Communicating results to parents and caregivers

Feedback and communication of results in child psychology are crucial processes that impact both parents' understanding of their children's mental health and the implementation of effective interventions.

In this session, the importance of providing feedback in a comprehensive, strategic, and ethical manner to parents and caregivers will be explored, highlighting the need for effective communication to foster understanding and collaboration in the process of child psychological care.

Establishing a Solid Foundation: Preparation for Feedback

Before feedback, it is essential to establish a solid foundation. This involves the collection and exhaustive analysis of the information gathered during the child psychological evaluation.

The results should be presented clearly and understandably, avoiding technical jargon, and organized in a structured way to facilitate assimilation by parents. Careful preparation of the information ensures that the feedback is accurate and action-oriented.

Contextualizing the Results: Understanding the Complexity of Child Psychology

Effective feedback requires contextualizing the results within the complexity of child development. Psychologists should explain how biological, psychological, and social factors interact to influence the child's wellbeing.

This contextualization not only helps parents better understand the nature of the identified problems but also highlights the need to address the various dimensions of development.

Feedback to parents on the results of the psychological evaluation can trigger intense emotional responses. Child psychologists should be sensitive to these emotions and provide a safe space for parents to express their concerns, fears or frustrations.

Empathy and understanding are fundamental in this process, as they allow for establishing a meaningful connection with parents and strengthening the therapeutic alliance.

Active Collaboration: Involving Parents in the Intervention Plan

Effective feedback goes beyond reporting on identified problems; it also involves actively involving parents in the intervention plan.

Psychologists should work in collaboration with parents to establish realistic goals and develop specific strategies to address the identified concerns. This collaboration not only strengthens the parents' sense of agency but also enhances the likelihood of intervention success.

The communication of results should be clear and transparent. Psychologists should avoid excessive use of technical terms and provide concrete examples to illustrate findings.

Transparency also involves recognizing the limitations of the evaluation and highlighting the provisional nature of some diagnoses, giving parents a realistic understanding of the process and encouraging ongoing collaboration.

Facilitating Parental Empowerment: Promoting Family Resilience

Feedback and the communication of results can serve as tools to empower parents in their role as caregivers. Psychologists should highlight family strengths and provide guidance on effective coping strategies. By doing so, family resilience is promoted and parents are encouraged to be active participants in the process of supporting their children's psychological needs.

Feedback is not a one-time event; it should be an ongoing process that adapts as the child and family's needs evolve. Psychologists should establish open communication channels and be available to address questions and concerns at any stage of treatment. Adaptability in communication ensures ongoing, focused attention on the child's evolving situation.