What happens during my child’s first session?

To begin counselling, the first session is always a parents-only session.

As their parent, you know your child best and we want to hear your story before we meet them and set the stage to warmly welcome them.

To a child, meeting their therapist for the first time should feel like a soft, engaging landing. For us to meet your child with the care they deserve and understand your child’s inner world, in the parents-only session parents help us map out what they feel is going on emotionally, socially, and developmentally.

This first parents-only session is also a chance to discuss confidentiality and its limits, ask questions about how therapy works, and set goals together for your child’s growth and well-being.

Your child’s first counselling adventure session happens after the parents-only session.

For their first session, kids are welcomed to EmPOWERland by our Intake Specialist, and they select their choice of snack, beverage, or sticker. Then, their specialized child therapist greets them in person for the first time.

Your child’s first session is a welcoming introduction, where we establish assent (permission from your child to work with them) and connection. We begin sessions with your child at their pace, using play, storytelling, creativity, and conversation to connect with them at their level. We follow their lead, build trust, and we keep parents in the loop.

Your child will not be present in the last 10 minutes of the first session, which will be a short conversation with parents where we discuss our observations and offer suggestions. If further conversations are needed, we can schedule update sessions for parents.