A Parent’s Guide to Child Therapy: What You Need to Know

Child therapy provides professional mental health support that benefits all children—not just those experiencing trauma or mental illness—by helping them develop essential coping skills, manage emotions effectively, and build resilience through evidence-based therapeutic approaches guided by licensed mental health professionals.

When your child is struggling, it's natural to feel uncertain about the next step. Child therapy isn't just for severe challenges – it's a powerful resource that can help any young person develop lifelong emotional skills and resilience, while giving parents the expert guidance they need to support their child's journey.

What to know before your child begins therapy: A guide to child mental health

While Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week is celebrated every first week of May, understanding the importance of children’s mental health is valuable throughout the year. Across the US, many children receive mental health services annually. In 2019, 10% of children between the ages of five and 17 participated in counseling with a mental health professional. Of that number, many were younger children. The source found that 10.8% of children between the ages of five and 11 had received treatment through therapy, medication, or a combination.

Although many parents may believe that only children who have experienced trauma, loss, or mental illness benefit from therapy, any child can benefit from professional mental health support. Therapy can improve a child’s well-being by helping them understand daily struggles and develop life-long healthy coping skills.

If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please contact a mental health professional or crisis resource in your area.

Tips for parents considering therapy sessions for their child

Many parents hope to be the primary support for their children. However, you might experience moments when you don’t know how to help your child. Needing support does not make you a bad parent, and taking your child to a child therapist can offer numerous benefits.

Understanding mental health professionals

Different types of mental health professionals work with children and teens. Therapists use talk therapy and various therapeutic approaches for teaching new skills and providing emotional support. A clinical child psychologist focuses on scientific knowledge about child and adolescent psychology, and may participate in continuing education to stay current with the latest research. Social workers are trained in human resources and social justice in addition to psychology and human behavior. What to expect during sessions will depend on several factors.

Pay attention to how your child feels after sessions

Caregivers may assume that their child will feel better after talking to someone for the first time, and sometimes that occurs. However, there may be times when the session brings up distressing feelings for your child. These feelings can be essential for them to discuss, but they can also make your child feel upset or overwhelmed afterward, as children often do not know how to manage their emotions as adults do. In these instances, an emotion chart can be helpful for them to visualize their feelings, emotions, and behavior. After therapy, be there to support your child. Therapy may not be easy, but with a suitable counselor, your child can meet their goals and make improvements.

Adjusting

You could explain to them on the way to therapy that they might sometimes feel upset after sessions and that their emotions are normal and okay. Some parents might also choose to take their child to a fun activity after counseling to help them associate therapy with positive experiences. For example, you could go to the zoo or buy ice cream.

Look out for resistance

Your child may say that they do not want to go to therapy before the session. Listen to your instincts and ask yourself questions. Do you see improvements? What kind of feedback are you getting from the therapist? If the resistance becomes a pattern, talk to the counselor about solutions and consider asking your child how you can make therapy a more positive experience for them.

Listen intently

A therapist may not share everything a child states in sessions with their parents. However, they could offer parenting advice if they notice areas where the family could participate in the child’s treatment plan. They may also suggest parenting tactics to aid in your child’s challenges. You can count on them whether you’re still preparing for parenthood or just want some guidance. Try not to think of their advice as an intrusion or a reprimand but as part of the mental health services the counselor is providing.

Consider family therapy

There may be times when the therapist suggests a session of family therapy. For younger children, the whole family may be involved. Older children may prefer individual therapy. However, regardless of your child’s age, the counselor may ask for you to participate in sessions to facilitate a conversation with your child about a subject involving the family unit as a whole.

Adolescent psychiatry

Treatment approaches differ based on a child’s developmental stage. Many counselors are trained to provide treatment for both children and teens, but some may specialize in one or the other. Adolescent psychology focuses on the unique needs of teenagers.

Older kids may benefit from occupational therapy, social skills training, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and other therapies designed to improve skills and interpersonal relationships. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is also an option for treating child and adolescent mental health conditions. DBT teaches kids new skills for coping with big emotions in a healthy way and replacing maladaptive responses with more positive behaviors.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adolescents may respond well to family therapy. Family disputes and communication issues can be a cause of stress for teens. In family therapy, they learn healthy ways to resolve conflicts at home. Interpersonal psychology (IPT) is also recommended for teens because it focuses on improving interpersonal relationships.

How to find counseling as a parent

Studies have shown that telehealth counseling can help parents with children experiencing mental health issues. In one study published in Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, researchers examined the efficacy of online therapy in supporting parents in interacting with their children exhibiting symptoms of behavioral disorders. Researchers found that online counseling services fostered better communication and interactions between parents and children and provided valuable tools that might not have otherwise been available to underserved families.

Finding a therapist for child therapy

If you are ready to begin a treatment program for your child or seek parent-child interaction therapy, telehealth services like ReachLink are available. With tele-mental health services, you can speak with a therapist from home at a time that works for you. ReachLink’s platform allows you to communicate with your provider through secure video sessions and messaging features. For teens aged 13 to 19, ReachLink offers specialized adolescent therapy services tailored to their unique developmental needs.

Many parents who have used telehealth services for their children report significant improvements. As one parent shared about their experience with online therapy: “Our therapist has provided resources and feedback to help our child manage their sessions productively. Our child completes the exercises, and we have noticed an improvement in their academics, ability to manage anxiety and maintain a more agreeable outlook.”

Takeaway

While finding a therapist for your child can be overwhelming, it may be a first step to finding solutions to recurrent concerns in your child’s life. Through ReachLink’s comprehensive telehealth services, your child can learn personalized coping mechanisms to use throughout all stages of their life, which may improve their mental health well into adulthood. With evidence-based approaches and licensed professionals, telehealth therapy provides accessible, effective support for children and their families.