Talking to Your Child About Starting Therapy

Child & Teen Therapy

Child and Teen Therapy

Talking to Your Child About Starting Therapy

How to Talk to Your Child About Starting Therapy

Bringing up therapy with your child can feel like walking a delicate line. You want to offer help without making them feel like something is “wrong” with them. You want them to feel cared for, not singled out. For many parents, that first conversation can feel just as vulnerable as it does for the child.

The truth is, how you talk about therapy can shape how your child experiences it. When the conversation is open, calm, and honest, it helps your child feel safe and curious. When it’s rushed or avoided, it can send the message that therapy is something to be nervous about or ashamed of.

You don’t need to have all the right words. What matters most is the intention behind them—your desire to help your child feel understood, supported, and not alone.

Begin with Understanding, Not Fixing

Before you introduce the idea of therapy, start with connection. Gently reflect what you’ve noticed—changes in mood, motivation, or stress—and ask how they’ve been feeling. You might say,
“I’ve noticed you seem sadder than usual,” or “It seems like school has been more stressful lately. How are you feeling about that?”

Your curiosity communicates care. It tells your child that their feelings matter and that you’re not rushing to judge or correct them.

Once they’ve shared, validate what you hear: “That sounds really hard. I can understand why you’ve been feeling that way.” Validation builds trust—and it makes the idea of getting extra support feel natural, not like a punishment.

Describe Therapy in a Way That Fits Their World

How you explain therapy should match your child’s age and personality.

For younger kids, keep it simple and reassuring: therapy is a place where they can talk, play, and learn ways to handle big feelings.
For teens, it can help to normalize therapy as something many people use to feel better, get perspective, or work through stress.

You might say:

“Therapy is a space where you can talk about anything you want with someone who really listens.”
“It’s not about being in trouble—it’s about helping you feel better.”
“Just like we see a doctor for our body, we can see a therapist for our thoughts and feelings.”

The more you frame therapy as an act of care, the easier it is for your child to accept it as something meant for them, not about them.

Help Them Know What to Expect

New experiences can be intimidating. Let your child know what therapy might look like before their first appointment. You could explain that therapists use talking, playing, art, or coping tools to help kids and teens understand their emotions.

It can also help to acknowledge that therapy may feel strange at first—but that many kids grow to enjoy having their own space to talk.

For teens, clarify how confidentiality works. Let them know their privacy will be respected, with a few exceptions for safety. This reassurance helps them feel ownership of the process.

Stay Reassuring and Patient

Your child may not feel ready to start therapy right away. They might resist or shut down, and that’s okay. Keep the conversation open. You could say:

“You don’t have to decide right now. We can think about it together.”
“If you ever want to talk about it, I’m here to listen.”

Over time, most children and teens become more open to therapy when they sense that their parent isn’t forcing it but believes in its value.

Therapy Is a Sign of Care, Not Crisis

Starting therapy doesn’t mean something is wrong—it means you’re paying attention. It means you care enough to offer your child the space, tools, and support they need to feel more like themselves.

When approached with openness and love, therapy can deepen trust between you and your child and become a meaningful step toward healing and growth.

Child & Teen Therapy

Child and Teen Therapy