COUNSELING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS PARENTS IN NEWBURY PARK & ACROSS CA

Caring for a special needs child is hard work. You need support, too.

We’re here to help parents feel less isolated and more empowered with useful tools and greater confidence in themselves and their child’s future.

When your child has special needs, you often go through life with more questions than answers.

“Am I doing enough?”

“What if this doesn’t work?”

“Why did this happen to me?”

You’re navigating a complex landscape of emotions and challenges that others simply can’t understand. It's not uncommon to feel overwhelmed, jealous, or even angry, especially when you see other parents with seemingly “normal” or typical children.

You’re not alone if you’ve felt:

  • Isolation: It feels like nobody truly understands what you’re going through.

  • Exhaustion: The endless meetings, IEPs, and appointments leave you drained.

  • Disconnection: The overwhelming demands of caregiving are creating a distance between you and other loved ones.

  • Doubt: You may constantly question what your child needs, wondering if you're making the right choices.

  • Judgment: If your child has behavioral challenges, you might feel scrutinized by others who don’t understand your child’s situation. 

  • Worry: Concerns about what the future looks like for your child and for you as a caregiver weigh heavily on your mind.

These feelings can manifest in many ways, but you don’t have to carry them on your own anymore.

We believe everything you’re experiencing is valid—you don’t have to pretend things are better than they are. You’re navigating a path that not every parent has to walk, and you deserve support and understanding on that journey. 

Even when you feel like you’re just surviving, you’re doing so much more than you realize for your child.

Our approach

You are not alone—that is the core of what we’re here to remind you of again and again. We know you love your child, but this path isn’t always easy. In the midst of a life where there are often no days—or even hours—off, we want to offer a place of respite and rest that’s just for you. 

At Conejo Valley Family Counseling we draw from our lived experiences and extensive training in helping you navigate the world as the parent of a special needs child. Our goal is to create a welcoming space where you feel truly understood and seen. Rather than having to explain the ins and outs of each part of your experience—the IEP meetings, the outbursts, the questions about the future—you can feel like you’re sitting down with someone who already “gets” it.

As much as we are here to validate your experience and provide a place to express your emotions, we’ll also work together to help you take action. What needs to happen, and what can be set aside? What can you delegate, and what can you let go of? What kind of help does your child need to manage their behavior? It’s easy to get overwhelmed with services, and sometimes that can leave both you and your child feeling stretched too thin. We’ll help you identify essential resources and find the right professionals to join your support network.

Building and nurturing your relationships—with your partner, friends, and support groups—is also key. These connections are vital to your wellbeing, and we encourage you to pour into them. Throughout this process, we’ll focus on self-compassion, using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and stress management skills to help you find a sense of balance in your life.

Ultimately, we want to empower you to embrace your identity as a special needs parent—helping you feel confident in advocating for both your child and yourself.

We can help you…

  • Feel calmer & more confident in your role as a parent

  • Understand that you’re not alone in this

  • Navigate complex emotions like guilt, frustration, & fear 

  • Learn how to advocate for your child’s needs

  • Develop a stronger sense of connection with your child

  • Learn about your child’s unique strengths

  • Find more moments of joy & connection

  • Manage difficult days without feeling overwhelmed

Therapists who can help

Every step forward is worth celebrating, for you and your child. 

We’ll be cheering you on each step of the way.

FAQS

Frequently asked questions

  • Finding that balance can feel impossible, and it’s normal to feel torn in different directions. In therapy, we’ll explore ways to manage your time, expectations, and emotions so that each of your children gets what they need—including prioritizing what you need, too. We’ll work together to make sure you don’t feel like you’re constantly choosing one child over another.

  • Yes, therapy can be incredibly supportive for parents navigating the complexities of raising a child with special needs. We know that your child is unique and that you know them best. Every family is different, but the emotional weight can be similar—feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or even unsure of the next steps. Together, we’ll figure out strategies that work for your family, while also creating space for you to feel heard and supported.

  • That’s a question so many parents ask, and it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed by the idea of “forever.” The truth is, you don’t have to do it all at once. In therapy, we’ll focus on taking it one day at a time, building support, and finding ways to recharge so that “forever” feels more manageable. Our team has lived-in experience with special needs parenting and we’ll be here to remind you that you’re doing your best, and that’s enough.

  • We have extensive experience working with a variety of special needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Our team also supports children with genetic disorders, Cerebral Palsy, and Down Syndrome. We often support families navigating the challenges of a child’s NICU stay or early trauma, too. No matter what your family looks like, we are committed to providing individualized care that meets each child’s unique needs, helping them grow emotionally, socially, and developmentally.