How Parent Consultations Can Help a Child Who Does Not Attend Therapy
Why might it be difficult to schedule therapy appointments for a child?
When a child is struggling emotionally, behaviorally, or socially, therapy is often
recommended as a valuable support. However, sometimes it can be difficult to bring a
child to therapy appointments for a variety of reasons:
- Not every child is ready or willing to participate in therapy sessions directly.
- Just like adults, a child may feel afraid or anxious to talk with someone they do
not know. - Coordinating parents’ work schedules with a child’s after school activities may
preclude ability to attend sessions. - The child may resist attending therapy because their perception is that they do
not have a problem or they may feel singled out in the family.
What to do now?
These are examples of when parents might feel helpless to support their child.
However, there are alternative approaches. Parents can avail themselves of parenting
books and articles. Attendance in parenting classes is often beneficial. Talking with
teachers and other parents can be informative.
Despite all these good ideas, problems may nevertheless persist that cause parents
considerable stress and worry. That is when parents can turn to a psychologist. Parents
can consider a psychologist as a partner in their child’s growth. By preparing well,
staying engaged, and applying strategies consistently, families can help their child
adjust more smoothly to life’s challenges. Through parent consultations, parents can
gain insights, practice strategies, and obtain emotional support that allows them to
foster positive change at home, even without the child’s direct involvement in therapy.
Can deeper understanding of the child’s challenges help?
Yes, indeed. Let’s suppose the issue is school refusal. On the surface, it may seem like
the child is exhibiting defiance. Yet, with further exploration, a parent may learn that their
child is being bullied or fears failure on a math test. Therefore, it is critical to fully
recognize what underlies the school refusal so appropriate steps can be taken that
facilitate the child’s adjustment or resolution to the problem. It is important that the child
experiences empathy, support, and remedies.
What to do when parents feel powerless?
Sometimes parents feel like they have exhausted everything they know to help their
child. They simply feel powerless to effect positive change. With a psychologist’s
guidance and expertise, parents can learn strategies for setting consistent boundaries,
reinforcing positive behavior, using calm communication, and responding to emotional
outbursts in constructive ways. This then leads to harmony in the home and
improvements in the child’s well-being.
What to do when parents feel depleted?
Raising a struggling child can be exhausting and isolating. Therapists can provide
emotional validation and coping strategies, ensuring that parents have the resilience to
stay calm and consistent in challenging moments. When psychologists are able to equip
parents with better tools for their specific needs, and are able to convey confidence in
parents’ newly acquired skills, parents become better able to model healthy emotional
regulation for their children.
Parent consultations with a psychologist can be a powerful and effective
alternative for a child who does not attend therapy directly.
