Children & Teenagers Therapy
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Child & Teen Therapist Serving Los Angeles, CA
Your Child Doesn’t Need to Be Fixed. They Need to Be Understood.
If you’re looking for a child therapist in Los Angeles, chances are something is happening with your child or teenager that has you worried. Maybe their behavior has changed. Maybe school has become a battleground. Maybe they’re having meltdowns that leave the whole family exhausted. Maybe your teenager has withdrawn into silence, and you don’t know how to reach them anymore.
Whatever brought you here, I want to say something to you as a parent: your instinct to seek help is a good one. It means you’re paying attention. It means you care. And it means your child has someone in their corner who is willing to ask for support.
I work with children and teenagers across the Los Angeles area, and I approach this work with a belief that has guided my entire practice: young people are not problems to be solved. They are human beings in the process of becoming, and they deserve to be met with the same depth, respect, and curiosity we offer adults.
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, my training is specifically in relational and family dynamics. That means I don’t just see your child in isolation. I see them within the context of their family, their school, their friendships, and their inner world.
Therapy for Children
Play Is the Language of the Soul
I’ve always believed in staying connected to the inner child. Why stop giggling, being brutally honest, making funny sounds, letting our emotions flow effortlessly from our bodies? In the end, play is the language of the soul. Playing is practically synonymous with therapy, in that through play we transform, release, and become conscious of all that lives within us.
Children don’t sit on a couch and talk about their feelings the way adults do. They don’t have the vocabulary for it yet. But they do have other languages: play, movement, drawing, imagination, dreams, and their bodies. These are the languages I speak when I work with children.
I integrate play, intuition, and behavioral techniques to meet children where they are at. I believe children inherently deserve respect and to be heard and listened to. This doesn’t mean letting them run the world. For me, it means letting them know they are seen and understood, but also understanding their role in the collective. It is important for me to create a container for your child to practice healthy boundaries and social skills, while also helping them feel safe and appreciated for their particular way of wanting to exist in their world.
What a Session Can Look Like
Every child is different, and I never start a session with an agenda. I look forward to the opportunity to learn the unique constellation of reasons that have brought you and your child into the room, and begin the therapeutic process with a kind of magical curiosity and unconditional positive regard for their unique experience.
Sessions may involve:
- Building rapport and establishing a safe, empathetic space that your child experiences as containing
- Playing, moving, drawing, painting, using voice, writing, or acting out a scene from the imagination or a dream
- Helping your child locate what they are feeling and experiencing in their body
- Helping your child voice something they can’t seem to put into words yet
- Helping them process a fear, a bad dream, or a confusing experience
- Exercises geared towards getting in touch with their empathy
- Talking about family and friend dynamics
- Creating a space for them to feel a sense of belonging
- Modeling what proper boundaries look like
Common Concerns Parents Bring
Parents seeking child therapy in Los Angeles often come to me with concerns such as:
Emotional Challenges: Anxiety and worry, including separation anxiety and bedtime fears. Emotional outbursts, meltdowns, and difficulty calming down. Sadness, tearfulness, or emotional withdrawal. Low self-esteem and self-doubt. Difficulty identifying or expressing feelings.
Behavioral Concerns: Defiance and oppositional behavior. Aggression towards siblings, peers, or parents. School refusal or avoidance. Difficulty following rules or respecting boundaries. Regression to earlier developmental behaviors.
Social and Relational: Friendship difficulties and social skills challenges. Bullying, whether as the one being bullied or the one doing the bullying. Difficulty sharing, taking turns, or managing frustration with peers. Shyness or social withdrawal.
Life Events: Adjusting to parents’ divorce or separation. Grief and loss of a loved one. A new sibling, a move, or a major family change. Trauma, whether a single event or ongoing exposure.
Developmental: ADHD and attention challenges. Learning differences and school-related stress. Sensory sensitivities. Developmental transitions that feel overwhelming.
This list is not exhaustive. If something is happening with your child and you’re not sure whether therapy would help, please reach out. The answer is usually yes.
Therapy for Teenagers
I Am Not Here to Fix You. I Don’t Think You’re Broken.
Teens are in transition. Aren’t we all? True. But with teens it’s palpable. It is viscerally felt that you are in the “between” stage of life. Coming of age is no picnic, even if you are a mature teenager. This time of life has the potential to be filled with a good deal of tension, and if not that, at least a good deal of cynicism, towards yourself and others.
Between the pressures of family, school, friendships, and navigating social media, it is easy to feel bombarded by life and lost in your search for connection and meaning.
I like to think of myself as part therapist, part chill guy you can shoot the breeze with. The last thing I want is to add more pressure to your life. Together, I hope to pinpoint some of the areas of life where you’d like to feel more harmony, and be a listening ear for all that you experience in your day to day.
