Trauma, Anxiety, and Neurodivergent-Affirming Care in Encino
I offer trauma informed care, EMDR and TF-CBT therapy, neurodivergent-affirming support and help manage anxiety, depression and the pressure of perfectionism for children and teens in Encino and online throughout the San Fernando Valley.
How I can support your family
Every family who reaches out to me is carrying something different. Below are the areas where I have deep, specialized experience. If you don't see your exact situation here, reach out anyway, chances are, I can help, or I'll point you toward someone who can.
I offer trauma informed care, including EMDR and TF-CBT therapy, neurodivergent-affirming support, and help for children and teens managing anxiety, depression and the pressure to succeed in Encino and online throughout the San Fernando Valley.
Therapy for Anxiety & Depression
So many of the kids I work with look like they have it all together, straight A's, packed schedules, and high expectations for themselves. But underneath, they may be exhausted, quietly anxious, or struggling with pressure that feels impossible to keep up with. I work with children and teens navigating academically demanding environments who may be struggling beneath the surface. Together, we work to ease anxiety and depression, loosen perfectionism’s grip, and recover from the kind of burnout that can easily be mistaken for simply being a high achiever. My goal is to help them feel more like themselves again—not just successful on the outside, but healthy, confident, and comfortable with who they are on the inside. Learn more about anxiety, depression, and perfectionism in kids ↓
Treatment for Trauma, Stress, and Difficult Life Experiences
When a child has been through something difficult, the effects don’t always look the way we expect. Sometimes there is a clear traumatic event. Other times, it’s the accumulation of stres, family changes, loss, instability, foster care, adoption, bullying, or other difficult experiences—that begins to take a toll. Even when a child seems to be doing okay on the outside, their mind and body may still be carrying what they’ve been through. I help children and teens who are struggling with the effects of trauma, chronic stress, and difficult life experiences. For children who have experienced trauma, I use evidence-based approaches such as TF-CBT and EMDR to help them process what happened in a way that feels safe, supported, and appropriate for their age. I also work with children and families navigating complex transitions and experiences that may not fit neatly into the definition of trauma but can still deeply affect a child’s sense of safety, trust, and well-being. Your child doesn’t have to be defined by what they’ve been through. Together, we can help them make sense of their experiences, build the tools they need to cope, and begin to feel more like themselves again—so they can move forward without being defined by what happened to them. Learn more about trauma and traumatic stressors ↓
Autism & Neurodevelopmental Differences
Every child develops in their own way, and differences in how a child thinks, learns, communicates, or experiences the world are not something to “fix.” I specialize in working with children and teens with developmental delays and neurodevelopmental differences, including autism, intellectual disabilities, ADHD, and other developmental needs. My approach is centered on understanding each child as an individual—not asking them to fit a mold. I meet children where they are, build on their strengths, and help them develop skills for managing emotions, navigating relationships, increasing independence, and feeling more confident in themselves. My goal is to help every child to feel understood, valued, and fully seen for who they are.
A Welcoming Space for Every Family
This is a proudly LGBTQ+ affirming practice, and a welcoming space for foster and adoptive families as well. Every child deserves a therapist's office that feels like a genuinely safe place to be exactly who they are.
Reaching out for support takes courage.
GETTING STARTED
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Free consultation. A short call to talk through what's going on and see if we're the right fit.
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Getting to know your child. The first few sessions are about building trust and understanding, not diving straight into hard topics.
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A plan built around your child. Every child is different, so every treatment plan is too.
Understanding Trauma in Children
Trauma is what happens when an experience overwhelms a child's ability to cope. It’s more common than many parents realize and it doesn’t always involve one major or dramatic event. Trauma can also build over time through ongoing stress, instability, loss, or a series of difficult experiences.
Types of trauma I work with:
Acute trauma — a single distressing event, such as an accident, injury, or medical emergency Chronic trauma — repeated or prolonged exposure, such as ongoing neglect or family conflict Complex trauma — multiple, often interpersonal traumas, frequently starting early in life Medical trauma — frightening or painful medical procedures, illness, or hospitalization Relational and family trauma — separation, foster care transitions, or the loss of a stable caregiver Community or collective trauma — exposure to violence, disaster, or widespread crisis
What Trauma-Informed Care Means
Trauma-informed care means that I consider the ways trauma can affect a child’s thoughts, emotions, body, behavior, and relationships and I bring that understanding into every part of treatment.
