Play Therapy in Torrance, CA

Kobe Bryant once said, "The key, though, is being aware of how you're feeling and how you need to be feeling, it all starts with awareness." Being self-aware is the first step toward healing and change. Initiating the next steps can be intimidating and discouraging especially if the individual or family does not know where to start. My goal is to help guide you through each step and phase on your journey to balance and happiness with empathy and compassion.

Taking the First Step is the Hardest...it is also the Most COURAGEOUS. I provide Counseling, Anger Management & Parenting. I work with adults, children, individuals, couples & families. I help those having difficulties in life to improve relationships & communication and to deal with STRESS, ANGER, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, TRAUMA, GRIEF and LOSS in healthy ways. I can help change negative thinking and unhealthy behavior, improve self-esteem AND move past TRAUMA.

I have provided therapy to children, adolescents, individuals and families for the last 7 years and in the last 4 years I have primarily focused on working with children, adolescents and families. In the years since I have been practicing I have been able to work with clients who have presented with various diagnosis and issues some of which include Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Emotion-Regulation, Social Skills difficulties, Peer and Self-Esteem Issues. I work collaboratively with individuals to ensure that treatment is tailored to address the specific needs of every individual client I see.

I was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, a melting pot of cultures and family values. I completed my Master of Science degree in Counseling (Marriage & Family Therapy) from California State University, Long Beach while training as a therapist with Shields for Families' School-Based Mental Health Program. I also have extensive experience working with community-based outreach programs. My upbringing and community-based involvement has informed my therapeutic work with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Areas of special interest include play & art therapy, sand tray, dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, pre-marriage counseling, and multicultural counseling.

I am a child therapist who utilizes play as a natural method of communication with your child who is experiencing social, emotional, behavioral, anxiety, or depressive disorders. I provide a confidential, safe, and caring environment for your child to play and explore both conscious and unconscious thoughts and feelings. I will work with your child to empower them to express their needs and make use of their newly learned coping strategies.

I have been working in the field since 2014 and throughout my time I have worked with adults, children/teens, and individuals with neurodivergence. When working with my clients I make sure to tailor therapy to meet their needs including: finding ways to make interacting with their world easier and more manageable, developing coping skills, and working on communication skills. I aim to empower my clients and help them realize that they are amazing and capable. When possible I also try to incorporate the family dynamic into treatment as family is an important factor.

I have over ten years of experience providing individual, family, and couples therapeutic services in English and Spanish. I work with all age groups, ranging from toddlers to seniors, from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, including homeless people, veterans, homemakers, students, members of the LBGTQ community, and blue- and white-collar workers. I have hands-on experience working with various diagnoses such as anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), and psychosis (schizophrenia, schizoaffective, bipolar).

Being a parent can be very challenging, make you feel vulnerable, and even overwhelmed at times. My goal as a therapist is to begin the healing process with you. Whether you are a parent that is seeking support for your infant, toddler, or child due to behavioral or emotional problems, family conflict, recent separation, divorce, death, or trauma. I specialize in providing Play Therapy , Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Behavioral Modification for children, teens & families.

A graduate of the University of Southern California, I became involved in trauma and play therapy while at UCLA's Department of Pediatrics. Transitioning to private practice in 2003, I continue to work with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder as an EMDR Certified Therapist, I serve adults, children and adolescents with Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Eating Disorders, and ADD/ADHD, as well as individuals and families with grief and loss, stage of life/adjustment, behavioral, attachment, domestic violence and other abuse issues.

In life there is pain. Painful experiences growing up that stay inside and manifest in our everyday behavior and internal struggles. In my work, whether the person is a child, teen, young adult, parent, or woman, I aim to provide a space of compassion and safety from which to understand the world around us (relationships, school, work, friendships) and the internal world within us (thoughts, emotions, pain, discomfort). The goal in my work is to help you/your child get in touch with, tune in, and understand themselves; in particular thoughts and feelings.

If you are dealing with trauma, life transitions, anxiety, or depression, I am here to help you. I've served with children, teens, and families for several years and walked with adults and couples through their healing process. You can expect an empathetic therapist that desires to help you through your therapeutic journey. I can help by providing a safe place for you to share your thoughts and feelings.

Alliance Family Counseling Services is led by Amber Robison, LCSW. I have over 16 years experience as a clinical therapist providing therapy to adults, couples, families, children, and adolescents. I am a solution-focused therapist and my therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical strategies to help clients/families effectively address personal life challenges. With compassion and understanding, I work with each individual/family to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth to cope with the challenges faced.

I recognize the courage that it takes to ask for help. In a space where you feel safe and understood, we will work alongside each other to once again find your inner light. I believe that we all experience a wide variety of obstacles, hardships, grief, and loss. As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I strive to ensure that my clients have access to the mental health care they need to promote healing. We work together to create an individualized treatment plan that addresses your unique needs. Through therapy you will recognize stumbling blocks that cause you to feel distressed and ways to change them to stepping stones.

Hello & thank you for taking the time to consider me for your mental health needs. I provide psychotherapy to adults, adolescents, children, & families. My core belief is that the foundation to successful treatment is the creation of a safe & trusting environment where therapist & client work collaboratively to address treatment goals. The development of a strong therapeutic relationship becomes the cornerstone to lasting & meaningful change. I strive to create holistic treatment plan tailored to each individual using an eclectic integrative approach, by blending different theories & techniques to address presenting symptoms.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist who provides neuropsychological assessments, counseling, and psychotherapy to children, teens, families, couples, and adults. Those I work with are often experiencing problems academically, behavioral, socially; and/or experiencing anxiety or depression. Testing is often utilized to provide diagnostic information to guide treatment and services. I have extensive experience working with individuals who are gifted or 2e; am a Certified Autism Specialist; and a Trained Grief Specialist.

Relationships between husbands, wives, lovers, boy/girl friends, children or parents can be tricky. Happy, satisfying and fulfilling relationships require attention, energy, fun, humor, communication, time and investment of yourself. Too often relationships are hampered by misunderstandings, hurtful actions, stress, differences of opinions, unmet needs, and different expectations. Personality changes over time, affairs of the heart, infidelity, unmet sexual intimacy, abuse, cruel words, neglect, self-centeredness, different communication styles, different goals, values and dissimilar interests or fun activities also create unhappiness in relationships. Dr. Carol Francis has worked with relationships satisfaction for 32 years. 310-543-1824 or RelationshipSatisfactionNow.com and drcarolfrancis.com pathstosuccesses.com

Client's often first come to see me when encountering struggles with depression, anxiety, and/or relationship problems. I have extensive experience helping children, adolescents, and adults; and am not afraid to get in the arena with you as we work through what is causing pain! It is my goal to come alongside you as we loosen the strongholds that keep you from experiencing seasons of wholehearted joy and peace once again!