A Note From the Santa Monica Teen & Family Therapist

If your Middle School daughter is expressing interest in “dating” boys, here is a conversation worth having with her.,-Sandra

Middle School is a great time for teens girls to become friends with guys and learn who they feel comfortable around. Does your daughter like to be with guys who are funny? What about smart? Does it matter if the guy is drop dead gorgeous, if he is not a kind to her?

Teach your teen not to be in a rush to find someone just because some of their friends may have declared they have a “boyfriend”. If the guy she likes does not show interest in her, encourage her to move on … because not everyone is going to appreciate her charm and beauty.

If she has a crush on someone, she should just act normal by smiling and saying “hi” when she sees him. Should he stop and ask a question, she can be friendly and start a conversation, like finding out about his hobbies, or what he likes to do on his weekends. She wants to get to know him as a person.

What she really wants to know is whether he is the kind of guy who enjoys her company and treats her with respect. She needs to learn how to take good care of her feelings by choosing to hang around guys who prove themselves to be true friends.

If your teen or young adult child is struggling socially or emotionally, I can help you to discover the cause and remedy it.

Menu of Services Offered:

• Free Initial Consultation >
• Effective Parenting Classes >
• Adolescent Counseling 11-18 >
• Social Skills Assessment & Coaching >
• Young Adult Life Skills Coaching 19-24 >

Call Now to Schedule a Free Consultation!

Click to Call:

(310) 951-5678
.

For more information, please visit my website:

SandraDupont.com

Adolescent Therapist|Parent Coach|Teen Mentor

Providing service for: Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Beverly Glen, Culver City, Brentwood, Westwood, Marina Del Rey, Mar Vista, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Topanga Beach and Topanga Canyon, Ocean Park, Hancock Park, West Hollywood.

A Note From The Santa Monica Teen  & Family Therapist

Teen girls don’t always recognize the price they pay for giving up their values to be popular. Here is a conversation worth having with your daughter. – Sandra

I imagine that you have an idea of how your life would be different, and somehow better, if you became more popular. It might be helpful to write down the things you think you would gain by becoming a popular girl at your school. Also write down a list of things that you might also need to give up in order to gain that popular status.

Would being popular mean that you always have to be concerned with how you look, or what other people are saying about you? Would you need to gossip, or be rude to others? Would you be constantly worrying whether someone else is more popular than you? How would you know who your true friends are?

Not all popular girls are mean and not all mean girls are popular. Being mean may be an indication that someone is not very happy. People who choose to be hurtful, and rejecting of others, may be struggling with some insecurities that they try to hide by appearing tough, or overly confident.

Being popular can actually be an opportunity to make a positive difference in your world. Like the celebrities who use their influence to help others, you could be a positive role model that your classmates look up to. And, if you choose to pursue popularity, please don’t forget the people who already love you for who you are.

Is your teen stressed out or anxious about school or friends?

Menu of Services Offered:

• Free Initial Consultation >
• Effective Parenting Classes >
• Adolescent Counseling 11-18 >
• Social Skills Assessment & Coaching >
• Young Adult Life Skills Coaching 19-24 >

Call Now to Schedule a Free Consultation!

Click to Call:

(310) 951-5678
.

For more information, please visit my website:

SandraDupont.com

Adolescent Therapist|Parent Coach|Teen Mentor

Providing service for: Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Beverly Glen, Culver City, Brentwood, Westwood, Marina Del Rey, Mar Vista, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Topanga Beach and Topanga Canyon, Ocean Park, Hancock Park, West Hollywood.

A Note From The Santa Monica Family Therapist

Scroll down to see the entire list of low fee mental health services, including San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, Downtown Los Angeles, West Los Angeles and the South Bay areas. – Sandra

Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena

Bridge Focus
2829 N. Glenoaks Blvd., #203
Burbank, CA 91504
(818) 563-5509

Center for Individual & Family Counseling
5445 Laurel Canyon Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91607
(818) 761-2227

Community Family Counseling Services
131 N. Isabel St.
Glendale, CA 91206
(818) 548-4872

Discovery House
2541 Foothill Blvd.
La Crescenta, CA 91214
(818) 957-1221

Family Service Agency of Burbank
2013 W. Magnolia Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91506
(818) 845-7671

Foothill Family Service
2500 E. Foothill Blvd., Ste. 300
Pasadena, CA 91107
(626) 564-1613

