supporting your child while waiting for mental health therapy

If you have found yourself in a moment where you are waiting for your child to get mental health therapy, we understand that this can be stressful for you and your family.

However, there are things that you can do while you wait, to get ready for the appointment and to help prepare your child.

In this article you will find:

• What to do while you wait for a therapy appointment
• How to prepare your child for their therapy appointment
• Free resources to help you and your child while waiting for a therapy appointment

If your child is having a crisis, don't wait. If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting “START” to 741-741.

what you can do with your child while you wait for a therapy appointment

Establish routines. This time can be one of excess stress, but routines and schedules help us reduce that stress. Download this sample schedule to help get you started.

• When possible, keep routines as consistent as possible with a similar schedule for waking, school, homework, play/relaxation and sleep. Avoid disruptions as much as you can, as that can cause more distress for your child to cope with.
• Mental health is tied to physical health. Protect times of exercise and sleep to keep young bodies healthy.

Learn skills to try now. You can start trying these skills from mental health treatments at home while you wait. These skills are not meant to replace treatment. They are just a way to get you started with changes that can help improve some of their symptoms. 

Build your support network. Who do you feel can help you and your child while you wait? Who do they feel comfortable with you talking to and what are okay with you sharing? Consider talking with:

• Your child’s teacher or other school support staff, especially if your child is struggling at school.
• Your pediatrician, as they may be able to help you manage symptoms in the short term and can suggest local support groups.
• Close friends or family who your child feels comfortable with.

Practice good self-care. Find time to take care of yourself so that you can better support your family. This also helps to model good self-care to your children.

Keep track of issues. What are the behaviors that have prompted seeing a mental health therapist? Take notes about when you see those behaviors using the Behavior Tracker.

Include what happened before the issue began, how long it lasted and how it was resolved. Having notes like this may help your child’s therapist to understand what you’re seeing at home.

how to prepare your child for their therapy appointment

Children may be overwhelmed at the idea of starting mental health therapy, especially if they’ve never been before. Give them an overview of what might happen:

• The mental health provider will be seated and your child will likely have a seat as well. Often, a parent will be in the room, at least for the first meeting.
• You can tell younger children that their therapist is like a doctor for feelings. Just like a doctor helps people who are sick, the therapist will help them understand their thoughts and feelings better.
• Older kids may want reassurance that the therapist will help them learn new ways to help them manage emotions so that they can handle their day-to-day routines and responsibilities.
• Remind all ages that it’s important to answer all questions from the mental health provider honestly. It’s also OK to be unsure or to answer, “I don’t know,” if something is confusing.

You’ll also want to answer your child’s questions. They may have simple questions you can answer or they may want detailed answers you don’t have. You can tell them that you’re unsure and that you will work to get the answers at their first appointment.

Remember that change can be scary. Take time to hear their concerns, questions and worries. Remind them that mental health therapy isn’t something that you can mess up. Their therapist will guide the conversation, so your child won’t have to figure out what to talk about.

You may both be feeling a little nervous before the first appointment. You can share those feelings with your child and remind them that you will both be there together.

By getting your child an appointment with a mental health professional, you’ve taken an important step toward mental health. You can help them prepare for their appointment, which may help reduce stress for your family.

two free resources to help while you wait for therapy

You can download the Daily Schedule Worksheet and the Behavior Tracker today to help prepare your child for their therapy appointment. 

Daily Schedule Worksheet: Waiting for a therapy appointment can be a very stressful time, but routines and schedules help us reduce that stress. Use this Daily Schedule Worksheet to keep routines as consistent as possible.

Behavior Tracker: While you wait for a therapy appointment, it will be helpful if you keep track of any issues. Use this Behavior Tracker to keep notes for the therapist about the behaviors that have prompted your visit.

Download the two free resources here. 

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