Child Therapy in Porter Ranch
Child Therapy in Porter Ranch with Julie Klamon, LMFT
When something is wrong with a child, it usually does not come out in words. It comes out in stomachaches before school, a temper that flares over small things, a kid who used to love soccer at the local park and now does not want to go. Parents in Porter Ranch often tell me they can feel that something is off well before they can name it. That instinct is worth trusting, and it is a good reason to reach out.
For more than 20 years I have worked as a child therapist, helping kids through anxiety, sadness, big life changes, bullying, divorce, and the kinds of fears they cannot quite explain. Children do not process things the way adults do. They show you through play, through art, through how they act rather than what they say. My job is to meet them in that language and help them make sense of what they are feeling.
My office is in Agoura Hills, about 35 to 40 minutes from Porter Ranch by way of the 118 and the 101. In-person sessions are available there, and virtual sessions are also available across California.
How Children Show They Are Struggling
A child in distress rarely sits you down to talk it through. Instead you might see sleep that falls apart, a sudden drop in grades, clinginess, meltdowns over nothing, or a quiet withdrawal from things they used to enjoy. Some kids get angry. Some get very good, almost too good, and hold everything in. In session I use play therapy, expressive art, age-appropriate mindfulness, and therapeutic games to give children a way to externalize what is happening inside, then teach them coping skills they can actually use. The aim is for your child to feel understood and to walk away with tools, not just a place to sit.
Child Therapy for the Porter Ranch Community
Porter Ranch is built around young and growing families. The neighborhoods are newer, the schools and youth activities are a center of community life, and many parents have moved here precisely because it feels like a good place to raise kids. That is true, and it also sets a high bar. Children pick up on the pace and the expectations early. Between school, sports, and a full calendar, some kids have very little unstructured time, and the pressure can land harder than parents realize.
Families here also move through the same hard things every community does: a divorce, a move, a loss in the family, a friendship that turned painful, an experience that frightened them. Schools such as Castlebay Lane Charter and Sierra Canyon do a lot, but a child carrying anxiety or grief often needs a separate, protected space to work it out. That is what therapy provides.
How I Approach Child Therapy
I meet a child where they are developmentally. A seven or eight year old needs concrete, playful tools. An older child can do more direct talking and problem solving. I tailor the work to your child's age, temperament, and what brought them in, whether that is anxiety, low mood, self-esteem, or a specific event. You can read more about my general approach on my child therapy page.
Parents are part of this. I check in with you regularly, share what I am seeing in age-appropriate terms, and give you specific things to try at home so the progress carries beyond my office. I also offer parenting support for the moments you feel stuck, because raising a child through a hard stretch is demanding, and you do not have to figure it out alone.
Who I Work With
Children (8+)
Teens
Parents
Families
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Therapy in Porter Ranch
Therapy can help when your child is struggling in a way that is interfering with daily life. Persistent anxiety or sadness, low self-esteem, trouble with peers, big behavior changes, or a hard event like a divorce, a loss, or something frightening are all good reasons to reach out. If your gut says something is off, that is usually worth listening to.
I work with children ages eight and up, as well as teens. With younger kids I lean on play, art, and games, since that is how they process. With older children and teens I do more direct talking and skill building. The approach is matched to your child's developmental stage.
Yes. The level of involvement depends on your child's age and what brought them in, but I meet with parents regularly to share updates, offer guidance, and suggest strategies to use at home. Therapy works best when what we build in session is reinforced in your child's daily life.
Yes. A lot of children in the Porter Ranch area feel pressure to perform and to keep up, and that can show up as worry, perfectionism, stomachaches, or trouble sleeping. I help kids understand those feelings and build tools to manage them, and I work with parents so school stays a challenge your child can handle rather than something to dread.
My Agoura Hills office is about 35 to 40 minutes from Porter Ranch via the 118 and the 101. In-person sessions are available there, and virtual sessions across California are also an option.
In-Person and Virtual Child Therapy Near Porter Ranch
My office in Agoura Hills, CA 91301 offers in-person child therapy for families in and around Porter Ranch, including Northridge, CA, Granada Hills, CA, Chatsworth, CA, and the wider northwest San Fernando Valley. Virtual sessions are also available to families located within California.
If you have a feeling your child needs support, that is a good place to start a conversation. Schedule a complimentary phone consultation and we can talk about what is going on and whether therapy is the right fit.