Child Therapy in Simi Valley
Child Therapy in Simi Valley with Julie Klamon, LMFT
When your child is struggling, you feel it in your whole body. Maybe the teacher has called again. Maybe bedtime has become a nightly battle, or your once-outgoing kid has started pulling away from friends. You have tried talking to them. You have tried consequences, rewards, patience, and everything the parenting books suggest. But something is still not right, and you cannot figure out what it is. Child therapy in Simi Valley can help your family get to the bottom of what is going on and give your child real support.
For two decades, I have worked with children dealing with anxiety, depression, behavioral challenges, trauma, grief, divorce adjustment, and social difficulties. A significant part of my career was spent at a Los Angeles agency helping children recover from serious adversity, and that experience shaped how I approach every child who walks into my office. Children communicate differently than adults. They show you what they feel through their behavior, their play, and the stories they tell long before they can put it into words.
My office in Agoura Hills is about 25 minutes from Simi Valley, an easy drive along the 118 to the 101. Virtual sessions are available too, which can work well for some children depending on their age and comfort level.
A Message for Parents
If you are reading this page, you are already doing the right thing. The fact that you are looking into therapy for your child means you are paying attention and willing to act on what you are seeing. That matters more than you realize. Many parents come to me worried that they waited too long or that they should have caught the signs earlier. I want you to know that the timing is right whenever you decide to reach out. Children are resilient, and with the right support, they can work through a lot more than we give them credit for.
Child Therapy for Simi Valley Families
Simi Valley is a great place to raise kids. The schools in the Simi Valley Unified School District are well-regarded, the youth sports programs from Little League to soccer keep families busy on weekends, and there is a genuine sense of neighborhood here that is hard to find closer to LA. But even in a community this solid, children can struggle. Academic pressure starts earlier than it used to. Social dynamics at school can be brutal. And family changes like divorce, a move, or the loss of a grandparent hit children harder than adults sometimes realize.
Parents in Simi Valley tend to be hands-on and involved, which is a real asset when a child needs therapy. The families I work with are not looking for someone to fix their kid. They are looking for someone who can help them understand what their child is going through and give the whole family better tools for handling it. That is exactly what I do.
How I Work with Children
Children ages 8 and up are at a stage where they can begin to reflect on their feelings and experiences, but they still need help making sense of them. My sessions are interactive and engaging because that is how children learn best. We work on identifying emotions, understanding what triggers certain behaviors, and building coping skills that your child can actually use in the moment, at school, on the playground, or at home. You can learn more about my approach on my child therapy page.
Parents are always part of the process. I meet with parents separately to share what themes are coming up, discuss progress, and offer practical strategies you can use between sessions. Your child's trust is protected, which means I do not repeat everything they say to me word for word. But you will always know the direction of the work and how you can support it at home.
Who I Work With
Children (8-10)
Preteens (11-12)
Parents and Families
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Therapy in Simi Valley
Child therapy in Simi Valley with me is different from adult therapy. Children do not always have the vocabulary to explain what they are feeling, so I use creative and interactive approaches to help them express themselves. Sessions might include drawing, storytelling, or games that let your child show me what is going on inside. The goal is to help your child feel understood and to give them real tools for handling their emotions.
I work with children ages 8 and up. At this age, children are old enough to engage in the therapeutic process in a meaningful way, and they are at a stage where early intervention can make a lasting difference in how they handle stress, social challenges, and difficult emotions.
Yes. Acting out is often a child's way of communicating that something is wrong when they do not have the words for it. The behavior you see at school or at home, the meltdowns, the defiance, the refusal to do homework, those are usually symptoms of something deeper. Anxiety, a difficult experience, changes at home, or social struggles at school can all drive behavior that looks like a discipline problem but is really an emotional one. Therapy helps get to the root of it.
My office in Agoura Hills is easy to reach from Simi Valley. Many parents bring their children after school and find the timing works well with their afternoon routine. I also offer virtual sessions, which can be a good option for children who are comfortable with video calls.
Absolutely. Parents are an essential part of child therapy. I will keep you informed about the themes we are working on without breaking your child's trust by sharing every detail of what they say in session. I also meet with parents regularly to discuss progress, answer questions, and help you support your child's growth at home. Your involvement makes the work more effective.
I do. Virtual sessions are available to families anywhere in California. For some children, meeting virtually from a familiar space at home actually helps them open up more easily. For others, in-person sessions work better. We can talk about what makes sense for your child during our initial consultation.
In-Person and Virtual Therapy Options Available
My office in Agoura Hills, CA 91301 is convenient for in-person child therapy near Simi Valley. I also see families from the surrounding communities, including Moorpark, CA, Thousand Oaks, CA, Westlake Village, CA, Agoura Hills, CA, Oak Park, CA, and Camarillo, CA. Virtual therapy sessions are available to families located anywhere within the state of California.
If your child is struggling and you are not sure what to do next, a phone call is a good place to start. Schedule a complimentary consultation and we can talk about what you are seeing and whether therapy might be the right step for your family.
CONTACT
Offering Both Virtual And In-Person Sessions