Rather than simply asking, “What’s wrong?” I want to understand, “What might have happened, and what might your child be carrying?” A behavior that looks like defiance, withdrawal, or difficulty managing emotions may be a child’s way of coping with something that feels overwhelming.
That means moving at your child’s pace, building safety and trust before asking them to talk about anything painful, and creating a space where they feel understood rather than judged. It also means involving you as a parent throughout the process, so you have the understanding and tools you need to support your child outside of therapy.
Together, we work to help your child feel safer, better understood, and more equipped to move forward.
What trauma can look like or feel like in a child
Children respond to trauma in many different ways. You might notice: Mood changes, irritability, or emotional outbursts Difficulty concentrating or changes at school Headaches, stomachaches, or other physical complaints Trouble sleeping or nightmares Being more easily startled or on edge Self-blame or excessive guilt Low self-esteem Avoiding certain people, places, or conversations Difficulty trusting or feeling safe with others Every child responds differently. Some become anxious, fearful, or clingy. Others may become angry, withdrawn, or have more difficulty managing their behavior. Some may appear completely fine on the outside while carrying a great deal underneath. Understanding what may be underneath a child’s behavior is an important first step toward helping them feel safe, supported, and able to heal.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after a child experiences or witnesses a frightening, dangerous, or life-threatening event, such as an accident, a natural disaster, violence, or the sudden loss of a loved one. Not every child who goes through something hard develops PTSD, but for those who do, symptoms typically fall into a few patterns: re-experiencing the event (intrusive memories, nightmares, or reenacting it through play), avoiding reminders of what happened, negative shifts in mood or beliefs about themselves or the world, and a heightened, on-edge nervous system (trouble sleeping, irritability, an exaggerated startle response). I treat childhood PTSD primarily with TF-CBT and EMDR, both paced carefully to your child's sense of safety.
How PTSD Can Show Up in Children
Complex PTSD is a diagnosis recognized in the ICD-11, the international diagnostic manual used alongside the DSM-5, and research suggests it may actually be more common than standard PTSD among children and young people. CPTSD typically develops after prolonged or repeated trauma, such as ongoing abuse, neglect, or multiple adverse experiences over time, rather than a single incident, though it can occasionally follow one severe event too. CPTSD includes the core features of PTSD, plus three additional patterns: difficulty regulating emotions, a persistently negative sense of self ("I'm bad," "It's my fault"), and difficulty trusting or connecting in relationships. Children who've experienced long-term neglect, multiple foster placements, or other complex or developmental trauma may show these patterns. Treatment is typically slower and more relationship-focused than standard trauma treatment, building safety and emotional regulation skills before processing the trauma itself, using trauma-focused approaches like TF-CBT and EMDR adapted for complex presentations.
What is Complex PTSD (CPTSD)?
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT): How It Works
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is a structured, short-term therapy designed to help children and teens heal after experiencing something frightening, overwhelming, or traumatic. Treatment typically lasts 8–25 sessions and includes time with your child as well as time with you as the parent, so you are part of the healing process from beginning to end. Your child will not be asked to talk about the trauma right away. Instead, we start by building a strong foundation of safety and coping skills. Your child learns about trauma, develops relaxation and coping strategies, learns to recognize and manage difficult emotions, and practices identifying and changing thoughts that may be keeping them stuck. Once your child feels ready and has developed these skills, we gradually begin processing what happened through a trauma narrative. Your child has the opportunity to tell their story at their own pace, with support and guidance along the way. The goal isn't to make your child relive the trauma. It is to help them process what happened in a safe, supported way so that the experience no longer feels as overwhelming or powerful in their everyday life. Parent sessions happen throughout treatment, giving you tools to understand what your child is experiencing and ways to support their healing at home.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: How It Works
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured, evidence-based approach that helps children and teens heal from traumatic or distressing experiences. Treatment begins by building a sense of safety and developing coping tools, so your child has the resources they need before we begin processing difficult memories. When your child is ready, we identify a specific experience and the thoughts, emotions, and body sensations connected to it. I then guide your child through a process called bilateral stimulation, which may involve alternating eye movements, gentle taps, or sounds. While using these techniques, your child briefly focuses on aspects of the experience, allowing the brain to begin processing the memory in a new and healthier way. Although researchers are still learning exactly how EMDR works, research suggests that it can help distressing memories become less emotionally overwhelming and feel more like something that happened in the past rather than something that is happening now. Over time, EMDR helps children and teens develop a greater sense of safety, reduce the emotional impact of difficult experiences, and move forward with greater confidence.
