What is the process for starting child and youth therapy?
Lasha offers free 15 minute consultations to ensure that all your questions are answered. When you are ready to begin therapy for your child or teen, the following steps will occur:
1. A parent/guardian session will be scheduled to provide the psychologist with your experience as a parent, your perspectives and your thoughts on what may be happening. The psychologist gets to learn about your child's strengths and areas of growth from those who know them best. Your child does not attend this session to allow everyone to discuss freely and ask questions openly. If you have an older or more mature child and believe that it is helpful for them to be present rather than restrictive, then that is possible. Teens will often be part of these meetings. At the end of the meeting, everyone will have a good understanding of treatment goals prior to meeting the child.
2. Your child/teen will be booked in advance for 4 sessions that occur weekly to every 10 days to ensure momentum is achieved to make gains. You may be invited into the session at the beginning, middle or end at times but your therapist will let you know if this is a possibility when they get to know your child.
3. A follow-up parent/guardian session will occur after 4 sessions to discuss outcomes, and note any reflections that the psychologist may have especially if they have not been discussed at the initial meeting. At this time, a review of how therapy is translating into everyday life will occur and a review of goals may be required. This is also a good opportunity to discuss what you can do as parents outside of sessions, or inquire about certain parenting related challenges.
Note: The parent follow-up may differ for teens depending on the presenting concerns and teen's comfort for disclosure. Lasha will work with you and your teen to bridge any gaps in communication if this arises.
