Depression therapy for children and teens in Yorba Linda
I work with young people who feel flat, withdrawn, irritable, or worn down by life. In our sessions, I pay attention to what daily life has started to feel like and what support might fit best.
What people bring me
Depression can look like a child who doesn’t want to do much, stops enjoying things, or seems harder to reach. Teens may seem tired, withdrawn, irritable, or disconnected from friends and family. It can affect school, sleep, appetite, motivation, and the ability to keep up with everyday routines. Parents often notice that something feels off before their child can explain it.
- I just don’t feel like myself.
- I’m tired all the time.
- Nothing feels interesting anymore.
- I want to be left alone most of the time.
I listen for what’s changed in daily life, not just what’s been said out loud.
How I work with it
I work with depression by paying attention to the whole picture, including family stress, losses, and how a child or teen is carrying things inside. With younger children, I may use play and observation to notice what they can’t easily say. With teens, the work often includes more direct conversation about numbness, irritability, and disconnection. I also keep an eye on the relationships around them, since depression rarely sits in one place only.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- IFS can help us understand the parts of a child or teen that pull away, criticize, or go quiet. We work with those parts instead of assuming they are all the same thing.
- Play Therapy
- For younger children, play can show how sadness or withdrawal is being carried. I pay attention to what happens in the play, not just what’s said.
- Trauma-Informed Care
- When low mood is tied to painful experiences, I stay careful and grounded. I pay attention to what feels overwhelming and what helps the child or teen stay engaged.
What the first sessions look like
The first sessions are a chance to understand what has been happening day to day and what seems to make things harder. We talk about the changes you’re seeing, what life has been like lately, and how I can support your child or teen in a way that fits them.
Questions people ask
Is depression therapy different for a child than for a teen?
Yes, the way I work depends on age and what they can put into words. Younger children often need more play-based work, while teens may talk more directly about what feels heavy.
My child just seems irritable and tired. Could that still be something worth bringing in?
Yes, those changes matter. I’d want to understand what’s behind them and how long they’ve been going on in daily life.
Do you work with depression therapy for families too?
I work with the child or teen, and I also pay attention to the family context. Family support can be part of understanding what’s going on and what helps around them.
What if my teen doesn’t want to talk much?
That’s okay. I can still work with how things are showing up in school, at home, and in the room, even if they start out quiet.
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.