Jeanette Yoffe, MFT, provides child
and adult counseling, individual therapy
and psychotherapy for:
  • Adoption & Foster care
  • Family Issues
  • Abuse / Neglect
  • Loss / Grief
  • Depression
  • AD / HD
  • Trauma / Critical Incidents
  • Anger Management
  • Attachment Disorders
  • Relationships
  • Post Traumatic Stress
  • Anxiety

Child Therapy

Jeanette takes appointments for children ages 5-17. Psychotherapy focuses on:
  • Getting kids to express their thoughts and feelings
  • Utilizing creativity and imagination in a non-threatening way
  • Improving the child's ability to establish a secure attachment with their caregivers
  • Taking the shame out of therapy

Method of Helping Your Child

Jeanette blends various approaches within her treatment modality including art therapy, sand tray therapy, clay therapy, object relations and interventions congruent with Theraplay® and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. These techniques are effective because of their appeal to traumatized children. They enable a child to be emotionally receptive, engaged and invested in the treatment process which fosters trust, change and healthy attachments.

Her process is focused on reducing symptoms and building coping skills. In session, she actively communicates empathy and acceptance while providing the child with the comfort and containment needed to explore and resolve past trauma and shame-related experiences. At the same time she is actively facilitating the child's ability to form positive, reciprocal relationships with their parents and help them develop compassion for themselves. Within the safety of the therapeutic environment, the child is able to face and resolve past traumas.

When to Seek Help for your Child

Parents are usually the first to recognize that their child has a problem with emotions or behavior. Still, the decision to seek professional help can be difficult and painful. The first step is to gently try to talk to your child. An honest open talk about feelings can often help. You may choose to consult with your child's physicians, teachers, members of the clergy, or other adults who know the child well. These steps may resolve the problems for your child and family.

Following are a few signs which may indicate that a child and adolescent psychiatric evaluation will be useful.


YOUNGER CHILDREN
  • Marked fall in school performance
  • Severe worry or anxiety, as shown by regular refusal to go to school, go to sleep or take part in activities that are normal for the child's age
  • Hyperactivity; fidgeting; constant movement beyond regular playing.
  • Persistent nightmares
  • Persistent disobedience or aggression (longer than 6 months) and provocative opposition to authority figures
  • Frequent, unexplainable temper tantrums
PRE-ADOLESCENTS AND ADOLESCENTS
  • Marked change in school performance
  • Inability to cope with problems and daily activities.
  • Marked changes in sleeping and/or eating habits
  • Sexual acting out
  • Depression shown by sustained, prolonged negative mood and attitude, often accompanied by poor appetite, difficulty sleeping or thoughts of death
  • Abuse of alcohol and/or drugs
  • Persistent nightmares
  • Threats of self-harm or harm to others
  • Self-injury or self destructive behavior
  • Frequent outbursts of anger, aggression
  • Threats to run away
  • Aggressive or non-aggressive consistent violation of rights of others; opposition to authority, truancy, thefts, or vandalism
  • Strange thoughts, beliefs, feelings, or unusual behaviors

Family Therapy

Jeanette takes appointments for traditional, single parent, gay and lesbian, adoptive and foster families. Her focus is on helping the family function in more positive and constructive ways by exploring patterns of communication and providing support and education. Family therapy sessions can include the child or adolescent along with parents, siblings, and grandparents.

Family therapy sessions are scheduled during my regular office hours.

Group Therapy

Jeanette offers a variety of group therapy sessions throughout the year.
  • 10-12 week Pre-Teen Adoptee Support Groups
    • For 4-6 year olds
    • For 7-9 year olds
    • For 10-12 year olds
  • Summer Session Teen Adoptee Support Group
  • On-Going 10-12 week Adult Adoptee Support Groups
  • Adoptive Parent Support Groups
Group Therapy uses the power of multi-person dynamics and peer interaction to increase understanding and improve social skills. Groups consist of 3-6 persons and organize on an on-going basis. Group Therapy is offered at a significant discount to individual therapy but space is limited. If interested contact Jeanette to find out about availability.

House Calls

Oftentimes people feel more comfortable in familiar surroundings. Jeanette routinely made home visits as part of her job at Southern California Foster Family and Adoption Agency and is open to scheduling sessions at her client's homes. Emergency home visits are also available.
  • Scheduled Home Visits are only available to active clients who have had more than three sessions at her office
  • Emergency House Calls are available 24/7 for active clients who feel they are in a crisis