Getting Started With Child & Teen Therapy

Introductory Call

If you are considering therapy for your child or teenager, contact me to arrange a brief introductory video call. We can talk about what is bringing you to therapy, what you are looking for, and whether my practice may be a good fit for your child and family. I can also answer practical questions about scheduling, fees, and how I work. The introductory call is usually 15–20 minutes long.

Initial Parent Meeting

The first appointment is typically a meeting with the parent or parents without your child present. This gives us time to discuss your concerns and develop a fuller understanding of your child's strengths, development, relationships, family life, and experiences at school.

First Meeting With Your Child

At the next appointment, I meet with your child or teenager. With younger children, a parent usually joins us at the beginning; with adolescents, I generally meet with them independently. The first few meetings give me an opportunity to get to know your child and understand their concerns, strengths, relationships, and experiences from their own perspective.

Treatment Planning

After the initial assessment period, I meet with parents to discuss my impressions and recommendations. Together, we'll consider the goals for therapy, how I can best support your child, and the role of parent consultation.

Ongoing Therapy

Therapy sessions are typically 45 minutes and begin on a weekly basis. As therapy continues, we'll periodically consider how things are going and what is most useful to focus on. Parent consultation is an important part of my work with children and adolescents, with the nature and frequency of parent involvement varying according to a young person's age and needs.