Therapy
JFCS East Bay’s mental health clinicians have extensive expertise working with children and families to address the wide range of issues that may arise during childhood and adolescence. 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 the loving relationships between parents and children. We provide therapy in English, Spanish, or Hebrew.
Common issues we can help with include:
- Behavioral challenges
- Depression
- Developmental delays
- Family relationship challenges
- Family 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. Our experienced clinicians provide parent-child therapy to help parents understand what their child is trying to communicate and how best to address their behaviors. Working with both parents and child together, the clinician can build on the parent’s strengths and “speak for the child” to build attunement and attachment. Our team includes a Child Development Specialist so we can develop a more comprehensive picture of your child’s needs.
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. Funded through our Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) contract with Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services, this intensive program combines therapy and case management from a multi-disciplinary team that includes an Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist, a Child Development Specialist, and a Family Partner.
Beginning in the 2022-23 school year, JFCS East Bay will be offering options for therapy to young children in the East Bay Jewish community. This is made possible through a grant from the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund.
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 parents or separate sessions for parents only can also be arranged to help parents 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 and/or talk therapy, supporting them in overcoming anxieties; developing strategies for improved interactions with friends, family members, and teachers; and finding success in areas of challenge. We also collaborate, when appropriate, with family members and school personnel to meet each teen’s unique needs.
Family Therapy
Children of all ages may benefit from meeting as a family for therapy. Our staff works with families to help parents understand their child’s temperament, behaviors, and development, all with the goal of facilitating closer relationships. Our therapists respect both parental and child perspectives and help the whole family move toward better communication. If the family has experienced separation or divorce, parent-child or family therapy can be invaluable in strengthening bonds and assisting children through the process.