Cognitive Behavioral Based Approaches for Anxiety & Depression
When working with anxiety and depression, I draw from Cognitive Behavioral approaches, including CBT, ACT, and ERP, adapting treatment to your child’s age, personality, and needs. With younger children, therapy may be playful, creative, and hands-on; with teens, it is often more conversational and collaborative.
The core idea is simple: our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. Together, we identify patterns that may be keeping your child stuck and develop more flexible, compassionate ways of responding. For anxiety, this may include gradually facing fears rather than letting avoidance take over and make anxiety stronger. For depression, we focus on rebuilding motivation and reconnecting with activities, relationships, and experiences that bring meaning and enjoyment.
ACT adds an important piece by helping children and teens learn that they don't have to wait until difficult thoughts or feelings disappear before they can move forward. Instead, they can learn to make room for uncomfortable emotions while taking steps toward the people, activities, and values that matter most to them.
Throughout therapy, the goal is to build practical skills your child can carry with them long after therapy ends—helping them navigate challenges with greater confidence, flexibility, and self-compassion.
What Anxiety Looks Like in Children & Teens
Anxiety doesn’t always look like a child saying, “I’m worried.” Sometimes it shows up in ways that can be confusing or easy to mistake for something else. A child may become irritable, avoidant, perfectionistic, clingy, withdrawn, or overwhelmed by things that seem small to others. Teens may hide their anxiety especially well, appearing like they have everything together while struggling internally. You might notice your child: Worrying excessively about school, friendships, sports, health, or making mistakes Seeking frequent reassurance or needing things to feel “just right” Avoiding school, social situations, activities, or new experiences Becoming upset or frustrated when things don’t go as planned Putting tremendous pressure on themselves to succeed or be perfect Having difficulty sleeping Complaining of headaches, stomachaches, nausea, or other physical symptoms Having difficulty concentrating or making decisions Experiencing panic, racing thoughts, or feeling overwhelmed Becoming more withdrawn, irritable, or emotionally reactive When anxiety starts getting in the way of your child’s relationships, school, activities, sleep, or ability to enjoy everyday life, therapy can help. Together, we can help your child understand what their anxiety is trying to tell them, build effective coping skills, and feel more confident facing the things that scare them.
What Depression Looks Like in Children & Teens
Depression in children and teens is more common and more treatable than many parents realize. But it doesn’t always look like sadness. Sometimes, it can be difficult to recognize, especially when a child is still going to school, keeping up with responsibilities, or appearing to have everything together. Depression may show up as: Irritability, anger, or being more easily frustrated than usual Pulling away from friends, family, or activities they once enjoyed Losing interest or motivation in things that used to matter to them Changes in sleep, appetite, or energy Difficulty concentrating or a drop in school performance Increased self-criticism, perfectionism, or feeling like they’re “not good enough” Spending more time alone or seeming emotionally distant Feeling hopeless, stuck, or like things won’t get better For some children and teens, especially those who are high-achieving, depression can be surprisingly easy to miss. They may continue to earn good grades, participate in activities, and meet expectations while privately feeling exhausted, disconnected, or overwhelmed. If you’re noticing changes in your child that don’t quite feel like themselves, you don’t have to wait for things to become a crisis. Therapy can provide a safe place for your child to understand what they’re experiencing, build healthier ways of coping, and begin feeling like themselves again.
Perfectionism & Academic Burnout
Not every child who's struggling looks like they're struggling. Some of the highest-achieving kids are carrying the most pressure. Perfectionism, the belief that anything less than flawless isn't good enough, is common among kids in academically demanding environments, and it often sits on top of real anxiety or depression underneath. Signs can include an intense fear of making mistakes, all-or-nothing thinking, procrastination or difficulty finishing tasks, physical exhaustion, irritability, or a sense that their worth is tied entirely to their achievements. I help these kids build a healthier relationship with effort and self-worth, not just better coping skills for stress.
Working With Parents During the Therapy Journey
I've found that children have the best outcomes in therapy when the important people in their lives are part of the process. For that reason, I ask parents and caregivers to be actively involved throughout their child's treatment, and I genuinely love staying connected with you every step of the way. You know your child better than anyone. My job is to bring the clinical expertise, and together, we help your child heal.
