Therapeutic Feedback Session for Children

Helping Kids See and Understand Themselves

I offer an optional session after testing to help kids understand their brain using visuals, stories, and gentle guidance.

Helping Kids Feel Seen, Not Labeled

Getting tested is a big process, especially for kids. But once the results are in, there’s one more important step: helping them understand what it all means.

That’s what this option is for.

In this optional one-on-one appointment, I meet virtually with your child to walk through their results in a way that’s gentle, honest, and age-appropriate. We talk about how their brain works, where things feel hard, and what tools might help, all using visuals, stories, and language that feels kind and hopeful.

This isn’t about “fixing” anything.
It’s about helping your child feel more confident, less confused, and fully supported.

Some children are not comfortable doing virtual appointments. For these individuals, I can write a letter that summarizes the assessment process, highlights the child’s strengths, and explains any challenges identified in a non-judgmental way. The tone is warm and empathetic, aiming to foster self-understanding and self-acceptance.

Who This Is For

Children or teens who’ve recently completed an evaluation and are ready to learn about their brain
Families who want help explaining a diagnosis in a positive, age-appropriate way
Kids who need reassurance, clarity, or language to talk about their strengths and challenges
Parents who want to support self-esteem and self-advocacy from the start

What This Session Looks Like

This is an optional 15-minute session, offered online, after testing is complete and results have been reviewed with parents. The letter is also optional. At the results appointment, there is a discussion of what (if neither or both) will work best with your child.

In the session, I use:

Personalized visuals based on your child’s actual results and interests
Gentle language that’s developmentally appropriate and strengths-based
Brain metaphors that help kids remember what we talk about
A strengths-first approach that frames challenges as areas for growth, not flaws

We might talk about:

My Approach

Kids are smart. They pick up on more than we think, including when something feels different or “hard” for them. But without the right words, they often fill in the blanks with self-blame or shame.

That’s why I treat this session with as much care as the evaluation itself.

Here’s how I approach it:

I meet kids where they are.

Some need silly metaphors. Others need space to process. I adapt my tone, visuals, and language to fit your child’s age and personality.

I translate complex ideas into stories kids can connect with.

A “working memory roadblock” might become a traffic jam in their brain. AD/HD might look like a race car brain with bicycle brakes. Kids get it when results are communicated through their areas of interest.

Optional personalized letter for the child.

If a one-on-one session isn’t feasible, I can write a kid-friendly letter explaining their results, highlighting strengths, and offering practical tips in a way that feels empowering, not labeling.

It’s not just for the child.

Parents are part of the process too. This session helps create a shared language you can use at home to support and encourage your child long-term.

Meeting kids where they are and using language they relate to (and are interested in) can be very powerful.

– Dr. Lee Ridens

Help Your Child Feel Seen and Supported

If your child just finished testing, this session can help everything make more sense for them and for you.