CHILD THERAPY at INSIDE OUT THERAPY

This is our first meeting, and it is focused entirely on you as the parent.

We will:

• Talk through your main concerns 
• Understand your child’s strengths and challenges 
• Explore what you have already tried 
• Begin identifying patterns in your child’s behaviour and emotions 
• Decide together how parent involvement will look in the process 

Some families prefer to be closely involved in sessions. Others prefer a more observational role at first. We decide this together based on your child’s needs and comfort level.

In the first few sessions with your child, the focus is not on “fixing” anything.

Instead, I focus on:

• building trust and safety 
• understanding how your child expresses themselves 
• observing emotional patterns and strengths 
• creating a sense of comfort in the therapy space 

During this time, you may also be invited to observe or briefly join sessions, depending on what is most supportive for your child.

After a few sessions, we reconnect.

I will share:

• my initial impressions of your child’s strengths and needs 
• patterns I am noticing 
• early ideas for supporting your child at home and in sessions 
• recommendations for next steps 

This is where the direction of therapy becomes more focused and intentional.

This is where most of the change happens.

Rather than separating “parent work” and “child work,” both happen continuously and in parallel.

Your child is supported through play-based, developmentally appropriate sessions that help them:

• express emotions safely 
• process experiences 
• build regulation skills 
• strengthen confidence and flexibility 

Parent support is not a separate phase—it runs alongside every part of therapy.

In parent sessions, we focus on:

• understanding your child’s behaviour as communication 
• responding to big emotions in effective ways 
• reducing power struggles and conflict cycles 
• supporting anxiety without reinforcing avoidance 
• building consistency and confidence in daily routines 

You are not expected to “figure it out on your own between sessions”—this is an active, supported process.

A key part of this work is applying ideas in real life.

This may include:

• adjusting responses during difficult moments 
• trying new approaches at home 
• reflecting on what worked and what didn’t 
• refining strategies together over time

Change happens most strongly in everyday interactions—not just in the therapy room.

At the intake stage, we decide together how you will be involved in sessions.

This may include:

• observing sessions 
• joining parts of sessions 
• participating in play-based interactions when helpful 
• stepping out when your child needs space 

When parents participate directly in play sessions, the approach is informed by filial principles, but adapted flexibly to your child and family.

There is no one “correct” structure—we adjust based on what supports your child best.

As progress builds, we begin shifting toward independence and maintenance.

We focus on:

• strengthening your confidence as a parent 
• ensuring strategies are working in real life 
• reducing the intensity of support as appropriate 
• preparing for successful ending of therapy when ready 

Some families choose to continue occasional check-ins for support. Others transition fully out of therapy once goals are met.