Child and Adolescent Therapy
Nurturing children and teens in discovering their authentic self
Challenges
Areas of Focus
Is your child/teen struggling with making and keeping their friendships, and/or concerned about their friend group?
Do you notice your child/teen have a hopeless outlook on life, low self-esteem, and talking about themselves in a negative way?
Has your child/teen engaged in self-harm or expressed thoughts of suicidal ideation?
Does your child/teen express interest in their future?
Self-esteem, self-confidence, self-awareness
Healthy peer relationships
Self-harm and suicidal ideation
Future planning - college, trade, adulthood
How I Help
Expressive art and play
Establish self-esteem and self-worth
Encourage healthy peer relationships
Coping skills/tool for self-harm
Therapy with children is very different from therapy with adults. I often use the medium of play and art to communicate with children as children use play to express themselves. Art, music, play, dance, etc. are all forms of communication that are welcomed and encouraged. I believe it is important to incorporate the family whenever possible as children learn from their environments, and I have experienced including the caregivers' support in developing change for the child/adolescent and family unit is essential.
“You never know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice.”
- Bob Marley
What if my child/teen has weekly sessions during school hours?
I will provide a letter, much like the doctor’s or dentist’s office for your child for their appointment time. At your request.
SB 14 ensures that student absences for behavioral health concerns will be treated the same as excused absences for physical health concerns. In addition, SB 14 requires the California Department of Education to recommend best practices and evidence-based mental health trainings to address youth behavioral health, including training for teachers, staff, and students on how to recognize, appropriately respond, and seek help for mental health concerns. (Retrieved from https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=48205)
What if I want updates about my child’s/teen’s therapy progress?
I offer a free 20-minute guardian check-in once a month for caregivers with children I provide services to. Additional time requires a scheduled session at the established session rate.
Will my child/teen’s information be kept confidential?
Yes, If a minor’s parent(s) or guardian(s) give consent for me to treat the minor, I typically provide the parent(s) or guardian(s) with general updates (Headlines) about the minor’s treatment. These updates may include the minor’s diagnosis, treatment plan, progress in therapy, session attendance, or similar information. However, I generally do not share specific details about the minor’s treatment or what the minor has shared with me during sessions unless: 1) the minor gives me permission to disclose such information and I believe the disclosure would be clinically appropriate; or 2) the minor is experiencing a crisis or other emergency circumstance that would authorize me to break confidentiality.
What are reasons to break my child/teens confidentiality?
If they threaten to hurt themself
If they threaten to harm another person
All current or past instances of suspected child abuse (Physical, Sexual, Neglect, Emotional) must be reported to the appropriate state or local authorities, even if previously reported
All current or Past instances of suspected elder abuse/ dependent adult abuse (Physical, Sexual, Neglect, Emotional, Financial, Abandonment, Self-Neglect, etc.) must be reported to the appropriate state or local authorities, even if previously reported
I may be required to disclose information to emergency medical services, law enforcement, and/or another third party that can help to reduce or prevent that danger.
If a court of law issues a legitimate subpoena for information stated on the subpoena.
If the child/teen is in therapy or being treated by order of a court of law, or if information is obtained for the purpose of rendering an expert’s report to an attorney.
Can my child/teen start therapy without my permission?
Within limits. I am required to include involvement of a guardian/caregiver in the treatment of a minor. However, after consulting with the minor and determining that involvement with the guardian/caretaker would be inappropriate, they can consent. In addition, the minor must be mature enough, can make an informed decision, understand the contract of therapy, and is able to pay for their own sessions.
If the minor consents to their own treatment (age 12 +), the law generally prohibits me from communicating with their parent(s) or guardian(s) without written authorization from the minor unless the minor is experiencing a crisis or other emergency circumstance that would authorize me to break confidentiality.
Click the link for additional information about a minor's consent to therapy.
https://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/agen_notice/2023/20230817_18_item_21.pdf
I want my child/teen to be more involved in the process, what are the best steps to take?
Ask your child/teen their preference in provider examples: gender preference, cultural background, in-person, virtual, etc.
Ask if there are things they are struggling with and comfortable sharing; that way, you can look for people who focus on that challenge. If they are not comfortable, that's ok and let them know that's what therapy is for: a space away from you.
Show them therapist profiles/websites to see how they connect with the therapist.
Review the paperwork with them (ages 12 +)
Bring them to the first session and give them their own time with the therapist if they are ready and would like to do so.
What is the difference between self-harm and suicidal ideation?
Self-harm is a behavior that functions for people to experience a sensation (example: to release, feel more/less, control,etc.). However, this does not lead to and is not the same as suicidal ideation. Some forms of self-harm are cutting, burning, hair pulling, starting fights, etc. Suicidal ideation is the thought and/or desire of wanting to end one’s life. Some individuals can have thoughts, while others can have plans, means, opportunity and intent to engage in the plan to end their life.
Click the links for additional resources for self-harm and suicidal ideation. In an emergency call 911 and go to the nearest emergency room.
https://988lifeline.org/help-yourself/youth/
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
https://www.nami.org/support-education/nami-helpline/teen-young-adult-helpline/
Frequently Asked Questions
