Teen Therapists in Encino, CA

An act of transformation begins with the acknowledgement that you have begun to "outgrow" your current self and present circumstances. Change and transition can be daunting. But the transformation to your best self is profound, and typically life altering. Whether the transition you are facing is a shift in relationship (divorce, loss of a friend/family member, new parenting, or "empty nest" parenting), a job/career change, college entry, or simply growing up from an adolescent to an adult, I am here to encourage and support, as you navigate your challenges.

Hello, I am Ilana! I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of California (LMFT #116296). I work with individuals and families from a variety of backgrounds. I have experience in a multitude of settings, including schools, private practice, and community mental health. My therapeutic approach incorporates CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Client-Centered Therapy. I believe that therapy is collaborative and encourage my clients to grow in a safe, therapeutic environment.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I utilize a compassionate and eclectic approach while offering a safe healing space to create healthy changes towards a life deserved for you and your family. My goal is to help my clients develop insight, awareness, and grace so they can create the lasting changes wanted in their lives. I treat a wide range of mental health concerns, including trauma/PTSD, anxiety, stress, mood disorders, depression, life transition, adolescent and childhood acting out behaviors, LGBTQ+ally. I also have extensive training as a family consultant working with children diagnosed with autism spectrum.

Whether you feel stuck in your relationship/s, experiencing stress and anxiety, feeling sad, struggling with parenting/ a spouse, or raising a child with ADHD, we can work together and identify the source of what brought you in to therapy, identify your goals, and explore best possible solutions that will help you feel successful. I creatively integrate a relational model and scientifically proven cognitive behavior techniques which will allow clients gain insight and acquire tools for a positive change in their lives. Together we can find your true growth potential so you can lead a fulfilling life that is worth celebrating.

As a Marriage and Family Therapist in both a special education setting, and privately owned practice, I have accumulated over 25 years of understanding. Whether the therapeutic intervention involves an adult, child, adolescent , family, or couple, I believe that every participant should be afforded an opportunity to experience a secure and trusting alliance. This means that each client is unconditionally accepted with the belief that he or she has the capacity to achieve those goals which will contribute to an elevated sense of well being.

In today's world, parents worry about their child's ability to be successful in social situations. With the addition of video gaming and social media platforms, children do not have the same access to in-person social interactions. Due to this current phenomenon, many children lack the necessary skills to be successful when interacting with their peer group. Many children suffer from issues such as social isolation, lack of confidence in their social abilities, and fear of rejection. Social Skills Training Academy's goal is to teach children the necessary skills to feel confident and knowledgeable in their social world.

Stephanie Small is a Marriage, Family, Child Psychotherapist in private practice specializes in treating individuals, children, couples and families. Over 21 years of experience, she is known for her warm, direct, authentic, creative, compassionate and safe approach to treating diverse clients. Stephanie integrates the most effective and contemporary clinical skills, including EMDR and Integrative Somatic Therapies, to relieve the life-constricting effects of trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, medical trauma, relationship issues. She is renowned for her expertise in treating adults and children clients with medical issues and who are chronically or terminally ill.

Life losses its zeal when we become disconnected from ourselves, others, and our surroundings. It becomes even more difficult when there is a desire for change, but we just don’t know how to get what we desire most. Whether it be to learn how to smile again as we deal with our day-to-day activities, enjoy a simple walk without being bombarded with worries, deal with mishaps without going into a rage, or being able to talk to those that we love even after they wear on our nerves. That emotional burden, pain and/or fatigue can be sometimes too much to bear, whether someone be a teenager , young adult, elder adult, man, or women.

The idea of being sound of mind and sound of body helped me start to see the pieces of the puzzle, and, reflecting on my own athletic career that I eventually unpacked and processed allowed me to see the bigger picture of wellness. I recognized that physiology and psychology go hand in hand, influencing my philosophy on what truly comprises wellness. Thus, I gravitated towards a comprehensive approach to health, an approach to psychology, perhaps motivated by the field of kinesiology, one that considers the human form as a whole; physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, together.

STRESS RELIEF FOR EMERGING ADULTS, TEENS AND PARENTS. Are you a young adult unsure of your life direction or having trouble reaching your goals? Is depression or anxiety interfering with your school success in college? Are you the parent of a teen who is withdrawn, unmotivated or unhappy? My goal is to help young people resolve the emotional distractions that can interfere with school success or create challenges in relationships with family, friends or in the workplace.

I help kids, grownups, and everyone in between find their own True Voice, so they can live the lives they deserve. Maybe your child is misbehaving at school, or your teenager is sullen and distanced, or you're in love and know you'd like to stay with this person, if you could only change a few things that really scare you. Or maybe there's an aggressive part of you that your parents didn't know how to handle, or a hurt and vulnerable side that you've always felt too ashamed to feel.

Having issues with your teens? Don't worry it's not you. The adolescent years can be brutal, especially for teens today who feel pressured by their peers and social media. As Dr. Stephen Illardi points out, we simply weren't designed to live in such a fast-paced plugged in society. I help teens navigate thoughts and emotions that overwhelm them so that they can feel confident in their skin. The teens I work with go on to enjoy both emotional and academic success. I work with women as well. If you're going through a major life transition like divorce, career change, or postpartum challenges, I'd love to work with you!

Is Your School Age Child, Preteen, or Teen , having difficulty at home, in school, or in their relationships with others? Does Your Young Adult have difficulty finding and keeping friends or jobs? Are You Concerned About Your Infant or Toddler's development? Do they have behaviors that are difficult to manage? Are You Feeling Frustrated because you don't know how to help?

Are you in crisis? Do you feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or sad? Is your teen or younger child having difficulties? Perhaps you have struggled with anxiety, fear, sadness, loneliness, and difficulties in relationship. My intent is to help you discover what you want to be different in your life and then find ways to make those changes. Often this means improving relationships -- learning about communication, finding better ways to deal with conflict, and becoming closer. Finding a safe and collaborative place to explore and address what is troubling you is the first step in healing.

I believe that we all have the resources within us to heal, and yet sometimes we need a little help. The right connection between a therapist/client can help start that healing. Maybe your teenager is sullen and isolated. Maybe you are in love and scared to be truly seen by another. Maybe there’s an angry side of you that your family doesn’t understand and a vulnerable side that is too scary to feel. Together we can work on acceptance, healthy coping skills, and letting go of bad habits. Without judgment, we will build an understanding of who you are as a person so as to realize your strengths and fortify them.

Do you find it difficult to understand your child or teenager ? Parenting is an overwhelming job and can sometimes leave you feeling powerless. If your child is having challenges in school, or at home, or with his/her friends, I can give you insights and provide a safe space to understand what is going on and how to approach the situation.

I love my work! From facilitating social skills groups for children, to helping teens navigate difficult emotions, to supporting adults through various life stages, I am here for you. I have been working in the mental health field since 2007. I have experience with a wide range of needs, including dual diagnosis, veterans, children with ADHD and/or autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, depression, parent support, and more!