Frequently asked questions

We recommend letting your child choose an avatar they especially like. Our customer support team will be happy to help.

We recommend starting with an intro session and then moving on to at least one package of weekly sessions. After that, children benefit most from continuous support in the form of one monthly session. Group sessions are available at any stage of your journey with Imcy.

Absolutely — though we don’t recommend it during the weekly session package, since that format often involves new skills for parents to learn as well.

Generally, imaginary coaches work with children ages four and up.

This format generally works best for children up to about age ten. Emotion coaches on Imcy also work with teenagers, usually without avatars.

Only if the child asks their coach to reveal their real appearance.

You can change coaches at any time if you or your child wishes. The avatar your child has chosen can stay the same.

We recommend starting with an intro session — you’ll find more about it under Services and Pricing. You’re also welcome to send us a request form, and our customer service representative will contact you as soon as possible.

Coaches working with Imcy do not diagnose or treat disorders. Some of our coaches may also be CBT therapists, but in every interaction with you or your child, imaginary coaches work strictly as coaches, following coaching protocols.

Sessions with an imaginary coach are safe. Coaches on Imcy go through a strict verification process and always act in your child’s best interest. Your information is kept safe and confidential and is never shared with third parties. Coaches on Imcy follow strict protocols and high ethical standards. If your child shows signs of a concern that may need evaluation, therapy, or clinical treatment, your coach will recommend an appropriate professional.

Most of the time, children don’t get upset about ending their sessions with their imaginary coach. Throughout their time together, they receive a great deal of validation and reassurance that their coach is available whenever they feel the need to reconnect. By the time sessions come to a close, most children feel a genuine sense of readiness to pause or move on, and that readiness is exactly why the parting feels natural rather than painful.

Imcy coaching supports emotional growth, but it is not therapy and doesn’t replace care from a licensed mental health professional. If your coach notices signs that your child may need clinical support, they will let you know promptly and help you find a qualified specialist, such as a child psychologist or therapist, through our referral network.

If you’re already concerned about your child’s mental health, we encourage you to talk with your pediatrician or a licensed professional first. Coaching can work well alongside professional care.