SZN. 3 Ep. 18/ How to Best Support Parents Whose Kids Are in Therapy: Making Therapy a Family Journey
How to Best Support Parents Whose Kids Are in Therapy: Making Therapy a Family Journey
by: Alexandria Gohla, MSW, LCSW, Ed.S
When kids are in therapy, it’s easy to think of it as a solo experience for the child, but in reality, therapy is a family matter. The way a child grows and heals depends a lot on the family system they are part of. Parents need to be fully involved in their child’s therapy journey for it to be truly effective. The therapy room should not be the only place a child learns and grows – parents can be an essential part of the process, too. And when parents are engaged, children can thrive in ways that would be difficult to achieve otherwise.
In this article, I want to dive into why parents need to be part of the process and how they can be supported. I’ll explore ideas like concurrent parent sessions, regular check-ins, and provide research that underscores the importance of family involvement in therapy.
Why Parental Involvement Matters
The truth is, therapy isn’t just about the child—it’s about the family. Often, a child’s struggles aren’t isolated; they’re part of a broader family system. Whether it's communication issues, inconsistent discipline, or other family dynamics, they all play a role in shaping a child’s emotional and mental well-being.
Research backs this up. Studies like one published in The American Journal of Family Therapy show that when parents are involved in therapy, outcomes are better for children. Family therapy interventions tend to be more effective in addressing children’s issues than individual sessions alone. Therapy that addresses family patterns and dynamics leads to more sustainable change.
When parents are actively involved in the process, they can help reinforce the lessons learned in therapy at home, creating a more consistent and supportive environment for their child. This can make all the difference in a child’s healing journey.
1. Concurrent Parent Sessions: Learning Alongside Your Child
One of the best ways to support parents is through concurrent parent sessions, where both the child and parents attend therapy together. These sessions give parents the opportunity to learn and practice therapeutic techniques alongside their child.
Why is this important?
Shared Learning: Parents and kids can learn coping skills and communication strategies together. If a child is learning emotional regulation techniques, parents can learn the same skills, making it easier to work together at home.
Stronger Communication: These sessions can improve communication between parents and children. Parents gain a clearer understanding of how to speak with their child in a way that supports their emotional needs.
Increased Empathy: When parents see their child working through difficult emotions in therapy, it can deepen their empathy and understanding. This creates an environment where parents are better equipped to support their child’s emotional needs.
Consistency: Therapy isn’t just about what happens in the therapist’s office. It’s about what happens at home, too. If parents understand the therapeutic goals and techniques their child is working on, they can reinforce those strategies outside of the therapy room.
2. Monthly Check-ins: Keeping Everyone on the Same Page
In addition to concurrent therapy, monthly check-ins between parents and the therapist can be incredibly valuable. These check-ins give parents a chance to touch base with the therapist, ask questions, and keep track of their child’s progress.
Here’s why monthly check-ins are so effective:
Tracking Progress: Parents don’t always see the progress their child is making in therapy. A regular check-in ensures they stay informed and can recognize milestones or areas where more support is needed.
Addressing Family Issues: Parenting a child in therapy can come with its own set of challenges. These sessions give parents a safe space to bring up concerns they might have—whether it’s struggles at home or difficulty implementing strategies they’ve learned.
Reinforcing Skills: In these sessions, therapists can help parents practice new strategies or give them tools to better support their child. For example, if a child is struggling with anxiety, parents can learn and practice techniques for managing anxious moments as a family.
Aligning Therapy Goals with Family Needs: Sometimes, therapy goals for the child and family dynamics don’t align perfectly. A monthly check-in allows everyone to make sure they’re on the same page, helping the family create a unified approach to treatment.
3. Practical Ways to Support Parents During Therapy
In addition to concurrent sessions and check-ins, there are plenty of ways to support parents while their child is in therapy:
Encourage a Support Network: Parenting can feel isolating, especially when a child is in therapy. Encourage parents to seek out a network of family members, friends, or even local support groups. This gives them a safe place to vent, share experiences, and gain emotional support.
Prioritize Self-Care for Parents: It’s easy for parents to put their own needs on the back burner when their child is struggling. But parents who aren’t caring for themselves won’t be able to fully support their child. Encourage parents to prioritize self-care and give them permission to take time for themselves.
Provide Resources: Give parents reading materials or resources that can help them better understand the therapeutic process. Books, articles, or online resources that discuss child development, family therapy, or emotional intelligence can offer great insight into what’s going on in therapy and how they can help.
Celebrate Small Wins: Therapy can feel like a long road, so it’s important to celebrate even small victories. Acknowledge the progress that the child has made, and remind parents that the process is gradual. This will help build confidence in both the child and the parents.
4. Research That Backs the Importance of Family Involvement
There’s plenty of research that highlights how vital family involvement is in therapy. For example, a study published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies found that when parents are involved in therapy, children with emotional or behavioral challenges tend to do better than those whose parents aren’t involved. Family therapy is often more effective than individual therapy for children, because it helps address family patterns that may contribute to the child’s issues.
Additionally, a meta-analysis published in Psychological Bulletin confirmed that family-based interventions lead to better outcomes for children with mental health issues. This is particularly true for children dealing with anxiety, depression, and behavioral struggles. It’s clear that when parents are involved in therapy, the benefits extend beyond just the child—everyone in the family can grow together.
Parents are often the unsung heroes in their child’s therapy journey. By being involved in the therapeutic process—whether through concurrent sessions or monthly check-ins—parents can learn the tools they need to support their child in ways that make a real difference. Family therapy is about more than just the child—it’s about strengthening the entire family system.
When parents understand the goals of therapy, learn new skills, and track progress together with their child, the chances of lasting healing and growth increase significantly. Therapy shouldn’t just happen in a therapist’s office—it should happen at home, too, where the family can come together and create lasting change.
