Therapists for Toddlers in Poway, CA
At the core of healing and growth is a solid and caring relationship with oneself and others. I aim to foster this while addressing your specific needs. I honor each individual I meet with and take a uniquely tailored and collaborative approach to therapy. Pursuing your goals with creativity, compassion and humor can help make the "work" of therapy flow more naturally and comfortably. I can help you gain insight in addressing various aspects of your individualized healing process holistically, which may include expressive art therapy, nature therapy, relational-cultural therapy as well as more traditional approaches.
At the core of healing and growth is a solid and caring relationship with oneself and others. I aim to foster this while addressing your specific needs. I honor each individual I meet with and take a uniquely tailored and collaborative approach to therapy. Pursuing your goals with creativity, compassion and humor can help make the "work" of therapy flow more naturally and comfortably. I can help you gain insight in addressing various aspects of your individualized healing process holistically, which may include expressive art therapy, nature therapy, relational-cultural therapy as well as more traditional approaches.
I enjoy working with every individual of all ages, but I absolutely love working with children and teens. I tailor my approach based on what the client needs. I use play or art therapy as play is the language of the children. It helps them to express their internal world when they have no words for it. I have completed the core competencies for Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) under International Model. PCIT is an evidence-based intervention that promotes positive parent-child relationships while reducing disruptive behaviors at home. I am also a certified Positive Discipline Parenting Educator.
I enjoy working with every individual of all ages, but I absolutely love working with children and teens. I tailor my approach based on what the client needs. I use play or art therapy as play is the language of the children. It helps them to express their internal world when they have no words for it. I have completed the core competencies for Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) under International Model. PCIT is an evidence-based intervention that promotes positive parent-child relationships while reducing disruptive behaviors at home. I am also a certified Positive Discipline Parenting Educator.
Positive Change Counseling Center
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT, PsyD, LCSW, LPCC
4 Endorsed
Serves Area
We look forward to working with you to reach your goals in therapy. Our compassionate therapists are trained in solution-focused, evidence-based practices to help you meet your goals. Whether you would like to attend therapy on your own, with your partner or spouse, as a family, or have your child participate, our therapists are ready to support you. You can be rest assured you are entering a non-judgmental and discrete environment when you walk through our door. Call us today to begin making positive changes in your life.
We look forward to working with you to reach your goals in therapy. Our compassionate therapists are trained in solution-focused, evidence-based practices to help you meet your goals. Whether you would like to attend therapy on your own, with your partner or spouse, as a family, or have your child participate, our therapists are ready to support you. You can be rest assured you are entering a non-judgmental and discrete environment when you walk through our door. Call us today to begin making positive changes in your life.
Your current situation does not define you. It's a bump in the road, a pit-stop to learn from. It takes a village and I am here to be a part of your village. My scope of competence is in trauma, postpartum, attachment, family conflict, anxiety, school/work related problems, parent education, parent-child conflict, divorce, co-parenting, anxiety and depression. Don't let the pain and struggle of your present situation keep you from living your truth. I am licensed in Tennessee, Texas, California and Virginia. Offering in-person therapy in Tennessee and virtual to Tennessee, California, Texas and Virginia.
Your current situation does not define you. It's a bump in the road, a pit-stop to learn from. It takes a village and I am here to be a part of your village. My scope of competence is in trauma, postpartum, attachment, family conflict, anxiety, school/work related problems, parent education, parent-child conflict, divorce, co-parenting, anxiety and depression. Don't let the pain and struggle of your present situation keep you from living your truth. I am licensed in Tennessee, Texas, California and Virginia. Offering in-person therapy in Tennessee and virtual to Tennessee, California, Texas and Virginia.
My ideal client is someone who struggles with expressing themselves, someone who is frustrated about being misunderstood, someone who may not feel like they belong. I enjoy working with people who want to be accepted for who they are, who want to be more independent and who want to understand the world around them.
My ideal client is someone who struggles with expressing themselves, someone who is frustrated about being misunderstood, someone who may not feel like they belong. I enjoy working with people who want to be accepted for who they are, who want to be more independent and who want to understand the world around them.
If you or your child are constantly overwhelmed by "big feelings," navigating daily routines, or struggling to feel understood, you are in the right place. I’m Lisa, an LCSW dedicated to providing neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ affirming therapy. I work closely with children, teens, and adults—as well as families navigating ADHD, Autism, and parenting challenges. Therapy with me is collaborative and deeply client-centered. We will work as a team to build a safe space where you can let your guard down, process life's changes, and make genuine progress.