Why Teenagers Come to Therapy
Some teenagers are brought by their parents. Others ask to come on their own. Either way, this space belongs to you. Here are some of the reasons teens come to see me:
- A desire to feel seen in the constant pressures of life
- Having a space to talk about intense feelings and emotions
- Feeling lonely and wanting a sense of belonging
- Wanting someone other than your parents to share more vulnerable parts of yourself with
- Wanting to be more assertive and confident
- Feeling like you’re holding onto a secret and needing to get it out
- Having an adult other than your parents and teachers who you can connect to without feeling like you’re being evaluated
- Wanting to talk about sex and sexuality in a safe space
- Wanting a space where exploring your creativity is encouraged
- Navigating academic pressure, college stress, or career uncertainty
- Dealing with anxiety, depression, or overwhelming emotions
- Struggling with identity, self-image, or body image
- Processing family conflict, divorce, or changing dynamics at home
- Managing the weight of social media and comparison culture
What Teen Therapy Looks Like
Sessions with teenagers are flexible. Sometimes we sit in my office and talk. Sometimes we go for walks. It’s important for our time together to feel imaginative, even if it is somewhat structured.
I don’t assign homework. I don’t lecture. I don’t pretend to have all the answers. What I do is listen, reflect, challenge when appropriate, and offer a relationship where you can be yourself without performing.
For parents: I understand how frightening it can be when your teenager is struggling. I also understand the delicate balance between staying involved and giving your teen space. I work collaboratively with parents while respecting the teen’s confidentiality. We’ll establish clear boundaries at the beginning so everyone knows what to expect.
Who Group Therapy Is For
Group therapy in Los Angeles is for anyone who wants to understand themselves more deeply through their relationships with others. You don’t need to be in crisis, and you don’t need a specific diagnosis. What you need is a willingness to show up honestly.
Group therapy may be especially meaningful if you:
- Feel isolated, lonely, or disconnected, even if you have people in your life
- Struggle with vulnerability or emotional intimacy
- Find yourself repeating the same relational patterns and don’t know why
- Want honest feedback about how others experience you
- Are working through social anxiety and want a safe place to practice connection
- Tend to people-please, withdraw, or become defensive in relationships
- Want to develop deeper empathy and communication skills
- Are in individual therapy and want to deepen your relational awareness
- Crave community and belonging but don’t know how to find it
- Are curious about yourself and willing to be surprised by what you discover
Group therapy is not only for people who are struggling. It’s also for people who are growing. Many of my group members are already in individual therapy and use the group as a space to practice what they’re learning about themselves in real relationships.
How My Groups Work
The Structure
My process groups meet weekly for 90-minute sessions. Groups are ongoing, meaning they don’t have a set end date. Members join when there’s an opening and stay as long as the work feels meaningful. This ongoing structure allows for the depth of relationship that makes group therapy so powerful.
Group size is typically between 5 and 8 members. Small enough for intimacy, large enough for diversity of perspective.
The Process
There is no agenda. No one assigns a topic. Each session begins with the group, and wherever the conversation goes is where we go. Sometimes someone arrives with something pressing. Sometimes the most important moment is the silence that opens the session. Sometimes conflict arises between members, and that conflict becomes the richest material of all.
As the facilitator, my role is not to lecture or direct. It’s to notice what’s happening beneath the surface: the dynamics, the patterns, the unspoken feelings, the ways people are connecting or withdrawing. I might point out something the group hasn’t noticed. I might invite someone to go deeper. I might hold space while the group does its own work.
Before You Join
Before entering a group, I meet with each prospective member individually. This consultation helps me understand what you’re looking for, assess whether the group is a good fit, and prepare you for the experience. Not everyone is right for every group, and that’s okay. Fit matters, and I take it seriously.
Confidentiality
Everything shared in group is confidential. Every member commits to this before joining. What’s said in the room stays in the room. This is the foundation that allows the vulnerability and honesty that makes group therapy work.
My Approach to Working With Young People
How I Think About Child and Teen Therapy
My approach is grounded in several core principles:
Play and Creativity: For children, the therapeutic process happens through play, art, movement, and imagination. I don’t force children into adult frameworks of therapy. I meet them in the language they already speak.
Relational Depth: For teenagers, the therapeutic relationship itself is often the most healing element. Many teens have never had an adult in their life who listens without judging, fixing, or evaluating. Offering that experience can be transformative.
Family Systems Awareness: I understand that a child’s behavior doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It lives within the family system, the school environment, the peer group, and the larger culture. When appropriate, I work with parents through parent coaching to address the broader dynamics that may be contributing to your child’s struggles.
Attachment and Safety: Children and teens need to feel safe before they can explore. Building trust and emotional safety is always the first step in our work. Everything else follows from there.
Developmental Sensitivity: What’s appropriate for a 6-year-old is different from what’s appropriate for a 16-year-old. I tailor my approach to your child’s developmental stage, personality, and unique needs.
Working With Parents
A Note for Parents
When your child is in therapy, you are part of the process too. I believe in working collaboratively with parents, because the work we do in session is most effective when it’s supported at home.
