In recent decades there has been a rapid increase in the demand for psychological help for children. A visit to a child psychologist can cause anxiety, so it is worth preparing both yourself and your child for it.
Table of contents:
- How to prepare your child for a visit to a psychologist?
- How do I prepare myself (as a parent/carer) for a visit to a child psychologist?
Changing living conditions, advances in technology and increased social awareness are influencing the growing need for psychological support for young children. The increasing challenges of school pressures, complex social relationships and changing family patterns mean that parents are increasingly seeking professional help for their children.
A significant increase in the need for such help was observed after the recent pandemic, in which the phenomenon of isolation from society and peers fostered psychological problems. Mental health professionals play a key role in shaping the healthy emotional and psychosocial development of the younger generation. Increasing public awareness of children's mental health contributes to popularising and spreading the use of child psychologists and creating an environment surrounded by greater support for the youngest.
A visit to a child psychologist, photo: panthermedia
Psychologists are qualified specialists, experts in the field of human behaviour and the functioning of the mind. Through various forms of therapy and counselling, a psychologist can help your child to better understand his or her feelings and develop the skills necessary to cope with difficult situations. However, an upcoming visit to a child psychologist can cause fear and anxiety, so it is a good idea to prepare for it properly.
How do you prepare your child for a visit to a psychologist?
The most important thing is to tailor the preparation to the child' s age and their level of understanding of the world around them.
- Start by making sure your child understands the purpose of the visit and what a child psychologist does.
- Explain to your child that the purpose of the visit is to help them "to feel better". For the smallest patients, let them know that the psychologist is like a doctor who helps them understand feelings and deal with them.
- It is worth mentioning that the visit is based on conversation only and the child does not need to be afraid of any unpleasant tests, such as injections.
- In the case of older children, the problem may be the embarrassment of reaching out for psychological help in front of their peers. It should then be explained that there is nothing wrong with this and that it is normal and healthy to seek such help.
How to prepare a child for a visit to a psychologist, photo: panthermedia
- Ensure that your child has no fears before the scheduled appointment. Tell them what to expect, answer any questions they may have and ask about any concerns they may have. If the young patient expects what awaits him or her at the surgery, he or she will be less stressed, and this will certainly translate into a more pleasant atmosphere during the visit and make it easier for the specialist to make a possible diagnosis.
- Tell your child that you will be close by at all times during the visit. Children often feel the stress of being separated from their parent. Reassure them that they will be able to count on you if needed.
- To make your child more comfortable during the visit, consider what they can take with them to the surgery. This could include a favourite teddy bear, toy or blanket.
- Make sure your child is dressed comfortably, preferably in the clothes they feel most comfortable in.
How do I prepare myself (as a parent/carer) for a visit to a child psychologist?
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Plan what information you would like to give the psychologist during the visit. Recall what behaviour of your child caught your attention, how he/she reacted to different e.g. stressful situations. It is a good idea to write down these observations and present them during the visit. The more details, the better. This will make it easier to diagnose the problem and give the specialist a broader view of the situation.
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Describe how you deal with your child's specific behaviours. Outline what calms your child at such times and what they feel safe around, and discuss situations where you might expect particular worrying behaviours to occur.
Mental health problems in toddlers, photo: panthermedia
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When talking to the psychologist, describe your child's environment in detail. Talk about your contact, your relationship with siblings, friends or even animals. Ask yourself if there is anything that arouses particular emotions in your child. Tell when you started to notice worrying signals in his/her behaviour and consider whether they were preceded by something. Many psychological problems occur in children following strong stimuli, such as emotional ones. This could be the divorce of parents, the death of a loved one or the loss of a beloved pet.
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Many counselling centres recommend getting an opinion from other agencies. The opinion of the school or kindergarten teacher may be useful. This will provide the counsellor with information about behaviour among peers, e.g. whether the child is withdrawn or, on the contrary, aggressive with other children. It is also worth consulting the school psychologist. This can be crucial in making a diagnosis.
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If your child has been diagnosed with a developmental disorder, be sure to take the certificates with you. An opinion on dyslexia, dysgraphia, dysortography or dyscalculia can be very useful to the child psychologist. Such opinions can be obtained from psychological-educational counselling centres, which can be found in most Polish cities. The school, pedagogue or, if a parent suspects this, you can go there yourself.
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If you have any questions about the appointment or therapy, write them down and do not be afraid to ask. The specialist will be happy to answer them and clarify your doubts.