If you or your child are constantly overwhelmed by "big feelings," navigating daily routines, or struggling to feel understood, you are in the right place. I’m Lisa, an LCSW dedicated to providing neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ affirming therapy. I work closely with children, teens, and adults—as well as families navigating ADHD, Autism, and parenting challenges. Therapy with me is collaborative and deeply client-centered. We will work as a team to build a safe space where you can let your guard down, process life's changes, and make genuine progress.
Do you remember that children's song about going on a bear hunt? Can't go over it! Can't go under it! We've got to go through it! Life is full of situations that can leave us feeling much like this song. In working with individuals and families, including children (ages 4+) and adolescents, adults, and their caregivers, my hope is for you to find new solutions to the challenges you are facing every day. I may not be able to get you over it or under it, but I am here to help you through it.
Do you remember that children's song about going on a bear hunt? Can't go over it! Can't go under it! We've got to go through it! Life is full of situations that can leave us feeling much like this song. In working with individuals and families, including children (ages 4+) and adolescents, adults, and their caregivers, my hope is for you to find new solutions to the challenges you are facing every day. I may not be able to get you over it or under it, but I am here to help you through it.
I work with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families, supporting clients through challenges such as trauma, anxiety, emotional regulation, life transitions, and interpersonal difficulties. I’m especially passionate about helping individuals and families build stronger connections and healthier patterns of communication.
I work with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families, supporting clients through challenges such as trauma, anxiety, emotional regulation, life transitions, and interpersonal difficulties. I’m especially passionate about helping individuals and families build stronger connections and healthier patterns of communication.
As a therapist and parenting coach, I have devoted my career to helping people change their lives in positive ways. These changes can involve assisting parents in altering the problematic behavior of their children, coaching to achieve life goals, or overcoming troublesome habits. I use a positive, solution-oriented approach to maximize performance and help people solve the problems in their lives. I use a combination of individual, couples and family based work to allow the whole family to be part of the solution.
As a therapist and parenting coach, I have devoted my career to helping people change their lives in positive ways. These changes can involve assisting parents in altering the problematic behavior of their children, coaching to achieve life goals, or overcoming troublesome habits. I use a positive, solution-oriented approach to maximize performance and help people solve the problems in their lives. I use a combination of individual, couples and family based work to allow the whole family to be part of the solution.
As a psychologist with over 25 years of experience, I work collaboratively with clients and provide a nonjudgmental and nurturing space for clients to explore their challenges and overcome their struggles. I aim to assist my clients in learning skills and strategies that they can use to increase happiness and fulfillment in their lives. I am dedicated to identifying, understanding and treating the core issues that impact clients and lead to depression, anxiety and relationship dissatisfaction. I utilize trauma informed treatments to help clients cope with difficult past experiences and work toward healthier futures.
As a psychologist with over 25 years of experience, I work collaboratively with clients and provide a nonjudgmental and nurturing space for clients to explore their challenges and overcome their struggles. I aim to assist my clients in learning skills and strategies that they can use to increase happiness and fulfillment in their lives. I am dedicated to identifying, understanding and treating the core issues that impact clients and lead to depression, anxiety and relationship dissatisfaction. I utilize trauma informed treatments to help clients cope with difficult past experiences and work toward healthier futures.
The most useful tool in psychotherapy is a thoughtful, interactive dialogue. My goal is to engage clients using their unique strengths and experience, in order to help them create a life that is meaningul to them.
-3/2025- Hello- Currently, I am working a limited schedule, and not accepting new patients, due to me recovering from a health issue. However, if you or your family member are a prior patient of mine, please contact me and I will do my best to get you in. Thx, Dr S
The most useful tool in psychotherapy is a thoughtful, interactive dialogue. My goal is to engage clients using their unique strengths and experience, in order to help them create a life that is meaningul to them.
-3/2025- Hello- Currently, I am working a limited schedule, and not accepting new patients, due to me recovering from a health issue. However, if you or your family member are a prior patient of mine, please contact me and I will do my best to get you in. Thx, Dr S
We are accepting new Clients: In person or tele-therapy for toddlers, children, teenagers, families, and adults.
Does your child say, “You don’t understand” or completely ignores your requests? Do you feel powerless and frustrated that consequences don’t seem to work anymore on your child? We help to empower your family with new ways of communicating and relating, so harmony is restored. Kids need to feel heard and that what they think matters. Children often feel like no adult is listening, at school or at home. We help to give both children and parents a voice, which often calms the chaos. Children and teenagers need help learning how to express their needs in a way that their parents can hear them.
