131 therapists in California specializing in Child or Adolescent

As an experienced family therapist, I have the skills and knowledge needed to help families navigate even the most challenging situations. What sets me apart is my unique perspective as a former stay-at-home mom to now-grown children, which gives me a deep understanding of the struggles and milestones that families face. If you're looking for a compassionate and experienced therapist who can make a real difference in your family's life, I invite you to consider reaching out to me for help.

Greetings! I'm Michelle, and I am so happy you are taking this step on your wellness journey. We want to live our best lives. However, things can sometimes get in the way. We often feel as though our emotions are spiraling out of control, or that we are walking on eggshells trying to avoid negative interactions with those around us. We may be struggling to cope with the effects of trauma or feelings of worry, hopelessness, or detachment. We might have a loved one who is experiencing a chronic physical or mental health condition that influences our emotional well-being. These challenges can impact us in many ways. It is not uncommon to feel stuck or overwhelmed. Sometimes we may even feel as if our very identity is defined by the problems we are facing. You may feel isolated ashamed, or unsure of how to move forward. I love joining my clients on their healing journey. I help them identify the areas in their life that are preventing them from embracing their self-worth and potential. I use storytelling and art to separate the problem from the person. Utilizing evidence-based techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy will help you get to the root of the problem and develop skills to regain control. When working with children, adolescents, and teens I use my training in Play Therapy to create an experience that is relevant and engaging for younger clients. My job is to be a safe harbor while you grow during this process. I work with children, adolescents, and caregivers as they improve their sense of well-being, safety, happiness, recovery, and health. I’ve worked with many youth and caregivers who are missing out on the joy of living. My passion is helping youth and caregivers find the best parts of themselves and grow to love themselves again. Contact me today for a free consultation and we’ll get started on your journey together.

Change is stressful and adolescence is a period of enormous change - especially so these days with the pandemic, social media, gender politics, and looming concerns about the future. Many, many teens today feel overwhelmed by pressure. Struggling with depression, anxiety, self-harm, relationship problems, drugs, alcohol and academic problems is common. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that by 2021 49.5% of adolescents in the U.S. had a mental disorder, with females, LGBTQIA, and multiracial individuals at the highest risk. If you are a teen or the parent of a teen in pain and looking for a way forward, I can help. I began work as a counseling psychotherapist in 1994. Since then I've helped many adolescents, adults, couples, and parents ease their suffering and overcome problems such as these. My effectiveness as a helper comes from 1) listening carefully to understand your concerns and experience 2) non-judgementally accepting you as you are 3) knowing that you are the expert on you and planning treatment collaboratively with you to achieve your goals. 4) Providing the tools of skills training and coaching to empower you to heal and thrive For me, it's all about knowing that my clients don't need to be fixed. They need to be understood, accepted, provided with effective tools for solving their problems and trusted to overcome their difficulties in a way that works for them so they can feel better, function better and begin living life as they choose to. My approach is straightforward and built on compassion and evidence-based techniques.

Hello, I'm Karen and I am so happy that you have made this first step of seeking what might help whatever situation you are in. It's a big step, and not taken lightly. Therapy effectiveness is known to work best when it feels like the right fit for you, and you are in a place in your life to move forward with it. I have been doing this for a minute, and know how much change can come about walking alongside you on this journey. I have worked in outpatient settings, managed counseling programs, private practice, schools, drug treatment, crisis response, elder care, and at-risk settings. While I have skill sets in those areas, I feel that working with anxiety, trauma, grief, ADHD , and adjustments to life's circumstances are particularly strong attributes for me.

Are you struggling with your work-life balance, family unit, parent-child relationship, or other relationships? Are these conflicts bringing you overwhelming emotions and distress? Are you in need of more healthy coping skills? As a professional therapist (LMFT) of over 11 years, I strive to empower client success while being a guiding presence in a supportive and safe space. By managing anxiety and dealing with burnout in the workplace/school, at home, and in relationships you can involve yourself in ideas and activities that bring you to the present and guide you toward your desired future. I am currently working with individual clients 18 and over only, and not accepting couples.

The most precious you can give to yourself is a little bit of your own attention. Life can get so busy and it's easy to become distracted by daily tasks. This makes it easy to loose sight of the most important person in your life....YOU! You are the most important project that you will ever work on and I am so glad that you are here. I have over 22 years of experience in the mental health industry and I am passionate about working with clients from all different backgrounds and life paths. I have experience working with a wide variety of ages from children to adolescents and adults. I also have experience working with with a variety of mental health diagnosis. It has been a blessing to work as a School Counselor for 22+ years, and know that it has provided me with a wealth of experience in so many areas with a large variety of clients with all different needs. I strive to meet my clients where they are and am passionate about helping them work on their goals. I have particularly enjoyed helping clients manage transition, trauma, depression, grief, adjustment, anxiety and parenting. I also am passionate about working with First Responders and their families. I have been part of a First Responder family for 27+ years, which has provided me with a wealth of information as well as compassion and commitment to serve this population.

