes and is child-centred.
What’s my role in online therapy?
Your involvement may include:
- Helping your child log in
- Supporting the environment (privacy, calm space)
- Brief parent consultations
- Reinforcing coping skills at home
- Communicating changes or concerns
You’re a key part of the process.
What if my child won’t stay engaged on a screen?
I use short, varied activities to keep energy flowing. If attention is a struggle, we adjust pace and tools.
Some highly active or neurodivergent children do very well online with the right structure.
Are there issues online therapy can’t help with?
Yes, a few situations are better suited to in-person therapy, such as:
- Severe behavioural dysregulation
- Significant safety risks
- Crisis situations
- Certain trauma responses requiring in-room grounding
If this applies, I’ll discuss alternatives with you.
How does payment work?
Payment two days in advance of sessions secures the booking.
You can choose:
- Weekly or fortnightly sessions
Payment and scheduling policies are included in your contract
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