The process
Information
Maybe you would like to know more about how I work and what I can do for your child. Make that phone call today or write me an email with your phone number and I will contact you. You can tell me more about what you would like to change for yourself or your family. After that you can decide if you would me to send you the intake form.If you would like to meet me in person, you can do this during my free weekly walk-in(with an appointment).
You do NOT need a referral from your general practitioner.
Intake - Get to know each other
If you decide to continue after our first contact we will make an appointment for an intake interview. Prior to this intake interview you will receive a questionnaire, in which all data and information about your child and the problem can be filled in. I would appreciate it if I could receive the signed questionnaire back 3 to 7 days before the intake interview. This helps me to prepare myself for our meeting. If your child is 12 years and older, he or she needs to sign as well. The intake interview will help us to decide if your child will benefit from child therapy. I would appreciate it if you can prepare your child for our get-to-know-each-other meeting.
Age
The Dutch Medical Treatment Contracts Act (WGBO) states that in the case of children up to the age of 12, both parents decide and agree on medical treatment. Children between 12 and 16 years old also need to agree to treatment. Children from the age of 16 years may register without consent of the parents.
The child may be present at the intake interview from the age of 12.
The content of the sessions
In therapy, all kinds of materials and tools that are being used during the interventions is appropriate for your child’s age, level of development and issue. Some children express themselves through play, others through creativity and others talk easily. Some children are silent during the sessions and need more time; other children are enthusiastic and cooperative. Each child is different and will be treated with respect.
The first sessions
The first sessions
The first sessions will be used to gain trust between child and therapist. From trust, we can build a relationship which we need to get more insight into the problem and to work towards a possible solution. Without this trust, therapy is not possible. It can happen that even during the first sessions positive changes can be noticed.
Only if necessary I will invite you for a meeting. This meeting will be based on advice and support. We discuss how you can support your child’s learning journey.
Note: the child is allowed to indicate what it wants me to tell to his or her parents. This can sometimes be difficult for parents, but it is in the interest of the process and the benefit of the child’s development.
The journey continues
The continuation of the sessions
The child continues to work on the problem – new skill, and experiences how its own strengths can help him or her in dealing with the challenge. This will help to grow in self-confidence, to feel happier and be more at ease.
Sometimes the sessions are weekly, sometimes every other week. This depends on the child and his or her. Some challenges can be tough. Or maybe your child is ready to start practicing his or her new skills. Then our sessions are more focused on the success of the skill and to evaluate if we need to adjust it or give more support.
Reaching the goal
The child usually indicates that it feels ready to continue its journey by itself and to use the tools that have been learnt and practiced during the sessions. Continuing by yourself can be quite exciting and of course you can continue to support your child. Your support can strengthen your child’s new skills.
The final session will be one of celebrating success.
Evaluation
At the end I will invite you for an evaluation meeting. Again this meeting will be based on advice and how to continue to support your child.