Hello, My name is Bonnie. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California since 2005. I am also licensed as a Registered nurse and have worked in the field for 35 + years. I am a 58-year-old mom of 17-year-old twin daughters with plans for college in about a year. Yep, raising teenagers is no joke! Parenting has its fair share of hills and valleys. I have been married for 22 years. Are you finding that maintaining relationships is a struggle at times? Do you need someone to listen and hear you? I want to build rapport and understanding with each client. I have worked with clients struggling with a variety of issues and concerns. I have experience with clients who have experienced Anxiety, Depression, OCD, family and job stress, domestic violence, complex trauma, PTSD, child custody issues, teen issues, parent-child concerns, grief process, and people experiencing difficulties with substance abuse and use. My therapy is individualized according to what each client wants and needs. My goal is to align with my clients so they will experience being supported in their lives. I use therapy modalities that include: compassion-focused, solution-focused, multicultural, humanistic, strength-based, Christian, mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral, and dialectical therapies. My strengths lie in my ability to put people at ease. I am honest, straight-forward, down to earth, value authenticity, and enjoy getting to know all kinds of people while refraining from judgment. I enjoy music and I sing and play the piano. I enjoy my family, traveling, reading, and my dog Toto, and 2 cats. I look forward to meeting you. Let's talk!

My approach to therapy emerged out of my passion for health and my connection to nature. While I combine several modalities in my practice, empathy and authenticity are at the heart of my work. I strive to cultivate a safe and inclusive space for my clients. I am committed to ongoing education and self-reflection to better understand the unique experiences and perspectives of diverse populations. I also prioritize collaboration and advocacy with my clients to address and dismantle systemic barriers that impact their mental health and well-being.

Hello! My name is Yvette Weeks, and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). My therapeutic approach is centered on fostering meaningful connections, emotional well-being, and personal growth. I work with individuals, children/adolescents, and families, focusing on a wide range of issues, including relationship difficulties, anxiety, communication challenges, behavior issues, parenting challenges, and life transitions. I'm committed to helping others through their challenges to discover their strengths, learn new techniques, and create positive change. I believe that everyone deserves to live a fulfilling and emotionally healthy life- in whatever way that looks like to the individual person or family. As a therapist who has personally experienced trauma, depression, and anxiety, I deeply understand the challenges and feelings that accompany these struggles. It is not always easy to seek support from others (believe me, I took a very long time to reach out to someone), and knowing that I can play a part in helping others feel better and do better, drives me to continuously learn and provide the best possible care. It is an honor to be a therapist, and I am dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those I have the opportunity to work with.

Ms. Okieme spent ten years of her professional career as a Clinical Social Worker and Behavioral Therapist working in clinic with autistic children as well as with cognitively challenged adults. Additionally, her work also involved counseling veterans, immigrants, domestic abuse victims and advising mothers on family dynamics and supportive structures. As well as, individuals with severe and persistent mental illness and co-occurring disorders, who have a history of and/or are at high risk for homelessness, incarceration and/or institutionalization.

Hi there! I'm Nancy, and I am so excited to share a bit about myself with you! Growing up, I experienced some pretty challenging situations within my family, and as a result, I spent much of my childhood in the foster care system and moving from place to place never being able to call a place my home. These experiences gave me a unique perspective on the importance of early intervention and prevention in the mental health field. It was through my experience as a survivor, and my own personal struggles that I discovered my passion for helping others. As a mental health professional, I've had the opportunity to work with a diverse range of individuals, but one experience that stands out to me the most is that of my younger brother. Despite struggling with reading and writing, he was consistently overlooked and eventually turned to drugs, never finishing high school. It's a heartbreaking situation, and I often wonder what could have been different if someone had taken the time to help him earlier. Unfortunately, my brother now suffers from bipolar disorder and experiences panic attacks due to the overwhelming sense of hopelessness and loss he feels. It's because of him that I've dedicated my career to helping others before they reach that point of no return. The point where there is nothing more than resignation and accepting what is than what one could become. Overall, I'm incredibly passionate about what I do and am eager to continue making a positive impact on the lives of children, youth, and families in need. I'm excited about the opportunity to get to know you and be of support to you in your toughest moments in life. Warmly, Nancy Gonzalez-McKenzie

Hello! Thanks for reviewing the information for my online practice, "Coleman Counseling". My name is Mrs. Michelle Coleman. I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor. I have worked in the field for over 20 years. I specialize in mood disorders, adjustment disorders, & addressing life stressors. Counseling is a collaborative effort between the counselor and the client and is action oriented. Previous counseling experiences have allowed me to work with individuals from a variety of backgrounds, with a host of presenting concerns. I am dedicated to working collaboratively with individuals to help them bring about positive changes in their lives. I use solution-focused and cognitive behavioral techniques to assist with concerns. Solution-focused techniques work well for individuals who present to reduce or relieve their symptoms. Cognitive therapy works best for individuals who have issues related to negative and unsuccessful patterns of behavior and make plans to change those patterns. My goal is to assist individuals with applying these strategies to their current goals and plan of action for change.

