- Online by secure video from home, anywhere in CA or ID
- English or Spanish, whichever feels most natural
- Free 20-minute consult before you commit to anything
What parents often ask me to help with
- Making and keeping friends
- Handling big emotions
- Saying what they need
- Tough behavior at home or school
- Recovering from trauma
- Grief, loss or big changes
How therapy helps young people
Kids and teens feel things just as strongly as adults do, but they often do not have the words or the tools yet. That can come out as tears, anger, shutting down or acting out. Therapy gives them a place to make sense of what they feel, say it out loud, and practice better ways to cope.
Parents usually reach out to me when they notice things like:
- Worry, sadness or stress that does not seem to lift.
- A hard time adjusting to divorce, a move, displacement or a loss.
- Defiance, aggression, or pulling away from the family.
- Trouble with friends, peer pressure or bullying.
My aim is to help your child get through what is hard right now and come out of it with more confidence and stronger relationships.
How I work with children and teens
I start with who your child is. What do they love? What makes them laugh? What do they avoid? Then I shape sessions around their age and interests so therapy feels less like an appointment and more like time well spent.
- Play therapy for younger children. Young kids often show what they feel before they can explain it. Games, toys, books, music and creative projects give them a safe way to do that and to try out new skills.
- CBT and more for older kids and teens. I adapt approaches I use with adults, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), DBT skills and solution-focused therapy, so teens can notice unhelpful thoughts, manage strong emotions and solve problems. When trauma is part of the picture, I am certified in Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT).
- Working with parents. You know your child best. We work as a team so the skills from session carry over to home.
Where you come in
As a parent or caregiver, you are the most important person in your child's progress. Depending on your family's needs, I may meet with you on a regular basis to:
- Explain what is typical at your child's age and stage.
- Share practical ways to respond to hard moments and talk so your child listens.
- Help you build a home routine where your child can settle and grow.
What happens between sessions matters just as much as what happens in them.
Online or in person
Many kids and teens are comfortable on video, and online sessions are available anywhere in California or Idaho. Some younger children do better sitting with me in person or with a parent close by during video sessions. We can talk about what makes sense for your child, and in-person sessions are available at my office on Maclay Ave in San Fernando.
How we get started
- Free consultation. You tell me what you are seeing at home or at school, and you can ask me anything about how I work.
- A plan for your child. We set goals together and decide how sessions will look, including how involved you will be.
- Weekly sessions. Usually once a week, online or in person. The early sessions focus on building trust, and we review goals together as we go.
I want every child who works with me to leave feeling listened to and taken seriously.
Give your child a place to be heard. Therapy can help kids and teens handle what is hard today and build skills they will use for years. Start with a free consultation and we will talk about what your child needs.
Children & Youth FAQ’s
What do sessions with a child or teen look like?
I follow the child's lead. Before anything else, I get to know their interests, what they enjoy and what feels hard, because that tells me a lot about what they need.
With younger kids, that often means play therapy. We might use games, toys, picture books, music, sports or favorite shows, along with workbooks built to teach specific skills.
Through that play, children learn how to calm their bodies down, how to notice and name what they feel, and how to see their own strengths alongside the things they struggle with.
How involved will I be as a parent?
Quite involved. A big part of the work is helping parents understand how children process emotions and what to expect at each stage of development.
When it is helpful, I meet with parents regularly to share skills for supporting the changes your child is working on and to talk through what is going on in their life right now.
With older kids and teens, I use adapted versions of approaches I use with adults, such as CBT, DBT and solution-focused therapy, and I keep you informed about how you can reinforce those skills at home.
Can my child do therapy online?
Often, yes. Many older children and teens do well by secure video from home, anywhere in California or Idaho. Some younger children focus better in person or with a parent nearby, so we will talk about what fits your child. In-person sessions are available at my office in San Fernando.
Do you see children and teens in Spanish?
Yes. I am bilingual, so sessions can be in English, Spanish or a mix of both, whatever feels most natural for your child and your family.
Getting Started is Easy
Book Your Free Consult
Pick a time for a free consultation that fits your family's schedule.
Talk for 20 Minutes
Tell William what you are noticing, and together you will decide the best way to support your child.
Start Sessions Online
Your child begins weekly sessions at a pace that feels safe for them.
Other Ways I Can Help
Book Your Free 20-Minute Consultation
A no-cost, no-obligation video or phone call with William. Share a little about what brings you in, ask anything, and decide together whether to start. En español o en inglés.
If this is an emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest hospital. You can also call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 24 hours a day.