Toddler Therapists in Santa Monica, CA
Are you wondering how to best support your struggling child? You may find yourself at a loss after reading and researching, wishing you could optimize your parenting intuition and do what's best for YOUR child. The infancy, toddler, and childhood years provide a unique opportunity for families looking to rise above old patterns, and I gently support you in taking hold of this moment to set your child up for a lifetime of mental and relational wellness. Rather than someone to fix your child, you need an expert who can empower you to guide your child through the challenges of life.
Are you wondering how to best support your struggling child? You may find yourself at a loss after reading and researching, wishing you could optimize your parenting intuition and do what's best for YOUR child. The infancy, toddler, and childhood years provide a unique opportunity for families looking to rise above old patterns, and I gently support you in taking hold of this moment to set your child up for a lifetime of mental and relational wellness. Rather than someone to fix your child, you need an expert who can empower you to guide your child through the challenges of life.
Is your child or teenager struggling with anxiety, obsessive thoughts, avoidance, or trauma? Is your toddler getting stuck in meltdowns or defiance? As a parent, it can be overwhelming to watch your child go through these challenges and feel unsure about how to help. I understand, and I’m here to support you. My goal is to provide a safe and supportive space where we can strengthen emotional regulation, improve family communication, and build on your child’s unique strengths.
Is your child or teenager struggling with anxiety, obsessive thoughts, avoidance, or trauma? Is your toddler getting stuck in meltdowns or defiance? As a parent, it can be overwhelming to watch your child go through these challenges and feel unsure about how to help. I understand, and I’m here to support you. My goal is to provide a safe and supportive space where we can strengthen emotional regulation, improve family communication, and build on your child’s unique strengths.
The most important thing in working together is building the foundation of a trusting relationship, where you can feel safe to talk openly. You know your life better than anyone else does. Therefore, we will hold great respect for your self-wisdom. Together with my professional knowledge and experience, we can work to help you discover how to live life in a way that is most fitting for you. NOTE: a professional relationship will not be formed until we both agree to do so, and only during/after an initial meeting. Any prior contact is for informational purposes only.
The most important thing in working together is building the foundation of a trusting relationship, where you can feel safe to talk openly. You know your life better than anyone else does. Therefore, we will hold great respect for your self-wisdom. Together with my professional knowledge and experience, we can work to help you discover how to live life in a way that is most fitting for you. NOTE: a professional relationship will not be formed until we both agree to do so, and only during/after an initial meeting. Any prior contact is for informational purposes only.
My compassionate and active approach to therapy is one that can rapidly improve a willing client's life. Clients have the opportunity to experience healing and transformation as they integrate a sustainable sense of well-being. I teach techniques that provide for ongoing self-care and self-sufficiency. I offer my clients concrete tools and therapeutic experiences for shifting their patterns and healing their pain; they become empowered and live more authentic and satisfying lives. Couples build attunement, improve communication and overcome individual and relational patterns that prevent intimacy.
My compassionate and active approach to therapy is one that can rapidly improve a willing client's life. Clients have the opportunity to experience healing and transformation as they integrate a sustainable sense of well-being. I teach techniques that provide for ongoing self-care and self-sufficiency. I offer my clients concrete tools and therapeutic experiences for shifting their patterns and healing their pain; they become empowered and live more authentic and satisfying lives. Couples build attunement, improve communication and overcome individual and relational patterns that prevent intimacy.
Beginning therapy takes courage and you've already taken the first step. My goal is to help you create a more fulfilling life. I provide a safe space to work collaboratively with you. I will listen and use my knowledge base to help address the parts of your life that feel challenging. I work in both short term and long term treatment modalities.
Beginning therapy takes courage and you've already taken the first step. My goal is to help you create a more fulfilling life. I provide a safe space to work collaboratively with you. I will listen and use my knowledge base to help address the parts of your life that feel challenging. I work in both short term and long term treatment modalities.
If you're here it's because you are brave and ready to take the next step towards healing past wounds and letting go of relationships and patterns that no longer serve you. When we are in the midst of our darkness, whether it's because we are getting over a break-up, dealing with a sudden loss, recovering from a trauma, healing from past wounds, or simply not feeling worthy, it's often difficult to see all the possibilities that lie before us. If your ready for change and willing to do the work, together we can start manifesting the life you're meant to live.
