Therapy for Children & Families
Our therapists specialize in all ages and stages of development from birth to twenty-one. We focus on reducing symptoms of distress as well as enhancing relationships between caregivers and children. We provide therapy in English, Spanish, and Hebrew.
Common issues we can help with include:
- Behavioral challenges
- Depression
- Developmental delays
- Family relationship challenges
- Trauma
- Generalized anxiety
- Peer relationship challenges
- School challenges
- School transitions
- Separation and divorce
- Separation anxiety
Early Childhood
When young children experience distress, it can manifest in behaviors such as excessive crying, tantrums, sleep problems, rule-breaking, and conflict with other children.
Working individually or with both caregivers and child together, our experienced clinicians help caregivers understand what their child is trying to communicate and how best to address their behaviors. The clinician can build on the parent’s strengths and “speak for the child” to build attunement and attachment.
For children who qualify for Medi-Cal, we have an extensive home-based early childhood therapy program, designed to meet the needs of children with multiple risk factors. This intensive program combines therapy and case management from a multi-disciplinary team that includes an Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist and a Family Partner. The program is funded through our Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) contract with Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services.
JFCS East Bay now offers options for therapy to young children in the East Bay Jewish community.
School-Age Children
Whether school-age children are facing ongoing emotional distress or are undergoing a crisis, play therapy can be an effective way for them to communicate their feelings and thoughts. Using a range of materials—including toys, creative art materials, sand trays, water play, and board games—our therapists use play therapy to help children express what is troubling them when they cannot describe their emotions verbally.
Joint sessions with caregivers and children or separate sessions for caregivers only can also be arranged to help caregivers better understand the meaning of their child’s behavior and how to best approach the issues. Consultation with teachers is also part of this comprehensive treatment.
Pre-Teens & Teens
JFCS East Bay is proud to provide targeted services for children progressing through middle school, high school, and college. In individual sessions, our therapists engage youth in play or talk therapy to support them in overcoming anxieties. This helps develop strategies for improved interactions with friends, family members, and teachers. It also helps youth find success in areas of challenge. We also collaborate, when appropriate, with family members and school personnel to meet each young person’s unique needs.
Family Therapy
Children of all ages may benefit from meeting as a family for therapy. Our staff works with families of all types to help caregivers understand their child’s temperament, behaviors, and development, all with the goal of facilitating closer relationships.
Our therapists respect both caregiver and child perspectives and help the whole family move toward better communication. If the family has experienced separation or divorce, caregiver and child or family therapy can be invaluable in strengthening bonds and assisting children through the process.
