Child & Adolescent Therapy in Newport Beach
No one ever said growing up is easy. That doesn’t mean it has to be hard.
We want children and teens to think of us as the people to talk to when no one else can understand. Our goal is to build trust and rapport through our child & adolescent therapy so they can open up about what’s bothering them. Together we celebrate and laugh about the good stuff and help them build the skills they need to weather the inevitable storms. We share your goal of helping them become their best selves, growing into self-reliant, resourceful, and happy adults. (Even if that seems a long way off.) We also want you to know we honor the relationship you’ve already built with them and are here for you, too.
A special note to parents
We all want what’s best for our children. We help you figure out what that means for yours.
As soon as our children come into the world, we’re filled with love — and worry. So much worry. Are they happy? Will they reach their full potential? Are we doing enough? Are we doing too much? Parenting books are helpful … to a point. But every child is different and every family has its own dynamic. We’ve helped countless parents decode their children’s needs — from toddlers to teenagers — coaching them through all kinds of challenges. Our version of child & adolescent therapy works individually with children, helping them not only open up about their struggles but learn strategies that build resilience and boost confidence.
Notable specialties of child & adolescent therapy include:
- Early detection of autism spectrum and neurodevelopmental disorders, including learning disorders and ADD/ADHD, through comprehensive testing and evaluation
- Use of applied behavior analysis (ABA) to best understand each child’s behavior
- Pediatric medical-psychology services for children with medical illness or injury
- Expertise in evidence-based treatments, including behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), social skills training, biofeedback, gradual exposure therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, parent-child interactive therapy (PCIT), art therapy, and play therapy
- Educational consulting and advocacy services to ensure that every child is offered a fair opportunity to learn
Speak with a Child and Adolescent Therapist in Newport Beach.
Our highly-trained Newport Beach child and adolescent professionals are ready and able to help you through the process at every turn. To start your journey, contact one of our therapists in Newport Beach that specializes in child and adolescent therapy.
Curry Psychology Group offers child and adolescent therapy in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Santa Anna, Fountain Valley, Lake Forest, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, and all of Orange County. If you have any questions about child and adolescent therapy or are not sure about how to get started, contact us anytime!
Child Therapy
Children’s mental health is just as important as their physical health. In fact, unaddressed emotional issues and stress not only diminish a child’s quality of life, but can also impair growth and development.
We understand how children show signs of distress, and we make it easy for them to open up about what’s bothering them. We pride ourselves on the fact that our child clients actually look forward to coming to therapy, and we believe this is because we genuinely love spending time with kids and helping them live their best lives.
We utilize a variety of evidence-based treatments for children including behavioral therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, biofeedback, gradual exposure therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, parent-child interactive therapy, art therapy and/or play therapy. Treatment plans typically involve a combination of methods to best meet each child’s needs.
Our child therapists specialize in managing the following issues:
- Academic stress
- Anxiety/Fearfulness/Phobias
- Attention deficit disorder (ADD)/Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Chronic disease management & coping (such as cancer, brain or spinal cord injury, diabetes, and gastro-intestinal illness)
- Coping with divorce
- Depression
- Emotional issues
- Gastro-intestinal distress/stomach aches
- Grief
- Learning disorders & learning difficulties
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Picky or restrictive eating
- Repetitive habits (e.g., skin picking, nail biting, hair pulling)
- School Avoidance or Refusal
- Social issues
- Stress
- Temper tantrums
- Tic Disorders
- Toilet training issues/encopresis (involuntary passage of stool/poop in potty-trained children)/enuresis (bedwetting)
- Tourette’s Disorder
- Traumatic Events
Therapy for Teens
Teens are under immense pressure these days, and even those who seem to “have it all together” can experience periods of depression and anxiety that parents may feel helpless to address. There’s nothing more worrisome for a parent than being uncertain of your child’s safety or well-being. When teens act out, become withdrawn or isolate, or start showing other signs of distress, we’re here to help.