If you're here it's because you are brave and ready to take the next step towards healing past wounds and letting go of relationships and patterns that no longer serve you. When we are in the midst of our darkness, whether it's because we are getting over a break-up, dealing with a sudden loss, recovering from a trauma, healing from past wounds, or simply not feeling worthy, it's often difficult to see all the possibilities that lie before us. If your ready for change and willing to do the work, together we can start manifesting the life you're meant to live.
Welcome. You may have found your way here by beginning a search for support or change. But why therapy? My role is to help you highlight and eliminate the things in your life that are keeping you from contentment.This may be for your own personal development or the support of a loved one, such as a child or a spouse. The goal of my work is to support families as a whole. I work individually with children, adults, and couples. My clients often enjoy the depth of our work that includes attention to practical solutions.
Welcome. You may have found your way here by beginning a search for support or change. But why therapy? My role is to help you highlight and eliminate the things in your life that are keeping you from contentment.This may be for your own personal development or the support of a loved one, such as a child or a spouse. The goal of my work is to support families as a whole. I work individually with children, adults, and couples. My clients often enjoy the depth of our work that includes attention to practical solutions.
Rebekka Helford
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
6 Endorsed
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Countless clients have expressed this frustration to me: “I know I do this, and I know why I do it. But that hasn’t stopped me from doing it! I’ve been in therapy for ages. What am I doing wrong?” If this sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place. Although developing insight into your challenges is a great first step toward healing, unfortunately, it cannot transform your life because of one hard fact: you cannot out-think your pain!
Countless clients have expressed this frustration to me: “I know I do this, and I know why I do it. But that hasn’t stopped me from doing it! I’ve been in therapy for ages. What am I doing wrong?” If this sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place. Although developing insight into your challenges is a great first step toward healing, unfortunately, it cannot transform your life because of one hard fact: you cannot out-think your pain!
Patrycja (Pati) Szafran
Associate Clinical Social Worker, MSW, ASW
Verified Verified
8 Endorsed
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Hi! I’m Pati, and I’m so glad you're here seeking support. I offer help for families looking to improve their home environments, and support to kids and young adults struggling with relationships, anxiety, depression, perfectionism, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). My clients often face the burden of intrusive thoughts and compulsions that affect their daily lives. Even if they appear fine on the outside, the persistent anxiety, obsessions, or rituals impact their relationships, school, or work. I use effective evidence-based treatments like ERP, with great success in providing relief and offering hope for an easier future.
Hi! I’m Pati, and I’m so glad you're here seeking support. I offer help for families looking to improve their home environments, and support to kids and young adults struggling with relationships, anxiety, depression, perfectionism, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). My clients often face the burden of intrusive thoughts and compulsions that affect their daily lives. Even if they appear fine on the outside, the persistent anxiety, obsessions, or rituals impact their relationships, school, or work. I use effective evidence-based treatments like ERP, with great success in providing relief and offering hope for an easier future.
Tristan Destry Saldaña
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA
Verified Verified
Santa Monica, CA 90401 (Online Only)
Perhaps no one can ever inhabit fully the lived experience of another, nor would I presume that I could know it, yet our therapeutic relationship can—without disrespecting the integrity of your lived experience—present the opportunity to take your perspective. I hope to imagine your experience because, as Carl Jung articulates: “Loneliness does not come from having no people around you but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important to you," and in the memory of childhood’s loneliness and solitude, creative power resides.
Perhaps no one can ever inhabit fully the lived experience of another, nor would I presume that I could know it, yet our therapeutic relationship can—without disrespecting the integrity of your lived experience—present the opportunity to take your perspective. I hope to imagine your experience because, as Carl Jung articulates: “Loneliness does not come from having no people around you but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important to you," and in the memory of childhood’s loneliness and solitude, creative power resides.
Are you struggling to figure out how to best support your child? 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. Some children benefit from therapy to work through life events, deal with anxiety, depression, or trauma.
Are you struggling to figure out how to best support your child? 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. Some children benefit from therapy to work through life events, deal with anxiety, depression, or trauma.
