Child Therapy in Long Beach & Lakewood, CA
If your child is struggling—whether they’re acting out, withdrawing, having meltdowns, or just seeming different lately—you want to help, but you might not know how. You’re doing the right thing by seeking support.
Every child deserves to feel understood, supported, and equipped to handle life’s challenges. Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, behavioral issues, family changes, trauma, or just needs someone to talk to, therapy can help them build resilience and confidence.
At Hygieia Behavioral Health Foundation, our licensed child therapists provide compassionate, developmentally appropriate care for children and teens throughout Long Beach, Lakewood, and California. Under the clinical direction of Dr. Sade Thompson, Doctor of Psychology and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, we create a safe, welcoming space where young people can express themselves, develop coping skills, and thrive. We offer in-person sessions at our Long Beach and Lakewood offices, and virtual therapy throughout California for children and teens.
When Children Need Therapy
Children communicate distress differently than adults. You might notice:
- Emotional Signs:
- Excessive worry, fear, or clinginess
- Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or crying
- Frequent emotional outbursts or tantrums
- Anger or irritability that seems out of proportion
- Low self-esteem or negative self-talk
- Fear of separation from parents
- Behavioral Signs:
- Acting out, defiance, or oppositional behavior
- Cithdrawal from friends, family, or activities they used to enjoy
- Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
- Regression (bedwetting, baby talk, thumb-sucking after previously stopping)
- Difficulty concentrating or completing tasks
- School refusal or declining academic performance
- Aggression toward peers, siblings, or adults
- Self-harm or concerning statements about not wanting to live
- Common Types of Anxiety We Treat:
- Anxiety or excessive worry
- Depression or persistent sadness
- Behavioral problems at home or school
- Difficulty managing emotions (meltdowns, tantrums, outbursts)
- Trauma (abuse, neglect, witnessing violence, accidents)
- Family changes (divorce, new sibling, parent’s illness, moving)
- Grief and loss (death of a loved one or pet)
- Social struggles, bullying, or friendship issues
- ADHD or challenges with focus and organization
- Identity questions (especially for LGBTQ+ youth)
If you’re concerned about your child, trust your instincts. Early intervention can make a significant difference in a child’s emotional development.
How Child Therapy Helps
Therapy gives children tools to understand and manage their emotions:
✓ Express feelings safely - Learn to identify and communicate emotions in healthy ways
✓ Build coping skills - Develop age-appropriate strategies to manage stress, anxiety, and big feelings
✓ Process difficult experiences - Work through trauma, loss, or family changes with professional support
✓ Improve behavior - Address behavioral issues by understanding and addressing underlying emotions
✓ Strengthen relationships - Improve communication and connection with parents, siblings, and peers
✓ Boost confidence - Build self-esteem, resilience, and a positive sense of self
✓ Succeed in school - Reduce anxiety and behavioral issues that interfere with learning
Therapy helps children develop emotional intelligence and coping skills that serve them throughout life.
Our Approach to Child Therapy
Play Therapy (Ages 3-10)
Young children express themselves through play, not words. Our play therapists use toys, art, games, and creative activities to help children process emotions and experiences in a way that feels natural and safe to them. Play is the language of children.
Talk Therapy (Ages 11+)
Tweens and teens are ready for more traditional conversation-based therapy. We create a judgment-free space where they can talk openly about friendships, family, school, identity, mental health, and the challenges of growing up.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
For children struggling with anxiety, depression, or behavioral issues, CBT helps them identify negative thought patterns and develop healthier ways of thinking and responding to difficult situations.
Trauma-Focused Therapy
For children who’ve experienced abuse, neglect, violence, or other trauma, we provide gentle, trauma-informed care that helps them process and heal at a pace that feels safe for them.
Family Involvement
Parents are essential partners in a child’s therapy. We’ll work with you to understand your child’s progress, provide strategies you can use at home, and sometimes include you in sessions when appropriate.
Culturally Responsive Care
We honor each child’s cultural background, family values, and identity. Our BIPOC and LGBTQ+ affirming therapists understand how identity and culture shape a child’s experience and mental health.
Insurance & Accessibility
We Accept Most Major Insurance Plans
Child therapy in Long Beach, Lakewood, and throughout California.
