Why 30-Minutes?

How 30-Minute Child Sessions Work

For child and youth clients, sessions are intentionally 30 minutes. This structure is warm, predictable, and developmentally responsive. Shorter sessions help kids stay regulated, engaged, and emotionally safe—especially when working through anxiety, trauma, or big feelings.

During each session, we focus on:

  • Emotion identification and regulation, using play, movement, visuals, or collaborative storytelling

  • Skill-building, such as coping strategies and problem-solving

  • Strengthening connection with caregivers through brief check-ins before or after session

  • Steady therapeutic momentum without overwhelming the child’s attention system

Shorter sessions are normal in pediatric therapy. Children often process best in focused, manageable chunks, and these sessions allow us to build trust, practice skills, and gently explore challenges in a way that fits their nervous system.

Why 30-Minutes Is Developmentally Appropriate

  • Attention & regulation capacity:
    Young people—especially those with anxiety, sensory differences, or trauma histories—tend to benefit from briefer, well-structured engagement periods. Research consistently shows that children’s sustained attention strengthens with age, with meaningful drops in regulation after 20–30 minutes of focused activity.
    Sources:

    • Ruff, H. A., & Rothbart, M. K. (2001). Attention in Early Development. Oxford University Press.

    • Posner, M. I., & Rothbart, M. K. (2007). Research on attention networks. Annual Review of Psychology.

  • Play-based and experiential therapies naturally occur in shorter cycles:
    Play therapy, CBT for youth, and somatic approaches typically use short, immersive intervention segments, as these align with children’s cognitive and emotional rhythms.
    Sources:

    • Landreth, G. L. (2012). Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship.

    • Kendall, P. C. (2012). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety in Youth.

  • Emotional safety improves with predictable pacing:
    Trauma-informed child therapy emphasizes regulation, containment, and predictable session length to avoid overwhelming the child’s nervous system. Shorter sessions tend to maintain a “window of tolerance” more effectively than longer ones.
    Sources:

    • Perry, B. D., & Szalavitz, M. (2006). The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog.

    • Ogden, P., Minton, K., & Pain, C. (2006). Trauma and the Body.

  • Caregiver involvement is easier to integrate:
    Brief caregiver check-ins—before or after session—improve treatment outcomes for anxiety, behavior concerns, and school-related stress.
    Sources:

    • Comer, J. S. et al. (2013). Parent-focused enhancements in CBT for children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.

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