How to Prepare Your Child for Their First Session with an Animago Therapist

Updated: March 2026.

Animago is an online team of highly qualified therapists who work with children and coach parents using evidence-based methods. For children ages 3–7, Animago therapists meet as animated characters over live video.
We help with common childhood challenges — fears, anxiety, low confidence, shyness, and more — and support healthier parent-child relationships. The Animago team has already helped more than 2,500 children build resilience!

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Everything new can feel scary for kids: a new daycare, a new class, a new meeting. The first session with a therapist is always a nerve-wracking moment — especially for the child. We designed a format that makes the beginning easy and exciting. Here is how to prepare your child in advance.

1. Look at the characters together

On the Animago website there are animated characters that our therapists use in their sessions. Each character can help with any concern, and browsing them becomes even more fun if you imagine their personalities and “superpowers” together. Some help work through sadness, while others teach children to believe in themselves and not fear mistakes.

Spend 15–20 minutes exploring the character gallery together. Let your child pick the ones they like best and make up stories about them: where they live, what they enjoy, who their friends are. This relieves tension and turns preparation into play.

2. Look at them together and talk it through

While discussing the characters, you can gently connect their descriptions to the challenges your child faces: “Look, this character also gets angry sometimes and learns how to handle it. And this one is learning to be braver, even if it feels a little scary at first.”

Try phrases like these:

• “This character is a great listener — what do you think you would tell them?”
• “This hero has a magic way of calming down when things feel scary. Want to come up with your own?”
• “Look, this friend helps others not to be afraid. Who helps you when you feel worried?”

This way the child sees that asking for help is normal, and that the emotions they feel are familiar to others — even cartoon characters.

3. Suggest giving it a try

Explain that at the session your child will be able to make friends and chat with the character, as if the character has come to life from a cartoon. “Maybe the character will ask what you like, what you enjoy doing, what makes you happy or sad. You can share as much or as little as you want.”

Emphasize:

• this is not school, and no one will give grades;
• your child decides what to share and what to keep private for now;
• it is fine to just listen if they do not feel like talking;
• if something feels off, they can say so openly.

This approach removes pressure and gives the child a sense of control over the situation.

4. Answer your child’s questions

If your child is curious about how it works, explain: the characters were created by people, just like cartoon heroes, but they can genuinely have conversations, answer questions, and help children who are going through something difficult.

Be honest: explain that a kind therapist stands behind the character and wants to help. But do not overwhelm them with details — what children need most is a relatable image and the ability to trust.

Sample answers to common children’s questions:

• • “Who speaks for the character?” — “A kind wizard-therapist who knows how to make the character come alive on screen.”
  • “Is it real?” — “They are a real friend who wants to listen to you and help.”
  • “What if I do not want to talk to them?” — “Then we will just look at them together, that is all.”

5. A greeting from the chosen character

Once your child chooses a character, we will send you a personal greeting from that character — a short message where the character introduces themselves. It is a short video or audio clip with a smile, a warm voice, and a few phrases: “Hi! I am Blueberry, and I am so happy we will get to meet. I love hearing stories and I know lots of fun games. See you soon!”

This makes it easier and more joyful for the child to take the step toward the therapist and their first important session at the diagnostic Checkup.

Adaptation red flags: when to consult a specialist

Anxiety does not always go away on its own. Pay attention to these signals — they may be a reason to book a consultation:

• Sudden changes in behavior: became withdrawn, aggressive, or tearful without an obvious reason.
• Sleep problems: difficulty falling asleep, nightmares, frequent waking.
• Physical complaints: frequent stomachaches or headaches with no medical cause.
• Social withdrawal: avoids friends, refuses to go to daycare or school.
• Persistent fears: afraid of being alone, clings to parents, worries about “bad things happening.”
• Developmental regression: returned to thumb-sucking, bedwetting, or baby talk.
• Difficulty concentrating: cannot focus on games or tasks, easily distracted.

If you have noticed several of these signs lasting more than 2–3 weeks, a therapist consultation can help identify the cause and support your child.

Frequently asked questions

Question: My child is afraid the therapist will scold them. How do I explain that this will not happen?
Say: “The therapist is a friend who knows how to listen and help. They do not scold, do not give grades, and do not share what you talked about with anyone — unless you are in danger.”

Question: How long is the first session? Will the child get tired?
Answer. The first session with the child lasts 30 minutes — like one fun game or story. We adjust to the child’s pace: if they get tired, we can pause. Afterward, we meet with the parents for 30 minutes to discuss the session results.

At Animago, we have made sure that the first step is not scary — it is exciting. Because the child will be meeting not “an adult in an office,” but an animated character right at home. Anxiety turns into curiosity, and the session with the therapist becomes something like an adventure.

Book a Checkup.