If your child shows changes in mood, behavior, or struggles with school, friends, or emotions, they may benefit from counseling. Major life changes like divorce, loss, or bullying can also be signs. Child and teen counseling helps kids manage stress, express feelings, and build healthy coping skills. You don’t need to wait for a crisis—early support can make a big difference. Trust your instincts if something seems off.

In a child or teen counseling appointment, your child will meet with a trained therapist in a safe, supportive space. The therapist may use talking, play, or creative activities like drawing to help your child express feelings and explore thoughts. You can expect privacy, respect, and a focus on your child’s needs. Over time, counseling helps kids learn coping skills, build confidence, and work through challenges in healthy, age-appropriate ways.

Start the conversation during a calm moment when your teen feels safe and heard. Be honest and gentle—let them know you care and have noticed they might be having a hard time. Use “I” statements like, “I’ve noticed you seem more stressed lately,” rather than “You’ve been acting different.”

Normalize counseling by explaining that it’s not just for “serious” problems—many people, including teens and adults, go to therapy to better understand themselves, manage stress, or work through everyday struggles. You can say things like, “Therapy is like a mental health check-up” or “It’s a space where you can talk without pressure.” If you’ve been to counseling yourself, consider sharing that experience in a positive way.

Offer choices, like helping them pick a therapist or attending the first session together. Reassure them that therapy is private, supportive, and focused on helping them feel better and more in control.

In child or teen counseling, the therapist will ask questions to understand how your child feels and what’s going on in their life. The questions may vary based on their age, but some common ones include:

• “How have you been feeling lately?”
• “What’s been on your mind?”
• “Is there something at school or home that’s been bothering you?”
• “What’s been stressing you out?”
• “How do you usually deal with difficult feelings or situations?”
• “What do you like to do for fun or to relax?”
• “How do you feel about your relationships with family and friends?”

These questions help the therapist understand your child’s thoughts and emotions and guide them in learning coping skills, improving communication, and working through challenges. The therapist will also encourage your child to talk about what they feel comfortable sharing.

It can be normal for parents to attend their child’s counseling appointment, but it depends on the child’s age, the issues being addressed, and the goals of therapy. In many cases, parents may attend the first session or occasional check-ins to understand the process and support their child’s progress. Being involved can help parents learn how to support their child’s growth, improve communication, and address family dynamics.

However, there are also times when it may be more helpful for the child to attend alone. This gives them a private space to express their feelings openly without worrying about a parent’s reaction. In teen counseling, especially, having individual sessions can help build trust with the therapist and encourage independence in working through personal challenges.

You should consider discussing with the therapist whether or not attending would be beneficial. The therapist might suggest a balance of joint sessions and individual sessions to best support the child’s needs.