Anonymous
Post 04/26/2019 13:15     Subject: How do you explain therapy to a 5.5 yr old?
Pp here. Quite often information overload just makes someone more anxious.
Anonymous
Post 04/26/2019 13:14     Subject: How do you explain therapy to a 5.5 yr old?
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
Post 04/26/2019 13:03     Subject: Re:How do you explain therapy to a 5.5 yr old?
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
Post 04/26/2019 12:55     Subject: Re:How do you explain therapy to a 5.5 yr old?
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
Post 04/26/2019 08:56     Subject: How do you explain therapy to a 5.5 yr old?
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
Post 04/26/2019 06:51     Subject: Re:How do you explain therapy to a 5.5 yr old?
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
Post 04/26/2019 05:51     Subject: Re:How do you explain therapy to a 5.5 yr old?
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
Post 04/25/2019 21:22     Subject: Re:How do you explain therapy to a 5.5 yr old?
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
Post 04/25/2019 20:20     Subject: Re:How do you explain therapy to a 5.5 yr old?
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
Post 04/25/2019 20:06     Subject: Re:How do you explain therapy to a 5.5 yr old?
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
Post 04/25/2019 19:53     Subject: How do you explain therapy to a 5.5 yr old?
+1 -- it's the Feelings Doctor
Anonymous
Post 04/25/2019 17:44     Subject: How do you explain therapy to a 5.5 yr old?
"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
Post 04/25/2019 16:54     Subject: How do you explain therapy to a 5.5 yr old?
DS is older but I just said he's going to meet a doctor and talk to her.
Anonymous
Post 04/25/2019 16:51     Subject: How do you explain therapy to a 5.5 yr old?
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
Post 04/25/2019 16:42     Subject: How do you explain therapy to a 5.5 yr old?
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.