We are accepting new Clients: In person or tele-therapy for toddlers, children, teenagers, families, and adults.
Does your child say, “You don’t understand” or completely ignores your requests? Do you feel powerless and frustrated that consequences don’t seem to work anymore on your child? We help to empower your family with new ways of communicating and relating, so harmony is restored. Kids need to feel heard and that what they think matters. Children often feel like no adult is listening, at school or at home. We help to give both children and parents a voice, which often calms the chaos. Children and teenagers need help learning how to express their needs in a way that their parents can hear them.
More Therapists Nearby
Our group practice, Savera Psychological Services has a team of skilled and compassionate clinicians who offer psychotherapy, evaluations, nutrition counseling, and leadership coaching. We offer services to children and adults with concerns around depression, anxiety, mood disturbance, trauma recovery, grief/loss, fertility/family building, life transitions, relationship challenges, academic difficulties, and career burnout.
Our group practice, Savera Psychological Services has a team of skilled and compassionate clinicians who offer psychotherapy, evaluations, nutrition counseling, and leadership coaching. We offer services to children and adults with concerns around depression, anxiety, mood disturbance, trauma recovery, grief/loss, fertility/family building, life transitions, relationship challenges, academic difficulties, and career burnout.
Preventative Health for Happy Families!
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
4 Endorsed
San Diego, CA 92108
I've had the joy of working with children and families for nearly 20 years. I also am the founder/owner of "Preventative Health for Happy Families!" a boutique group practice specializing in Military Families. We embrace the philosophy of resiliency and take a strength based approach to motivate change. In session, we help with the development of basic life skills: management of difficult feelings, stress reduction, effective communication, parenting techniques, practical goal-setting, or improved problem solving. The end result? Thriving individuals, satisfied couples, cohesive families and happy children!
I've had the joy of working with children and families for nearly 20 years. I also am the founder/owner of "Preventative Health for Happy Families!" a boutique group practice specializing in Military Families. We embrace the philosophy of resiliency and take a strength based approach to motivate change. In session, we help with the development of basic life skills: management of difficult feelings, stress reduction, effective communication, parenting techniques, practical goal-setting, or improved problem solving. The end result? Thriving individuals, satisfied couples, cohesive families and happy children!
When your child is struggling with big emotions, challenging behaviors, or difficult life experiences, it can leave you feeling unsure, exhausted, and worried about what to do next. You may have tried different strategies, but things still feel stuck and the tension at home continues to build. If this sounds familiar, I want you to know you are not alone.
In our work together, your child will have a safe and supportive space to explore emotions, process experiences, and build coping skills in a way that feels natural and comfortable.
When your child is struggling with big emotions, challenging behaviors, or difficult life experiences, it can leave you feeling unsure, exhausted, and worried about what to do next. You may have tried different strategies, but things still feel stuck and the tension at home continues to build. If this sounds familiar, I want you to know you are not alone.
In our work together, your child will have a safe and supportive space to explore emotions, process experiences, and build coping skills in a way that feels natural and comfortable.
I have been a psychotherapist for over 20 years. I am licensed as a Clinical Psychologist in Mexico and a Couple and Family Psychotherapist in California. My psychoanalytic and attachment training informs my understanding of your current concern in the context of how your past experiences affect your current well-being. By identifying your strengths and areas of opportunity, we will collaborate to develop a treatment plan to achieve your goals for well-being. Our work together will build your capacity to understand and make sense of contradictory thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and choose the congruent course of action for you.
I have been a psychotherapist for over 20 years. I am licensed as a Clinical Psychologist in Mexico and a Couple and Family Psychotherapist in California. My psychoanalytic and attachment training informs my understanding of your current concern in the context of how your past experiences affect your current well-being. By identifying your strengths and areas of opportunity, we will collaborate to develop a treatment plan to achieve your goals for well-being. Our work together will build your capacity to understand and make sense of contradictory thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and choose the congruent course of action for you.
You know your child (or maybe it's you) is smart, sensitive, and working hard to hold it all together, but something's not clicking. Maybe it's anxiety that shows up as stomachaches or meltdowns. Maybe it's the exhausting effort of masking to fit in, followed by burnout no one else sees. Maybe it's a teen who feels like they don't know who they are anymore, or a young adult navigating the leap into independence with more self-doubt than confidence.
