Child, Adolescent and Family Therapist

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in the treatment of children, adolescents, and families experiencing a wide variety of psychological, behavioral, academic, and relational problems. In my Agoura Hills and Encino offices, and as a child, adolescent and family therapist, I strive to create a safe, caring, and supportive environment, and then combine that with a seasoned clinical approach.

My goal is to help my clients use their special, unique qualities to find solutions to problems, enhance their relationships, build confidence, and develop a healthy sense of self. Behavior, mood, social, and academic functioning improve when children and adolescents feel good about themselves, and when they see possibilities instead of limitations.

Therapy services for marriage family therapist in San Fernando Valley Encino therapist.

Working from their strengths as well as their interests, children and adolescents enjoy and willingly participate in the therapeutic process. Drawing on a mixture of Cognitive Behavioral, Psychodynamic, and Family Systems therapies, and using a range of art and play techniques, children of all ages are encouraged to identify, explore, and resolve behavioral and emotional struggles.

Providing child, adolescent and family therapy, I bring nearly two decades of clinical experience with all aspects of psychological, developmental, and behavioral difficulties, such as those dealing with anxiety, mood, anger, trauma and loss, conduct and impulse control problems, ADHD and learning issues, substance use, and the autistic spectrum.

A parent’s instinct is to find a truly helpful ally for their child or family when one is needed, as the mental health challenges they face are becoming increasingly complex. Parents are provided with support and constructive ideas that can strengthen their effectiveness, enhance bonding, and restore their sense of hope and satisfaction.  

Child and Adolescent Therapy

Because of my extensive experience working with children and families, I know that comprehensive treatment often requires more than an hour of therapy per week, and that therapy must reach beyond my office in order to be truly effective.

As a child and adolescent therapist and when indicated with parental consent, I will work collaboratively with schools, teachers, coaches, and allied professionals in order to evaluate and treat difficulties that might be occurring in multiple settings. My role is to assist parents in advocating for necessary services, and to promote coordination and consistency among providers. This can often be an essential element towards building-up the kind of daily structure that strengthens encouragement and promotes greater goal achievement for the child or teen.

My goal in providing child, adolescent and family therapy is to deliver clinical and therapeutic services providing the following:

• Collaborative treatment planning that encourages parents and clients to identify difficulties, create goals, and work on solutions together
• Effective interventions that promote engagement, utilizing the strengths and natural gifts of your child and family to achieve life goals
• Therapeutic tools that help track improvements and specify areas that need continued growth
• Consultation and coordination with other professionals and services to reinforce improvements across all settings

I invite you to explore other sections of this child, adolescent and family therapy website as you consider the important decision of selecting a clinician to work with you and your child. My child and adolescent therapy services provide help for those in the San Fernando Valley including Encino, Woodland Hills, Westlake and Agoura Hills.

Related Pages:
Therapy Services
The Child and Adolescent Therapist - When should a parent consult with a child and adolescent therapist?

Please feel free to contact me so that we can discuss the needs of your family and child and how I can be of assistance.

- Stephen Mardell, MFT , Child, Adolescent and Family Therapist