How do you explain therapy to a 5.5 yr old?

[Anonymous]

DS is five and has anxiety issues. We have an appointment for this week with a child psychologist. How do I explain to him what we are doing, what is going to happen and why?

Thank you! I am really at a loss here.

[Anonymous]

I explained it as someone like a teacher who would play and talk and teach DS ways to feel better. DS knee he had anxious feelings and wanted to feel better.

[Anonymous]

DS is older but I just said he's going to meet a doctor and talk to her.

[Anonymous]

"This is a doctor who helps you with your feelings. [X, Y and Z] happens to you and it makes it hard for you to do the things you want to do and should be able to do when you are 5. We think the doctor can help make it easier for you."

[Anonymous]

+1 -- it's the Feelings Doctor

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t say doctor - some kids are scared of doctors. I would say “you know how you - insert anxious behavior here - this person is going to help you with that by playing games and talking. They are going to be a good friend to you. Example - You know how sometimes you have a hard time falling asleep because you are worried about how dark you room is? This person is going to help you feel better about that! You are going to love going there because they have lots of fun games and activities to do!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t say doctor - some kids are scared of doctors. I would say “you know how you - insert anxious behavior here - this person is going to help you with that by playing games and talking. They are going to be a good friend to you. Example - You know how sometimes you have a hard time falling asleep because you are worried about how dark you room is? This person is going to help you feel better about that! You are going to love going there because they have lots of fun games and activities to do!

My kid would smell the BS here a mile away. Fortunately he's not afraid of doctors.

[Anonymous]

I would tie it to the specific situations/behaviors/fears that he has. You know how if your stomach was hurting I would take you to the doctor to make you feel better? Well, if your brain/heart/feelings are hurting there's a special type of doctor who can help you figure out ways to not feel scared/sad/bad when x happens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t say doctor - some kids are scared of doctors. I would say “you know how you - insert anxious behavior here - this person is going to help you with that by playing games and talking. They are going to be a good friend to you. Example - You know how sometimes you have a hard time falling asleep because you are worried about how dark you room is? This person is going to help you feel better about that! You are going to love going there because they have lots of fun games and activities to do!

My kid would smell the BS here a mile away. Fortunately he's not afraid of doctors.

There are different approaches for different kids. It doesn't sound like your kid has anxiety. So this post is not for you.

[Anonymous]

I would be honest and say the person is a doctor. Chances are the therapist may call him/herself that anyway and it’s best to be forthright.

[Anonymous]

I would not promise fun games and activities, because it's possible that they won't be especially fun. I would say that there are different kinds of doctors, and this is a kind of doctor that will help him feel less scared or nervous about [situation] and teach him what to do when [situation necessitating therapy].

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t say doctor - some kids are scared of doctors. I would say “you know how you - insert anxious behavior here - this person is going to help you with that by playing games and talking. They are going to be a good friend to you. Example - You know how sometimes you have a hard time falling asleep because you are worried about how dark you room is? This person is going to help you feel better about that! You are going to love going there because they have lots of fun games and activities to do!

My kid would smell the BS here a mile away. Fortunately he's not afraid of doctors.

There are different approaches for different kids. It doesn't sound like your kid has anxiety. So this post is not for you.

Wow, no need to be hostile. He's just not afraid of doctors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t say doctor - some kids are scared of doctors. I would say “you know how you - insert anxious behavior here - this person is going to help you with that by playing games and talking. They are going to be a good friend to you. Example - You know how sometimes you have a hard time falling asleep because you are worried about how dark you room is? This person is going to help you feel better about that! You are going to love going there because they have lots of fun games and activities to do!

I would not use this script. "They are going to be a good friend" and "You are going to love going there" and "This person is going to help you feel better" are all increasing MY anxiety. I don't want to go see this "doctor."

[Anonymous]

This person's name is X. He/she knows how to help you with X feelings.

Go from there with whatever questions your child has.

Can you stay? Things like that.

[Anonymous]

Pp here. Quite often information overload just makes someone more anxious.