Therapy for Children
In Marin County, California & online for California Residents
Your Child’s Mental Health Matters
Childhood is a special time where your children should be safe, playful, and supported.
Now more than ever, there are so many challenges that impact the daily functioning of children.
Children may need therapy for various reasons, just like adults do. Some common signs that children might benefit from therapy include behavioral issues, trauma, symptoms of anxiety or depression, family changes or transitions, parent or family conflict, social challenges, grief or loss, too much screen-time, self-esteem issues or academic and learning difficulties. If you see any signs, changes, or symptoms in your child that cause you concern, reach out for a free consultation to see if therapy is the right next step.
What’s happening at School says a lot about your Child’s well-being
Children spend so much time at school and how your child performs there is often the window into their overall well-being. Having a connection with your child’s teacher, advisor, school counselor, or learning specialists can be instrumental in helping your child thrive to their full potential. As a therapist with extensive school experience, I will work collaboratively with educators and parents to develop personalized strategies and accommodations to support your child's academic progress.
Therapy can help children do better both in and outside of school in several ways:
Improved Emotional Regulation: Therapy can teach children effective strategies for managing their emotions, reducing stress, and staying calm in challenging situations. By learning to regulate their emotions, children are better able to focus on their schoolwork and perform at their best academically.
Enhanced Self-Esteem: Therapy helps children develop a positive self-image and confidence in their abilities. When children feel good about themselves, they are more motivated to engage in learning activities, participate in class discussions, and pursue academic goals.
Coping with Academic Pressure: Therapy provides children with coping skills to manage academic pressure and performance anxiety. Children learn to set realistic goals, break tasks into manageable steps, and persevere in the face of challenges, leading to greater academic success.
Addressing Learning Challenges: If a child is struggling with learning difficulties or developmental delays, therapy can provide support and intervention to address these challenges.
Improving Study Skills: Therapy can teach children effective study habits, time management skills, and organizational strategies. Children learn how to prioritize tasks, manage their time efficiently, and create a conducive environment for learning, leading to improved academic performance.
Building Social Skills: Therapy helps children develop essential social skills, such as communication, empathy, and cooperation, which are important for success in school. Children learn how to interact positively with peers, resolve conflicts peacefully, and collaborate effectively on group projects.
Reducing Behavioral Issues: Therapy addresses underlying emotional and behavioral issues that may be interfering with a child's ability to succeed in school. By identifying and addressing these issues, therapy helps children develop self-control, impulse management, and appropriate behavior in the classroom.
Increasing Motivation: Therapy can reignite children's passion for learning by exploring their interests, strengths, and goals. Therapy can help children identify what motivates them and develop strategies to stay engaged and enthusiastic about their schoolwork.
Supporting Transitions: Therapy provides support to children during transitions, such as starting a new school, moving to a different grade, or adjusting to changes in the classroom environment. Therapy can help children navigate these transitions smoothly and adaptively, reducing stress and promoting academic success.
Promoting Overall Well-being: By addressing children's emotional and psychological needs, therapy promotes overall well-being, which is essential for academic success. When children feel emotionally supported and mentally healthy, they are better equipped to thrive academically and achieve their full potential in school.
As a Parent, You Deserve Support as Well
Sometimes your child may not be ready for therapy, but you still may need support and guidance to face various challenges in raising children. In Parenting Therapy, we will work on enhancing parenting techniques, improving communication between you and your children, managing behavioral issues, and promoting a healthy family dynamic. Through parent counseling sessions, you can gain insights into your parenting style, learn effective discipline strategies, address conflicts within the family, and develop strategies to foster positive relationships with your children. The goal is to empower you with the knowledge and tools you need to create a nurturing and supportive environment for your children's growth and development.
Sometimes, We Need to Come Together as a Family
Family therapy is a collaborative process to identify and address issues that are affecting the family dynamic. Children and teens’ individual behaviors and problems are often influenced by the interactions and dynamics within the family system. Together, we will work to help family members understand each other’s perspectives, improve communication, and develop healthier ways of relating to one another. Family therapy can address a wide range of issues such as marital conflicts, parent-child conflicts, sibling rivalries, substance abuse, grief, and major life transitions. The goal is to promote understanding and cohesion within the family, strengthen relationships, and create a supportive environment where each member can thrive emotionally and psychologically. Family therapy sessions may involve all family members together or individuals and smaller groups depending on the specific needs of the family and the therapeutic approach used by the therapist.
Additionally, there may be a specific problem to address in family therapy. A common issue for families is screen time. Creating a Family Media Plan can help establish healthy habits around screen time and media consumption for all family members.
Children do not always have the tools for expressing their concerns.
Child-Centered Play Therapy uses play as the primary means of communication and is based on the understanding that play is the natural language of children. Play therapy can help children improve their self-esteem, develop coping skills, enhance social skills, and find healthier ways to communicate. It can be especially beneficial for children who may have difficulty expressing themselves verbally or who have experienced trauma, loss, or other challenging situations.
I’ve created a safe, supportive, and non-threatening environment where the child can freely explore and work through their thoughts, feelings and experiences. Through various toys, games, and activities, children can act out real-life situations, express their fears and concerns, and learn new ways to cope and problem-solve. I observe and interact with your child during play sessions, using the child's play as a window into their inner world, struggles and strengths.
As a parent seeking support for your child, it's essential to understand that play therapy is a child-centered approach that allows your child to express themselves in a way that feels natural and comfortable to them. I will work collaboratively with you and your child to address any concerns, build a trusting relationship, and support your child's emotional growth and well-being. I will involve parents in the process by having frequent parent or family sessions, as you play a crucial role in supporting your child's progress both during and outside of therapy.
When talking is no longer working, delve into the sand
Sandtray Therapy is a form of expressive therapy where clients use a tray filled with sand and miniature objects to create scenes that represent their inner thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
Sandtray therapy is particularly effective for children, adolescents, and adults who may struggle to express themselves verbally or who find traditional talk therapy challenging. It provides a tangible, sensory experience that can be both grounding and liberating.
Read more about Sandtray HERE.
Prioritizing your child’s mental health is essential
When your child is thriving, the whole family benefits. Overall, therapy for children, parents and families can foster healthy development, promote well-being, and build a strong foundation for future success and happiness.