Child Therapists in Carlsbad, CA
See all therapists in Carlsbad
Kaitlyn Egan
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
Verified
As a
child
and adolescent psychologist, I provide cognitive-behavioral, evidence-based interventions that are tailored to fit the individual needs of your
child
or family.
Life is hard enough for your teen – then you throw in puberty, a slow-growing prefrontal cortex, social media pressures, academic pressure, family conflict, peer conflict, maybe even a biological tendency to be more emotionally sensitive – and ta-da! The perfect Petri dish for anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues has been created. Or maybe your
child
hasn’t hit teenagehood yet, but they’re exhibiting problem behaviors and/or emotion dysregulation that you both could use some help managing. My goal is to help you and your
child
make sense of what's happening and together find ways to improve your quality of life.

Kathleen Byrne
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I am a compassionate and caring licensed professional counselor, with many years of combined personal and professional experience working in various capacities with
children
, teens, and adults. As a hard working mother who raised four
children
(two boys and two girls), I understand the stressors that families go through in this journey we call "life." Although
children
and teens may be hesitant to meet with a counselor, you will find that they will warm up to me quickly. I have ways to connect with
children
and teens through a variety of interventions, including therapy-type games and casual and relaxed conversation.

Laura McDaniel
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I find it rewarding when a
child
feels understood and supported as their sense of self begins to strengthen.
Accepting new clients for in-person sessions as of: 02/03/23 Are you worried about your
child
? Are they struggling with social-emotional or behavioral difficulties? Reaching out for help is the first step. I have experience working with
children
in both therapeutic and academic settings. I have a relaxed, easygoing demeanor and quickly build rapport with
children
, as trust is the first step toward building a strong therapeutic relationship. Ultimately, I believe the relationship is what heals and the
child
intrinsically knows how to and has the capacity to heal.

Lisa M Hanson
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I love empowering adults with tools to help themselves and, sometimes, to help their
children
.
Are you wanting to feel differently or have something change in your life but dont know how to get there? Sometimes we just need help generating the internal and external life we crave. I believe that early relationships in our life affect the way we think, feel, and behave towards the people we care about. It even changes the way our brains develop and personalities express themselves! I use a variety of interventions to support you in uncovering patterns that are causing problems, heal, and learn new ways of being. You have many strengths just waiting to be used. It would be an honor to walk alongside you.

Jennifer Leigh Bernhoft
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT
Verified
Verified
I specialize in working with
children
, adolescents and women.
It is my belief that offering my clients a nonjudgemental, warm and safe platform is priority. I feel that safety with a clinician can facilitate comfortability, which lends to growth throughout the therapeutic process. I value building connections with my clients and offer an unconditional positive regard. I place initial focus on identification of contributing factors to symptoms and behaviors. Additional attention is placed on assimilation of healthy coping strategies and altering of maladaptive thoughts.

Golden State Psychology
Psychologist, MS, LEP, PPS
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I am a Licensed Educational Psychologist and have been in practice for over 15 years. I specialize in diagnosis of disorders that impact learning such as ADHD, Auditory Processing and Visual Processing Disorders, Learning Disabilities, Autism, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and social/emotional difficulties. If your
child
is frustrated, homework is tedious, has difficulty following directions, or has challenges with peers it may be due to an underlying issue and I will work to shed light on and resolve those issues. Through assessment and counseling your
child
can be relieved of frustrations and find their way to success.

Kite String Counseling
Licensed Educational Psychologist, MA, LEP
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Careful consideration in choosing the right path for your
child
's success is my priority.
I am passionate about providing the best possible therapy and assessment services for
children
.My focus is to help
children
learn skills tailored to their needs in order to feel successful and reach their fullest potential by helping them take control of their emotions, feel less stressed and more connected to their world. If you are a parent who is concerned about your
child
’s well-being, I am here to help. Providing therapy services to kids has the potential to influence the entire course of a
child
's life.

