Children (6 to 10) Therapists in Santa Monica, CA

Welcome. Sometimes things are complicated. We keep feeling a certain way or doing something and don't understand why. Sometimes things are more simple. We understand what we want, maybe even how to get there but just need a little support along the way. I work with individuals, couples and families to help them achieve the changes they wish to see in their lives, big or small, complicated or not.

I am a Marriage and Family Therapist dedicated to a life that develops the wholeness of Psyche or the Soul. I have worked with children and families, issues of addiction and personality development. My goal is to continue to work on raising a sense of personal dignity for my patients as they approach and encounter their life, and see the dignity in others. My training has been in the traditions of Depth Psychology, experiencing remarkable practices as presented at Pacifica Graduate Institute and at the CG Jung Institute of Los Angeles.

In therapy with me you will feel understood and supported. I utilize a compassionate strengths-based approach along with engaging, profound, and varied interventions such as mindfulness, art therapy, sand-tray and humour that increase a sense of self awareness and inner-wisdom leading to emotional well-being. ~ En terapia conmigo, usted se sentira' plenamente entendida/o y apoyada/o. Mi enfoque es compasivo, basado en hacer brillar las fortalezas de mis clientes. Utilizo intervenciones profundas y variadas, incluyendo arte y humor, que incrementan su consciencia personal para lograr un estado estable de bienestar emocional.

The therapeutic process has the ability to transform. I am living proof of this. At my lowest point, I was anxious, depressed, suicidal, and trapped in addictions. With the help of a skilled therapist, I was able to come out of this darkness - inspiring me to leave the business world in order to help others who are suffering. I believe that everyone deserves a fighting chance to overcome trauma and abuse and live a rich, full, and satisfying life. I believe that we can change and grow at any time in our lives. I believe in the beauty, resiliency, and strength of the human spirit. I believe that we are all worthy and capable of love.

Dr. Smith's genuine, grounded and integrated therapeutic approach allows for a connection to her clients where through modalities such as EMDR, IFS (parts work), and attachment-based talk therapy, there is a focus on insight shifting to somatic integration and actionable change, discovering and healing the core self, learning to regulate emotion and express needs in healthy ways, adapting internal dialogue, core beliefs, and reinforcing coping resources. Dr. Smith believes in building an authentic therapeutic relationship based on respect, empathy, challenge and change while creating a renewed sense of self, empowerment and hope.

My ideal client is aware that some primary positive feeling has changed. The positive feeling has suddenly, or over time, become negative and painful. Because of this change, he or she may have reluctantly given up on a long term goal, or may be in the midsts of a divorce where there was once loving contentment that has disappeared. Sometimes the pain is so severe that the Client considers ending his or her life. No matter what the circumstance, this Client is longing for relief from the pain. The Client needs a Therapist who can, incrementally over time, help to alleviate the pain and begin a more positive approach to living life.

During challenging times, much that we’ve taken for granted - health, finance, career, dating, dreams - may suddenly feel elusive, precarious even. I'll help you identify, then challenge any "thinking" obstacles, to guide you past what holds you back. I will collaborate with you towards acceptance or management of any real challenges you face, and help you to expand your tools. I am trained in Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapies (IPT) therapies, but also draw from traditional psychodynamic theory (i.e. attachment and early family dynamics) and mindfulness to gently guide you toward your desired change.

Anxiety Experts has offices in Santa Monica, Goleta, Montecito and Ventura, as well as virtual outpatient and Virtual Intensive Outpatient (VIOP) Treatment. Our team is specialized in treating anxiety, panic, social phobia, school refusal, OCD, PTSD, BDD, and disordered eating. These problems rob one's sense of freedom, confidence and self-worth. We treat these issues with a type of CBT called Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), and Medical Nutrition Therapy from a Registered Dietician as appropriate. We have helped hundreds of adults and kids master their fears; research shows in-person and live video to be equally effective!

Are you struggling to figure out how to best support your child? The early childhood years can be trying for parents who don’t want to repeat family patterns, and yet question their own intuition. When the answers can’t be found in the parenting books, you may benefit from guidance specific to your family’s needs. Finding someone to connect with and help deepen your understanding of your child’s inner-experiences can strengthen your relationship with your child, and also provide the empathy and support you need to feel less overwhelmed.

I believe in giving it to you straight wrapped with warmth and love. I believe we all have the power to make change but sometimes need a little help along the way. I provide individual, couples and family therapy to children, adolescents and adults. I have an array of experience from working to outpatient mental health clinics where I supervised psychology and social work interns to consulting at local schools to coordinating clinical programs. In addition I also enjoy weaving eastern and western philosophies into my practice.

The techniques I have discovered and found useful on my own healing journey have become the foundation for my practice as a holistic psychotherapist. My passion lies in creating a sacred and compassionate space where individuals can embark on a transformative exploration of their inner worlds, healing past trauma or negative beliefs so that they can fully live in the present moment. My approach is deeply rooted in empathy, recognizing the uniqueness of each person's experience and honoring the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit.

I work with those wanting to find a way forward from "stuckness" and inner conflicts, coping with disappointment, illness, loss, and grieving. I can help with better understanding and resolving your challenges, handling anxiety, alleviating depression, exploring their root causes and their larger unconscious meanings, and feeling more at home with yourself, in your skin. I can help with making sense of the imprints left by your lived experiences and bringing about the changes that you want in your life.

Are you looking for a psychotherapist during these tough times? I work with children and adults who struggle with behavioral issues, ADHD/learning disorders, divorce, depression, anxiety, trauma, and chronic pain. Many believe disorders are a disability, but I know this to be wrong. They only make you stronger, and do not have to keep you from living a full and healthy life. It may be time to tap into your inner strength, and I am here to help.

If you are suffering from repeated patterns that are negatively impacting your life and desire freedom and space to heal and transform these patterns, I can help. I work with individuals, couples, groups and families who are overwhelmed by anxiety, suffering from depression, in a life transition, managing grief, having existential distress, and/or looking for deeper meaning and a stronger sense of Self. Often times being seen and understood by a nonjudgmental, compassionate therapist is a key factor in healing. The process is rich and ultimately empowering.

It is a privilege to work with you. I am committed to assist you in discovering any emotional issues that may be troubling. Some of the issues may be relationships, depression, anxiety or any crisis. I am understanding of life's difficulties. I will help you discover how they are affecting you. You will gain more knowledge about yourself as well as others. You may need to learn new tools in managing difficult situations. I will help you to grow, gain more knowledge of yourself, and to set better boundaries In communication. I look forward to meeting with you and establishing a good working relationship.

I specializes in MFT and ABA. While working with clients, I supports their work by identifying behavior patterns, identifying healthy replacement behaviors, and support my client’s understanding of emotional and cognitive states. Through the understanding of the self, my clients learn how their behaviors impact their environments. And more importantly how they can make changes to enhance their life, relationships, and experiences in their daily environments. I have experience working with adults, couples, groups, and children.

At Healista, we believe everyone has the power within themselves to make a change in their lives. They just sometimes need a little help along the way. And that’s where we come in. We help our clients connect to their inner safety by nurturing their intuitive skills to cope with challenges, stressors, and traumas to feel more at ease and resilient in their daily lives. We believe in the power of slowing down and focusing on the whole picture of one’s socioemotional well being to regain embodied ease, overcome feelings of shame and loneliness, and find clarity on how to move forward.

Our goal at Hunter Therapy Family Counseling is to create a safe and playful environment where your child can discuss and process stressful situations. We offer a wide range of activities, including art therapy, painting, sand tray, athletic psychology, jewelry, and gardening, designed to help your child develop coping mechanisms and build a strong emotional foundation. Looking for a creative and fun way for your child to talk about their thoughts, behaviors, and feelings? Hunter Therapy Family Counseling uses different expressive techniques to help your child learn healthy ways of coping with stress.

I am a clinical psychologist and Co-Director of the OCD & Anxiety Program of Southern California. We are a group of compassionate clinicians who understand how difficult it can be to live with OCD and anxiety disorders. We specialize in providing effective treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, OC Spectrum Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, and depression. We utilize Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), particularly Exposure and Response Prevention (E/RP), which is considered to be the gold standard for the treatment of anxiety disorders. We also utilize other effective interventions, such as mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.