When your child or youth is struggling, you may be at a loss for what to do. However, you as the parent/caregiver know your child best. Therapy works better when parents can support the work that is going on in therapy sessions. With younger children, you may be asked to provide developmental information, observe what is going on between sessions, be an advocate for your child at school, and to try out new ideas at home. I will communicate with you regularly to share my impressions and your child's progress; either in person, on the phone, or by email. With teens, because of their need for independence, you may not be as involved directly in their treatment. Teens still have a strong need for attachment with you, even while they strive for this independence. You can support your teen by helping them get to appointments, offering support to them if strong feelings come up, and listening and responding to your teen when they come to you.
Confidentiality: It is my job as your child's therapist to help you understand what is happening with your child's treatment. Therapy time should be regarded as the child/teen's own private time, and so its best for parents to refrain from asking your child too many questions after sessions. with younger children, or as is developmentally appropriate, I will share my impressions, ideas and insight with you, as we are partners in your child's treatment. With teens, again, I will not share information about your teen's treatment unless they say it is OK. Your teen of course can always tell you what they are working on in therapy; in fact, I often encourage this!. I will not share any information with any outside parties unless you give me permission to do so. The limits of this confidentiality are if I am concerned about a child being abused, or if they disclose or I assess that they are in danger of harming themselves or someone else.