You've decided your child might benefit from seeing a psychologist. Now you're trying to picture what that actually looks like.
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You've decided your child might benefit from seeing a psychologist. Now you're trying to picture what that actually looks like. Will they sit and talk for an hour? Will you be in the room? What if your child won't open up? These are exactly the right questions to ask, and the more you know going in, the easier the whole experience will be for everyone, including your child.
A typical child psychology session lasts 50 to 60 minutes. The first appointment usually involves the parent (sometimes alone first, sometimes with the child) so the psychologist can understand the concerns and gather background. After that, sessions usually involve the child and psychologist together, with parents joining at the start, end, or for designated parent-only sessions. For younger children, sessions look more like play, drawing, games, and stories than "talking therapy". For older children and teenagers, conversations become more central. Confidentiality is age-appropriate: psychologists share enough with parents to support the child's progress without breaking the child's trust. Most children need somewhere between 6 and 12 sessions, though this varies significantly.
How you frame this matters enormously. The goal is to make seeing a psychologist feel ordinary, helpful, and safe. Some practical guidance:
For very young children, framing it as "a special person who helps with feelings" works well. For teenagers, more honesty about what they'll be working on usually goes further than careful framing.
The first session is largely about gathering information. The psychologist needs to understand who your child is, what's been happening, and what you're hoping for. Most clinicians structure this in one of two ways.
You attend without your child. You'll be asked detailed questions about your child's history, current concerns, family situation, school, friendships, sleep, and behaviour. This usually takes 50 to 60 minutes. The advantage is you can speak openly. The next session is then the child's first session.
You and your child attend together. The psychologist may speak to you both, then to you separately while the child waits, then meet the child briefly. The advantage is your child meets the psychologist immediately and starts building familiarity.
Both approaches are valid. When you book, we'll let you know how your psychologist runs the first session.
This depends heavily on age.
Sessions look more like play than therapy. The psychologist might use puppets, drawing, sand trays, board games, or storytelling. Children this age don't have the language to discuss feelings abstractly, but they can show what's happening through play and metaphor. A child who's anxious might draw monsters, then talk about which monster is biggest, what the monster does, and what could help. This isn't filler. It's clinical work in a developmentally appropriate form.
Sessions blend conversation with activity. There's more direct discussion of feelings and situations, but games, art, and structured worksheets often anchor the work. Many children this age love having a space that's just theirs to talk about what's hard.
Sessions look more like adult therapy. There's mainly conversation, with structured techniques such as identifying thinking patterns, building skills, and practising new strategies. Teenagers need to feel respected and in control of the process, so they generally take the lead on what's discussed.
Parental involvement is essential for child therapy to work. The model varies depending on your child's age and what's being worked on, but typical structures include:
Your psychologist should explain how they work with parents at the outset. If parental involvement isn't built in, that's worth asking about.
This is one of the most common parent questions. Children need to trust that what they say in the room is broadly private, otherwise they won't speak openly. But parents need enough information to support what's happening at home. Most psychologists handle this with a clear framework that's explained to both you and your child upfront.
Generally, the psychologist will share themes, progress, and strategies with parents, but not specifics of what your child said unless there's a safety concern. Safety concerns, such as a risk of self-harm or of harming someone else, are shared with parents. If we’re worried a child is being harmed, the law requires us to report it to child protection. Your child knows about these limits from the start.
If your child is a teenager, confidentiality boundaries may be more protective of the young person's privacy. This is developmentally appropriate and supports the work, but should be clearly explained.
Working with children requires a particular skill set. Children don't book themselves in, they don't pay for sessions, and they often haven't agreed they need to be there. The psychologist's first task is to make the child feel respected and safe enough to engage.
Our approach with children includes a thorough intake to understand the full picture (developmental history, family context, school, peer relationships), age-appropriate evidence-based work in session, and structured parent guidance so the gains carry into daily life. We see parents as essential partners, not bystanders. We also liaise with schools and other professionals where helpful, with your consent.
For specific child concerns, our existing pieces on child anxiety, autism and challenging behaviours, and ADHD in children walk through what to look for and how psychology can help.
Some thresholds for seeking psychology support for your child:
You don't need a formal diagnosis or referral to book. You just need to feel that something would be easier with support.
We see clients at our two clinics, Kingswood (Nepean Health Hub) and Gledswood Hills (Gregory Hills Health and Business Centre), and by telehealth across NSW. Families come to us from St Marys, Jordan Springs, Glenmore Park, Cranebrook, Emu Plains and nearby suburbs. Our treatment page for young people outlines what to expect.
Be honest and calm. Tell them you've found someone who helps kids when things feel tricky, name briefly what you're hoping to work on, and explain what will physically happen (going to a room, talking, maybe playing games or drawing). Avoid framing it as a punishment or as something being wrong with them. Validate any nervousness as normal.
It varies. The first session often includes parents (sometimes alone, sometimes with the child). Subsequent sessions are usually mostly child-and-psychologist, with parents joining at the start, end, or for dedicated parent sessions. The exact structure depends on your child's age and what's being worked on. Your psychologist will explain their approach.
Most children benefit from somewhere between 6 and 12 sessions, though this varies considerably depending on what's being worked on. Some concerns resolve in fewer sessions; complex or longer-standing issues may need more. Your psychologist will give you a realistic estimate after the first few sessions.
Consider it if difficulties have lasted more than a few weeks, are affecting school, sleep, friendships, or family life, your child is asking for help, or your usual strategies aren't working. You don't need to wait for a crisis. Reaching out early gives you more options.
Children as young as three or four can see a psychologist, though the work looks very different from work with older children. Sessions for very young children usually involve parent coaching alongside play-based work with the child. There's no minimum age for benefit, only differences in how the work is delivered.
Generally, no, not specifically. The psychologist will share themes, progress, and strategies for home, but not the exact details of what your child has shared, unless there's a safety concern. This builds the trust your child needs to engage. Safety concerns (risk to self or others) are always shared. Your psychologist should explain this framework upfront so both you and your child are clear.
Not sure where to start?
Call and we’ll talk it through with you. No GP referral needed.
More guides and articles from our psychologists.
Locations
Gledswood HillsLevel 2, 25/13 Digitaria Drive, Gledswood Hills. We call from (02) 8319 1945.
KingswoodLevel 3, 302/13 Barber Avenue, Kingswood. We call from (02) 8528 4620.
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