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Complete Family ServicesDr. Corinne Hickson Barez, PhD
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Child & teen therapy

Therapy that meets children and teens where they are.

Children and teenagers don't experience the world the way adults do, and their therapy shouldn't look like adult therapy either. Our approach is developmentally attuned, relationally grounded, and designed to meet young people in the language and framework that makes sense to them.

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A child's hand and an adult's hand together making a drawing with colored pencils on cream paper
Our approach

Working with young people takes a different kind of attention.

A four-year-old processes a family transition through play. A twelve-year-old navigates social anxiety through stories about school. A sixteen-year-old needs to trust that the therapist is genuinely on their side before they'll say anything real. Each stage requires a different approach, a different pace, and a different kind of listening.

Dr. Hickson Barez has worked with children and families for over two decades, and her approach reflects that depth of experience. She builds rapport before asking hard questions. She uses play, art, and conversation as therapeutic tools because they're effective, not because they're easy. She also keeps parents involved in a way that supports the work without compromising the trust the child needs to feel.

Common concerns

Reasons families reach out.

Every family's situation is unique, but these are the concerns we hear most often. If something on this list resonates, therapy can help.

Anxiety and worry

Excessive worry, avoidance of situations, physical symptoms like stomachaches, difficulty sleeping, and a need for constant reassurance that goes beyond typical childhood fears.

Depression and withdrawal

Loss of interest in activities, persistent sadness or irritability, changes in sleep or appetite, social withdrawal, and a sense of hopelessness that doesn't lift on its own.

School challenges

Academic struggles, school avoidance, test anxiety, social difficulties with peers, trouble with motivation, and the emotional fallout from learning differences or attention problems.

Family transitions

Divorce, blended family adjustment, parental conflict, relocation, loss of a family member, and other changes that disrupt a child's sense of stability and security.

Social difficulties

Trouble making or keeping friends, difficulty reading social cues, bullying, social isolation, and the loneliness that comes from feeling different or misunderstood.

Behavioral concerns

Emotional outbursts, defiance, difficulty with transitions, aggression, and behaviors that parents sense are communicating something the child can't yet put into words.

How it works

How children's therapy differs from adult therapy.

Adults come to therapy ready to talk about their problems. Children rarely do. Their inner world shows up in how they play, what they draw, which characters they gravitate toward, and how they interact with the therapist in the room. Effective children's therapy meets kids in that language. It uses play, art, storytelling, and relational engagement as the primary vehicles for understanding and change.

For teens, the approach shifts toward conversation, but the principle remains the same: therapy has to happen in a way that feels safe, relevant, and non-judgmental. Teenagers are exquisitely attuned to authenticity. They know when an adult is genuinely listening and when they're going through the motions. Dr. Hickson Barez brings both clinical skill and relational honesty to her work with adolescents, which is why teens tend to stay engaged in the process.

For parents

What's shared and what stays in the room.

Parents naturally want to know what their child is talking about in therapy. That instinct comes from love and concern, and we respect it. At the same time, your child needs to know that their therapist won't report back everything they say. Without that trust, therapy doesn't work.

Here is how we handle it. Dr. Hickson Barez provides regular parent check-ins: brief conversations about themes, progress, and strategies you can use at home. She will always share safety concerns immediately. But the specific content of your child's sessions (the details of what they said, drew, or played) remains between your child and their therapist. This boundary is what makes the work possible, and most parents come to appreciate it once they see their child beginning to open up.

For teens

What therapy is — and what it isn't.

If you're a teenager reading this, here's what you should know: therapy is not about being “fixed.” It is not about someone telling you what to do or reporting back to your parents. It is a space where you can say what you actually think, figure out what you're feeling, and work through the things that are weighing on you, without judgment.

You get to set the pace. You get to decide what you talk about and what you don't. Your therapist is on your side, and what you share stays between you (with the exception of safety concerns, which Dr. Hickson Barez will explain clearly from the start). Most teens who come in skeptical end up finding therapy genuinely useful. Not because someone made them, but because the relationship is real.

Dr. Hickson Barez meets me at my level and has helped me develop real tools for managing my anxiety. I finally feel like someone actually understands what I'm going through.

