
Questions to Ask My Child’s Therapist
If you are like most parents, you want what is best for your child. When it comes to finding a child therapist in Burlington or the surrounding areas, there are many questions you should ask before making the decision. What type of therapy does the therapist practice? What is their approach to counselling? How do they handle communication?
In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most important questions to ask when choosing a therapist for your child.
1. How Long Have You Been Practicing Therapy?
This is an important question to ask any potential therapist, as experience can make a big difference in the quality of care that a therapist is able to provide. Since therapy is such a sensitive and personal process, it’s important to work with someone who has ample experience and who you and your child feel comfortable with. If your child is seeing a newer therapist, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it is important to ask about their level of experience and training.
2. What Is Your Experience with Treating Children?
You should find a child therapist near you—whether you live in Hamilton or Burlington—who has extensive experience working with children, especially children who are dealing with the same challenges your child is struggling with. This will help you to gauge whether or not they are qualified to treat your child and if they have the necessary expertise. Some follow-up questions you may want to ask include: How long have you been treating children? What is your training to work with children?
3. How Often Will My Child Need to Attend Therapy Sessions?
Ask the therapist how long your child will need to attend therapy and how often. Some children may need to attend weekly sessions for an extended period of time, while others may only need to come for a few sessions each month. The therapist should be able to give you an idea of how long they think your child will need therapy based on their assessment.
4. What Therapy Methods Do You Use?
Asking about the child therapist’s treatment philosophy will give you some insight into their approach to therapy and how they work with children. For example, do they focus on talk therapy or play therapy? Do they take a more hands-on approach or let the child lead the session? Knowing what therapy methods they use can help you decide if the therapist is a good fit for your family.
5. Are There Any Potential Side Effects of the Therapy?
Before beginning any therapy with your child, it is important to ask their therapist about any potential side effects. Depending on the type of therapy used, there could be short-term or long-term side effects that you should be aware of. If you have any concerns, be sure to discuss them with the therapist so that they can address them and help put your mind at ease.
6. What Should I Do if I Have Questions or Concerns about My Child’s Treatment Plan?
You should always feel comfortable asking your child’s therapist questions or expressing any concerns you may have about their treatment plan. The therapist should be able to answer any questions you have about the plan and explain how it will benefit your child. If you are still not comfortable with the plan, you can ask for a second opinion from another child counsellor in Burlington.
7. How Will You Communicate Progress with the Parents?
When meeting with potential child therapists, be sure to ask about their communication style. How will they keep you updated on your child’s progress? How often will they meet with you? What other options, such as email or text, do they offer for communication? Establishing a good working relationship with your child’s therapist is vital to ensuring that your child receives the best possible care.
8. What Is Your Fee Structure and Do You Accept Insurance?
Be sure to ask about fees before committing to any therapy sessions. If you have workplace benefits, find out if the therapist accepts your insurance and what their out-of-pocket costs will be. It is important to ask about finances before you start working with a child therapist, whether you live in Burlington, Hamilton, or Oakville, so that you are not surprised by the costs later on.
Contact the Child Therapists in Burlington at Family Matters Centre
Family Matters Centre offers individual counselling and therapeutic groups for kids and teens. Our child therapists in Burlington specialize in anxiety, anger, self-esteem, social skills, trauma, ADHD, and chronic illness. We also offer counselling for marriage issues, separation, divorce, and co-parenting. If you’re looking for a child counsellor in the Burlington, Hamilton, or Oakville area, call us today at (905) 466-8023 or fill out our contact form to request an appointment.

by Shari Markovich
Shari is a Child Therapist who has worked with children and adolescents for more than 20 years. She uses a variety of counselling modalities, including Theraplay®, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Family Systems. She is motivated to work with children and parents so families can function in healthy and supportive ways.