Preparing children for therapy

The following are suggestions for how to prepare your children to visit a therapist: Be clear, honest and open about why your child needs to go. For young children, make sure they understand that this is a person who speaks with them, not a doctor who makes shots.

Explain that it is a therapist who helps children feel better. For older children, make sure you understand that anything that tells the therapist is confidential, and that the therapist will not be a parent.
The exception might be if the child expresses a desire to hurt others. Help your child understand that the therapist’s work will benefit the entire family.