Client · Rolling Hills Estates
Frequently asked

Questions about child & teen therapy.

What age range do you work with for child and teen therapy?+
Therapy can begin as early as age 2. With very young children (toddlers and preschoolers), much of the work is done directly with parents, helping them understand their child's needs and build the responses and structure that support healthy development. As children grow, the approach shifts: play-based and experiential for early elementary, more conversational and collaborative for teens. Dr. Hickson Barez tailors the therapeutic style, language, and pacing to match your child's age, maturity, and comfort level. For young adults eighteen and older, we offer a dedicated track through our college and young adult therapy services.
What should my child expect in the first few sessions?+
The first session is about building trust, not diving into problems. For younger children, this often looks like play, drawing, or games. These activities let the therapist learn how your child thinks, communicates, and relates to adults. For teens, the first session is a low-pressure conversation where they get to ask questions and set the tone for the relationship. Parents typically participate in the initial intake session so that Dr. Hickson Barez understands the full picture before meeting with your child individually.
What will you share with me about my child's sessions?+
This is one of the most common questions parents ask, and it's an important one. In general, the content of your child's sessions remains confidential. This is essential for building the trust that makes therapy effective. However, Dr. Hickson Barez will share safety concerns immediately, and she provides regular parent check-ins to discuss themes, progress, and strategies you can use at home. For younger children, parent involvement is more integrated. For teens, maintaining their sense of privacy is balanced with keeping parents informed about what matters.
How long does therapy usually last?+
There is no standard length because every child's situation is different. Some children benefit from a focused course of 10–15 sessions around a specific issue like a school transition or a family change. Others benefit from longer-term support as they navigate ongoing challenges like anxiety, social difficulties, or family conflict. Dr. Hickson Barez checks in regularly with parents about progress and goals, and therapy ends when the child has developed the skills and resilience they need, not according to an arbitrary timeline.
How do I know when my child needs therapy?+
Trust what you're seeing. If your child's behavior, mood, or functioning has shifted, and the shift is persistent rather than just a bad week, it's worth a conversation. Common signs include withdrawal from activities or friends, increased irritability or emotional outbursts, declining school performance, changes in sleep or appetite, excessive worry, or difficulty recovering from a stressful event. You don't need a crisis to start therapy. Some of the most effective work happens when parents reach out early, before patterns become entrenched.
Can therapy help with school-related issues?+
Absolutely. Many children we see are struggling with school-related challenges: anxiety about tests or performance, social difficulties with peers, trouble with motivation or organization, school avoidance, or the emotional impact of learning differences. Therapy can help your child develop coping strategies, build confidence, and work through the feelings that are getting in the way of learning. When appropriate, Dr. Hickson Barez also coordinates with school counselors and teachers to ensure a consistent support system.
What if my child has anxiety or depression?+
Anxiety and depression are among the most common reasons families seek therapy for children and teens. Our approach is evidence-based and developmentally informed. We use cognitive-behavioral strategies, mindfulness techniques, and relational work tailored to your child's age and presentation. For anxiety, this often means gradually building tolerance for uncomfortable situations. For depression, it involves reactivating engagement with life and addressing the thought patterns that maintain low mood. Parent involvement is a key part of treatment for both.
How involved are parents in the therapy process?+
Very involved, but in a way that respects the therapeutic relationship. For younger children, parents are often active participants in sessions and play a central role in carrying strategies into daily life. For teens, parents are typically involved through regular check-in sessions (separate from the teen's individual appointments) where we discuss progress, address concerns, and align on goals. Dr. Hickson Barez also offers standalone parent consultation for families who want guidance without their child attending sessions.
Dr. Corinne Hickson Barez, PhD

Reviewed by

Dr. Corinne Hickson Barez, PhD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY17257) with 30+ years of experience. Founder of Complete Family Services, Inc. in Torrance, California. More than 20 years of experience as a court-appointed 730 Child Custody Evaluator. Author of the forthcoming Life's Lessonschildren's book series. Co-author of a chapter in The Handbook of Juvenile Forensic Psychology.

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Ready to start? We're here.

The first step is a conversation. Call us or submit an intake form online, and we'll help you figure out the right path forward for your child.

Call (310) 375-8665Begin intake online