Why We Include Parents in Child Therapy—And What That Actually Looks Like
We’re going to say the thing out loud: therapy doesn’t “fix” your child.
Because your child isn’t broken.
And therapy isn’t something that happens to kids while adults wait in the parking lot scrolling WebMD and hoping for miracles.
At Sunburst Psychology, we include parents as collaborators. Not overseers. Not reporters. Partners.
We serve families in Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, and Mercer Island who want to understand—not just manage—their child’s internal world.
Why Parent Involvement Matters
Because we only see your child for 50 minutes. You see them for a lifetime.
Because growth doesn’t stick if it only lives in the therapy room.
Because emotional regulation isn’t a solo skill—it’s co-regulated. Modeled. Practiced.
When parents are involved, children progress more quickly, feel more supported, and build skills that actually generalize to home and school life.
What “Involvement” Doesn’t Mean
❌ Sitting in every session
❌ Being blamed for your child’s challenges
❌ Getting a weekly list of things you “should be doing better”
You’re not on trial. You’re being invited to the table—because you matter.
What It Does Look Like at Sunburst
We tailor the level and style of parent involvement based on age, developmental needs, and your family’s structure.
That might mean:
Initial consultation with parents only to gather history and build alignment
Regular parent check-ins to track themes, patterns, and progress
Collaborative planning around behavior support, transitions, or school stress
Parent training sessions (for families with neurodiverse children, anxiety, etc.)
Shared tools, language, and regulation strategies to reinforce the work at home
For teens, we balance privacy with collaboration. We earn trust, build safety, and loop parents in at key moments—with respect for the teen’s autonomy.
What Parents Say After a Few Sessions
“I understand my child in a way I didn’t before.”
“We’re less reactive with each other.”
“I finally have a strategy that isn’t just ‘take a deep breath.’”
“Our house feels calmer. Not perfect—just… better.”
Therapy That Supports the Whole System
We work with children and teens ages 4–17 dealing with:
Anxiety, neurodiversity, giftedness
Behavioral challenges and power struggles
Emotional regulation and big feelings
Family transitions, trauma, or stuck patterns
And we support the parents doing their best to hold it all together.
Whether you’re confident or concerned, therapy with parent involvement builds a bridge. Not just between you and your child—but between your intentions and their experience.