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Psychological Testing & Evaluations - Dr. Dean
Psychologist, PsyD, QME, Author
Verified Verified
Santa Monica, CA 90401
I'm Dr. Dean Leav, licensed psychologist and qualified medical evaluator (QME). I've been featured on ABC, NBC, KCAL, and other programs as an expert psychologist. I provide Evaluation Services, including (and not limited to): diagnostics (ADHD, Autism, Learning Dis.), cognitive/neuropsychological evaluations, workers' compensation (QME/AME), immigration-related evaluations, pre-adoption psychological evaluations, parenting/bonding assessments, drug & alcohol evaluations, pre-employment evaluations, and legal/forensics/criminal evaluations. These evaluations may be used to meet eligibility for certain services or accommodations.
I'm Dr. Dean Leav, licensed psychologist and qualified medical evaluator (QME). I've been featured on ABC, NBC, KCAL, and other programs as an expert psychologist. I provide Evaluation Services, including (and not limited to): diagnostics (ADHD, Autism, Learning Dis.), cognitive/neuropsychological evaluations, workers' compensation (QME/AME), immigration-related evaluations, pre-adoption psychological evaluations, parenting/bonding assessments, drug & alcohol evaluations, pre-employment evaluations, and legal/forensics/criminal evaluations. These evaluations may be used to meet eligibility for certain services or accommodations.
Nay Smith
Marriage & Family Therapist, PsyD, LMFT, BCBA
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Santa Monica, CA 90403
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.
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.
The Integrated Clinic provides client-centered, collaborative, coordinated care to clients, leveraging the latest advances in neuroscience and technology in order to foster health, wellness, and performance. Together, we work synergistically to offer scientifically-informed and seamless care that promotes patient outcomes. Our Clinic team provides interdisciplinary services to foster health/wellness, education, and performance.
The Integrated Clinic provides client-centered, collaborative, coordinated care to clients, leveraging the latest advances in neuroscience and technology in order to foster health, wellness, and performance. Together, we work synergistically to offer scientifically-informed and seamless care that promotes patient outcomes. Our Clinic team provides interdisciplinary services to foster health/wellness, education, and performance.
Kathryn Sparks
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Santa Monica, CA 90402
With a background in the entertainment business, I have always been fascinated with other people and their stories. I see therapy as a creative, collaborative process in which I work closely with individuals, couples and families to find new ways of understanding their unique narrative. I believe I can help clients find acceptance, empowerment and purpose.
With a background in the entertainment business, I have always been fascinated with other people and their stories. I see therapy as a creative, collaborative process in which I work closely with individuals, couples and families to find new ways of understanding their unique narrative. I believe I can help clients find acceptance, empowerment and purpose.
Lori Shnorhokian
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Santa Monica, CA 90405 (Online Only)
I provide a safe environment and compassionate, non-judgmental counseling to help you explore the personal and relationship challenges you are facing and begin working toward lasting solutions. Whether you are looking for personal growth, relationship healing or overall support, I can help you to more clearly understand why you are struggling and what steps you can take to feel more confident and in control of your life. When you develop new coping skills, you give yourself the resources and confidence you need to effectively manage challenges rather than giving into unhealthy compulsions and negative self-talk.
I provide a safe environment and compassionate, non-judgmental counseling to help you explore the personal and relationship challenges you are facing and begin working toward lasting solutions. Whether you are looking for personal growth, relationship healing or overall support, I can help you to more clearly understand why you are struggling and what steps you can take to feel more confident and in control of your life. When you develop new coping skills, you give yourself the resources and confidence you need to effectively manage challenges rather than giving into unhealthy compulsions and negative self-talk.
Natalia Boucher
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
8 Endorsed
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Welcome! I am a bilingual psychotherapist/ psychoanalyst, committed to providing compassionate, culturally sensitive, and effective therapeutic services to diverse populations. Life at times presents us with struggles and setbacks, but sometimes the same problems will keep on recurring unless you make a change. Therapy can help you find the underlying causes of why you feel the way you do and finally move towards relief. My therapy style offers a safe, warm and compassionate environment while encouraging my clients to recognize their strengths and weaknesses within themselves.
Welcome! I am a bilingual psychotherapist/ psychoanalyst, committed to providing compassionate, culturally sensitive, and effective therapeutic services to diverse populations. Life at times presents us with struggles and setbacks, but sometimes the same problems will keep on recurring unless you make a change. Therapy can help you find the underlying causes of why you feel the way you do and finally move towards relief. My therapy style offers a safe, warm and compassionate environment while encouraging my clients to recognize their strengths and weaknesses within themselves.
