IN-PERSON & ONLINE CHILDREN & TEEN COUNSELING IN NEWBURY PARK & ACROSS CA

Supporting young hearts and minds through life's challenges.

Specialized therapy for children, teens,  and their families.

You've noticed the changes in your child or teen, and you're worried.

As a parent, it's heart-wrenching to watch your child or teenager struggle. Maybe you've noticed changes in their behavior, mood, or relationships that concern you. The happy, engaged child you once knew might seem distant, anxious, or angry, and you're not sure how to help them navigate these challenges.

For your younger child, you might notice they're having trouble at school, experiencing frequent meltdowns, or struggling to make friends. Their teachers might be reporting behavioral concerns, or you're seeing increased anxiety, sadness, or difficulty managing emotions at home. Perhaps family dynamics have become strained, and the usual parenting approaches aren't working anymore.

With your teenager, the challenges might look different—withdrawing from family and activities they once enjoyed, showing signs of anxiety or depression, or dealing with intense peer pressure and social media stress. You might be worried about their academic performance, their relationships, or the growing tension at home. The communication between you might have broken down, leaving you feeling helpless and disconnected from your teen.

Whether you're seeking support for a child or a teenager, you want to help them thrive—not just cope. You're looking for guidance that considers your whole family's needs while providing your young one with the tools and support they need to flourish.

Children often show…

  • Frequent emotional outbursts

  • Changes in school performance

  • Difficulty making friends

  • Separation anxiety

  • Sleep problems

  • Aggressive behavior

  • Excessive worrying

  • Physical complaints

  • Trouble focusing

  • Defiant behavior

  • Social withdrawal

  • Regression in behaviors

Teens often show…

  • Mood swings

  • Academic struggles

  • Social isolation

  • Anxiety symptoms

  • Sleep changes

  • Risk-taking behaviors

  •  Low self-esteem

  • Family conflicts

  • Substance experimentation

  • Digital media struggles

  • Identity confusion

  • Emotional overwhelm

HOW WE CAN HELP

We believe in age-appropriate, engaging approaches that meet your child or teen exactly where they are developmentally, while involving you appropriately in their healing journey.

For Children

Through play therapy, art therapy, and expressive approaches, we create a safe space where your child can process their emotions and experiences in ways that feel natural to them. These therapeutic techniques allow children to communicate and heal through their natural language of play and creativity, rather than relying solely on words. We help them develop emotional awareness, build coping skills, and strengthen their sense of self-worth.

For Teens

We use evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help teens navigate their challenges. Through practical coping tools, interpersonal skills development, mindfulness techniques, and motivational interviewing, we support teens in building emotional resilience, improving relationships, and developing a stronger sense of identity.

Family Support

Understanding that family dynamics play a crucial role in your child's well-being, we offer:

  • Parent-child sessions to strengthen relationships and communication

  • Whole family sessions to address systemic challenges and improve family functioning

  • Parent-only coaching sessions to develop effective parenting strategies and support

Our goal is to create a comprehensive support system that nurtures your child's emotional growth while providing you with the tools and guidance you need as a parent.

Therapy can help your child or teen…

Develop emotional awareness and regulation.

Build stronger relationships with family and peers.

Improve self-esteem and confidence.

Learn lifelong coping skills.

As your child or teen develops these skills and insights, you'll see positive changes not just in them, but in your whole family system.

Therapists who can help

Our therapists specialize in working with children, teens, and families, using age-appropriate, evidence-based approaches to support growth and healing.

Your family's healing journey starts here.

FAQS

Frequently asked questions

  • If you've noticed concerning changes in your child's behavior, mood, relationships, or academic performance that persist for more than a few weeks, therapy might be helpful. Even if you're unsure, an initial consultation can help determine if professional support would benefit your child and family.

  • The first session for a child typically involves meeting with parents and child together to gather background information and understand both yours and your child’s concerns. This is a child-friendly session to help them feel comfortable in the therapy space. Afterward, we schedule a parent-only session to gather any additional information that you did not want to give in front of your child. For teens, we meet with them alone to provide the opportunity for them to speak privately about their experiences and goals. Then we schedule an appointment with the parent to hear their concerns and observations of their teens' struggles.  We balance parent input with the goals and needs of the teen.

  • Parent involvement varies based on your child's age and needs. For younger children, we typically have regular parent check-ins and may include you directly in sessions to support their healing process. With teens, we balance their need for privacy and independence with appropriate parent communication and family work. We'll discuss the best approach for your specific situation during the initial consultation.

  • The duration of therapy varies depending on your child's needs and goals. Some families see improvement in a few months, while others benefit from longer-term support. We'll regularly review progress and adjust our approach as needed to ensure we're meeting your family's needs.

  • With your permission, we can collaborate with schools, healthcare providers, and other professionals involved in your child's care. This coordination helps ensure comprehensive support for your child's well-being.