Psychological Services
for Children and their Caregivers
Preparing your Child
What should I tell my child about their assessment?
Be direct and use child friendly language. The examples below should be adapted as needed based on age and maturity.
1) Identify the problem(s) that your child is aware of (e.g., "You know how math is really tricky for you and the homework takes a really long time?")
2) Explain what a psychologist does ("Psychologists are people who know lots about how kids think and learn. Their job is to do lots of different activities with you to help figure out what's easy for you and what's hard and why."
3) Explain what they'll need to do ("The session is going to be 3 hours long with a break or two. You'll be doing things like puzzles, answering questions, and reading. All you have to do is try your best. I'll be nearby and come see you during your break.")
What should I tell my child about starting therapy?
Be direct and use child friendly language. The examples below should be adapted as needed based on age and maturity.
1) Identify the problem(s) that your child is aware of (e.g., "You know how sometimes you get really mad and then we get into a fight?")
2) Explain what a psychologist does ("Psychologists are people who know lots about how to help kids talk about their feelings and find ways to make themselves feel calmer. They also help parents to know how to best help their kids when they are having a hard time. We are going to all work together to make things easier for our family.")
3) Explain what they'll need to do ("The session is going to be about an hour. You'll talk, draw, or play games to help Dr. Julie get to know you. ")
Common Queries
How long is each therapy session?
Sessions are 50 minutes. You are billed for 1 hour as a period of 10 minutes is set aside for writing notes.
How often will I/my child need to come?
This is a really tough question as some families are in need of a single session to help answer questions and get them on the right path, while others require weekly or bi-weekly sessions over many months. On average, therapy tends to be 6-10 sessions.
How do I pay?
You will be sent an invoice after your session. An e-transfer to drjuliewallis@gmail.com is the preferred method of payment; however, credit cards can be accepted (3% processing fee).
How involved will I be in my child's therapy?
Parent involvement is tailored to the child's age and needs.
For children 6-11 years, parents are expected to attend a 50-minute intake session with or without their child (depending on parent preference). Then, they may be asked to join for the final few minutes of every session to provide an update and to receive strategies to practice at home. Alternatively, parent sessions may be scheduled every 4-6 weeks to discuss progress and strategies.
For children 12-16 years, parents are encouraged to join the intake session for at least 20 minutes. This can be tailored based on the child's and parents' wants and needs. After this, I will discuss with the child and their parents how the parents will be included moving forward.