Foothill Family Service
118 S. Oak Knoll Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91101-2667
(626) 795-6907

FrontPoint Child and Family Therapy
Pasadena, CA
(626) 396-9502

Glen Roberts Child Study Center
1530 E. Colorado St.
Glendale, CA 91205
(818) 244-0222

La Vie Counseling Center
Pasadena, CA
(626) 351-9616

New Horizons Family Center
744 S. Glendale Ave.
Glendale, CA 91205
(818) 545-9848

New Insights Program
431 N. Brand Blvd., Ste 311
Glendale, CA 91203
(818) 242-2308

Pacific Clinics
909 S. Fair Oaks Ave.
Pasadena, CA
(626) 795-8471

Pacific Clinics
70 N. Hudson
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 795-8471

Pacific Clinics
237 N. Central Ave., 2nd Flr.
Glendale, CA 91203
(818) 547-9544

Pasadena Mental Health Center
1495 N. Lake Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91104
(626) 798-0907

Positive Directions
1540 E. Colorado St.
Glendale, CA 91205
(818) 247-8180

Fuller Psychological Family Services
180 N. Oakland Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 584-5200

Rose City Counseling Center
595 E. Colorado Blvd., Ste. 303
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 793-8629

Senior Peer Counseling
VMH Care
1540 E. Colorado St.
Glendale, CA
(818) 638-5499

Verdugo Mental Health Center
1540 E. Colorado St.
Glendale, CA 91205
(818) 244-7257

Westminster Counseling Center
867 E. Atchison St.
Pasadena, CA 91104
(626) 798-0915

San Fernando Valley

California Family Counseling Center
5445 Balboa Blvd.
Encino, CA 91316
(818) 386-5600
(818) 907-9980

Catholic Charities
Van Nuys, CA
(818) 988-2850

Coldwater Counseling Center
Encino, CA
(818) 907-9980

Coldwater Counseling Center
Studio City, CA
(818) 508-0703

Counseling West
(818) 999-6164

Family Stress Center
16861 Parthenia St.
North Hills, CA 91343
(818) 830-3270

Friends of the Family
14350 Sherman Way, Ste. 140
Van Nuys, CA
(818) 988-4430

Pepperdine Community Counseling Center
16830 Ventura Blvd., Ste. 216
Encino, CA 91436
(818) 501-1678
(866) 396-8970

San Fernando Valley Counseling Center
8350 Reseda Blvd.
Northridge, CA 91324
(818) 341-1111

San Fernando Valley Low Cost Therapy Referral Line
(818) 754-4555

Tarzana Treatment Center
(818) 996-1051

Valley Community Clinic
6801 Coldwater Canyon Ave.
North Hollywood, CA
(818) 763-2084

Valley Counseling
Encino, CA
(818) 995-0368

Valley Family Center
302 South Brand
San Fernando, CA
(818) 365-8588
(818) 886-0453

Van Nuys Alcohol and Drug Treatment
14558 Sylvan St.
Van Nuys, CA 91411
(818) 787-4151

West Valley Counseling
19634 Ventura Blvd.
Tarzana, CA 91356

San Gabriel Valley

Family Counseling Service
San Gabriel, CA
(626) 575-5231

Family Service of Pomona Valley
Pomona, CA
(909) 620-1776

Foothill Family Services
1215 W. West Covina Pkwy., 2nd Fl.
West Covina, CA 91790

La Puente Valley Mental Health Center
La Puente, CA
(626) 227-7018

Options/The Family Center
Covina, CA
(626) 967-0732
(626) 967-5103

Santa Anita Family Service
Covina, CA
(626) 966-1755

Santa Anita Family Service
121 S. Santa Anita St.
San Gabriel, CA
(626) 308-1414

Santa Anita Family Service
605 S. Myrtle Ave.
Monrovia, CA 91016
(626) 359-9358

Downtown Los Angeles

AIDS Project L.A
611 S. Kingsley Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90005
(213) 201-1600

Family Service of Los Angeles
626 S. Kingsley Dr.
Los Angeles, CA
(213) 381-3626

Family Service of Los Angeles
1328 W. Manchester Ave.
Los Angeles, CA
(213) 788-9593

Pediatric Psychology Program
Children’s Hospital
4650 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 361-2350

Southern California Counseling Center
5615 Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
(323) 937-1344

