Preparing for your child’s visit to the psychologist
Receiving treatment and support from a psychologist can make a big difference for a child experiencing anxiety. Psychologists are trained health professionals who are experts in human behaviour and how the mind works. Through various forms of therapy and counselling, a psychologist can help your child better understand their feelings and develop the skills necessary to manage challenging situations. Having this support can help strengthen your child’s emotional wellbeing.
If you’re unsure whether or not your child should see a psychologist, speak to your GP, who will be able to direct you to the appropriate support.
Having an idea about what to expect can help families feel more comfortable about seeing a psychologist, especially if it is their first time. Read on for tips to help you learn more about the process and to help you prepare your child for their visit to the psychologist.
Things to find out as a parent
Before the appointment with the psychologist, it’s a good idea to find out more information about the whole process to help you feel more prepared before arriving at the clinic. Some questions to guide your research include:
Why does your child need to see a psychologist? If your child’s teacher or school recommended a visit to the psychologist or you received a referral from your GP, speak with them to understand their observations.
How long is the waiting list to see the psychologist? There is high demand for psychologists in Australia and the wait can typically reach six months.
What can you do in the meantime to help your child? Your GP and the psychology clinic may be able to give you some recommendations.
What type/s of therapy might your child receive? Gain some insight into how the psychologist will work with your child.
What will be the cost of the appointment? Check if you’re eligible for Medicare, private health insurance or other rebates. Note that Medicare can only be claimed if you see a psychologist with a referral or mental health treatment plan from your GP. A mental health treatment plan can help with the costs of seeing a psychologist for up to 10 sessions.
How many sessions may your child need? How often will your child need to see the psychologist?
What should you bring to the appointment? You may need to bring the doctor’s referral letter, or your child’s school reports or assessments from other specialists like speech pathologists.
What qualifications does the psychologist have? Psychologists in Australia must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). This indicates that they’ve met all requirements to work as a psychologist in Australia.
Speaking to your child about seeing a psychologist
“When and how should I tell my child about the appointment? What do I say?” These are common questions that parents have when preparing their child for their first visit to the psychologist.
Each child will react and feel differently towards seeing a psychologist. This is often influenced by factors such as age and temperament. As such, there isn’t necessarily one best way to communicate with your child about the appointment. Here are some general suggestions on how you could approach speaking to your child about this:
Choose a calm moment to tell your child. After a stressful day, sharing the news of your child’s upcoming appointment might make your child even more anxious.
Keep it positive. Explain to your child that the reason for the appointment is to help them “feel better”, as opposed to figuring out “what’s wrong”. Tell your child that the psychologist is like a doctor who helps you with your feelings, and this doctor has no needles.
Let your child know that it’s good to get help. Some children may feel that this is something to be ashamed of. Convey to your child that it is normal and healthy to seek help and encourage them to do so. Tell them that as a parent, you are here to support them.
Ask your child how they feel about going to the psychologist. It’s best to keep your questions open-ended, as opposed to asking something like, “Are you worried or scared about going to the psychologist?” This will help you get a genuine understanding of your child’s thoughts and feelings, so you know how to continue communicating to them about this.
Be open to answer your child’s questions. Some kids will want to know what to expect for their appointment and will appreciate you giving them some certainty to ease their worries.
Plan with your child what they might bring to the appointment. Having a familiar toy, book, or blanket during the visit may help your child feel more comfortable with the whole experience.
Reassure your child that you will be there with them during the appointment. Young children are often concerned about being separated from their parents, so it may help your child feel at ease knowing that you will be with them during the appointment.
How Gheorg can help
Given that waiting lists to see a psychologist are often months long, during this waiting period, it can be frustrating for parents who feel like they are not equipped to help their child at home, creating added stress. This is where Gheorg can step in to help.
Gheorg is a friendly robot that acts as a virtual psychologist friend for kids, and as an expert helper for parents. Through daily check-ins on the Gheorg app, kids can open up about their feelings and parents are able to keep track of their child’s emotions over time. Kids can learn to manage their stress and develop mental resilience through Gheorg’s meditation exercises.
If a child is displaying signs of anxiety, chatting to a psychologist is always recommended. A psychologist can provide an accurate diagnosis and offer treatment that will best suit your child. We want to emphasise that Gheorg isn’t here to replace psychologists – Gheorg is here to complement them!
Find out more about how Gheorg works.