You know your child (or maybe it's you) is smart, sensitive, and working hard to hold it all together, but something's not clicking. Maybe it's anxiety that shows up as stomachaches or meltdowns. Maybe it's the exhausting effort of masking to fit in, followed by burnout no one else sees. Maybe it's a teen who feels like they don't know who they are anymore, or a young adult navigating the leap into independence with more self-doubt than confidence.
I work with Neurodivergent kids and Adults including Autistics, ADHD'ers, PDA'ers, nervous sensory sensitive, high energy sensory seekers or kids with big emotions.
I work with Neurodivergent kids and Adults including Autistics, ADHD'ers, PDA'ers, nervous sensory sensitive, high energy sensory seekers or kids with big emotions.
Raising humans (and being one!) is challenging beyond measure. You plan to parent differently than how you were parented and that seems simple enough...if it weren't for the fact that your baby was up all night, your toddler is screaming at the top of his lungs while decorating his body with the oatmeal you just made him, and your big kid is crying about how none of her clothes feel right on her body and she needs all new clothes, NOW. You told yourself you wouldn't yell today, but it is barely sunrise, and the sun has already set on that goal!
Raising humans (and being one!) is challenging beyond measure. You plan to parent differently than how you were parented and that seems simple enough...if it weren't for the fact that your baby was up all night, your toddler is screaming at the top of his lungs while decorating his body with the oatmeal you just made him, and your big kid is crying about how none of her clothes feel right on her body and she needs all new clothes, NOW. You told yourself you wouldn't yell today, but it is barely sunrise, and the sun has already set on that goal!
Welcome to my mobile practice, where I bring the healing to you! Licensed since 1997, I offer a wealth of professional and personal lived experience to assist you with both your individual and family needs. If you join me we will work together to reach your goals. It is hard work to become our best selves & live our best lives, free from harmful responses due to wounds & holes, left over from an earlier life. You will have the support to overcome obstacles to healing the past, staying present and embracing the future, all this while developing a better understanding & acceptance for yourself, and others just as you are.
Welcome to my mobile practice, where I bring the healing to you! Licensed since 1997, I offer a wealth of professional and personal lived experience to assist you with both your individual and family needs. If you join me we will work together to reach your goals. It is hard work to become our best selves & live our best lives, free from harmful responses due to wounds & holes, left over from an earlier life. You will have the support to overcome obstacles to healing the past, staying present and embracing the future, all this while developing a better understanding & acceptance for yourself, and others just as you are.
See more therapy options for Poway
Nearby Toddlers Therapists Searches for Poway
- Del Mar
- El Cajon
- Encinitas
- Escondido
- La Jolla
- La Mesa
- Rancho Santa Fe
- San Diego
- San Marcos
- Santee
- Solana Beach
- Vista
FAQ - About Therapy for Toddlers and Preschoolers
What are the behavioral signs indicating a toddler might need counseling?
Common behavioral signs that a child may need counseling include high levels of emotional distress or anxiety, learning challenges, interpersonal conflict, anger, or social withdrawal. Any drastic changes in toddler behavior or self-esteem can be indicative that a child may benefit from therapy. Seeing a therapist at the early stages of any behavioral changes can be most impactful on behavior, as well as helpful to caregivers who may receive guidance on what symptoms to look for in their child in the future, even if therapy is not warranted at that time.
Can a two-year-old see a psychologist?
Children and adults of all ages can see psychologists and other forms of mental health professionals, such as counselors, psychiatrists, and social workers. Families seeking therapy for their toddler should just be aware that any guidance they seek should come from a professional who has specific experience working with young children, as well as the specific modalities that are appropriate for young children, such as play therapy.
What is the most effective type of therapy for toddlers and preschoolers?
In general, play therapy is the most effective and common form of therapy for young children. Play therapy helps facilitate behavior change by offering an age-appropriate way for children to express their emotions and develop more effective coping strategies. Toddlers with specific concerns may benefit from more specialized forms of therapy, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism or Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) for toddlers in families in which there is significant parent-child relational conflict.
What happens during therapy sessions for toddlers?
What occurs in therapy sessions for toddlers depends on the therapeutic approach being used by the therapist. Most toddler therapists will use some form of play therapy in sessions to encourage toddler engagement. In play therapy sessions, children are encouraged to use toys within the therapy setting to express their emotions; subsequent responses by the therapist and/or family members can help guide toddler behavior and behavior change. Toddler therapy sessions can also involve family therapy or Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), which can help improve parenting behaviors and reduce strain on families.