Depending on your child’s age and the nature of the concerns, this collaboration may include:
- Periodic parent check-ins to discuss progress and observations
- Guidance on how to support your child’s emotional development at home
- Recommendations for when parent coaching might be helpful alongside your child’s therapy
- Coordination with school counselors or other professionals when appropriate
For teenagers, confidentiality is essential to building trust. I will always keep you informed about safety concerns, but the details of what your teen shares in session belong to them. This boundary is what allows them to open up.
If you feel that your own parenting patterns may be contributing to the family dynamic, I also offer dedicated parent coaching as a separate service.
How I Work With Children & Teenagers
Every child and teenager has their own unique way of experiencing the world. Some communicate through words. Others communicate through play, creativity, behavior, emotions, or relationships. My role is not to fix young people or tell them who they should be. My role is to help them feel seen, understood, and supported as they navigate the challenges of growing up.
Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, emotional regulation, self-esteem, friendship difficulties, family changes, or simply feeling overwhelmed by life, therapy can provide a safe space where they are free to explore their experience without judgment.
step 01
Attachment & Emotional Development
Understanding how early relationships shape a child’s emotional world. Through a safe and supportive therapeutic relationship, children and teens can build confidence, strengthen emotional regulation, and develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others.
step 02
Play-Based & Creative Expression
Children often communicate through play, imagination, art, and storytelling rather than words. Therapy creates space for creative expression, helping young people process emotions, experiences, fears, and challenges in ways that feel natural and engaging.
step 03
Family Systems & Relationship Awareness
A child's struggles rarely exist in isolation. By understanding family dynamics, communication patterns, and relational influences, therapy can uncover deeper causes of distress and support healthier connections within the family system.
step 04
Confidence, Resilience & Personal Growth
Therapy helps children and teenagers navigate anxiety, self-doubt, school stress, social challenges, and life transitions. Together, we build self-awareness, resilience, emotional strength, and a greater sense of belonging in the world.
Serving Families Across Los Angeles
In-Person: My office is located at 11949 Jefferson Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230. I welcome children, teenagers, and families from Culver City, Venice, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Marina Del Rey, Beverly Hills, and the greater Los Angeles area.
Online: I offer virtual therapy sessions throughout California for teenagers who prefer meeting from the comfort of their own space. Online sessions are available via secure, HIPAA-compliant video.
Fees: Child and teen therapy sessions are $225. I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation. I’m an out-of-network provider and provide superbills for insurance reimbursement. Many California PPO plans reimburse 50 to 80% for out-of-network therapy. I accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, cash, check, HSA, and FSA.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Child & Teen Therapy
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Trust your instincts. If something feels off, if your child's behavior has changed significantly, if they're struggling emotionally or socially in ways that concern you, or if their school has raised concerns, therapy can help. You don't need a diagnosis to bring your child to therapy. Many parents come simply because they want support navigating a difficult stage or transition. A free consultation call is a good first step if you're unsure.
I work with children as young as school age through adolescence and into young adulthood. The approach shifts depending on the child's developmental stage: younger children benefit from play-based therapy, while older adolescents engage in more conversational depth work.
For children, the first session often includes some time with the parent to understand the concerns, followed by time with the child to begin building rapport. For teenagers, the first session is about getting to know each other. I ask about what's going on, what they're hoping for, and I let them get a sense of who I am. There's no pressure to share everything at once.
For young children, I communicate more openly with parents about themes and progress. For teenagers, confidentiality is essential for building trust. I won't share the details of what your teen discusses, except in cases involving safety. We'll establish these boundaries clearly at the start so everyone is comfortable.
It depends on the child and the concerns. Some children come for a few months to work through a specific issue like a transition or a fear. Others benefit from longer-term support during a challenging developmental period. We'll check in regularly and adjust the plan as your child grows.
Yes. Anxiety is one of the most common reasons parents seek child therapy in Los Angeles. Through play, creative expression, body awareness, and relational safety, children learn to understand their anxiety rather than be controlled by it. For teenagers, we explore what's driving the anxiety and develop more conscious ways of responding to it.
Yes. I work with children and teenagers navigating ADHD, attention challenges, and related behavioral concerns. My approach focuses on understanding the child's unique experience, building emotional regulation skills, and supporting the parent-child relationship. I also offer parent coaching to help you support your child's needs at home.
Yes. I offer virtual sessions for teenagers throughout California. Many teens actually prefer online therapy because it feels less formal and more comfortable. The quality of the work is the same whether we meet in my Culver City office or on screen.
This is very common, especially with teenagers. Sometimes it helps to frame therapy not as "something is wrong with you" but as "this is a space just for you." I'm also happy to speak briefly with a reluctant teen by phone before the first session to introduce myself and ease any anxiety about what to expect.
Call me at (818) 207-4443 or send a message through the contact page. We'll schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation to talk about your child, your concerns, and whether my approach feels like a good fit.