Can I bring my child(ren) to my therapy sessions?

For many mums, therapy may only feel possible if their child(ren) can come along. This can naturally lead to questions about whether bringing your baby or young child to sessions is possible and what that might be like in practice.

In this article, we'll explore what you might want to think about before bringing your child(ren) to therapy, and suggest points to check with any therapists you’re considering working with.

Why some therapists welcome children in sessions

For many mums, finding regular, child-free time can be challenging, which is why some therapists aim to remove as many barriers as possible to mums getting support.

Many therapists welcome children in sessions, as long as they’re not at an age where they’re able to understand the context of what’s being discussed. In most cases, this means babies and younger toddlers. 

Therapy with your child(ren): Better than no therapy?

If the choice is between no therapy or therapy with your child(ren) present, the latter is almost always better. Yes, there may be challenges to juggle, and sometimes sessions might not feel quite as impactful as if you were attending alone. But you are still accessing valuable support. 

Practical considerations

When children are present, it is likely that at certain points you and your therapist will need to balance your needs with your child(ren)’s needs. How this looks will depend on your child(ren)’s age, temperament, and whether sessions take place online or in person.

You may want to consider nap times, feeding, or how you might settle or entertain your child(ren). Only you know your child(ren) best and can gauge how much they may need you during a session.

Having a sense of this can give you an idea of how much you’ll be able to focus on the conversation with your therapist and on your own experiences. You may also get a sense of whether you have the capacity to explore all the topics you would like to in therapy. For example, might there be things you avoid starting because you might need to pause mid-way to tend to your child(ren)?

Emotional considerations

It’s also worth thinking about how it might feel to explore your emotions or experiences with your child(ren) present.

Would you feel comfortable expressing all emotions in front of them? Might you find yourself holding back or self-censoring certain thoughts? What about if, like many mums, you have ambivalent feelings about being a mum? How might it be to discuss that in sessions?

Of course, you only need to discuss what you feel comfortable with in therapy. If there are topics you want to explore but find difficult with your child(ren) present, your therapist can guide you gently through the process. This might be by beginning to look at the fears or blocks that make discussing a particular topic challenging. 

If you’re concerned about becoming overwhelmed by emotions during therapy, this can also be addressed. In these cases, beginning with grounding techniques and emotional regulation tools can help you stay present even when discussing difficult subjects.

How therapists can support this

If you’re considering attending therapy with your child(ren), it’s helpful to check with potential therapists about whether they’re comfortable with this arrangement.

If so, having an open conversation about how you and your therapist can stay flexible during sessions can make a big difference. For example, you might discuss how to manage pauses or interruptions and how to keep the sessions supportive for you while considering the attention you may need to give to your child(ren).

Regular discussions with your therapist about how the experience is going are also valuable. Talking together about how the presence of your child(ren) may be shaping the therapy process helps ensure you’re getting as much as possible from your sessions.

Additionally, even if there are challenges and limitations which can’t be changed, it can still feel valuable to have these (and any associated thoughts and feelings) acknowledged by your therapist. 

Therapy with your child(ren) present may look a little different than it would if you were attending alone. But that doesn't mean that it can’t still be valuable. Motherhood can be a very demanding and confronting time, and the support of a therapist can make a huge difference.

If you’d like to explore how therapy might work for you, with or without your child(ren) present, you can reach out to a therapist to discuss any questions you have and what support could look like for you.