Therapy for children and teens in San Francisco

Therapy for Children and Teens

Growing up today comes with a mix of timeless struggles and brand-new pressures. On top of the age-old work of navigating friendships, identity, and self-doubt, today’s youth are managing increased academic expectations and a nonstop digital world bombarding them with information and social messages.

I work with children and teens navigating self-esteem, identity, social anxiety, peer pressure, and changing family dynamics, including divorce and remarriage.

I genuinely love working with this age group. There's something special about getting to know young people as they begin to make sense of themselves and the world around them. I also know how lonely this time of life can feel, and how much a supportive person in your corner can make a difference. Addressing mental health challenges at this developmental stage arms your child with an emotional toolkit and resilience they can carry forward for the rest of their lives.

Having worked with young people in a variety of roles, I've developed a natural way of connecting with them. My approach is warm, curious, and playful.

While my foundation is rooted in psychodynamic therapy, I also integrate CBT and DBT-informed skills, mindfulness, and practical problem-solving strategies tailored to your child's needs. With younger children, I incorporate play-based approaches so they can express themselves in ways that feel natural and comfortable.

For Parents and Caregivers

Many parents reach out once they've noticed a shift in their child, whether they've become more withdrawn, anxious about school, struggling academically, or behaving differently than usual. Watching your child struggle can leave you feeling helpless, especially when so much of their world feels outside your control.

You know your kid better than anyone, which is why my therapeutic approach with children and adolescents is systemic. I believe therapy is often most effective when parents are involved in a thoughtful, developmentally appropriate way. I incorporate parent sessions and ongoing collaboration throughout our work, while always respecting your child's need for privacy and independence. We can use parent sessions to improve communication, strengthen connection at home, or work through particularly difficult parenting challenges.

For Kids and Teens

Maybe you're here because you've been having a hard time lately. Or maybe a parent, teacher, or counselor suggested therapy, and you're not totally sure how you feel about it.

Either way, starting therapy can feel a little weird. You might be wondering: What am I supposed to talk about? Will it be awkward? What if I don't know what to say?

These questions are completely normal. You don't have to show up with anything prepared, and you don't even have to know exactly what you want help with. We'll take our time getting to know each other and figure out what feels comfortable. We can talk about friendships, family, school, things that frustrate you, or whatever happens to be on your mind. Nothing is off-limits, and if you’re not ready to talk about something, that’s okay, too.

My job is to help make the whole process feel a little less weird. This is a space where you can be yourself, ask questions, and say what's really on your mind. Therapy isn't just sitting and talking, either. I often incorporate art, play, and your personal hobbies into our sessions.