Anxiety therapy for kids and teens in Yorba Linda
I work with children and teens who feel stuck in worry, tension, or dread. In our sessions, I pay attention to what’s getting in the way at home, at school, and in relationships.
What people bring me
Anxiety can show up as constant checking, big reactions, trouble settling, or a child who seems fine until school starts or bedtime rolls around. For some teens, it looks like avoiding people, overthinking everything, or feeling tense all the time. It can get in the way of sleep, schoolwork, friendships, and family routines. Parents often come in feeling like they’re walking on eggshells and don’t know what will help.
- I worry about everything, even small things.
- I get stuck in my head and can’t shut it off.
- I avoid things because they feel too hard.
- I’m tense all the time and don’t know why.
I look at what anxiety is doing in everyday life, not just what it looks like on paper.
How I work with it
I use play therapy with younger children and more direct conversation with teens, depending on what feels right. I also pay attention to the feelings underneath the worry, and to the family patterns that may be adding stress. With younger children, I often work through play, stories, and connection. With teens, the work usually includes more talking, noticing patterns, and making sense of what’s happening inside.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- IFS can help a child or teen notice the different feelings and reactions that show up around worry. We look at the parts that try to protect them, the parts that feel overwhelmed, and what each part needs.
- Play Therapy
- Play gives younger children a way to show what they can’t always put into words. I pay attention to themes, actions, and feelings that come through in the play.
- Trauma-Informed Care
- When anxiety is tied to scary or overwhelming experiences, I move carefully and keep the work grounded. I pay attention to what helps the child feel steadier in the room.
What the first sessions look like
The first sessions are about getting a clear picture of what anxiety looks like for your child or teen in daily life. We talk about what’s happening at home and school, what feels hardest, and what kind of support would fit your family.
Questions people ask
My child worries about school every day. Is this the kind of thing you work with?
Yes, school worry is a common reason families contact me. We’d look at what happens before school, during the day, and after school so I can understand the full picture.
Do you work with teen anxiety therapy or only younger kids?
I work with both children and teens. The way I work looks different by age, but I stay focused on what anxiety is doing in their life.
What if my child won’t talk about what’s bothering them?
That’s common, especially at the start. I can work with play, drawings, and other ways of communicating so they don’t have to carry the whole conversation alone.
Can anxiety show up as anger or shutting down?
It can, and that’s often what families notice first. In sessions, I look at what’s underneath the anger or withdrawal and how it shows up across settings.
The practical details
For fees, insurance and current availability, see fees and insurance on Child & Teen Therapist in Yorba Linda, CA's website.
About Child & Teen Therapist in Yorba Linda, CA
I work with children, teens, and families who are dealing with anxiety, trauma, depression, or family transitions. I see people in person in Yorba Linda and online across California.
Talk it through with Lillian
Tell us what has been going on and we will take it from there.