Child Psychologists and Child Therapists in Pico Rivera, CA.

For about 7 years I only worked with children in my practice. The rest of my practice has been split working with adults and with kids. With kids, its all about their instinct and comfort. If they sense that the therapist isn't comfortable or experienced with kids, they won't engage in the therapy process. I use a variety of techniques working with children, depending on their age. For smaller children, art therapy and play therapy can be very successful for a variety of reasons. The main reason is that it takes the focus off of them and they feel more at ease to talk and be open. For older children who can handle "talk therapy", using simpler language can be effective.

From 0 to 5 years, children are at a pivotal age for therapeutic intervention. Children are growing in many important areas, especially in their social and emotional development. Family therapy can help to enhance child development and parent-child relationships. Through guided therapeutic interactions, such as art and play therapy activities, parents can enrich their bond with their child.

A large part of my work is helping kids and their families. More often than not, kids have stress and conflict that they bear as burdens in their lives. Depending on the child's age, I use talking and playing in therapy. The work is to provide the building blocks of self esteem, the identification and expression of one's feelings and a better sense of oneself. Through this interaction, a positive self image is developed. Imagination and creativity and self expression are valuable parts of this process.

I am a therapist specializing in grief and loss and I have particular experience working with bereaved children. In my counseling work with kids I utilize art, writing and games as the vehicle to discuss difficult issues. Often is is simply helpful for children to learn that their experience of grief is normal and that they are not alone. My office is in Redondo Beach, California 90277.

Dr. Clark has extensive training and experience as a child psychologist (including eight years as a Director of Child and Family Services). The most effective approach, in most cases, will involve an initial interview with the child and parents to obtain background information, followed by meetsing with the parents regarding parenting strategies. For adolescents, individual therapy can also be a useful.

We offer a range of services for young children including those who are going through their parents divorce to being at risk for developmental delays, children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders, and individuals with adaptive functioning needs and behavioral challenges. Our approach integrates meeting the child where they are at with a mixture of play therapy and evidence-based practices from the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) depeing on the needs of each client and family.

We enjoy working with children as young as 4 years of age. We begin with a psychological assessment, history and obtain any relevant medical information. Then we meet with the primary care givers, usually both parents, or grandparents who provide us with their concerns and observations. We recommend the child be assessed by a medical doctor to rule out any medical cause for the problem behavior.Then we educate the adults with parenting skills. If the parenting tools are not enough to correct the problem behaviors then we will do play therapy with the child to better assess the child's problem.

My experience has covered working with young children as a mental health professional. I work with children who are 6 years and up. If your child is under the years of 12 years old it will be necessary for you to be involved in treatment as much as your child is. Lastly, I aim to help to develop the relationship between the parent(s) and minor in treatment and provide support to the client and parenting support to the parent for the client's benefit.

Understanding what a child is trying to communicate is crucial. Often as a parent, it is difficult when frustration gets in the way, to hear what a child is trying to say. Years of experience helps me decode the message and help intervene in a way that can help the whole family function in a more positive manner.

The inner world of a child is rich with emotion and depth. It can be difficult to watch your child struggle, whether it is socially, academically, or in the home. Child therapy can be beneficial in not only providing current support and problem-solving, but can also serve to be preventative for potential longer-term issues. Young children in particular have a language of their own -- play! I will work with your child using play and art therapy techniques to communicate and develop more effective coping tools to thrive in his or her environment and family.

One of my specialties is working with elementary age (and adolescents). A child or young person's struggles with difficult feelings and unhelpful behaviors can impact the rest of his or her life. Addressing these challenges during the child's critical developmental years can rebalance and set the stage for a happier and healthier future. I have a special feeling for young people in distress, and feel my professional and life experience has enabled me to be especially attuned to their feelings, needs, and pain. I have over 13 years experience working with children facing emotional and behavioral challenges. Please feel free to call.

Children are like little adults. While they may lack the maturity and experience adults do, they're highly affected by what happens around them and are often more astute than we give them credit for. I work with children ages 8 years and up who may be facing challenges or difficult emotional situations. Feel free to call my office for a free telephone consultation at 800-474-1445.

Prepare to Change counselors have been serving children and adolescents in many south Orange County communities for many years. Counseling for children can be effective and helpful, but sometimes a child’s needs are so huge that therapy isn’t enough. They may need structure and more of a foundation at home. To improve family life, our experts also believe in empowering parents so they can become the agents of change in their families.