Hard Days in Therapy:You're Not Alone-A Note to Parents and Professionals

Today was one of those days where I can say "It wasn't a perfect session- it was a powerful One"

A child came into our clinic visibly upset. Nothing seemed to help at first—no words, no toys, no familiar faces. She cried, she shut down, and for almost 40 minutes, we focused on just one thing: helping her feel safe and regulated. By the time she had calmed down, the session was over.

And yet, that was the session, and that's the reason why I said "it wasn't a perfect session- it was a powerful one"

What many don’t see is what goes on behind the scenes for therapists during moments like these.

When a child struggles, therapists struggle too. We ask ourselves so many questions:

• Did we put too much demand on her?

• Was the environment too overwhelming?

• Did we miss a cue or a sensory need?

• How do we justify this session to the parent who is paying for it?

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

To my fellow professionals: It’s okay. Therapy is a process, not a performance. It's not always smiles and steady progress. Sometimes it's about simply holding space for a child who is struggling.

It's not always about reaching a goal within a set time. Sometimes, it's about connection. It's about helping a child regulate, feel safe, and trust that you’re there no matter what kind of day they’re having.

To Parents: its not your fault

To Professionals: its not your fault.

And to the child:its definitely not your fault

some days are just hard -and that's okay

Some days, things simply don’t go the way we hoped. And that’s not a failure—it’s just a hard day. And hard days happen.

Sometimes a sensory fidget will help. Sometimes it won’t. And that’s okay too. What matters most is that we stay present, compassionate, and flexible.

Let us remember: therapy and goals should not be time-bound. Progress is rooted in the child’s readiness (when the child is ready) not the clock. When we let go of rigid expectations, we open up space for real healing and connection.

Some days, no goal is met—and yet, the child leaves having experienced safety, compassion, and regulation. And that is still therapy.

We’re not here to fix every moment. We’re here to walk with the child through it. Even when that means spending the session just helping them feel okay again.

So to every parent, every therapist, and every child: Cheer up. Everyone has bad days. What matters is that we keep showing up—with empathy, patience, and understanding.

You're doing better than you think.