For those who struggle with decision-regret and anxiety around making the perfect choice, picking a therapist is three steps into the therapy already - if you're here reading this and that's you, I commend you as your therapy has already begun. Anxious and seemingly uncontrollable thoughts, "imposter syndrome", endless struggles to be perfect, only to be met with guilt and regret; all uncomfortable things that we humans try to avoid and control, yet all of that avoiding and controlling just doesn't seem to do any good. You're here to learn better ways to manage these experiences, and that's where I can help. I leverage 14 years of clinical experience as an adjunct professor in clinical social work and as a therapist in the public and private sectors in Canada, the US and Australia to assist my clients. I am a well traveled surfer, climber, author, entrepenuer, and musician and I enjoy spending time in my backyard that is the central coast of California, exploring all that it has to offer.

Hi, I’m Rachel! Do you ever wonder why your kids struggle so much in school, have a hard time making/keeping friends, or have a difficult time following the same daily routines that are expected of them every day? Have you received multiple evaluations of them, but still feel lost in how to parent them? I get it. I’m not only an Autism and ADHD Specialist for both kids and adults ages 5-65yo, but I’m also a mom of neurodivergent kiddos. I work with children/teens/adults with varying presentations, who almost always have some level of anxiety, depression, trauma etc. I’m here to help support you and focus on what matters most. I also work with children and teens who do not have neurodivergent brains, but rather may have behavioral difficulties at home/school; issues with school refusal, significant degrees of anxiety and/or depression, overuse of social media and struggle in their parent/child relationships. I provide both individual and family therapy and believe that rapport with my clients and understanding their personal goals is what will make the most progress. I also specialize in life transitions, assisting teens in moving toward independence and the next steps in young adulthood. This includes career counseling, which I provide to adults of all ages.

I am a licensed psychotherapist in private practice, in California. My approach to therapy is commonsense, based in Dialog, reflective listening, mindfulness based cognitive therapy in conjunction with breath work, journaling and dream journaling and practicing being present. I take my clients seriously, I take our work together seriously, but I don’t take myself too seriously: my primary purpose is to be of service, to be useful to my clients. Our experiences are a map of where we have been, and what it was like. Our ‘stories’ are a mixture of moments we are proud of, grateful for and moments which we would rather not repeat. Through the therapeutic dialog we can come to understand why we make the choices we make and have an opportunity to discover new choices and decide how our story unfolds from the present moment into the future; with courage and kindness toward ourselves we can reach for the life we want to live and be the person we want to be. By the time my clients ‘graduate’ from therapy they will have developed tools which will continue being useful long after our work together has concluded. Personal responsibility and accountability are cornerstones of freedom.

Hi there, I'm Jaenai. You are here and you made the right decision to seek out mental health support. Are you struggling with figuring out what is happening with your relationships, school/work, and/or health? Is it hard to be kind to yourself and others? I help with managing depression and anxiety. Together, we can identify what's not working and get you back to balance. We'll use a whole self, client-centered approach, addressing the needs of your mind and body. I also integrate mindfulness to help you develop a stronger relationship with yourself and others. Whether you're dealing with overwhelm, relationship issues or cycles of anxiety and depression, I'm here to help. Seeking therapy at all can feel intimidating, but you're making the right decision. You deserve a safe space to talk to find yourself to heal and grow. In our sessions together, I'll meet you with compassion and we will use evidence-based techniques so you can overcome the hangups and habits holding you back. Schedule your first appointment today. I currently only take individual clients. I also speak Spanish.

