A Guide for Parents and Carers about Therapy for Children and Young People

I have put together a guide to understanding more about your young persons therapy process based on some of the common questions asked by parents and carers. For many parents and carers, the idea of taking their child to see a therapist can feel daunting and you may have many questions.

How do I talk to my child about therapy?

I describe therapy as a space for young people to think about their thoughts and feelings and how these may be affecting them in school, at home and within their relationships. It is a space just for them. Therapy isn’t just a space to bring things that they find difficult, but they also may wish to reflect on what is going well in their life.

What information do you need to know about my child?

I hold an initial telephone consultation with parents or carers before an initial appointment. Any important information you can share during the initial consultation or appointment is helpful to understand more about the child or young person’s world, their relationships and any significant events they have experienced. If there are any significant changes or events in your child’s life during the therapy process, it may be helpful for the therapist to know.

When will my child feel better?

The aim of therapy is to support the young person to explore and understand their thoughts and feelings. This does not mean your child will feel ‘better’ straight away and you may notice changes to their behaviour before you start to notice progress. Therapy is offered on a short term and long-term basis. An initial 6-week period of sessions will be offered where we can then review how sessions are going and identify any areas of progress or areas where further support may be needed.

Is the work confidential?

Confidentiality is just as important in children’s therapy as it is in adults’ therapy. There are some limitations to confidentiality where there are concerns around safeguarding of a young person and information may need to be passed on. The trust that is built in the therapeutic relationship is an essential part of the therapy process.

If you would like any further information regarding our children’s and young person’s therapy services in Sheffield or online, please fill in the arrange an appointment form at the bottom of the website or request a call back.