Introducing me to your child, and what to share with them:
Please share with your child who I am, and why they will be coming to see me. I usually describe what I do as supporting young humans in meeting them in their place of "stuck", and supporting them to where they want to be.
Analogies or comparisons can also be helpful, such as comparing mental health therapy to knowing when a physical part of our bodies is broken, needs repair, or we figured out was struggling more than necessary, and seeing a physical doctor for those needs, but for our emotions, confidence, and life struggle. Seeing a mental health therapist is common, and a part of maintaining our health and wellbeing!
Attending sessions with your child:
Kiddos often find it most comfortable for parents to come along for the first 1-3 sessions, while we gain trust and rapport between us. Other times, kiddos seem to grasp and trust my role early and are somewhat surprisingly okay with being alone with me from their first session. Any of these options is okay, and we generally let our kiddo's intuition guide us, while also teaching them to listen to, and trust, what they know for themselves.
Sessions with parents present do often look more casual and our first sessions together will be primarily focused on me meeting your child in their world, and creating a safe space they can trust. You will see me on the floor with them, asking get-to-know-you questions, and offering activities, while also allowing them to guide the conversation and play, when they feel comfortable.
I generally ask parents to remain in the background by taking on an observer role on one of the couches or chairs in my office while kiddo and I are on the floor. This allows your kiddo to check-in when they feel it is helpful for them, or for me to ask you a question if your kiddo wants more context than they can remember or feel comfortable in sharing, but allows me to guide the space in preparation for what it will be when you are not there in the future. Of course you do not have to remain silent, we are simply working to give your kiddo the signal that this is something they can do without you there.
Parent sessions and sharing background/historical information with me:
Typically, I prefer check-ins with parent(s) occur virtually, and to be scheduled outside of client's individual sessions. While it is can be helpful for some things regarding recent behavior to be heard by all parties at the beginning of a minor client's session, many things are easier to be open and honest about during parent-only check-in sessions.
These also allow for my minor clients to be transported to therapy by whomever works best, and we are not having to work around one or both parents schedules for check-ins at the time of their child's session.
Parent coaching can also take place during parent sessions, for any parents seeking consultation for what they can do to further support their child's progress outside of therapy. These sessions are not required, though in my observation, regular parent-only sessions in support of my minor client's mental health treatment has always highly benefited my clients, parents, and families, and progressed their goals further in a shorter amount of time than individual therapy alone. After all, you are the #1 expert in your kiddo's life!