Child and Teen Therapy

Children and teens face continue to feel the effects of COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it had on social, emotional and relationship development. Parents and caregivers may be noticing “big emotions” and reactions and some behavioral challenges. Children and teens may be reporting or you might be observing that they are having difficulty connecting with peers, staying focused, managing their emotions and struggling with motivating themselves among other things.

Together with the child or teen I will work to build a safe space for them to explores these challenges and feelings that lie just below the surface. I use factors including age and developmental level of the adolescent to inform my relationship building and what tools I use to engage them. Another critical factor in my treatment planning is collaboration with parents and caregivers as appropriate. Parents and caregivers are the experts in the child or teen and are important to the treatment planning and a key component to positive therapy outcomes.

Individual services for the child or teen are recommended to occur weekly and to include some level of parent or caregiver collaboration to be scheduled in addition to the individual service for more effective treatment outcomes. This caregiver collaboration allows for more opportunities for generalization and support across environments. Every client is different and level of caregiver involvement in treatment will be dependent on presenting challenges, client strengths, and the child or teen’s engagement in the psychotherapy service.

Depending on the age, developmental level and current needs of the child or teen sessions can be scheduled for either 25 or 50 minutes. Sessions can be held either in person at one of my office locations in Los Angeles or via video for clients in California or Virginia. In person services are recommended for children 10 and under.

Treatment planning takes into account each client’s age, developmental level, present challenges, and strengths. I use art and play with younger clients and as appropriate with teens to offer safe ways to engage during session.

Specialty areas:

• Autism/Neurodivergence

• LGBTQIA+/Queer/Questioning

• Transgender/Non-Binary/Gender Identity and Expression

• ADHD

• Adoption

• School avoidance/School anxiety

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Self-harm

• Friendship/Peer Relationship Challenges/Bullying

• Behavioral challenges