USC Human Relations Center
Los Angeles, CA
(213) 937-1344
(213) 740-1600

Watts Counseling and Learning Center
Los Angeles, CA
(323) 754-9900

East Los Angeles

ENKI/East Los Angeles Mental Health Services
Commerce, CA
(323) 725-1337

Family Service of Los Angeles
7702 Washington Ave., Ste. C
Whittier, CA 90608
(310) 698-7941

Human Services Association
Bell Gardens, CA
(562) 806-5400

West Los Angeles

Airport Marina Counseling Services
7891 LaTiera Blvd.
Westchester, CA 90045
(310) 670-1410

Antioch University Counseling Center
400 Corporate Pointe
Culver City, CA 90230
(310) 574-2813

Antioch University Counseling Center International
2001 S. Barrington, Ste. 110
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 477-7702

California Graduate Institute Counseling Center
Westwood, CA
(310) 208-4240

Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health
4760 S. Sepulvda Blvd.
Culver City, CA
(310) 390-6612

Family Service of Santa Monica
1533 Euclid Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 451-9747

Hollywood Sunset Free Clinic
3324 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles
(323) 660-2400

Jewish Family Services
Los Angeles, CA
(323) 761-8816

Jewish Family Services
Santa Monica, CA
(310) 393-0732

Jewish Family Services
West Los Angeles, CA
(323) 761-8800

Julia Ann Singer Center
West Los Angeles, CA
(310) 202-0669

Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center
1625 N. Schrader Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 993-7400

The Maple Counseling Center
9107 Wilshire Boulevard, Lower Level
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 271-9999

New Start
2714 W Pico
Santa Monica, CA
(310) 452-0717

Open Paths
12655 W. Washington Blvd., Suite 101
Los Angeles, CA 90066
(310) 398-7877

Pepperdine Psychology Clinic
Culver City
(866) 396-8970

Psychological and Educational Clinic
Pepperdine University Plaza
Culver City, CA
(310) 568-5752

Reiss-Davis Child Study Center
Culver City, CA
(310) 204-1666

Santa Monica Counseling Center & Institute
2210 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite C
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 395-4024

The Saturday Center for Psychotherapy
3201 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 201
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 829-0888

Southern California Counseling Center
5615 W. Pico Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90019
(323) 937-1344

St. Johns Hospital, Mental Health
Santa Monica, CA
(310) 315-6132

UCLA Outpatient NPI EDU
Westwood, CA
(310) 825-0478

UCLA Psychology Clinic
Westwood, CA
(310) 825-2305

Ways of Being Community Counseling Center
Antioch University Counseling Center
400 Corporate Pointe
Culver City, CA 90230
(310) 574-2813

The Wellness Community-West Los Angeles
2716 Ocean Park Boulevard, Suite 1040
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 314-2555

The Women’s Clinic and Family Counseling Center
9911 W. Pico Blvd.
(310) 203-8899

Wright Institute Los Angeles
9911 W. Pico Boulevard, Suite 720
Los Angeles, CA 90035
(310) 277-2796

South Bay

Community Family Guidance Center
Cerritos, CA
(562) 924-5526

Family Service of Long Beach
21420 Pioneer Blvd.
Lakewood, CA 90712
(310) 436-9893

Family Services of Long Beach
5500 Atherton St., Ste. 416
Long Beach, CA 90815
(562) 924-5526

The Guidance Center
Long Beach, CA
(562) 485-2557

Jewish Family Services Childrens Services
Long Beach, CA
(562) 427-7916

Jewish Family Services South Bay
Torrance, CA
(310) 761-8816

South Bay Center of Counseling
El Segundo, CA
(310) 414-2090
If your teen or young adult child is struggling socially or emotionally, I can help you to discover the cause and remedy it.

Menu of Services Offered:

• Free Initial Consultation >
• Effective Parenting Classes >
• Adolescent Counseling 11-18 >
• Social Skills Assessment & Coaching >
• Young Adult Life Skills Coaching 19-24 >

Call Now to Schedule a Free Consultation!

Click to Call:

(310) 951-5678
.

For more information, please visit my website:

SandraDupont.com

Adolescent Therapist|Parent Coach|Teen Mentor

Providing service for: Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Beverly Glen, Culver City, Brentwood, Westwood, Marina Del Rey, Mar Vista, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Topanga Beach and Topanga Canyon, Ocean Park, Hancock Park, West Hollywood.

