IN PERSON & ONLINE THERAPY FOR PATIENTS IN CALIFORNIA

Children & Teens

AGES 5 - 18

 

It can be so difficult to see your child struggle.

Maybe you’re noticing:

  • Crying or worrying more often than other children/teens their age

  • Extreme fears about specific things or situations

  • Irritability

  • Complaining of feeling sick often (tired, stomachache, headache, sore muscles)

  • Decreased interest in hobbies

  • Difficulty relaxing or sitting still

  • Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or frequent nightmares

  • Appetite changes (eating more or less than usual)

  • Problems with paying attention or concentrating

  • Declining school performance and/or school refusal

  • Frequent conflicts with siblings, parents, or friends

I’m here to help.

 

HOW THERAPY WORKS

Initial sessions will focus on diagnostic evaluation and treatment planning. Many problems can be addressed through short-term therapy, while other more complex problems may require longer-term therapy. The anticipated duration of treatment will be discussed during the initial sessions.

Ongoing therapy consists of individual sessions with your child (therapist and child) as well as family sessions (therapist, child, and parent/parents), as parents are vital to the treatment process. Depending on the age of your child and presenting concerns, parent-only sessions may also be included in the treatment plan.

After the completion of therapy, it can often be helpful to have periodic “booster sessions” to review skills and problem solve together around new challenges as they arise. I’m here to support you and your child’s ongoing growth and development.

Therapy can help your child:

  • Reduce anxiety and fears

  • Improve mood

  • Participate more fully in their usual activities

  • Build or restore healthy friendships and relationships with loved ones

  • Gain confidence and improve self-esteem

  • Improve family relationships and decrease conflict with family members

  • Reach their full potential

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment, which means clinical research has demonstrated that CBT is an effective treatment for anxiety, depression, and other psychological issues. Research studies comparing CBT to medications (such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications) have shown that CBT can be as effective (or more effective) than medication alone, and CBT is considered the gold standard treatment for most childhood psychological disorders.

In CBT, the therapist helps the child understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Therapy sessions are structured with specific goals, and the child is an active participant who collaborates with the therapist to better understand what may be causing, contributing to, and maintaining the current problems. Although the therapist and child will work together to understand the root of problems to build self-awareness, CBT is primarily present-focused.

For CBT with children, parents are also an integral part of treatment. Therefore, therapy usually also includes periodic family sessions (therapist, child, and parent) to review relevant skills and treatment progress together.

Get started today.

  • Schedule a free phone consultation

    Schedule a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation with Dr. Jordan.

  • Learn more about Bloom Psychology

    Learn more about therapy with Dr. Jordan and share your difficulties and preferences.

  • Start therapy

    Start therapy at Bloom Psychology’s conveniently located office in Palo Alto, or start teletherapy from the comfort of your own space, at a time that is convenient for you and your family.

Get started today

Your child has incredible gifts, strengths, and potential.

I’M HERE TO HELP THEM DISCOVER IT.

FAQS

Common questions about therapy for children and teens

  • Parents are an integral part of the treatment process. While I encourage parents to view therapy as a private space for their child to engage in confidential discussions about sensitive topics with the therapist, it is important that parents are aware of the treatment goals, progress, and skills being discussed in therapy. Parents are involved in the initial intake appointment. In addition, ongoing therapy typically consists of individual appointments (therapist and child/teen) and family appointments (therapist, child, and parents). Depending on the age of your child and presenting concerns, sometimes parent-only sessions are included.

  • I specialize in treating children and teens with anxiety, depression, trauma, and social challenges (e.g., difficulty making friends). Potential diagnoses include anxiety disorders (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder or panic attacks), Major Depressive Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and executive functioning difficulties, and social issues (Social Communication Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Delay).

  • I integrate a variety of evidence-based treatments, based upon clinical research and tailored to your child’s unique needs and goals. Most often, I use methods from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness.