What to Expect

Starting therapy for your child can feel overwhelming. You don’t know what the sessions look like, what questions will be asked, or how to prepare your child. Here’s exactly what to expect when you work with Little Dove Psychology — step by step.

STEP 1

Free 15-Minute Consultation

This is a brief phone call, not a therapy session. It’s your chance to:

Tell me what’s going on with your child
Ask us questions about our approach
See if we’re the right fit
Learn about scheduling, cost, and logistics

No commitment. No pressure. If it’s not a fit, I’ll help you find someone who is.

STEP 2

Initial Intake Session (50 minutes)

Our first full session is usually just with parents. This gives us time to talk honestly without your child in the room. We’ll discuss:

Your child’s history and what you’re noticing now
Family dynamics, school, friends, and sleep
What you’ve already tried
Your goals for therapy

By the end of this session, you’ll have a clear treatment plan and timeline.

STEP 3

Meeting Your Child (45 minutes)

Your child’s first session is about connection, not diagnosis. For younger kids, we play, draw, and talk casually. For older kids and teens, we just talk.

The goal: your child leaves feeling safe, seen, and curious about coming back. No pressure to "share everything" in the first session.

STEP 4

Ongoing Weekly Sessions

Most children benefit from weekly sessions, typically 45–50 minutes. Here’s what a typical session looks like:

First 5 minutes: Check-in — how was the week?
Middle 30–40 minutes: Evidence-based work (CBT, ACT, play therapy, etc.) tailored to your child
Last 5 minutes: Practice skills for the week ahead

I also check in with parents regularly — either at the start/end of sessions or in separate parent consultation calls.

STEP 5

Progress & Graduation

Most children see meaningful improvement in 8–12 sessions. As your child improves, we space out sessions — weekly, then every other week, then monthly check-ins.

My goal isn’t to keep your child in therapy forever. It’s to give them the skills they need, then gradually step back so they can use those skills on their own.

What Virtual Therapy Actually Looks Like

If you’ve never done virtual therapy before, here’s what to expect:

Secure video platform — HIPAA-compliant, not regular Zoom. You’ll get a link before your session.
Private, quiet space — Your child needs a room where they can talk freely. Headphones help for older kids and teens who want extra privacy.
Engaged, not watching TV — For younger kids, sessions are interactive. We draw, play games, tell stories. It’s not passive screen time.
No fancy setup needed — A phone, tablet, or computer with a camera works fine.
Parents can participate — I often bring parents in for the first or last 10 minutes for younger children.

How to Prepare Your Child

How you talk to your child about therapy matters. Here’s what works:

For younger kids (5–9):

"We’re going to talk with Dr. Kristin. She helps kids with big feelings — like when things feel too big or scary or hard. You’ll get to talk and play. It’ll be fun."

For tweens (10–12):

"Dr. Kristin is someone who helps kids figure out how they’re feeling and what to do about it. She’s really good at what she does, and lots of kids talk to her. You don’t have to share anything you don’t want to."

For teens (13+):

"I found a therapist I think you’d really like. Her name is Dr. Kristin, and she works with a lot of kids your age. The first session is just about meeting her — no big deal. You can tell me afterward if you want to keep going."

What Parents Ask Most Often

Will my child have to talk about hard things right away?

No. The first session is about building comfort. Deeper conversations happen gradually, once your child feels safe.

Will you share what my child says with me?

This depends on your child’s age and what’s shared. For younger children, I share most things with parents. For teens, I protect their privacy to build trust — but I always tell you if there’s a safety concern. We’ll discuss exactly how this works for your family at intake.

What if my child doesn’t want to come?

This is common, and it’s okay. We can start with parent-only sessions to build strategies at home. When your child is ready, they can join. I never force a child to participate — that doesn’t work anyway.

Can you diagnose my child?

Yes. As a licensed psychologist, I can provide diagnostic clarity for anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, and more. For comprehensive psychological testing (IQ, learning disabilities, autism assessments), I will refer you to a specialist.

How soon can we start?

Typically within a week of your consultation. No months-long delays.

Ready to get started?

Book a free 15-minute consultation — no pressure, no commitment. Just a conversation to see if we’re the right fit.

(512) 240-2633 | Contact us online