Rosalba DeRobbio
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 17 years of experience working with individuals and families in residential and outpatient settings. I provide individual, couples, and group therapy. My therapeutic intention is to create a space for you and your family to feel guided, challenged, heard, and connected. My hope is to help facilitate building a more connected and loving relationship with yourself, your
children
, and/or your partner.

Kathy Kirk
Marriage & Family Therapist, LCSW, PPS
Verified
Verified
My desire is to help people find hope, healing and joy. I believe that everyone can benefit from a safe and encouraging environment and I work to come alongside individuals, couples and families to offer support, care and guidance. I have worked with
children
and adolescents both as a therapist and a school counselor for over 20 years. I specialize in issues of ADHD, Asperger's, Anger, Depression, Anxiety and Communication. I also love working with women's issues, couples and families. I have expert experience working with Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder and Eating Disorders.

Dr. Elizabeth Loyola
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Extensive experience in thorough psychological assessments helps me sort out diagnostic possibilities, while developing a profile of a
child
's strengths and weaknesses, academic talents and difficulties, and emotional needs.
Working with
children
, adolescents, and caregivers is a unique opportunity to provide families with support during an important time in life. Using a collaborative and empathic approach, I work hard alongside my clients to make meaningful and lasting life changes. It's important to meet each person where they are at and help them meet their unique goals. In addition to my private practice, I am on faculty with UC Davis Health, where I provide virtual therapy and supervise and teach psychology trainees and psychiatry residents.

Nancy Moothart
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified
Verified
Are you (or is your
child
) overwhelmed and struggling to manage your emotions or life right now ? For over 25 years, I have been helping adults,
children
and families face and deal with life's challenges, including anxiety, depression, stress, divorce and co-parenting, family conflict, and communication. You may be facing a new phase of life or having mild symptoms, or maybe you are dealing with a long-term and more complicated situation in which you are feeling stuck and helpless. Either way, I can give you the tools and provide the space for you to begin working towards a happier and more satisfying life.
Waitlist for new clients

Cecilia Duenas
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
Lastly, I have training in psychological assessment, including neuropsychiatric measures, young
child
assessment (0-5 years), educational assessment (accommodations: LSAT, SAT, GRE, etc.
Hello, I am licensed clinical psychologist with training across several mental health areas. I am fluent in Spanish & experienced in bilingual assessment & treatment. I have extensive training in pediatric psychology & neuropsychology, specifically with issues surrounding medical diagnosis, adjustment & coping, and loss & bereavement. I am well versed in the treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD, bereavement, trauma, adjustment disorders, and behavioral issues. I am committed to a culturally responsive treatment for all my clients. Having worked in a variety of settings including 3
Children
's Hospitals, community based settings, research & private practice I can treat a variety of concerns.

Dea Rivera
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Is your family under stress due to your
child
's difficulties at school or at home? These challenges can effect the overall happiness of your family. I can help you! Collaboratively piecing together the puzzle of your
child
's needs and creating plans to assist in their success- you too, can feel successful! I provide you with practical skills that you can implement the same day. With over 20 years working as an educator and therapist in schools, I know how to assess and reach tweens, teens and young adults to help your family thrive.

Deanne Johnson
PhD, LEP, LPCC
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I am a specialist in Psychoeducational Assessment for
children
through adults. With extensive experience in working with individuals who may be gifted underachievers, learning disabilities (like dyslexia), autism-spectrum, ADHD/ADD, behavior & neuropsychological concerns, I am the professional to see regarding special needs. Assessments may be used for identification and services in special education/504 eligibility, school admissions, college and work. I work closely with other professionals to provide comprehensive services with specialists in speech, language, audiology, mental health therapy, occupational, & educational therapy

Candice April Ruttner-Duryea
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT, EMDR
Verified
Verified
"I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it."- Maya Angelou. Often when being faced with the choice to seek help, sometimes there is embarrassment of needing that help. I offer therapy that is open, honest and no matter what has happened, the choice to change is your greatest accomplishment. The past can strengthen us with its lessons, but it's a crime when it destroys our beautiful souls under its shame. I specialize in Eating Disorders, PTSD, Trauma and
Children
. Please visit My website, or call me for more informaiton