A Note From The Santa Monica Teen & Family Therapist

Some teens are academically oriented, and can thrive in the classroom. But others perceive life through colors, sound, images and movement. Is your teen an artist? – Sandra

There is a whole population of creative children gifted with the ability to dance, sing, paint, draw, write music, play instruments, and express themselves. Not everyone is meant to be a dentist, lawyer, engineer, scientis, or accountant.

Roderick MacIver, author of the book Art as a Way of Life says “The ancient roots of the word “art” have to do with connection, and art, at its best, is our connection to the mystery, to the parts of ourselves that are deeper and truer than the day-to-day world.

He adds “Art connects us to our dreams, to the things that can’t be explained in words, to the things that have touched our core, to our imaginary worlds, and even to our own personal chaos”

He concludes with “Our challenge as artists is to muster the technique, the vision, the persistence, and emotional courage to explore what means most to us. Our challenge as people is even greater — to live a life that is in itself a work of art.”

In my teen therapy practice, I utilize art as a medium to explore feelings that clients may still be finding words for.

If your teen or young adult child is struggling socially or emotionally, I can help you to discover the cause and remedy it.

Menu of Services Offered:

• Free Initial Consultation >
• Effective Parenting Classes >
• Adolescent Counseling 11-18 >
• Social Skills Assessment & Coaching >
• Young Adult Life Skills Coaching 19-24 >

Call Now to Schedule a Free Consultation!

Click to Call:

(310) 951-5678
.

For more information, please visit my website:

SandraDupont.com

Adolescent Therapist|Parent Coach|Teen Mentor

Providing service for: Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Beverly Glen, Culver City, Brentwood, Westwood, Marina Del Rey, Mar Vista, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Topanga Beach and Topanga Canyon, Ocean Park, Hancock Park, West Hollywood.

A Note From the Santa Monica Teen & Family Therapist

It is essential that parents provide their teenager with focused, non-judgmental attention.  – Sandra

The co-regulation of emotional states once available to teens through sharing with their parents, is getting interrupted by less emotionally fulfilling forms of interaction. This situation is leaving teenagers less equipped to handle the pressures of their live as well as navigate the waters of intimate relationships.

Parents who used to take the weekend off can now be seen answering calls or emails in the middle of a family activity. Teens who used to sit down together for dinner and talk to their parents or siblings now text their friends instead of speaking to the person sitting right next to them.

As a therapist for teens, I feel it is essential for parents to set aside time to provide their teenager with focused, non-judgmental attention. This will allow them to expand their parent-child interactions, and develop a secure and joyful bond between them and their teen.

1. Set aside 20 minutes a day where there are no interruptions. Turn off cell phones and try to pick a time when you do not have other things that either of you need to be doing.

2. Let your teenager know that this time will be your special time together, and that you have no expectations on how this time will look.

3. Follow your adolescent’s lead. Talk about whatever they want to talk about. Discover what they want from you during this time. Do they want you to admire them? Respond to them but do not take over and direct them.

4. Watch, wait and wonder about what your teen is telling you. Enter their world and reflect on their experience of life.

5. Avoid giving advice or showing displeasure with what they are offering to share with you.

6. Instead, make observations and/or ask questions about what you hear. (”You sound proud of yourself. What are you planning to do next?”)

7. Have fun. Try to give yourself over completely to the enjoyment of a glimpse into your teenager’s life. You will only find it boring if your mind is stuck in the adult world. Try to be entirely present with your teen. Your adolescent will tell you a lot about themselves and their world if you allow yourself to be receptive.

8. Remember this is not a teaching time. Try to avoid praising or criticizing. You want the motivation of making good choices to ultimately come from within the teenager rather than through praise or punishment.

9. Sometimes, these conversations may elicit strong reactions or uncomfortable feelings on the part of the parent. These reactions may be helpful to reflect on in a supportive setting, like with a parent educator, therapist or another parent you feel safe with. It is important to understand what your feelings mean in regards to your relationship with your child.

10. Try to spend quality time every day, particularly during times of stress in the teen or family’s life.

Last, but not least, make sure to also leave 20 minutes a day for yourself to rest, relax, and do something just for you. (Catching up on household tasks does not count) This time allows you to restore yourself.

If your teen or young adult child is struggling socially or emotionally, I can help you to discover the cause and remedy it.

Menu of Services Offered:

• Free Initial Consultation >
• Effective Parenting Classes >
• Adolescent Counseling 11-18 >
• Social Skills Assessment & Coaching >
• Young Adult Life Skills Coaching 19-24 >

Call Now to Schedule a Free Consultation!

