The Parent-Therapist Team: How We Work Together to Support Your Child

At Reach Counseling, we believe that therapy is most effective when parents and therapists work as a team. When a child or teen is struggling with emotions, behavior, or life changes, therapy provides a space for healing—but lasting progress happens when support extends beyond the therapy room.

Parents often come to us with important questions:

• Will I be involved in my child’s therapy?

• How will I know if therapy is working?

• What can I do at home to reinforce what they’re learning?

These are all valid concerns, and as experts in child and adolescent therapy, we want you to feel confident, informed, and supported throughout the process. In this guide, we’ll explain how we work together to help your child grow, heal, and thrive.

Why Parent Involvement Matters in Therapy

Therapy isn’t just about what happens in sessions—it’s about how children apply what they learn to their daily lives. Research consistently shows that when parents are engaged in the therapeutic process, children see better outcomes in emotional regulation, coping skills, and overall mental well-being (McLeod et al., 2017).

When parents and therapists collaborate, children:

• Feel more supported and secure

• Make progress more quickly and effectively

• Develop lasting emotional and behavioral skills

How Parent Involvement Works

We understand that every child is different and that therapy should be tailored to fit their unique needs. Depending on your child’s age, personality, and goals for therapy, your involvement may look different.

Here’s how we typically structure our parent-therapist collaboration:

For Younger Children (Ages 3-10): Play Therapy & Parent Check-Ins

☼ Play Therapy Sessions: Since younger children process emotions through play, they often engage in therapeutic play-based interventions while parents wait outside.

☼ Parent Updates: Every 3-5 sessions, we provide brief updates about themes we’re noticing and offer at-home strategies to reinforce their progress.

☼ Parent Coaching: If needed, we offer parent consultation sessions to help you implement effective techniques at home.

💡 Example: If a child is working on emotional regulation, we might introduce a calm-down routine in session and coach parents on how to use it at home.

For Older Children/Teens (Ages 13-18): Encouraging Autonomy While Keeping Parents Informed

☼ Confidentiality & Trust: Teens need a safe space to talk openly, which means therapy sessions are typically one-on-one with limited parent involvement unless safety concerns arise.

☼ Progress Updates (Without Oversharing): We communicate general themes and recommendations to parents while respecting the teen’s need for privacy.

☼ Family Involvement When Needed: If a teen is struggling with family relationships, communication, or boundaries, we may invite parents into family therapy sessions.

💡 Example: If a teen is learning healthy coping strategies for anxiety, we might educate parents on how to support their independence without over-accommodating anxious behaviors.

Parental support plays a key role in a child’s growth—whether in therapy or everyday learning. Engaging with your child, reinforcing strategies, and fostering open communication can make a lasting impact on their emotional well-being.

Common Questions from Parents

We know starting therapy can bring up a lot of questions. Here are some of the most common concerns we hear—and our expert guidance on what to expect.

Will I Be in the Room During Sessions?

For young children, parents may be involved in play therapy activities. As children grow, one-on-one time with the therapist becomes more important. We always keep parents informed, but we also respect the child’s need for a safe, private space to express their feelings.

How Will I Know If Therapy Is Working?

Therapy progress isn’t always immediate, but signs of improvement may include:

➯ More emotional awareness (e.g., “I’m feeling frustrated” instead of shutting down)

➯ Better coping skills (e.g., using deep breaths instead of melting down)

➯ Improved communication with family and friends

➯ Increased confidence and independence

We provide regular feedback, and we welcome parents to share changes they notice at home so we can adjust strategies as needed.

What If My Child Doesn’t Want to Talk About Therapy at Home?

It’s normal for kids and teens to keep their therapy experiences private. Instead of asking direct questions like, “What did you talk about today?”, try:

✔️ “What’s one thing you learned today that might be helpful?”

✔️ “Did anything in therapy surprise you today?”

✔️ “Is there anything I can do to support what you’re working on?”

This keeps the door open for conversation without pressure.

Parents play a crucial role in reinforcing therapeutic skills at home!

How Parents Can Support the Therapy Process

Beyond attending sessions and check-ins, here are ways you can actively support your child’s progress at home:

♥ Model Healthy Emotional Expression – Show your child it’s okay to talk about feelings.

♥ Practice Strategies at Home – Reinforce coping skills and communication tools introduced in therapy.

♥ Be Patient – Progress takes time, and setbacks are part of the journey.

♥ Celebrate Small Wins – Acknowledge and encourage even the smallest signs of growth.

Your support matters more than you know, and when we work together, we create the strongest foundation for your child’s emotional well-being.

Therapy Works Best as a Team Effort

We see therapy as a collaborative journey where therapists, parents, and children work together to create meaningful, lasting change. Our role is to provide expert guidance, but you are the expert on your child, and your involvement is invaluable.

If you’re considering therapy for your child or teen, we’re here to answer your questions, ease your concerns, and walk alongside your family every step of the way.

📞 Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your child’s emotional growth.