Child Therapists in Lake Forest, CA
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Max Gezerseh
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I am certified in treatment modalities of: Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT) developed to work with individuals (
children
& adults) with past trauma; and Mapping & Adapting Practices (MAP) developed to work with
children
with disruptive behavior as well as their families, with primary focus on age-congruent parenting skills for raising hard to control
children
.
Based on personal belief and experience and coming from a Humanistic Existential theoretical perspective I believe in the great innate potential every individual has and the helper's role as a facilitator or coach to assist the individual to discover and to utilize such strength to live up to one's highest potential. My practice areas include: Substance Abuse (adults & adolescents), Grief Counseling, Marital & Premarital Counseling, Adolescent Misbehavior, Anger-Management, Domestic Violence, Depression, Anxiety, and Stage of Life. I am experienced to work with challenging behavioral problems like borderline personality disorder and adolescents' substance abuse or misbehavior.

Katlyn Williams
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
In addition to therapeutically supporting individuals and couples, I am passionate about working with
children
, teens and their families to improve communication and understanding helping them learn how to better show each other love.
Life is challenging and it can be difficult trying to navigate the ups and downs of life without support. It can feel overwhelming and hopeless especially when you, your
child
and/or family is struggling. You are not alone. As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist I provide a safe place for
children
, families, and individuals to work through all of the emotions experienced through out life's challenges.

Sara Sutton
Counselor, LPCC
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I specialize in providing services to very young
children
.
Regardless of one's age, there are times when outside support and assistance can be instrumental in overcoming life's struggles and/or in helping one to achieve their highest potential. I have over 20 years of counseling experience in schools serving students across all grade levels. I am also certificated in Play Therapy. While I provide therapy services to individuals of all ages, I have particular interest and skill in working with young people aged 2 through 18.
Not accepting new clients

Judithann Roberts
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT, ATR
Verified
Verified
I also am an adopted parent and have worked in the field of adoption for a number of years with
children
in the foster care system and those who have been adopted.
Trust is one of the most important reasons an individual chooses a therapist. Another reason is that the therapist's values do not conflict with the individual choosing to work with her. I would like to talk with you about both of these issues to help you make an informed choice about whether or not to work with me. My initial session is pro bono so we can talk about both. I am working on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday's. I welcome a call from you.
Not accepting new clients

Dr. Patricia Gisbert
Psychologist, MS, PsyD
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
CURRENTLY NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS FOR THERAPY. I love working with
children
, teens, and young adults. I provide evidence-based treatment for diagnoses such as ADHD, Autism, Anxiety, Depression, etc. and also provide parent-coaching for
children
/teens with behavioral difficulties. My main goals in therapy are to better the quality of life of the client and their family, and to prevent future difficulties. My goals in testing are to get an accurate diagnosis and give beneficial recommendations. I work with the client, their family, and whomever else (e.g. school district, pediatrician, psychiatrist), in order to reach these goals.

David Adams
Psychologist, MDiv, PsyD, LPCC, BCBA-D
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
Hi- I look forward to meeting you! I am a licensed psychologist and work with
children
and adults. For adults, I specialize in life coaching, depression, and anxiety related issues. For
children
, I specialize in behavior disorders, autism, ADHD, PTSD, and depression. I also provide Christian-based counseling. I also provide psychological testing for ADHD and autism.

Discover Counseling Center, Inc.
LMFT
Verified
Verified
At Discover Counseling Center, we believe emotional and relational healing is a multi-step process. Our goal is to help individuals, couples and
children
find healing through self discovery, to find healthy ways to express thoughts and feelings, and to learn how to communicate to gain understanding and compromise. We not only guide our clients though this emotional exploration, but will also provide tools to help achieve measurable improvements in your life. Cristine MacDuffee-Rainer works with
Children
/Teens/Young Adults and Danielle works with Adults.

Larry J Hamilton
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA
Verified
Verified
I have specialized in
children
's play therapy for 30 years.
Have you been feeling down for some time and just can't get past it? Have you found that little things set you off then you feel guilty about your reaction? Is there a sense of unease that keeps you continually tense, ready for the "other shoe to drop"? If you can relate to these experiences you are likely going thru either depression, stress, or anxiety. You may be asking yourself, "Do I need to be going thru this?", and "Is there help for me?" I have been successfully treating such difficulties and have helped hundreds over 30 years.

Liza Abby Gant
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
But of course have extensive background with individuals including
children
and youth.
If you are seeking personal healing, restored relationships, and practical tools for growth I would love the opportunity to be part of your journey. By developing an authentic, collaborative relationship with you, I want to help you break free from the bonds of the past to live life to the fullest in the present and reach your fullest potential in the future. I primarily work from the lens of attachment theory, EMDR and cognitive behavioral in a systems base. Additionally, my work with you can be built up on a Biblical foundation to strengthen who you are.

Courtney Knapp
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
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.

Alecia Benson
Licensed Educational Psychologist, EdS, LEP
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I work with a range of clients, from
children
who are struggling to read, to adolescents who experience signs of depression and anxiety, and I even help parents understand what their
child
is going through so that they can become an advocate for their needs. This is done through assessments, counseling, and offering parent consultation and supports. Additionally, I am able to walk families through the special education process and review IEP documents together as well.