Click to Call:

(310) 951-5678
.

For more information, please visit my website:

SandraDupont.com

Adolescent Therapist|Parent Coach|Teen Mentor

Providing service for: Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Beverly Glen, Culver City, Brentwood, Westwood, Marina Del Rey, Mar Vista, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Topanga Beach and Topanga Canyon, Ocean Park, Hancock Park, West Hollywood.

A Note From the Santa Monica Teen & Family Therapist

Parents of teens are often not be fully aware of video content being viewed by their teen.  – Sandra

Television shows continue to inform the behavior of today’s adolescents. Unfortunately, actors who are older than the teens they portray, can give the illusion that actions come without consequences. Yet this is not so in real life.

Trends in viewing are offering more images of violence, drug abuse, sexual promiscuity, misogynistic behavior than ever before. Teenagers are using these shows to model their behavior after–sadly, with dire consequences. Some teens are simply unable to separate reality from fiction, and are acting out this confusion.

Ideally, I think parents should determine age appropriate shows and set limits on viewing for pre-teens. With older teens, try and sit down to watch with them every so often, that you may be able to help your teen digest  and process the information that they are being exposed to.

Teen girls are exposed to at least 180 minutes of media daily. What can parents do? You can teach you teen how to look objectively at media portrayals of contemporary life and society, and invite conversations that create awareness of the unconscious messages they are being given about “normal” teen behavior, counter-balancing it with your family’s values.

If your teen or young adult child is struggling socially or emotionally, I can help you to discover the cause and remedy it.

Menu of Services Offered:

• Free Initial Consultation >
• Effective Parenting Classes >
• Adolescent Counseling 11-18 >
• Social Skills Assessment & Coaching >
• Young Adult Life Skills Coaching 19-24 >

Call Now to Schedule a Free Consultation!

Click to Call:

(310) 951-5678
.

For more information, please visit my website:

SandraDupont.com

Adolescent Therapist|Parent Coach|Teen Mentor

Providing service for: Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Beverly Glen, Culver City, Brentwood, Westwood, Marina Del Rey, Mar Vista, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Topanga Beach and Topanga Canyon, Ocean Park, Hancock Park, West Hollywood.

A Note From The Santa Monica Teen & Family Therapist

It can be really frustrating when your parents have expectations that do not fit your dreams and plans. – Sandra

“My parents support me in school and things they value. I dream of being a singer/songwriter. How can I get them to support me in my dreams?“

In an attempt to protect their children from disappointment, parents often try steer them towards careers they are more familiar and comfortable with. It sounds like your parents have some strong ideas about what it means to be and actor or singer. It might be helpful to sit down with them and ask about their concerns.

As you know, the entertainment industry is highly competitive. The hours that are required to be successful in that profession can can take away time from school, friendships and other social activities. Your parents may be concerned that you will miss out on the experience of adolescence by focusing on being in the entertainment industry. If you are respectful in listening to them, you may find that they may be more open to hearing your request for acting lessons.

Expressing your interests in a mature manner will probably go further than sulking or storming around the house. See if there is a middle ground that you and your parents can agree on. For example, perhaps they would be open to your taking an acting class as long as you to maintain a certain GPA, and/or participate in an activity of their choosing.

In my experience, joining the singing and theatre groups at school is a good way to prove that you are serious about your passion for performing. As time goes by, your parents may discover that you have the talent and commitment to go the distance with your acting/singing career.

In the meantime, there is value in your participating in a variety of experiences and meeting different types of people, as the information could ultimately come in handy in any acting role that you might someday be asked to play.

If your teen or young adult child is struggling socially or emotionally, I can help you to discover the cause and remedy it.

Menu of Services Offered:

• Free Initial Consultation >
• Effective Parenting Classes >
• Adolescent Counseling 11-18 >
• Social Skills Assessment & Coaching >
• Young Adult Life Skills Coaching 19-24 >

Call Now to Schedule a Free Consultation!

Click to Call:

(310) 951-5678
.

For more information, please visit my website:

SandraDupont.com

Adolescent Therapist|Parent Coach|Teen Mentor

Providing service for: Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Beverly Glen, Culver City, Brentwood, Westwood, Marina Del Rey, Mar Vista, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Topanga Beach and Topanga Canyon, Ocean Park, Hancock Park, West Hollywood.