Child Therapy in Calabasas
Child Therapy in Calabasas with Julie Klamon, LMFT
When your child is hurting, it shows up in ways that are hard to read. A normally easygoing kid turns clingy or angry. Sleep falls apart. Stomachaches appear before school. Sometimes there is an obvious cause, like a divorce or a frightening event, and sometimes there is not. Either way, watching your child struggle and not knowing how to help is one of the harder parts of parenting.
I have spent more than 20 years as a child therapist, working with kids facing anxiety, depression, family changes, bullying, and trauma. Children do not process feelings the way adults do. They show us through play, drawing, and behavior long before they can explain themselves in words. My job is to meet your child in that language and help them make sense of what they are carrying.
My office is in Agoura Hills, about 10 minutes from Calabasas on the 101, which makes after-school appointments manageable. I also offer secure video sessions for families across California.
Child Therapy for the Calabasas Community
Kids in Calabasas grow up in a high-achieving environment. Even in elementary school, there is an undercurrent of comparison, scheduling, and expectation that children absorb without having the words for it. Many of the kids I see are doing well by every outside measure and still feel anxious, pressured, or not quite enough. Parents are often surprised, because their child seems to have everything going for them.
I also see a familiar pattern in this community: a child who holds it together all day at Chaparral, Bay Laurel, or A.C. Stelle, then falls apart the moment they are home. That is not a sign of bad parenting. It usually means your child has been working hard to manage big feelings in a setting where they feel they have to perform, and home is where they finally let go. Therapy gives them a safer place to put those feelings down.
How I Approach Child Therapy
Therapy with children looks different from therapy with adults, and it should. We use play, expressive art, therapeutic games, and age-appropriate mindfulness to help kids show and understand what is going on inside. Along the way I teach concrete coping tools they can actually use when they are upset at school or at home. The pace is set by your child, and trust comes first. You can read more about my general approach on my child therapy page.
Parents are part of this work. I check in with you regularly to share what I am noticing, suggest things to try at home, and make sure we are pulling in the same direction. I keep your child's trust while giving you the guidance you need to support them between sessions.
What Parents Should Know
You do not need a diagnosis or a crisis to bring your child in. If something feels off, that instinct is worth honoring. Many parents tell me afterward that they wish they had reached out sooner instead of waiting to see if things would settle on their own. Early support often means a shorter, easier path. And if I think your child needs something beyond what I offer, I will tell you and help you find the right fit.
Who I Work With
Children (8+)
Teens
Adults
Seniors
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Therapy in Calabasas
Therapy can help when a child's mood or behavior starts interfering with daily life. That might look like new anxiety, sadness, anger, trouble sleeping, or pulling away from friends. It is also useful during big changes like a divorce, a move, a loss, or a frightening event. If your gut tells you something is off, that is worth a conversation.
I work with children ages 8 and up, along with teens and adults. With younger children I rely on play, art, and concrete activities because that is how they show what they cannot yet put into words. With older kids the work shifts toward talking and coping skills.
Yes. Parents are an important part of the process. How much you are in the room depends on your child's age and what brought them in, but I meet with parents regularly to share what I am seeing, offer guidance, and suggest things to try at home. Your child's privacy is respected, and we find the right balance together.
Very common. Many kids hold it together all day at schools like Chaparral, Bay Laurel, or A.C. Stelle and then let everything out once they are home and feel safe. That pattern does not mean you are doing anything wrong. It often means your child has been working hard to manage big feelings, and therapy gives them a better outlet for them.
My office in Agoura Hills is about 10 minutes from Calabasas on the 101, an easy trip for after-school appointments. Virtual sessions are also available across California for families who prefer to meet from home.
In-Person and Virtual Child Therapy Near Calabasas
My office in Agoura Hills, CA 91301 is a short drive from Calabasas for in person child therapy. I also work with families from the surrounding communities, including Hidden Hills, CA, Woodland Hills, CA, Agoura Hills, CA, Westlake Village, CA, Malibu, CA, and Oak Park, CA. Virtual therapy sessions are available to families located anywhere within the state of California.
If you have been worried about your child, I am glad to talk it through. Schedule a complimentary phone consultation and we can figure out the best next step together.