Are you worried about your child?  Have they been acting out, irritable, or moody?  Do they seem unmotivated, perfectly content with screens and videogames?  Has your family experienced something stressful, such as divorce, death, or disaster?

Nothing is worse than watching your little one struggle, and yet 1 in 10 children in the U.S. meet criteria for depression or anxiety.  To those of us who know about the unique challenges and stressors faced by today’s youth, this comes as no surprise.  Parents and caregivers do their best to help, but many feel lost, frustrated, and stuck.  We’ve all been there.

Whether your family is facing common challenges or confronting crises, I am here for you.

My name is Amy Goldman.  As a licensed therapist with over three decades of experience in the field of mental health, I have helped thousands of kids and teens learn to overcome and thrive.  I specialize in helping kids, teens, adults, and families work through divorce, conflict, and hardship – and I would love to work with you.

If you or your child are interested and ready to sign up for therapy, contact me today.  To learn more about therapy for kids and teens and how I can help, read on!

Does my child need therapy?

Did you know that mental health issues present differently in children compared to adults?

Family members are often able to notice obvious signs of distress, such as tearfulness, disobedience, or anger outbursts.  However, many of the emotional difficulties kids struggle with are misread, misunderstood, or missed completely.  Some of the most common “red flags” include:

Symptoms such as these often emerge in response to major life stressors.  Kids and teens face unique challenges, and many of them will experience hardship during childhood, such as:

• Divorce, separation, or remarriage
• Moving to a new city or changing schools
• Academic pressure
• Death of a loved one or pet
• Bullying and other peer issues
• Dating and identity issues
• Experiencing abuse or neglect
• Witnessing violence or domestic abuse
• Stress related to national events (e.g., COVID-19)

If your child or teen is struggling, do not wait.

Left untreated, these issues can impact their ability to function and grow into happy, healthy young adults.  Early detection and intervention are critical, but it’s never too late to get the help your child deserves.

Contact me today to get started.

How can therapy help?

Psychotherapy is the gold standard treatment for children with symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma, and other issues because it truly works.

But how?

Well, therapy for kids and teens can help in three main ways:

First, your therapist can help you accurately assess and define the problem.  The initial therapy session includes a psychological evaluation, which then allows the therapist to provide answers about what your child is experiencing.  An accurate diagnostic assessment is critical for proper treatment, which in turn leads to better outcomes and quicker results.

Second, therapy provides a safe, third-party space.  Many children feel uncomfortable talking about their struggles to family members.  Teens, in particular, prefer the privacy of a non-parent confidant.  Therapy offers an opportunity for kids to express themselves openly as they learn to make sense of their thoughts and feelings.  As they progress, your child can grow more confident in opening up with you and other family members.

And third, once the problem is identified and trust has been established, therapists can intervene and promote positive growth.  As your child meets for individual therapy, they will develop new perspectives, become more mindful and self-aware, and learn to use effective coping strategies to better deal with their issues. Additionally, therapists can provide recommendations and strategies to parents and families to use between sessions.  Therapists carefully monitor and track your child’s progress to ensure that treatment is working the way it should.

We can help your child overcome whatever life has thrown their way.  No matter how difficult things might seem, no matter how long you have struggled, we can get them back on track.

Get your child the help they deserve and contact me today.

What does therapy look like with Amy Goldman?

Let’s work together!

I offer evidence-based, individually tailored therapy services for kids, teens, adults, and families from all over Los Angeles and Santa Monica.  My psychotherapy office is conveniently located in Santa Monica, NOMA (North of Montana), although I also work remotely, offering teletherapy services.

Each session is completely confidential and specifically designed to meet your goals.  Our first meeting (called an intake interview) is all about helping you, your child, and I get to know each other and put together a game plan.   We will work together as a team to pinpoint the issues your child is struggling with, discuss early recommendations and practical strategies, and define the focus of treatment.

My approach to therapy is humanistic at its core.  I provide my clients with a chance to mobilize their own innate capacity for health and wellbeing – all you need to heal and thrive is the right support.  I believe that people are resilient, and that change is possible. I draw from a range of treatment modalities, such as Psychodynamic psychotherapy, Person-Centered, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Motivational Interviewing.

My therapy services can help your child or teen:

• Understand and communicate thoughts and feelings
• Cope with difficult emotions
• Break unhealthy habits
• Overcome loss of motivation
• Improve academic performance
• Deal with peer-related issues
• Work through difficulties caused by divorce
• Make progress towards their goals

Your child deserves a chance to thrive, and you can help make that happen.  If you, your child, or your family are struggling, don’t wait.  Take that first step, and contact me today.

Want to Learn More?  Let’s Connect.

Thank you for your interest in my practice!  If you have questions or would like to get started, please click on Contact Me to access my contact form.

I am a Stanford University alum and Licensed Psychotherapist who specializes in counseling services for kids, teens, adults, and families with a wide range of issues.  My practice is dedicated to providing outstanding, evidence-based services. To learn more about me and my credentials, click on About Me.

In addition to my individual therapy services for kids and teens, I also offer reunification psychotherapy, child custody mediation, parent coaching, co-parenting counseling, and psychological consulting.  Other areas of specialization include working with families of high conflict, divorce, depression, trauma, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and mindfulness meditation. To learn about my other services and how I can help, click Services.