Have you noticed changes in your child’s emotional state or behavior? If, despite all your efforts, the child’s problem is not resolved and you don’t know what to do, it is very important not to give up, but to contact a specialist. Often parents refuse to visit a child psychologist because of their own fears and shame (fear of “washing dirty linen in public”, to initiate a stranger into family affairs, fear of recognizing oneself as a “bad” parent who cannot cope with upbringing, and being judged for this, fear that the child will be diagnosed with a mental disorder, given a “terrible diagnosis”, etc.). Parents' fears are largely based on lack of awareness of the work of a child psychologist. It is important for parents to know that the work of a professional child psychologist is based on the principles of ethics, confidentiality, competence and responsibility, as well as an interest in the well-being of the client. If you are planning your first visit to a psychologist, knowing information about the process of working together may help you minimize anxiety Let's take a closer look at the possible stages of a psychologist's work with a child and his family: 1. Initial consultation. Conversation with parents (in the presence of the child or most often in advance) The first stage of the consultation consists of a thorough and comprehensive analysis of the child’s psychological state, including his emotional, social and cognitive development. The first application usually includes an in-depth interview with the child's parents or guardians. It is important for a psychologist to collect anamnesis, complaints and the most complete information about the child’s problem. The specialist can ask questions about the child’s development, his behavior, relationships with people around him and family history. Also, assessment tools, in addition to interviews, may include observations, play techniques, and psychological tests.2. Diagnostic work with the child After the initial meeting, the psychologist conducts a conversation with the child and tries to establish contact. The purpose of this stage is to communicate with the child and assess his emotional state, social skills, cognitive abilities and behavioral reactions, etc. Methods of observing behavior and play (game situations), conversation, psychological techniques and tests are used. In this case, the specialist is guided by age-related norms of child development. 4. Formation of an action plan Based on the analysis of the information received, the psychologist discusses the diagnostic results with parents, identifies problem areas and offers possible recommendations. The psychologist develops an action plan, involving parents in the discussion process so that the latter are fully involved in the process of change and can actively support their child. Depending on the results of the assessment, the next step may involve working with a psychologist on a regular basis. This may be group, family or individual therapy.3. Individual work with the child At this stage, the psychologist conducts individual consultations directly with the child. Methods will vary depending on the child's age, challenges and personality, but the main tools will usually be play techniques, talking, teaching problem solving skills, self-regulation and social interaction.4. The process itself As therapy progresses, the psychologist regularly evaluates the effectiveness of teamwork, making adjustments as necessary. Throughout the process, work is done to eliminate problematic situations and develop the child's skills necessary for positive social interaction, learning and everyday life. Again, this process will include communication with the child's parents or guardians to ensure that support is available in the child's environment.5. Final diagnostics and completion of joint work The process of working with the child ends with a final diagnostic, which allows you to evaluate the effectiveness of the work done and determine the parameters of the child’s future development..