Starting therapy can feel like a big step. Here's a clear, gentle overview of how the process usually unfolds — so you know what to expect from the very first message onward.
The first step is simply reaching out. Whether you are concerned about your child's emotional wellbeing, behaviour, relationships, adjustment to a life change, or simply feel that something is not quite right, we can start with an initial conversation about what is happening and what support may be helpful.
Before meeting with a child or adolescent, I typically schedule a consultation with the parent or parents. This provides an opportunity to discuss your concerns in more depth, understand the background of the situation, and explore how I may be able to help.
This conversation also allows you to ask questions about the therapeutic process and determine whether my approach feels like the right fit for your family.
Following the parent consultation, we arrange an initial session with your child, adolescent, or family.
The first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and begin building a therapeutic relationship. It is important that your child feels comfortable and understood, and equally important that we determine together whether the therapeutic relationship feels like a good fit.
Sometimes meaningful work begins immediately; at other times, the first few sessions focus on building trust, understanding concerns more fully, and creating a sense of safety within the therapeutic space.
Once we have developed a clearer understanding of the challenges and strengths involved, we work together to identify goals for therapy.
These goals may relate to emotional wellbeing, anxiety, confidence, family relationships, emotional regulation, behavioural concerns, school challenges, adjustment to change, or other areas that are important to your child and family.
From there, we begin working towards these goals using a personalised approach that draws from evidence-based therapeutic models and is adapted to your child's individual needs.
Therapy is rarely limited to what happens during a single weekly session. Depending on your child's needs and age, ongoing collaboration with parents can be an important part of the process.
Parent sessions may be scheduled alongside individual therapy to discuss progress, share observations, strengthen strategies at home, and ensure that everyone is working towards the same goals. Where appropriate, support may also involve collaboration with schools or other important adults in a child's life.
Sessions can take place in person, online, at home, or within the school environment, depending on what best supports the child and family.
Throughout the process, we regularly reflect on progress and make adjustments where needed. As goals are achieved and confidence grows, we begin preparing for the next stage, whether that means reducing the frequency of sessions, transitioning to occasional check-ins, or bringing therapy to a natural close.
My goal is for children, young people, and families to leave therapy with a stronger understanding of themselves, healthier relationships, practical tools for managing challenges, and the confidence to move forward independently.
Feel free to reach out. I'm happy to answer any questions and explore how I can support you and your family.
