What It’s Like When Your Teen or Preteen Starts Therapy with Me
If you’re thinking about therapy for your teen or preteen, you might be wondering: What will it actually be like once they begin? That’s a question I hear often, and it’s an important one. Starting therapy can feel like a big step, for both kids and parents. My goal is to make the process feel safe, supportive, and tailored to your child’s needs, so you both know what to expect as we begin this journey together.
Step 1: Building Trust
The very first thing I focus on is connection. Teens and preteens won’t open up until they feel comfortable, so the first few sessions are all about building trust. That might look like playing a game, drawing, or simply talking about things that matter to them such as music, friends, school, or even what’s trending on TikTok. It’s less about “getting to the problem right away” and more about helping them feel seen, accepted, and safe.
Step 2: Exploring Through Play and Conversation
Younger kids often express themselves best through play or creative activities like art, stories, or sand tray work. Preteens and teens usually do more talking, but therapy with them isn’t just sitting in a chair and answering questions. We might role-play tough situations, solve problems together, or practice calming strategies. My job is to meet them where they are and use approaches that feel natural for their age and personality.
Step 3: Building Skills for Life
Therapy is about more than just talking, it’s about giving your child tools they can carry with them into everyday life. A big part of my work with adolescents focuses on helping them:
Advocate for themselves — asking for what they need at school, at home, or with friends.
Communicate assertively — finding the balance between being respectful and standing up for themselves.
Identify their personal values — discovering what truly matters to them and letting that guide their decisions.
Set healthy boundaries — learning it’s okay to say no, protect their space, and respect others in return.
These skills don’t just help them now, they set the stage for healthier relationships and stronger confidence as they grow.
Step 4: Parent Involvement
Parents are such an important part of the process. My focus during sessions is always on your child, which sometimes means I may forget to check in with you. Please know that’s never because I don’t value your role, it’s simply because I’m tuned in to what your child needs in the moment.
That said, I want you to feel included and supported, too. If you ever have questions, concerns, or just want to talk through something, I’m always open to those conversations. Therapy works best when we’re all working together, and I see this as a true team effort.
Step 5: Growth Over Time
As your teen or preteen continues with therapy, you’ll start to notice changes. It might look like more emotional awareness, better coping skills, clearer communication, or a stronger sense of who they are. Therapy isn’t about “fixing” your child, it’s about helping them grow into themselves with confidence, self-awareness, and resilience.
When your child starts therapy with me, the focus is on building trust, meeting them where they are, and giving them skills they’ll carry for life such as advocacy, assertive communication, values, and boundaries.
Because of my strong social work background in both community, education and direct practice, I naturally look at the whole child, not just what’s happening in the therapy room. That includes their school environment, family system, friendships, and access to community resources. Every child’s world is made up of connections, and I see therapy as a way to strengthen all of those pieces, so they feel supported everywhere, not just in session.
And as their parent, you’re not on the outside looking in. You’re an important partner in the process, and I’m here to support you, too.
If you’ve been considering therapy for your teen or preteen, know this: you don’t have to wait until things feel like a crisis. Therapy can be a safe space for growth, self-discovery, and learning to navigate the world with confidence.