Psychological consultation
Children and adolescents rarely speak directly about what they are experiencing. More often they show it in their behaviour, emotions or in the way they function day to day.
A psychological consultation is the first step that allows you to pause and take a calm look at what is happening with your child. Without judgement, without rushing — with attentiveness to their needs and the context in which they function.
The aim of the session is not to quickly "name the problem", but to understand the child's situation and find an appropriate direction for further support.
Who is a child and adolescent psychologist?
A child and adolescent psychologist is a specialist who works with children from the earliest years through to adolescence. Their role is to support emotional, social and cognitive development and to provide help in situations that go beyond everyday developmental challenges. In practice, this means the psychologist:
- helps the child better understand emotions
- supports coping with difficult experiences
- assesses developmental difficulties and psychological functioning
- collaborates with the parent in building a supportive environment
At Równoważni MED the psychologist works not only with the symptom, but with the child in their full context — developmental, family and school.
When is it worth attending a consultation?
A psychological consultation may be helpful when:
- the child is experiencing strong emotions that are difficult to manage (e.g. parental divorce, the arrival of a sibling, the death of a loved one, peer difficulties)
- outbursts of anger, tearfulness or withdrawal appear
- the child's behaviour changes (suddenly or gradually)
- the child has difficulties in relationships with peers
- difficulties at school or a drop in motivation appear
- the child experiences anxiety, tension or stress
- a difficult situation has occurred (e.g. a change, a loss, parental divorce)
Sometimes a sufficient reason is simply the feeling that something has changed and it is worth understanding it better.
What does a psychological consultation look like?
We always treat each consultation individually and tailor it to the child's age and the nature of the difficulties.
1) Conversation with the parentThe first part of the session is a conversation with the parent or caregiver. This allows for an understanding of the context of the child's functioning — their development, everyday life, relationships and situations that are causing concern. |
2) Meeting with the child or adolescentThe way of working depends on age: → younger children — observation through shared play, observation and activities → adolescents — through conversation, with respect for their boundaries and pace The most important thing is to create a safe space in which the child can be themselves. |
3) Conclusions and next stepsAfter the session, the psychologist discusses their observations with the parent and proposes possible directions for further action. Further recommendations may include: → further consultations in the area of psychological support for the child → starting psychotherapy → parental support → in-depth assessment → consultation with another specialist (e.g. a psychiatrist, neurological speech and language therapist or sensory integration therapist) |
The role of the parent in the process
The parent is a key part of the process. It is your observations and everyday experience with the child that allow the specialist to better understand the situation and select effective support.
During the consultation, what matters is not only your sense of what is happening with the child, but also establishing together how we can support them in everyday life.
How to prepare for the appointment?
It is worth bringing to the consultation:
- previous reports or assessments (if available)
- information from school or nursery
- a list of observations and questions
How to prepare the child?
It is worth calmly explaining to the child that the meeting is a conversation with someone who helps children better understand their emotions and difficulties. The most important thing is a sense of safety — the child does not need to prepare in any special way.
A consultation is not always therapy
Not every difficulty requires long-term therapy. In many cases, one or a few sessions is enough to bring clarity to the situation, better understand the child and introduce changes that genuinely improve their functioning. If further support is needed — we help to identify the most appropriate form in a considered and tailored way.
If you have concerns about your child's emotions, behaviour or development, a psychological consultation can be the first step towards understanding the situation.
Have a question?
If you are worried about the first appointment and are not sure how to prepare your child for it — discover a list of books worth reading together with your child. They will help you both get familiar with the atmosphere of the consulting room and introduce your child to the role of a psychologist.