- Aetna
- Anthem Blue Cross & Anthem L.A. Care
- Blue Shield of California & Blue Shield Promise Plan
- Carelon
- L.A. Care (Medi-Cal, Commercial, Medicare)
- United Health Care / Optum
- Tricare West
We accept Medi-Cal because every child deserves quality mental health care, regardless of insurance type or family income.
What to Expect in Child Therapy
Locations & Virtual Services
Lakewood Office
5150 Candlewood Street, Ste. 18J Lakewood, CA 90712
Long Beach Office (Bixby Knolls)
3811 Long Beach Blvd, Ste. C Long Beach, CA 90807
Serving families in Long Beach, Lakewood, Signal Hill, Bellflower, Paramount, Downey, and surrounding areas.
Virtual Therapy Throughout California: We offer secure online therapy for children and teens anywhere in California. Virtual therapy can be especially helpful for teens who may feel more comfortable in their own space.
Specialized Child Therapy Services
- Anxiety in Children
We help children manage worry, fear, and panic through age-appropriate CBT techniques, coping strategies, and teaching parents how to avoid accidentally reinforcing anxious behaviors.
- Depression in Children and Teens
Therapy can help young people process difficult emotions, challenge negative thoughts, and reconnect with activities, relationships, and interests they’ve withdrawn from.
- Behavioral Issues
We address the emotions and needs underlying challenging behavior, helping children learn to express themselves in healthier, more adaptive ways.
- ADHD Support
While we don’t diagnose ADHD, we help children with attention challenges develop organizational skills, emotional regulation strategies, and coping techniques for managing impulsivity and distractibility.
- Trauma and Abuse
We provide gentle, trauma-informed care to help children heal from abuse, neglect, witnessing violence, or other traumatic experiences. Safety and trust-building are always our first priorities.
- Divorce and Family Changes
We support children through family transitions, helping them understand changes, express their feelings, and adjust in healthy ways that don’t involve self-blame.
- LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy for Youth
We provide safe, affirming support for LGBTQ+ children and teens exploring identity, facing discrimination or bullying, or needing validation and understanding in a world that isn’t always accepting.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age can a child start therapy?
We work with children as young as 3 years old. Play therapy is especially effective for preschool and elementary-age children who don’t yet have the verbal skills to express complex emotions.
What happens in a child therapy session?
It depends on the child’s age and preferences. Younger children typically play, draw, build with blocks, or use toys while the therapist facilitates emotional expression and processing. Older children and teens talk more directly about thoughts, feelings, and challenges they’re facing.
Will the therapist tell me everything my child says?
Therapists balance confidentiality with safety. They’ll share general progress, themes, and give you strategies to use at home, but won’t repeat everything (especially with teens who need privacy to open up). However, if your child is in danger or discloses abuse, the therapist must break confidentiality to ensure safety.
How long does child therapy take?
It varies. Some children benefit from short-term therapy (8-12 sessions) focused on a specific issue or skill-building, while others need longer support to work through more complex challenges. We’ll work with you to determine the best approach and regularly assess progress.
What if my child doesn’t want to go to therapy?
Resistance is normal, especially at first. Our therapists are skilled at building rapport with hesitant children through play, games, and meeting kids where they are. Often, kids warm up quickly once they realize therapy is a safe, non-judgmental space where they’re in control.
Do you diagnose conditions like ADHD or autism?
No, we don’t provide formal psychological assessments or diagnoses. However, we can provide referrals to qualified psychologists who specialize in comprehensive assessments if diagnostic clarity would be helpful.
Can therapy help with behavior at school?
Yes. We often see improvements in classroom behavior and academic performance once children develop better emotional regulation and coping skills. With your permission, we can also collaborate with your child’s school or teachers to coordinate support.
Can my child do therapy online?
Yes! We offer virtual therapy throughout California. Some children and teens actually prefer virtual sessions because they can be in their own comfortable space. We use secure, HIPAA-compliant video platforms.
Give Your Child the Support They Deserve
Every child has the potential to thrive with the right support. Our therapists in Long Beach, Lakewood, and throughout California are here to help your child build emotional skills and resilience that last a lifetime.