Child Therapists in Irvine, CA

Welcome! Struggling with Anxiety, Depression, Addiction? Self esteem, trauma issues, eating disorders? Family conflict, issues with your child /teen? I use a very direct therapeutic approach, giving feedback. I believe therapy should be interesting, empowering and fun! I have expertise with children , adolescents, families and older adults. Therapy can be a wonderful experience to uncover what's been holding you back from living a happier, more fulfilled life! Using a holistic approach, my goal is to help you find solutions and tools to feel better as quickly as possible, that result in lasting change!

I’m specialized and experienced in working with babies, children , adolescents and their families. I believe that the process of psychotherapy is a shared experience between a therapist and a client. We together will use therapy, to create a space where we can reflect on and understand your and your child ’s emotional and mental states and connect these to behaviors and difficulties. This space eventually will lead you and your child to reorganize feelings, thoughts and behaviors. Understanding and awareness will give birth to change.

“I wish I could press the restart button and start over.” How many times have you thought this or heard your child say this? If you have, you may be hoping for change! I am a trilingual (Mandarin/Taiwanese) therapist, providing therapy and psychological testing, with specialized experience in working with the concerns of Asian communities. No matter your age, your words are powerful and the key to change! Whether it is play therapy for your child or talk therapy as a teen or parent, I work to provide a safe environment for you to feel welcome. Together, we will build on your strengths, and prepare you for the obstacles ahead.

Dr. Chavez is a licensed clinical psychologist, registered play therapist, and has specialized training in maternal mental health. Dr. Chavez has been providing therapeutic and supportive services to children , adolescents, parents, and families for the past seven years. She is also skilled in early assessment and diagnosis of prenatal and perinatal mood disorders and childhood mental health disorders. She strongly believes in prevention and early intervention in order to maintain individual well-being, to promote healthy family relationships, and to facilitate positive bonding and attachment between the child and caregiver.

If you are ready to explore the parts of your life that have been holding you back, or if your teenager is struggling with emotions and behaviors that seem out of control, I’m here to help. My clients tell me that they appreciate my direct and compassionate style, and kids and teens tell me they appreciate my sense of humor. I have been working in the helping profession for over a decade, and can help you in understanding how to talk to your child so they can hear you, in working with your teenager to navigate adolescence and young adulthood, or in discovering what is keeping you stuck in a rut instead of chasing your dreams.

I offer a no charge consultation because we both need to assess if we are a good fit. As a certified Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist, I practice EFT - empirically validated therapy informed by cutting-edge neuroscience. When we meet, you will find that I have profound respect for you and do my best to support you by facilitating felt change via human relationship. I also support individuals experiencing relational distress, anxiety, depression, issues around sexuality and spirituality. I also use mindfulness to help clients access a deeper level of being and feel honored to have the privilege of facilitating healing.

Life is not easy and relationships are complicated. We all face moments in life that we experience difficulties at home, school, work, or in relationships. At times it can be very painful and may make you feel hopeless. Although friends and family can be of support, there are times when professional help is needed. I am here to walk with you during these difficult times. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specialize in the treatment of children , adolescents, young adults, and their families. I provide counseling for individual, couple, and family. I have over 10 years of training and professional experience.

My goal as a therapist is to help you feel better as quickly as possible. I have years of experience helping individuals, couples, and families with a wide range of issues, including anxiety and depression, marital difficulties, and problems with children /adolescents. Also, I have a strong background in Trauma, Sexual Abuse, Bipolar Disorder, and Borderline Personality Disorder. Please give me a call--I am here to help.

I am a Marriage and Family Therapist that enjoys working with Children , teens and young adults, helping them be the best selves they can be. How an individual perceives daily events and activities will determine their self esteem, self worth and how they think and feel on a daily basis. Through therapy, one can expect to learn how to cope with unwanted thoughts and to challenge them and replace them with more positive thinking.

My passion is working with children , adolescents, and their families to help discover each person's unique strengths and challenges. I conduct assessments and evaluations on young children with developmental delays, school-aged children who may be experiencing difficulty in school or emotional and/or social difficulty, as well as adolescents who may be experiencing a variety of issues. I have extensive experience conducting evaluations for children with Autism, Asperger's, ADHD, behavioral issues, as well as emotional disturbances including anxiety and depression. I also have experience working with couples for psychological evaluations during the adoption or surrogacy process.

Is your child defiant, does he or she have difficulty transitioning, is there something traumatic effecting your child 's emotions or behaviors? Are you feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or, frustrated trying to help? Over time and without support these things can disrupt your relationship with your child leading to more problem behaviors or stronger negative emotions. Learning new ways of communicating with each other and strengthening your relationship are possible and this is where I can help.

*Openings* Is your teen struggling socially, emotionally, behaviorally, or with difficult thoughts? As a parent, are you overwhelmed by all of the demands of being a parent? Does your youth have a difficult time making friends or communicating with others? Is your child highly sensitive? Some teens have a difficult time managing their emotions and it may result in isolation, difficulty concentrating and/or other behaviors. I can help by providing support and guidance to help them to reach their goals.

Tired of arguing with your teenager? Frustrated watching him or her struggle to maintain academics and keep friends? Wondering what you can possibly do to keep your child motivated? Have you found that your parenting skills just aren't compatible with your teen? While it may seem difficult to help your teenage child as a parent, these obstacles can be overcome. Using your strength to look for help is the first step towards improvement for you and your teenager.

As a parent, we know our children better than anyone else. Even so, there are times when behavioral, emotional, and cognitive challenges don’t seem to make sense. You may be noticing these problems interfere with areas such as academic success, relationships, and self-esteem. My goal is to help discover areas of strength and of potential growth by providing psychological assessments for children , adolescents, teens, and adults. I use comprehensive, research-based psychological evaluations with a therapeutic approach and strive to ensure testing concludes with a solid understanding of the issues, process, and next steps.

Are you struggling to cope with difficult emotions? Do you need support coping with current stressors or processing past traumas? Do you wish to identify and release patterns that keep you from being happy? My goal is to guide you through your healing journey by offering a safe space where you can process your emotions, express your thoughts, work toward your goals, and ultimately feel confident in your life choices.

I am a licensed and bilingual Marriage and Family Therapist with over 8 years of experience providing psychotherapy to children , adults and families. I also have experience and currently offer supervision to students and interns in the field. Lastly, I also dedicate some of my time in teaching the future providers of our field as an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University. I have extensive experience in providing evidence-based practices to children , adolescents, adults and families. I have worked in a variety of settings including, outpatient community agencies, county-contracted agencies, schools and hospital setting.

Well-being includes being centered in body, mind and spirit; also happiness and health. Therapy can be a journey to reaching a state of balance and self-love. The challenge is to face and overcome the hardships and stressors that have a nasty habit of getting in the way of being our best self. Getting there isn’t always easy, but having someone to support you along the way is a courageous step in the right direction.

I specialize in working with children and families, as well as couples and individual adults, around issues of depression, anxiety, behavior problems, communication, relationships, and developmental concerns.