What Parents Can Expect

What Parents can Expect when their Teen is in Therapy

As your child enters adolescence and develops more independence, it can be very challenging as a parent to navigate supporting their mental health while respecting their need for privacy.  

Your support as a parent is incredibly important for your child at every age. That support will simply adjust to meet the changing needs of your adolescent.  We can help you to navigate this process so that you do not feel alone. 

Some questions you might be asking are:

Should I be part of the consultation call?

At Foundations, we always begin with a consultation call so that we can ensure that we are a good fit for each client. This is also true for teens and tweens who are searching for therapists. Allowing your child to express their concerns and choose their therapist helps them to feel more empowered and committed in their decision to start therapy. 

You can support your child by talking to them about this call ahead of time to ensure that you both participate. There is also a portion of the call where we discuss logistics such as billing and scheduling and answer any questions you or your child may have.

Who is present during the first session?

At our first therapy appointment, parents of tweens are welcomed into the office for the first few minutes to review informed consent and confidentiality. To honor your child’s privacy, we strongly encourage parents to allow us to meet with your child privately and provide your thoughts and concerns by completing a history form through our portal. 

How can I stay involved if I’m not present and my child isn’t telling me anything?

Because your support is critical to the therapeutic process, your teen’s therapist will check-in with you frequently to inquire about whether you would like to provide any updates that may help in their sessions including ongoing concerns and progress updates. 

To maintain your child’s confidence, we do not share specifics of what is said in session. This is how we can most effectively help your child during our time together.

What if I want tools to help support my child?

At times, your teen’s therapist may reach out to provide follow-up or guidance around coping skills, honoring boundaries, and advocating for them when they are unable to do so.

How will I know therapy is helping?

You will witness your teen building confidence and self-esteem, improving boundaries and communication skills and reducing anxious and depressive symptoms as she builds trust in herself and others.

How long will it take to see results?

The number one predictor of successful outcomes in therapy is a positive relationship between client and therapist.  Additionally, clients must be willing to be vulnerable and ready to challenge themselves. 

Adolescents often require more time to build a trusted relationship with an adult.  Therefore, your child might demonstrate strengthening of the therapeutic bond before demonstrating vast improvements of her stated goals. Once trust has been earned, your child will be more open to deeper self reflections and challenges that push her beyond her comfort zone. 

Depending upon your child’s individual challenges, this process can take several weeks to several months.  The process is not typically linear, but with family encouragement, consistent attendance, and openness around barriers, your child’s therapist can keep the focus on her treatment to ensure steady progress toward her goals. 

How often will my adolescent need to attend sessions?

We believe every treatment is unique to the client’s needs and goals. During the consultation call, your child’s therapist will discuss recommendations around frequency for treatment after discussing concerns and goals. Often, weekly sessions are recommended for the first few months. This will ensure your therapist has time to build a strong relationship with your child and explore current concerns more deeply. 

Stop waiting! 

You are looking for a therapist to help your teen to cultivate empathy for herself, and ease the crushing expectations and relentless self-criticism.

At Foundations, we are passionate about helping clients to rebuild healthier connections with themselves and the people they love most.

If you are interested in setting up a consultation call for you and your child, please complete the form below.