Therapy FAQs
Ivy Griffin
Dear Parents,
As therapists, we are aware that it can be overwhelming and anxiety provoking trying to navigate the mental health system for your child – especially if you have never had contact with any kind of mental health support in the past. In hopes of supporting you as you start this journey, here are the answers to some frequently asked therapy questions.
How long are sessions?
Usually, sessions are a therapy hour which is 50 minutes. This gives the therapist time to prepare for each session and to be fully present and focused on the client they are seeing. A therapist might use the 10 minutes to review notes from the previous session to identify key areas they wanted to follow up on, they may write notes for the session they just completed, they could also use the time to respond to client emails/messages or they may need to use the 10 minutes to handle personal needs (bathroom, eating, drinking) so they can be mindfully present during the next session.
Can sessions be longer or more frequent?
The short answer is: they can be. Typically, when initially starting outpatient services sessions are weekly and 50 minutes. After several months, if the therapist and client agree progress has been made, they can discuss the possibility of decreasing session frequency. If you are finding you may need more frequent and longer sessions on a consistent basis, this may indicate a need for a higher level of care. However, session frequency may be adjusted to better meet the needs of the client with the consent and agreement of the therapist. Communication is key here and if you are feeling that you may need an adjustment to frequency, it’s important to be open and to broach the subject with the therapist.
As a parent, am I allowed to be present or part of sessions?
Your level of involvement in therapy will vary greatly depending on the age of your child, the issues they are wanting to work on, and their individual needs. For instance, for younger children who may be struggling with behavioral issues, a parent may be more involved in sessions regularly. This is typically done to support you in adapting your parenting approach to better handle the situation and respond to your child’s needs. On the other end of the spectrum, for teens you may be less involved in session, they may need more private time and space to process what is occurring for them internally.
At the end of the day, the therapist will take into consideration what appears to be the best approach for your individual child.
With warm regards,
Megan Bell, LMFT # 114303
Thrive Therapy & Counseling
2131 Capitol Ave, Suite 306
Sacramento, CA, 95816
thrivetherapyandcounseling.com