Child Therapy in Bakersfield, CA (Ages 5–12)

Dr. Judith Brannon, PhD, LMFT, offers child therapy in Bakersfield, CA, for children ages 5 through 12 who are struggling with anxiety, behavioral challenges, school stress, divorce adjustment, grief, or social difficulties. Sessions use play therapy and age-appropriate techniques to help children express and process their emotions. Available in-person in Bakersfield and through telehealth across California.

Children experience the world differently than adults — and they express their emotions differently too. A child who is anxious might become clingy or have stomach aches. A child processing a family change might act out at school or withdraw from friends. They don’t always have the words to tell you what’s wrong, but their behavior is always communicating something.

As a parent, watching your child struggle is one of the hardest things you can experience. You want to help, but you may feel unsure about what’s normal, what’s a phase, and when professional support is needed. Child therapy provides a safe space for your child to be understood — and gives you guidance and tools to support them at home.

Signs Your Child May Benefit from Therapy

• Increased anxiety — clinginess, excessive worry, fear of separation, or physical complaints
• Behavioral changes — acting out, aggression, defiance, or emotional meltdowns
• Withdrawal from friends, activities, or things they used to enjoy
• School difficulties — trouble focusing, declining grades, or refusal to go to school
• Regression — returning to behaviors they’d outgrown like bedwetting or thumb-sucking
• Difficulty adjusting to a family change — divorce, new sibling, move, or loss
• Frequent sadness, tearfulness, or statements about feeling “bad” or “stupid”
• Social difficulties — trouble making friends or keeping them

If you’ve noticed any of these changes persisting for more than a few weeks, it’s worth reaching out. Early intervention can make a significant difference in a child’s emotional development.

How Child Therapy Works

Children don’t typically sit in a chair and talk about their feelings the way adults do in therapy. That’s why child therapy uses play — the natural language of childhood — as the primary tool for expression and healing.

Play therapy allows children to act out their feelings, experiences, and worries through toys, art, games, and creative activities. Through play, children process difficult emotions, develop problem-solving skills, and build emotional resilience — all in a way that feels natural and safe to them.

Parent involvement is an important part of child therapy. I regularly check in with parents (while respecting the child’s therapeutic space) to share observations, discuss progress, and provide strategies you can use at home to support your child’s growth.

For children dealing with specific traumatic experiences, adapted EMDR techniques can be incorporated in a child-friendly way to help them process those memories.

My Approach to Working with Children

I believe children are naturally resilient — and therapy is about removing the barriers to that resilience. My approach is warm, patient, and playful. I meet each child where they are, building trust at their pace and using the therapeutic modalities that best fit their age, temperament, and needs.

Sessions with children typically incorporate drawing, storytelling, sandtray work, and structured therapeutic games alongside conversation. The specific techniques depend on the child and what they respond to best.

I also work closely with parents to ensure that the skills and insights from therapy extend into daily life. Parenting a child who is struggling can be isolating — I’m here to support the whole family, not just the child in the room.

What Sessions Are Like

We start with a free 15-minute consultation where we’ll discuss your concerns about your child and whether therapy is the right step.

The first session typically involves meeting with the parent(s) alone to gather a thorough history. After that, I’ll begin meeting with your child individually. Sessions are 50 minutes, usually weekly.

Periodic parent check-ins are scheduled throughout the process so you stay informed and involved. The balance between the child’s confidentiality and your need to understand their progress is something we navigate carefully and collaboratively.

In-Person in Bakersfield or Online Across California

Child therapy is available in-person at the Bakersfield office (2020 Eye Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301), which is equipped for play-based therapeutic work. Telehealth sessions are also available for children across California, using adapted techniques that work well in a virtual setting.

Frequently Asked Questions About Child Therapy

How do I know if my child needs therapy?

If your child’s behavior, mood, or functioning has changed noticeably and persisted for more than a couple of weeks — or if they’re struggling to cope with a specific situation like divorce, a move, or a loss — therapy can help. Trust your instincts as a parent. If something feels off, it’s worth exploring.

What is play therapy?

Play therapy is a developmentally appropriate form of therapy that uses play as the primary medium for communication and healing. Children express through play what they can’t yet put into words. A trained play therapist observes, participates, and gently guides the play to help children process emotions and develop coping skills.

Will you tell me what my child talks about in therapy?

I balance your need to be informed with your child’s need for a safe, confidential space. I provide regular updates on themes, progress, and recommendations without sharing specific details your child shared in confidence — unless there’s a safety concern.

How long does child therapy take?

Many children show noticeable improvement within 8 to 12 sessions. Some benefit from longer-term support, especially if the underlying issues are complex. We’ll discuss progress regularly and adjust the plan as your child grows.

Related Services

If your child is a teenager, you may want to explore teen therapy (ages 13–17). Family dynamics often play a role in a child’s well-being — family therapy can complement individual child therapy. All services are available online throughout California.