Barbara Stanforth
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, CCHT
Verified
Verified
Are you worried about your
child
? Is he/she defiant/aggressive or avoidant? Sometimes parents feel something is wrong yet can’t pinpoint a specific problem. I have had great success in helping parents with these problems. When you feel like you have tried everything possible and don't know what to do next, it's time to call a professional. I can help restore harmony to your family!
Waitlist for new clients

Pathways to Wholeness
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I am a licensed clinical social worker and have worked with
children
,adolescents and adults from varied and diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds for over 18 years.
Do you want to live a more problem free, meaningful and less stressed life? No matter what your present circumstances I believe each person has the ability to overcome their problematic situations and live a full and joy filled life. Most of us come to a point in our lives where we face a crisis or are at a crossroads. Present circumstances and problems may be impeding your ability to function effectively or life may just feel dull and meaningless.You could be experiencing thoughts and symptoms which make you feel fearful.

Daniel McGrath
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT
Verified
Verified
Feeling overwhelmed with managing in this fast paced world? Life is complex and it's often hard to handle the situations we face each day. Whether figuring out what to do about challenging
children
, issues in a close relationship, or which way to go as you move forward in life, uncertainties can stop anyone in their tracks. Few things are worse than feeling stuck and struggling when it seems like everyone else has it all figured out. It doesn't have to be that way. Things change,
children
mature, and if we're watching we find opportunities to heal, learn, and grow.

Michelle J Cyganik
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I have extensive experience working with families and
children
dealing with Special Needs including Autism, ADHD among others.
Are you ready to transform your life? I am here to help Individuals, Couples and Families navigate through the changes, challenges and struggles that we all experience in daily life. Whether you or a loved one are dealing with challenging life events, relationship difficulties, some type of loss, a difficult diagnosis or are just not sure why you are not happy or fulfilled, I believe that these situations are a great opportunity for growth! I am here to help you process your feelings, understand your reactions, develop healthy coping skills and help you find solutions for creating an amazing life. Let's get started!
Waitlist for new clients

Kathryn Walker
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
It is a helpless feeling when your
child
is struggling and you don't know how to help them. This pandemic has created a totally new and unexplored environment for our
children
. I am here to help both you and your
child
through this difficult time. I work solely with
children
from birth to 17 years old. I meet my clients where they are by creating a safe and fun space for them so that they feel comfortable talking about tough subjects and facilitating change. I believe that in working with
children
you must also incorporate their family and I encourage family involvement in all of my treatments.
See more therapy options for Carlsbad
Child Therapists
Do I need to attend therapy with my child?
Parents are an integral part of a child’s therapy, but the specifics of their involvement vary. If your child is young, you may attend most or all sessions; if your child is older, you may attend a few sessions or none; sometimes a therapist may ask you to have a session on your own. Whatever the arrangement, you should expect to work collaboratively with the therapist, your child, and your family members to take steps to help support your child.
How long are sessions with child therapists?
Children’s therapy sessions can last 30 minutes, 45 minutes, or 60 minutes. The length of the session may depend on your child’s age and the type of therapy practiced. You can discuss this with therapists you consult and the one you ultimately move forward with.
How do I get a child to agree to seek therapy?
The best approach is to have an open-ended conversation with your child about how they’re doing and what they might be struggling with. When you raise therapy, discuss the concept in an age-appropriate way, for example explaining that a therapist’s job is to help kids handle their hard or uncomfortable feelings. Frame therapy positively, as an opportunity to explore and build emotional skills—it’s an important tool in the toolbox to help kids feel their best.
How can I tell if a therapist is a good fit for my child?
A child needs to feel comfortable opening up about their thoughts and feelings, so if your child feels a sense of comfort, ease, and trust with their therapist, that’s a great sign. In addition, a therapist is a good fit for your child if the two can communicate well together; a clinician should be able to communicate clearly, effectively, and in an age-appropriate manner.