“While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.”
— Angela Schwindt

CHILD & ADOLESCENT THERAPY

Areas of Expertise

Anxiety, including:

  • Frequent worries (children who are constantly asking “what if” questions and seeking parental reassurance)

  • Specific phobias (may present as fear of the dark, fear of dogs, snakes, insects or other animals)

  • Social anxiety (worrying too much about what other people think)

  • Perfectionism (fear of making mistakes at school, sports, performances, etc., avoiding reasonable risks and/or challenges)

    Test anxiety (extreme fear and distress in the lead up to and actual day of testing, anxiety that interferes with performance)

  • Panic attacks (sudden surges of anxiety which can often present as explosive tantrums in kids)

  • Avoidance behaviors (any avoidance of developmentally appropriate and expected behaviors such as speaking to peers and/or adults, playdates, going to school regularly, participating in sports and/or other after school activities, etc.)

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or general concerns about repetitive behaviors that interfere with daily life

Low mood and/or clinical depression, may present as unexpected spells of sadness, irritability, and/or unwillingness to engage in usual activities

Trichotillomania (hair pulling) and/or other body-focused repetitive behaviors (nail biting, nervous habits, etc.)

Insomnia, and/or other childhood sleep issues (e.g., difficulty sleeping alone at night)

Coping with medical conditions, injuries, and/or chronic illness

General stress management and coping skills

Grief and trauma

Communication skills and relationship challenges

CHILD & ADOLESCENT THERAPY

Getting Started

1. Initial Phone Call

When I receive an inquiry about my child and adolescent therapy practice, I will reach out to you and set up a time for a brief complimentary parent phone call (usually 15-20 minutes).  One parent can take the lead on this introductory call, although sometimes both parents prefer to be present.   When we speak, you provide an overview of your concerns and reasons for seeking therapy for your child/adolescent.  I will tell you more about my therapy approach, session fees, and availability.  If your needs seem generally compatible with my practice and availability, we will schedule an initial parent-only consultation at a mutually agreed upon time.

2. Initial Parent-Only Consultation

The first meeting is a 75-minute parent-only consultation to discuss your concerns and reasons for seeking therapy for your child/adolescent in greater detail.  If there are two parents in the home (or parents are divorced and live separately), both parents are required to be present.  While I do offer telehealth sessions for some clients, the initial consultation is typically in person at my office in downtown Palo Alto.  If for some reason this is not possible for you, please let me know so we can discuss and plan accordingly.     

I will ask you to review and complete some forms in advance of this consultation.  This includes therapy treatment consents, confidentiality statements, and a general background questionnaire about your child and your family.  If your child/adolescent has been previously evaluated, I will ask you to share copies of any documents or written reports.  

Please note, both custodial parents are required to review and sign my Treatment Agreement, providing consent, before I meet with your child/adolescent for the first time.  

Toward the end of the consultation, we will discuss whether my therapeutic approach is appropriate for your child/adolescent’s needs, and whether you feel that I am a good fit for them.  If for any reason this is not the case, I will offer targeted referrals to other providers to support you in establishing more appropriate care. 

3. First Meetings with Child/Adolescent and Parent Follow-up

If we agree to move forward, we’ll set a schedule for your child/adolescent to meet with me (usually once/week).  In the first few sessions, we explore their specific concerns and goals, assess psychological symptoms and areas of difficulty, and talk about how therapy works.  I will answer any questions they have about the process and assess their level of motivation to participate.  Most importantly, the goal in the first few sessions is to build rapport and establish a trusting connection.

After 3-4 sessions with your child/adolescent, there will be a follow-up parent-only meeting to discuss their initial response to therapy and how you can support the process moving forward.  We discuss my treatment recommendations (which may include adjunct therapies and/or further assessments), the expected course of therapy, and answer other questions you may have about the process.  Many times, periodic parent-only support sessions are recommended.  

CHILD & ADOLESCENT THERAPY

Therapy Guidelines & Policies

Once we have established a plan for meeting regularly, the following guidelines/policies provide a structure for our collaborative work together.    

  • Sessions are typically scheduled for 50-minutes in length, unless we agree upon a shorter or longer session.  In the beginning of therapy, we usually meet once/week although each situation is unique.  We will discuss and agree upon a plan that is suitable for your child/adolescent’s needs.  

  • I understand life with children and teenagers is unpredictable. If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please provide at least 24 hours’ notice. Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice or no-shows will be charged at my standard fee, unless there is sudden onset of illness or an emergency.

  • My fees are discussed in our initial telephone call and payment is due at the time of service.  I do not accept insurance; however, I can provide you with a receipt (superbill) that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.  Please check with your insurance provider for specific details on coverage and reimbursement for “out of network providers” before we meet for the first time.

  • Communication outside of scheduled sessions is typically limited to brief administrative matters, such as scheduling changes and sharing of forms and/or insurance invoices.  I use a HIPAA compliant communications platform called Spruce Health which allows us to send messages quickly, securely, and efficiently.  Information about using Spruce and support in setting up your account is provided early in the process.

  • If you experience an emergency or crisis, please contact your nearest emergency services or visit the nearest hospital.  I am unable to provide 24/7 crisis intervention.  The following emergency services may also be accessed:

    National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 (Available 24/7)

    Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 (Available 24/7)

  • You are welcome to end your child/adolescent’s therapy at any time.  However, I recommend we discuss your decision in a session so we can plan collaboratively for appropriate closure (reviewing your child/adolescent’s progress and discussing any ongoing needs).  

    I may also determine that therapy is no longer effective or that a different treatment approach is needed.  When this happens, I will alert you and discuss a transition plan for your child/adolescent to a more appropriate provider.  

    In most cases, we decide together to end treatment.  There is often a period in which we meet less often (every 2 weeks or once per month), supporting you and your child/adolescent toward a successful end of treatment.