What should parents expect when taking their child to a grief counselor?

Have you ever noticed that visitors to San Diego pack as if our weather is like Florida?  In April, they’re going about town in a sundress, sandals and a giant sweatshirt. They thought it would feel like summer, but instead it’s cool, damp and overcast. Not at all what they expected.  

When death comes, whether it’s anticipated due to a long illness, or sudden because of a traumatic event, the feelings that rise up can feel bewildering. Your family’s bright anticipated future dims.  

You find yourself in an unexpected place feeling unprepared. Unprepared to deal with it all and it’s a lot. You’re especially concerned about your children, so now you’re researching grief counseling for kids. 

What happens in Children’s Grief Counseling?

If you’ve never been to therapy the process can seem like a black box.. What happens in there? This can feel especially true if you’re taking your child to therapy for the first time. I want to help you better understand the process of therapy and grief counseling for children. 

Grief Counseling is considered mental health therapy, and as such, some things are non-negotiable. The non-negotiables things are part of the Standard of Care that licensed mental health providers adhere to in therapy. Here are a few things of those things you can expect. 

Expect a brief consultation about grief counseling. 

Many therapists will offer an opportunity for you to speak to them over the phone for a brief consultation about the help you’re looking for. 

A consultation is not a call where you need to go into a lot of details and tell the full story. The call is more to see if you and the therapist can connect, and if you think this is a person who can help. It’s not meant to be a therapy session. The issue of the fee will also be discussed during this phone consultation. However, this information is often listed on therapist directories and therapists’ websites. 

In the instance of grief counseling, the therapist may ask for a few facts, like who was the person who died, and how long ago the death occurred. They may also ask what kind of help you’re looking for. 

For example, are you looking for someone to help teach coping skills to your child? Are you looking for a place for your child to process the loss? Taking some time to think about what you want your child to gain from therapy helps you and the therapist focus on working toward a goal. 

Expect to complete the paperwork, and share more detail about the loss and your child. 

During the phone consultation, or after, if you and the therapist both believe it’s a good fit, then the therapist will send you paperwork. 

You will be required to sign a consent for treatment for yourself or your child coming for grief counseling. Filling out a history form is standard too.  It will include basic personal information about you, your family, your child’s physical health, and other personal information. Other documents may also be required. 

Some therapists use electronic health records to send documents through a portal, some send writable PDF files, and others may have you fill out paper documents to sign in their office.  

Expect to Meet with the Therapist 

Therapists each do things a little differently, but it’s common practice that a therapist will meet with you, the parent at some point. Some child therapists will see you together in the first session, some will meet initially, just with parents.  Still others may meet first with the child, and then with the parent.  

Whatever the process, check in with yourself about how the process feels to you.  Most parents want to be involved. No matter what the person’s credentials, or experience, know that you are the expert. You’re the expert on your child, your family, and what you’re all going through. 

Consultation for Children’s Grief Counseling in San Diego North County

Reaching out about grief counseling may feel beyond uncomfortable, but if you’re looking for a San Diego Child Therapy Specialist to work with your grieving child, I can help. My name is Tami and I guide grieving children through loss with art therapy. 

Learn more about the grief counseling I provide as a therapist in San Marcos.