Pacific Marriage & Family Therapy Network
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
11 Endorsed
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Pacific MFT Network is a group of highly skilled, diverse, and well-trained therapists. Our mission is to empower you to live the life you want. We do so by creating supportive, caring, and non-judgmental relationships with our clients. We work to provide you with the best care possible and reduce obstacles to participation. Additional benefits to working with us include a unique concierge billing service and a wide range of scheduling options (all weekdays, weekends, day and evening appointments are available). We work with children, teens, and adults of all ages.
Pacific MFT Network is a group of highly skilled, diverse, and well-trained therapists. Our mission is to empower you to live the life you want. We do so by creating supportive, caring, and non-judgmental relationships with our clients. We work to provide you with the best care possible and reduce obstacles to participation. Additional benefits to working with us include a unique concierge billing service and a wide range of scheduling options (all weekdays, weekends, day and evening appointments are available). We work with children, teens, and adults of all ages.
Jennifer Hayden
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MS, AMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Hello and welcome! If you are considering therapy, I understand the first step to finding the right therapist for you can be overwhelming. I believe that a strong therapeutic relationship can be used as an intervention in and of itself. My goal is to meet you where you are at and create a compassionate and secure environment where you feel respected and heard.
Hello and welcome! If you are considering therapy, I understand the first step to finding the right therapist for you can be overwhelming. I believe that a strong therapeutic relationship can be used as an intervention in and of itself. My goal is to meet you where you are at and create a compassionate and secure environment where you feel respected and heard.
I believe growth happens best in the context of supportive relationships. Consequently, my style is dedicated to fostering trust and rapport between us, establishing a therapeutic space where you can cultivate acceptance and self-compassion. My approach to therapy balances directness and candor with nurturance and warmth. I am passionate about helping others discover more moments of peace, joy, hope, and laughter in their everyday lives. In our collaborative journey, we will reflect together, explore patterns, and unearth core beliefs. I use a strengths-based approach, building upon the strengths you already possess.
I believe growth happens best in the context of supportive relationships. Consequently, my style is dedicated to fostering trust and rapport between us, establishing a therapeutic space where you can cultivate acceptance and self-compassion. My approach to therapy balances directness and candor with nurturance and warmth. I am passionate about helping others discover more moments of peace, joy, hope, and laughter in their everyday lives. In our collaborative journey, we will reflect together, explore patterns, and unearth core beliefs. I use a strengths-based approach, building upon the strengths you already possess.
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Toddler Therapists
What are the behavioral signs indicating a toddler might need counseling?
Common behavioral signs that a child may need counseling include high levels of emotional distress or anxiety, learning challenges, interpersonal conflict, anger, or social withdrawal. Any drastic changes in toddler behavior or self-esteem can be indicative that a child may benefit from therapy. Seeing a therapist at the early stages of any behavioral changes can be most impactful on behavior, as well as helpful to caregivers who may receive guidance on what symptoms to look for in their child in the future, even if therapy is not warranted at that time.
Can a two-year-old see a psychologist?
Children and adults of all ages can see psychologists and other forms of mental health professionals, such as counselors, psychiatrists, and social workers. Families seeking therapy for their toddler should just be aware that any guidance they seek should come from a professional who has specific experience working with young children, as well as the specific modalities that are appropriate for young children, such as play therapy.
What is the most effective type of therapy for toddlers and preschoolers?
In general, play therapy is the most effective and common form of therapy for young children. Play therapy helps facilitate behavior change by offering an age-appropriate way for children to express their emotions and develop more effective coping strategies. Toddlers with specific concerns may benefit from more specialized forms of therapy, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism or Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) for toddlers in families in which there is significant parent-child relational conflict.
What happens during therapy sessions for toddlers?
What occurs in therapy sessions for toddlers depends on the therapeutic approach being used by the therapist. Most toddler therapists will use some form of play therapy in sessions to encourage toddler engagement. In play therapy sessions, children are encouraged to use toys within the therapy setting to express their emotions; subsequent responses by the therapist and/or family members can help guide toddler behavior and behavior change. Toddler therapy sessions can also involve family therapy or Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), which can help improve parenting behaviors and reduce strain on families.