Our approach is personable, open, and genuine; allowing us to build a strong rapport with our teen clients. Furthermore, we work creatively to incorporate your teens’ strengths and interests into each session so that therapy is an experience they value and engage in.
Our therapists are experts in the most effective, evidence-based treatments available for teens today, including Applied Behavior Analysis, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Animal Assisted Therapy, and Art Therapy, among others.
We specialize in treating a number of issues affecting pre-teens and teens, including:
- Abuse
- Academic stress
- Acculturation
- Anxiety
- ADD/ADHD
- Anger
- Attention issues
- Assertiveness (maintaining self-respect and healthy boundaries)
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Behavioral problems
- Body image
- Bullying
- Cultural issues
- Depression
- Developmental delays
- Divorce
- Eating disorders
- Emotional dysregulation
- Family issues
- Gender identity
- Grief/loss
- Health behaviors (healthy eating and active lifestyle)
- High-risk behavior
- Identity Issues
- Illness/coping with medical issues
- Impulsivity
- Learning difficulties
- Low self-esteem
- Mood disorders
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
- Parental divorce
- School issues
- Sexual identity
- Self-harming behavior
- Sibling rivalry
- Sleep difficulties
- Social skills
- Study skills
- Tantrums
- Transitions (e.g., relocation, new school)
- Time Management
- Trauma
- Worry
Autism Spectrum & Neurodevelopmental Disorders
ASSESSMENT & TREATMENT OF AUTISM SPECTRUM & NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
Our autism and neurodevelopmental team specializes in early detection, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum and other developmental disorders to improve children’s quality of life.
Assessment
We provide comprehensive testing to diagnose autism spectrum disorder, ADD/ADHD, learning disorders, and other cognitive or developmental issues. The results of testing are compiled in a written assessment report that includes practical recommendations for the child’s mental health treatment, academic accommodations, and at-home behavior management.
Treatment
Our providers utilize Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to understand how the surrounding environment or context influences each child’s behavior. We then partner with parents and children to implement behavioral strategies that help each child work toward relevant goals.
Pediatric Medical Psychology
Children and adolescents with medical problems are more likely to develop clinical symptoms of depression and anxiety than the general population. These symptoms can complicate recovery and may also strain family relations as children often show distress as irritability, tantruming, laziness, or opposition. Our pediatric medical psychology team helps children and parents understand the psychological impact of medical issues and helps to optimize coping, pain management, medication adherence and recovery.
Pediatric medical psychology services may be appropriate for your child if they are experiencing:
- Serious medical injury or illness (e.g., brain or spinal cord injury, cancer, diabetes, gastro-intestinal distress)
- Pain management issues
- Medication compliance/adherence issues
- Stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and other psychosocial issues related to medical treatment
Educational Consulting Services
Many parents come to us feeling helpless and frustrated as they’ve watched their child “slip through the cracks;” receiving little to no support in a school curriculum that seems to exclude children with learning and attention issues.
What parents often don’t know is that children with learning or attention issues have a wealth of options available to them within the public school system, many of which the school is required by law to provide if requested.
Our educational therapists demystify and guide parents through the process of obtaining school accommodations for your child. We’ll even accompany parents to IEP meetings to help advocate on your child’s behalf.
We help parents:
- Request a thorough educational assessment from the school that includes testing for all areas of concern. This assessment will determine whether learning and attention issues are present and identify your child’s academic strengths and challenges.
- Understand a “504 plan,” and how it can protect your child’s right to receive classroom accommodations.
- Advocate for meaningful and attainable educational goals for your child during IEP meetings. (We’ll even come with you!)
- Request classroom accommodations that are helpful for your child’s particular learning issues.
- Make decisions regarding special education, grade retention, tutoring, and private educational services to best meet your child’s learning needs.
- Seek district reimbursement for necessary educational supports received outside of school (e.g., tutoring and educational therapy).
- Appeal overly-restrictive school decisions that affect your child’s educational progress (e.g., moving to special education or retaining a grade level).