Child Therapy serving Santa Clara
In-Person serving Santa Clara & Virtual Therapy Across California
When your child is struggling, it can be hard to know what they need or how to truly help.
Sometimes the signs are loud and visible. Big emotions. Meltdowns. Sudden anger or withdrawal. Other times, it’s quieter. Your child may complain of stomach aches before school, have trouble sleeping, seem unusually worried, or become easily discouraged by things that didn’t used to feel hard.
As a child therapist, I offer a space at my office just a few blocks from Santa Clara proper, where children can begin to understand what they are feeling in ways that feel safe, supported, and developmentally appropriate.
When Your Child Doesn’t Have the Words
Children don’t always have the language to explain what’s going on inside them. Instead, emotions often show up through behavior, body language, or changes in routine.
You might notice:
Emotional outbursts or tantrums
Avoidance of school or certain situations
Difficulty separating from parents or caregivers
Social challenges with peers
Physical complaints like headaches or stomach aches
Increased sensitivity or frustration
These are not signs that something is “wrong” with your child.
They are signals.
When children receive support through therapy, they begin to develop new ways of understanding and expressing what they feel, so emotions no longer have to come out indirectly through behavior.
Play-Based Therapy in Santa Clara
For children, healing doesn’t usually happen through conversation alone. It happens through connection, creativity, and play. This is why play is such an important part of how I work with younger clients.
Play is a child’s natural language. Through play, children can explore emotions, experiences, fears, and relationships in a way that feels safe and engaging.
In sessions, your child may:
Use imaginative play to process experiences
Engage in art, drawing, or creative expression
Role-play social situations or challenges
Build stories that reflect inner emotional themes
Practice calming and self-soothing skills
Explore problem-solving in a supported way
Rather than asking a child to explain their feelings directly, play therapy allows those feelings to emerge naturally through action, symbolism, and interaction.
A Safe Space for Emotional Growth
Therapy for children is different from therapy for adults. Children learn best through experience, repetition, safety, and relational connection.
That’s why my approach to child therapy is designed to meet children exactly where they are developmentally. The focus is not on “fixing” behavior. It is on supporting emotional regulation, confidence, and internal safety.
In sessions, children may:
Learn to identify and name emotions
Practice calming and grounding skills
Build frustration tolerance
Develop coping tools for anxiety or overwhelm
Strengthen communication skills
Explore flexible thinking and problem-solving
What I Help Children With
I work with children ages 5–12, navigating a range of emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges, including:
Anxiety (generalized, social, or separation anxiety)
Emotional regulation difficulties
Low self-esteem or confidence struggles
ADHD-related challenges
School stress or refusal
Difficulty with transitions or change
Social difficulties with peers
Each child brings a unique inner world into the room. Therapy is tailored to that individuality, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Helping Your Child Through Anxiety
Anxiety in children often shows up in ways that can feel confusing or overwhelming for both the child and the parent.
You may notice your child:
Worrying excessively about school or friendships
Avoiding certain situations or activities
Seeking frequent reassurance
Struggling with separation from caregivers
Becoming emotionally reactive or overwhelmed
At my office near Santa Clara, I help children learn to understand what anxiety feels like in their body and mind, rather than being controlled by it.
Over time, they begin to develop:
Greater emotional awareness
Practical coping strategies
Increased confidence in facing challenges
A stronger sense of internal safety
Anxiety becomes something they can work with, not something that takes over.
My Approach Working with Children
I use an integrative, child-centered approach that combines evidence-based methods with warmth, creativity, and relational safety.
This may include:
Play therapy techniques for emotional expression
Art-based activities for processing experiences
CBT-informed strategies for skill-building and self-talk
Developmentally appropriate tools for emotional regulation
The Role of Parents in Therapy
You are an essential part of your child’s healing process.
While therapy provides your child with a safe space to explore emotions and build skills, meaningful and lasting change often happens in everyday moments, at home, during routines, and within your relationship.
I work closely with parents to support that process.
This may include:
Understanding your child’s emotional needs more deeply
Learning how to respond to big emotions in supportive ways
Strengthening co-regulation and connection
Practicing tools that reinforce progress at home
You don’t have to figure this out alone, and neither does your child.
What to Expect When Starting
Beginning therapy is a collaborative and gentle process designed to support both you and your child.
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We begin with a parent-child to:
Understand your concerns and goals
Learn about your child’s experiences and strengths
Begin building a therapeutic plan tailored to your child
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Depending on your child’s needs, therapy may include:
Individual sessions with your child
Collaborative parent sessions
A combination of both for deeper support
Everything is adjusted based on what best supports your child’s emotional growth.
Helping Your Child Feel Like Themselves
Every child deserves to feel understood, capable, and emotionally supported.
After starting therapy with me, your child can begin to:
Understand and express emotions more clearly
Build confidence in themselves
Develop healthy coping tools
Strengthen emotional resilience
Feel more connected to themselves and others
You don’t have to navigate these challenges alone, and neither does your child.
Starting Child Therapy for Santa Clara Families
Seeking therapy for your child is often not about a single issue; it’s about noticing that your child needs additional support and would benefit from a dedicated therapeutic space..
Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, emotional outbursts, social challenges, or simply seems unlike themselves lately, therapy can offer a steady, supportive space for growth.
It Begins With a Conversation
A free consultation is a chance for us to talk about what’s been going on and see whether therapy feels like the right fit for your child and your family.
We’ll explore your concerns and what you’re hoping will change. You’ll also have space to ask questions and get a sense of how I work.
You’ll leave with clarity on the next step and whether beginning therapy feels right for you and your child.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Call
A consultation call is a 15 minute phone call for us to talk about working together towards your desired change, ask any questions you may have, and determine if working together feels like the right fit.