How can I explain t o my child about “ going to therapy?”
Over the years, one of the questions I hear most often from parents and caregivers is:
“How do I explain therapy to my child?”
It’s such a thoughtful question—and an important one. How we introduce therapy can shape how safe and open a child feels walking into that space.
If you know me, you know how much I LOVE and BELIEVE in a child-centered play therapy approach. So I wanted to share some simple, supportive ways to talk with your child about the why, how, and what of therapy.
Start Simple
“We’re going to meet someone whose job is to help kids with their feelings. You’ll get to play, draw, and talk if you want.”
Normalize It
“Lots of kids go to a place like this. It’s a special play space where you can share any kind of feeling—happy, mad, worried, or confused.”
Emphasize Choice and Safety
“You don’t have to talk about anything you don’t want to. You can just play, and the therapist will follow your lead.”
Connect to Their World
“Sometimes big feelings get stuck inside. This is a place where you can let them out in a way that feels safe.”
Offer Reassurance
“I’ll be nearby, and I’ll come back for you. The therapist is someone I trust, and they’re there to help.”
If Your Child Asks, “Why Do I Have to Go?”
Try to keep it gentle and reassuring:
“Because I care about you and want to make sure you have support with your feelings.”
“It’s another way we take care of you—just like going to the doctor for your body.”
If Your Child Feels Nervous
“It’s okay to feel unsure. We can go together, and you can tell me how it felt afterward.”
“You can bring a favorite toy or something that helps you feel comfortable.”
A Simple Script You Can Use
“You know how sometimes feelings can get really big or confusing? There’s a helper who works with kids by playing, drawing, and talking. It’s a safe space just for you—and I’ll be here with you along the way.”
A Few Gentle Reminders
Give your child a little heads-up—try not to surprise them
Avoid connecting therapy to punishment
Keep your tone calm and steady (kids pick up on how we feel)
Let the relationship with the therapist build naturally
There’s no need to push your child to talk or share right away
At the heart of it, this is about helping your child feel safe, understood, and supported. When we approach the conversation with calm and care, we’re already taking an important first step alongside them.
"Toys are children's words and play is their language" — Gary L. Landreth.
在多年的从事经验中，我从父母和家长中听到最多的问题之一就是：
“我该如何向孩子解释什么是心理治疗，为什么他们要去治疗心理疾病呢？”
这是一个非常体贴入微的问题——也是一个至关重要的问题。从我们介绍心理治疗的方式，往往决定了孩子的内心将会感到安全与坦然的重要决定因素。
如果你了解我，就会知道我有多么热爱并坚信“以儿童为中心的治疗方针”这一理念。因此，我想分享一些简单且充满支持性的方法，帮助你与孩子探讨心理治疗的“缘由”、“过程”以及“内容”。
从简入手
“我们要去见一个人，她的工作就是专门帮助孩子们处理各种情绪。在那里，你可以尽情玩耍、画画，如果愿意的话，也可以跟她聊聊天。”
将其常态化
“很多孩子都会去像这样的地方。这是一个特别的游戏空间，你可以把任何一种情绪都分享出来——无论是开心、生气、担心，还是困惑。”
强调他们的选择权与安全性
“你完全不必谈论任何你不想谈的话题。你可以只管玩耍，治疗师会完全配合你的节奏和意愿。”
与孩子的世界建立联结
“有时候，那些强烈的情绪会积压在心里，让人感到憋闷。而这里就是一个安全的地方，你可以用一种让你感到安心的方式，把这些情绪释放出来。”
给予安抚与保证
“我就在附近，等时间到了，我会回来接你。这位治疗师是我非常信任的人，她就在那里等着帮助你。”
如果孩子问：“我为什么非去不可？”
试着用温和且充满安抚的语气来回答：
“因为我非常关心你，我想确保你在面对各种情绪时，能得到足够的支持和帮助。”
“这也是我们照顾你的另一种方式——就像生病时去看医生照顾身体一样。”
如果孩子感到紧张不安
“感到有些忐忑或不确定是很正常的。我们可以一起去，等你体验完之后，再告诉我你的感受。”
“你可以带上你最喜欢的玩具，或者带上任何能让你感到舒服、安心的物品。”
一个你可以直接套用的简单脚本
“你知道吗？有时候，我们的情绪会变得特别强烈，或者让人感到很困惑、理不清头绪。其实有一位专门帮助孩子的大人，她会通过陪孩子玩耍、画画和聊天的方式来提供帮助。那是一个专属于你的、非常安全的小空间——而且在整个过程中，我都会一直陪在你身边。”几点温馨提示
请提前给孩子打个“预防针”——尽量避免让他们感到措手不及。
切勿将心理咨询与惩罚挂钩。
请保持语气平和、稳重（孩子们往往能敏锐地察觉到我们的情绪）。
顺其自然，让孩子与咨询师之间的关系逐步建立。
无需强求孩子立刻开口交谈或分享心事。
归根结底，这一切的核心在于帮助孩子建立安全感，让他们感到被理解与被支持。当我们怀着平和与关爱的心态去开启这段对话时，我们便已迈出了陪伴孩子前行的重要第一步。