How I Help Kids & Teens
Every child's journey is unique. Here's an overview of the areas I specialize in for children and teens — and how we'll work together, with parents involved every step of the way. Adults are welcome too.
Substance Use & Recovery (Teens & Families)
Substance use disorders are my clinical specialty. When a teen is experimenting with, misusing, or dependent on alcohol or other substances, it affects the whole family — and early, compassionate help makes a real difference. I offer a non-judgmental space for teens, and steady guidance and support for the parents walking alongside them.
I draw on EMDR, Motivational Interviewing, and evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches to address substance use together with the anxiety, trauma, and family stress that so often accompany it. Care is coordinated with families and, when helpful, with schools and other providers.
This service may help with:
- Teen alcohol, cannabis, vaping, and other substance use
- Early intervention and prevention
- Relapse prevention and ongoing recovery support
- Co-occurring anxiety, depression, and trauma
- Family communication and support
- Coordination with schools and other providers
California gives some minors specific rights to consent to substance-use counseling, with added confidentiality protections. See the Informed Consent for details.
Get StartedWorries, Anxiety & Low Mood
Anxiety and low mood are among the most common — and most treatable — challenges kids and teens face. Whether your child has constant worries, trouble separating from you, panic, persistent sadness, or has lost interest in things they used to love, therapy helps them understand those feelings and build practical tools to feel better.
I use warm, evidence-based approaches including play therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness to help children notice unhelpful thoughts, work through them, and build braver, more helpful ways of responding — while I coach parents on how to support them at home.
This service may help with:
- Generalized anxiety and constant worry
- Separation anxiety and school refusal
- Social anxiety and shyness
- Fears, phobias, and panic
- Sadness, low mood, and depression
- Perfectionism and test/performance stress
Trauma & Big Life Changes
Hard experiences and big changes can leave lasting imprints on a child's mind and body — even long afterward. A child might seem on-edge, have nightmares or trouble sleeping, avoid certain places or people, act out, or withdraw and seem "not themselves."
Using a gentle, trauma-informed approach — including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing), Trauma-Focused CBT, and play-based techniques — I help children process difficult experiences at their own pace, feel safe again, and build resilience, with guidance for parents on how to help.
This service may help with:
- Trauma and PTSD in children and teens
- Divorce, separation, and custody changes
- Grief and the loss of a loved one or pet
- Abuse, neglect, and adverse experiences
- Moves, new schools, and family disruption
- Medical events and hospital stays
Behavior, Focus & Big Emotions
When a child struggles with meltdowns, anger, defiance, or staying focused, it's exhausting and worrying for the whole family. These behaviors are almost always a sign that a child needs help with a skill they haven't learned yet — not that they're "bad."
I help children learn to name and manage big feelings, and I coach parents on strategies that reduce conflict and build cooperation at home and school.
This service may help with:
- Tantrums, meltdowns, and anger
- Focus, attention, and ADHD-related challenges
- Defiance and power struggles
- Emotional regulation and coping skills
- Trouble at school or with routines
- Parent coaching and support
Investment in Your Child's Well-Being
I believe quality mental health care for kids should be accessible. Here are my current fees. The initial assessment includes a parent intake.
| Service | Duration | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Free Initial Consultation | 15 min | Free |
| Initial Assessment / Intake | 60 min | $200 |
| Individual Therapy Session | 50 min | $175 |
| Extended Session | 80 min | $260 |
Insurance & Sliding Scale: I am currently an out-of-network provider. Upon request, I can provide a superbill (itemized receipt) that you may submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement. A limited number of sliding scale spots are available for clients with financial need — please ask.
Not Sure What Your Child Needs?
That's completely okay. Reach out and we'll figure it out together during a free 15-minute parent consultation.
Friendships, Social & Family Skills
Relationships — with friends, siblings, and family — profoundly affect a child's confidence and happiness. If your child struggles to make or keep friends, gets into frequent conflict, feels left out, or has a hard time at home, therapy can help.
Together we build social and communication skills, practice handling conflict and big feelings, and strengthen family relationships — with parents as partners in the work.
This service may help with:
- Making and keeping friends
- Social skills and reading social cues
- Bullying and feeling left out
- Sibling conflict and family tension
- Confidence and self-esteem
- Healthy boundaries and communication
Get Started