What to Expect During Your Child’s First Therapy Session
You’ve scheduled the appointment. Maybe you’ve waited weeks. Maybe this has been on your mind for months. Now you’re wondering: What actually happens when my child walks into the therapy room?
At Sunburst Psychology, we work with families in Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, and Mercer Island to make therapy feel supportive, not clinical. Our approach is structured but warm, guided but responsive.
Here’s what to expect.
Before the Session: You’ll Be Part of the Process
We begin with a parent consultation—usually before we meet your child. This gives you a space to share your concerns, your observations, and your hopes. It also helps us understand your child’s developmental history, family dynamics, and any strategies you’ve already tried.
This isn’t an interview. It’s a conversation with someone who understands what parenting under pressure feels like.
During the First Session: Connection Comes First
We meet your child where they are—quiet, energetic, unsure, expressive. The session moves at their pace. Some children open up quickly. Others need time to explore the room, the toys, or the silence.
Our therapy rooms are designed for comfort and emotional safety. We use play, drawing, movement, and conversation depending on the child’s age and needs.
The first session often includes:
Gentle rapport-building
Observing emotional expression and regulation
Light engagement in therapeutic play or discussion
Establishing trust, consistency, and predictability
We don’t push for deep disclosures on day one. We build safety. That’s the foundation for everything else.
After the Session: You Stay In the Loop
We check in with parents about how things went. We may share a few impressions, but we prioritize your child’s privacy. That said, you’ll never be left guessing.
Ongoing therapy includes regular parent collaboration. We work with you—not just your child—to create lasting shifts in behavior, mood, and family dynamics.
What Ages We See
We work with children and teens ages 4–17. We specialize in:
Neurodiversity (ADHD, autism, giftedness)
Anxiety and emotional regulation challenges
Trauma and attachment disruptions
Behavioral issues and parent-child power struggles
What We Offer at Sunburst Psychology
Individual child therapy (CBT, DBT, attachment-focused, play-based)
Family therapy for alignment and communication
In-person and online sessions available for families across the Eastside
You don’t need a diagnosis to start therapy. You just need the sense that something could feel better—and the willingness to take that first step.
We’re here to make that step as supportive as possible.