Hi there, I'm Luisiana. Do you feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the challenges that life throws your way? Would you like to enhance the quality of life you deserve? A safe space to process difficult thoughts and feelings? I empower individuals to thrive in their environments by working on tough emotions, feelings and actions that may be preventing one from living their fullest potential. I enjoy utilizing a hollistic approach to support you to organically reach your therapeutic goals healing the mind, body and soul. Together we can analyze and address the root and help you fulfill your desired goals. I lean into a more client centered approach ensuring you to feel safe, comfortable, genuineness and authenticity. *I am also Spanish Speaking*

Hello, my name is Melisa, and I am an experienced therapist with a passion for helping individuals overcome mental health challenges and achieve their full potential. With nearly a decade of experience in the field of mental health, I have had the opportunity to work with diverse clients and gain expertise in various evidence-based therapies. As a therapist, I believe in creating a safe and non-judgmental space where my clients can explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors without fear of stigma. My approach to therapy is collaborative and tailored to the unique needs and goals of each individual. I specialize in cognitive-behavioral therapy and parent child therapy among other modalities. My ultimate goal as a therapist is to empower my clients to make meaningful changes in their lives, improve their relationships, and develop healthy coping mechanisms. I believe in the power of therapy to transform lives, and I am committed to providing the highest quality of care to my clients. If you are seeking support in navigating life's challenges and improving your mental health and well-being, I would be honored to work with you.

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you. My name is Dr. Norman Severe and I'm a licensed clinical psychologist who has worked in the local San Diego community for over 20 years. For the past 22 years, I have devoted my private practice to serving the mental health needs of children, adolescents and families in need of therapeutic and psychological support. I believe everyone can achieve great things in their lives by recognizing their strengths, working through struggles and overcoming obstacles by persevering and never giving up. I specialize in the treatment of Anxiety, Depression and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in children and adolescents as well as adults who have experienced trauma related to abuse, car accidents and/or witnessing and being exposed to life-threatening situations. I also specialize in treating individuals who identify as Neurodivergent and/or have specific learning differences.

Hi! I'm James McLaughlin, I'm a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. Located in the city of Sacramento. I work with individuals, couples, and families who are looking for help navigating the challenges of life. I focus on getting to the core of what may be getting in the way of fulfillment and work actively and collaboratively to re-write your life story. I'm warm and welcoming. I believe everyone deserves compassion and a helping hand. I can also be direct and challenging. My goal is to create an environment to encourage growth and change. After working a career in sales and marketing, I pursued a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology and became licensed as a Marriage & Family Therapist. Since then, I've helped populations cope with life's challenges such as trauma, addiction, grief, depression, and anxiety. My specialty is in helping people take control of the narratives of their own lives, to write the future they want to tell. In my spare time, I can usually be found running, wine tasting with my wife Sarah, and playing with my dog Noah.

Hello, I'm Nereida. I help children/adolescents and adults in healing psychological trauma and anxiety symptoms. I believe in using a team approach to guide you towards creating the change you want in your life. In our sessions, you can expect a nonjudgmental and compassionate space where we use evidenced based techniques to help you get through and gain strategies for your challenges. I look forward to working with you.

Hello, I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 22 years of experience in psychotherapy. I hold a Master's degree in Social Work and dual MBAs in Finance and Cybersecurity. Based in California, my practice has been enriched by my extensive travels and a deep appreciation for nature and hiking. I have had the privilege of working with a diverse population, providing tailored psychotherapy to meet a wide range of mental health needs. My approach is informed by a blend of professional expertise and personal insights, aiming to offer compassionate, effective care to each of my clients.

I believe that therapy can heal, but I also know that telling a stranger about your deepest pain can be a strange feeling. Perhaps you've been feeling sad, depressed or worried, and hopeless that anything in your life can change. Or maybe you aren't sure what you would even want help with. You know you feel bad, but if someone were to ask you "How can I help?", you aren't sure what you would say. These problems can feel permanent and unsolvable. After all, something feels broken and unfixable, so how could you not feel that it takes all the energy you have just to get up in the morning and go about your day? Depression or anxiety can also feel isolating, as if nobody else could possibly understand. You may have even received advice from people who you feel mean well but can't understand what you're going through. Depression and anxiety are not permanent or unfixable, and therapy can help. Imagine feeling peace of mind, and excited about life and its possibilities. It starts by learning about you and going at your pace. As a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with over 16 years experience working with adults and teens, I've seen therapy work, and I feel lucky that I get to be part of that journey for others.

I love connecting with my clients so we can work together to find what is going to be most effective in bringing you to where you want to be. Everyone has a unique perspective and their own way of seeing the world and the people in it. As your therapist, it is important for me to know you and for you to feel comfortable. Therapy isn't one size fits all and I strive to make sure this process is tailored to you and your needs.

Ladybird Daniel is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) with extensive experience treating PTSD, attachment challenges, ADHD, mood disorders, severe anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, self-harming behaviors, parent-child conflict, bereavement, adoption, and life transitions. Ladybird received her Master’s in Counseling from California State University, Sacramento in 2014. Ladybird was raised in North Carolina and loves to vacation there and enjoy fine country cooking. She serves as a foster parent volunteer for a local animal shelter and loves caring for animals in need.