Child Therapy in Malibu
Child Therapy in Malibu with Julie Klamon, LMFT
Children pick up on more than adults realize. They absorb the tension in the house. They notice when something is off, even if no one explains it to them. And in a place like Malibu, where wildfires have disrupted entire communities and the culture around them moves quickly, children can be left carrying feelings they do not know how to put into words. Child therapy in Malibu gives your son or daughter a place to work through those feelings with someone trained to listen to what kids are actually saying, even when they are not saying much.
With two decades of experience as a licensed marriage and family therapist, I have worked with hundreds of children. Much of my early career was spent at a Los Angeles agency where I worked directly with children recovering from trauma, giving me specialized skill in understanding how young minds process difficult experiences. That background shapes everything I do with the children I see today.
My office in Agoura Hills is about 25 minutes from Malibu via Las Virgenes Road and Malibu Canyon Road. For younger children, in-person sessions tend to work best, though virtual sessions are also available.
Child Therapy for the Malibu Community
Children growing up in the Malibu area face a set of experiences that many therapists elsewhere may not fully understand. Some have lived through wildfire evacuations. Others have watched their family rebuild a home or leave the community entirely. The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) is a small system where social dynamics can feel intense, and children in high-profile families may carry pressures related to their parents' public visibility. These are real factors that affect how a child feels and behaves, and they deserve to be taken seriously.
At the same time, many childhood struggles in Malibu are universal. Anxiety about school. Difficulty making or keeping friends. Adjusting to a new sibling, a parental separation, or a move. Big emotions that come out as tantrums or withdrawal. Whatever is going on with your child, I meet them where they are and help them build the skills they need to feel more confident and less overwhelmed.
My Approach to Child Therapy
Children ages 8 through 10 are in a unique developmental window. They are old enough to have complex feelings and to understand cause and effect, but they often lack the vocabulary to describe what is going on inside. My approach uses conversation, creative activities, and relationship-building to help children identify their emotions and learn how to handle them. You can read more about my general approach on my child therapy page.
Parents are involved from the beginning. We start with a conversation about what you are seeing at home and at school, and I check in with you regularly throughout treatment. Your child's sessions are their own private space, but I make sure you have the information and tools you need to support them between appointments.
What Parents Should Know
You do not need to have all the answers before you call. Many parents reach out to me unsure whether what they are seeing in their child is serious enough for therapy. The truth is, if something feels off to you, that instinct is worth paying attention to. Children do not need to be in crisis to benefit from working with a therapist. Sometimes early support is the thing that keeps a small problem from becoming a big one. I am happy to talk through what you are noticing and help you decide whether therapy is the right step.
Who I Work With
Children Ages 8-10
Parents and Caregivers
Families
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Therapy in Malibu
I work with children ages 8 through 10 for child therapy. Children in this age range are old enough to engage in conversation about their feelings but still benefit from creative and activity-based approaches in session. For children ages 11 and older, I offer teen therapy, which adjusts to the developmental needs of adolescents.
Yes. Many children in the Malibu area have been through wildfire evacuations, seen their homes or neighborhoods damaged, or absorbed the anxiety of the adults around them during fire season. Children do not always have the words to describe what they are feeling, so their distress can show up as changes in behavior, trouble sleeping, difficulty at school, or increased clinginess. Therapy gives them a place to process those experiences in a way that makes sense for their age.
Look for changes that last more than a couple of weeks. A child who was outgoing and has become withdrawn. A child who is suddenly having trouble at school or with friends. Frequent stomachaches or headaches with no medical cause. Increased anger or tearfulness. Regression to younger behaviors like bedwetting. These can all be signals that your child is struggling with something they cannot handle on their own.
Yes, parents are an important part of the process. I typically meet with parents at the start to understand what is going on at home and at school, and I check in regularly to share observations and suggestions. The child's individual sessions are their own private space, but I keep parents informed and involved in the overall treatment plan.
I am familiar with the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District and the specific environment that children in the area experience. Academic expectations, social dynamics in small school communities, and the unique pressures of growing up in a high-profile area all play a role. I take these factors into account when working with children from Malibu-area schools.
My office in Agoura Hills is easy to reach from Malibu. The drive is straightforward and avoids freeway traffic. I also offer virtual sessions, though in-person sessions tend to work better for younger children.
In-Person and Virtual Child Therapy Near Malibu
My office in Agoura Hills, CA 91301 is convenient for in-person child therapy near Malibu. I also see families from the surrounding communities, including Agoura Hills, CA, Calabasas, CA, Westlake Village, CA, Topanga, CA, Woodland Hills, CA, Thousand Oaks, CA, and Oak Park, CA. Virtual sessions are available for families located anywhere in California.
If your child is struggling and you are not sure what to do, a conversation can help clarify things. Schedule a complimentary phone consultation and we can talk about what you are seeing and whether therapy is the right next step.
CONTACT
Offering Both Virtual And In-Person Sessions