Alejandra Leal
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
I provide individual counseling for
children
and teens who experienced trauma, anxiety, depression, trauma, and attachment difficulties.
Hi there, welcome to my page. I'm glad you have found yourself here. As we navigate through life, we face challenges that can leave us feeling isolated, overwhelmed, and contemplating, "what is wrong with me?." I acknowledge the bravery that prompted you to seek therapy, I want to help. I would love to collaborate with you and encourage you to contact me to schedule a free phone consultation. Trabajo con niños, adolescentes y familias. Me encantaría ayudarte, llámame para una consulta gratis.

Ruby Nieto Padilla
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
Hello, my name is Ruby Nieto Padilla. I am a Spanish-speaking, Licensed Marriage Family Therapist. I have over 10 years of experience with the Latino population and in, particular, in the San Gabriel Valley area. I specialize in working with
children
, adolescents, adults/parents, and families that have difficulty maintaining and balancing healthy, loving relationships. Using a positive problem-solving approach and client-centered techniques, I help clients identify the source of their difficulties and assist them in developing effective strategies for change.

Jose Luna
Associate Clinical Social Worker, ASW, EMDR
Verified
Verified
I also specialize in therapy that focuses on the relationship between the
child
and parents.
My therapeutic approach mainly focuses on helping my clients identify their strengths to help alleviate anxiety, depression, and trauma. I am a firm believer that our childhood experiences contribute to our beliefs, behavioral patterns, and selecting a romantic partner. Therapy is a process! To allow ourselves to be intimate and vulnerable with someone about our experiences and trauma can be daunting. As a therapist, it is my goal to help validate, create a safe environment and help understand aspects of lived experiences.
Not accepting new clients

Matt Lehman
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I have worked with populations throughout the lifespan including
children
, teens, adults and clients facing end-of-life related issues.
I have worked as a mental health practitioner for over 10 years. I began my career working with adolescents with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health needs in an inpatient treatment setting. I continued working with a variety of populations including homeless and at-risk families with
children
with mental health disorders. In 2013 I was an intern at the Orange County Health Care Agency's Anaheim clinic for the severely and persistently mentally ill, where I provided case management services, conducted crisis intervention services and behavioral health assessments both in the clinic and while in the field.

Julie J. Wells
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified
5 Endorsed
Verified
5 Endorsed
Located near the Irvine Spectrum, I invite you to come in for a free consultation to learn how I can help heal anxiety, depression,adult
children
of alcoholics, and create better relationships for couples and families. Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all, let me assess what is going on for you and learn about the areas of stress in your life. I use a variety of methods, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Relaxation/Guided Imagery and Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples and families. I also specialize in blended families and co-parenting issues as a certified Parenting with Love and Logic Facilitator.

Regina Walsvig
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I specialize in working with families who have
children
/adolescents with developmental disorders like Autism, using a relational and developmental approach.
Helping you achieve a balanced sense of well-being is my primary goal as a therapist. No matter what you might be concerned about that brings you to this search, I am interested in helping you gain, not only relief, but also the tools needed for your future beyond therapy. I treat
children
, adolescents, and adults using individual, couple, family, and/or group psychotherapy.

Danielle Dawson
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I enjoy working with individuals, couples, and families whom may be struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship issues, sex related issues, parent-
child
issues, or chronic low self-esteem. I have a passion for couples and sex therapy. Using my natural ability to sense emotions, gives me the ability to see the world through their eyes. Working together we understand any trauma, crisis or negative experience is an opportunity to discover a healthier self. By understanding their feelings, goals, fears, and dreams then develop positive beliefs and behaviors to cope with the stress and anxiety of everyday life.

Kristina Tyler (Formerly Roberts)
Psychologist, PhD, QME
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
My forensic/court work includes evaluations and testimony for
child
custody; civil - including personal injury (plaintiff and defense), human rights, IME, competency and sexual harassment; immigration; dangerousness/risk; fitness for duty; worker's compensation (AME/QME); dependency court; and limited criminal.
Welcome! I am a clinical and forensic psychologist. **CURRENTLY I AM NOT ACCEPTING NEW THERAPY CLIENTS.** I and my clinical staff work in partnership with clients to meet their goals, providing the tools they need with an empathetic yet not passive approach. I have extensive background in psychotherapy, crisis management, psychological testing, divorce adjustment, trauma, depressive disorders, anxiety, bipolar and pain disorders and oversee clinical staff in these areas also.

Ellie Mourey
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT, APCC
Verified
Verified
Hi! My name is Ellie - and I am so excited to meet you! I love working with
children
(ages 5 and up), teens, young adults, individuals, and couples, helping them through a variety of life challenges, including anxiety, depression, relationship issues, stress, emotional disregulation, and perfectionism. My approach/style depends a lot on the age and needs of each person, and I adapt interventions from various modalities to fit what is needed for treatment. Throughout the process, I will check-in with you to develop goals and to make sure we’re on the same page about what is most important to you for the focus of our time together.
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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.