Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Child Behavior (Expert Forum)
How do I explain first counseling visit
Answered by
Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D. - Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Crisis Intervention
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates
This forum is for questions and support regarding child behavior issues such: Child Discipline (behavior management), Normal Child Development, Parent-Child Communications, Social Development
How do I explain first counseling visit
by digger66, Feb 14, 2008 04:39PM
My 7 year old son has an appointment with a psychologist and I have no idea how to explain the purpose for the visit to him. We are seeking professional advice and counseling because he had trouble staying focused in school, has nightmares, some "rituals" he must perform before going to
sleep so that he feels "safe" and I think he has some anxiety and depression. How do you tell a
7 year old we are taking him to see a doctor for these things?
sleep so that he feels "safe" and I think he has some anxiety and depression. How do you tell a
7 year old we are taking him to see a doctor for these things?
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D., Feb 14, 2008 07:16PM
, Feb 14, 2008 07:16PM
Keep the message simple and straightforward. An example would be this: "We're bringing you to talk to a doctor about the worries you have at night, and about how hard it can be for you to stay focused in school." That's all you have to say. Lengthy explanations are neither useful not necessary. Be casual, matter-of-fact in your approach. When we, as parents, engage in long, detailed conversations or explanations about therapy, we actually tend to increase children's concerns or anxiety about the process. Once they are introduced to it, they are fine. They simply have to see that they are OK.
Member Comments (2)
by Rachelinpain, Feb 14, 2008 06:06PM
To: digger66
i have a daughter who is 8 and has been in counseling for a couple years, she has seen several counselors. she has ADD, anxiety , depression and PTSD. I guess I never really explained to her but I just told her that we are going to see a doctor who wants to talk to you about your feelings. after that we just referred to it as "going to see Ms. C*** and she would get excited. at this age they do mostly play therapy and art therapy anyway so he will probably enjoy it. she will talk to you extensively alone and then meet with him. eventually she will spend time alone with him so it is not like you discuss his problems in front of him. they make it actually quite comfortable for you and the child. i would relax. tell him that she is a doctor that just talks about feelings and leave it at that until he gets a bit older and can actually understand his own issues.
