Walnut Creek Child Therapy & Parent Support to Help Bay Area Families Build Connection
Our Approach
Parent Therapy, Child, and Teen Counseling for Raising Emotionally Healthy Children
At Little Dove Counseling, we support parents, children, and teens in building stronger relationships, developing emotional skills, and navigating the challenges that come with growing up.
Many families begin their search for therapy focused on their child's changes in behavior, anxiety, big emotions, or disconnection. But over time, it becomes clear that meaningful, lasting change happens when parents feel supported, confident, and equipped to respond to their child’s needs.
That’s why parent therapy and parent support are a central part of our work.
We help parents better understand their child’s emotional world, navigate challenges like ADHD, anxiety, and behavioral concerns, and develop tools that support emotional regulation and connection at home. When parents feel supported, children benefit.
At the same time, we provide child therapy and teen therapy using creative, developmentally attuned approaches like play therapy, expressive arts therapy, and storytelling. These methods help children express themselves, build emotional awareness, and feel understood in ways that match their developmental stage.
Our work is rooted in an attachment-based, family-centered approach, where we focus on strengthening the parent–child relationship as the foundation for emotional growth.
We offer parent therapy, child therapy, teen counseling, family therapy, and group services in Walnut Creek, California, and online. We’re here to support your family in raising emotionally healthy children with confidence and connection.
Combining play therapy for kids with attachment-based parent support, we help Bay Area families heal disconnection, reduce conflict, and build emotional resilience together.
Meet the Little Dove Team
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![Therapist smiling in a studio portrait representing parenting support for families in Oakland.]()
Tori Agawa (she/her)
Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #150174 | Supervised by Corinne Chheng Ear, LCSW #28984
I am passionate about helping children, teens, parents, and young adults develop understanding and connection both within themselves and with one another. I have experience with a variety of issues including but not limited to anxiety and panic, depression, OCD, ADHD, autism, suicidal thoughts, trauma, and self-harm. Therapy with me often includes cultivating self awareness and compassion through mindfulness, boundary work, and somatic awareness—all tailored to your specific needs. I have additional training in Internal Family Systems and ADHD-specific interventions. -
![Therapist sitting in a welcoming space representing parent child relationship support in Lafayette.]()
Hannah Miller (she/her)
Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #154754 | Supervised by Corinne Chheng Ear, LCSW #28984
I am passionate about creating a supportive, developmentally attuned space where children, teens, and families can explore emotions, strengthen relationships, and navigate life’s challenges with care and curiosity.I believe connection is essential to healing and growth. I strive to create a safe, welcoming space where each individual feels valued and seen, while supporting families in strengthening relationships and creating lasting change.
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![Smiling therapist outdoors representing parent therapy services helping families in Walnut Creek.]()
Emma Freemire (she/her)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker #118229 Senior TherapistEmma is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work. Amongst Emma’s areas of focus are the treatment of Anxiety, Depression, Low Self-Esteem, Trauma/PTSD, Grief and Loss, Relationship Challenges, Family Conflict, and Adjustment to Life Transitions. Emma utilizes insight-oriented Talk Therapy and integrates Expressive Arts, Narrative, Attachment-Focused, Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) and Solution-Focused Therapies. She enjoys working with children, teens and adults with sensory/anxiety needs. Her style can be described as collaborative, warm, and authentic.
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![Danville, CA Parent Therapist]()
Antoinette Verduzco (she/her)
Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #143589| Supervised by Corrine Chheng Ear LCSW #28984
Antoinette is a compassionate and experienced Associate Marriage and Family Therapist dedicated to supporting children, teens and families in their growth and healing. She has over 4 years of specialized training in working with children and is a mother herself. Antoinette creates a playful, nurturing space for kids to process big feelings and build resilience.She brings this empathy and real-life wisdom to her work, partnering closely with caregivers to navigate the ups and downs of family life. Antoinette believes in empowering parents with practical tools and insights to support their child's wellbeing beyond the therapy room.
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![Portrait of a smiling therapist representing parent therapy services supporting families in Walnut Creek.]()
Maribel Valencia (she/her)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker #127790 |
Therapist (Bilingual Spanish & English)As a therapist, I bring years of experience, compassion, and a genuine passion for guiding children to navigate the layers and nuances of their emotions or relationships and into the skies of emotional well-being.
My experience has been in working with diverse families units and supporting them by creating a safe space to explore, grow, and heal. I enjoy working alongside caregivers to address their child’s presenting challenges, such as anxiety, behavioral issues, or the turbulence of life transitions. My goal is to empower children to develop coping skills and connections that will serve them well into adulthood.
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![Bilingual therapist smiling outdoors representing child therapy support for families in the Bay Area.]()
Jessica Guzman (she/her)
Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #142364 | Supervised by Corinne Chheng Ear, LCSW #28984
Therapist (Bilingual English & Spanish)In therapy, I strive to create a warm, safe, and collaborative space where clients feel seen and supported. I draw from person-centered therapy, narrative therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), family systems therapy, and Bowenian approaches to tailor each session to your unique story and goals.
Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or your child, I’m here to walk alongside you with empathy and care. When I’m not working, you can usually find me browsing the library or cozied up at home playing video games.
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![Therapist with a calm expression representing child therapy and family support in Oakland.]()
Samuel Noah Phillips (he/him)
Registered Clinical Social Worker #108810 | Supervised by Corinne Chheng Ear, LCSW #28984
Outside of Little Dove, I am a school therapist, artist, and proud papa. Inside Little Dove, I am here to help you and your child navigate your sometimes bewildering, often delightful, frequently painful and difficult lives together. I went to Columbia University School of Social Work and worked with adults in New York City before moving to California. I use an expressive arts and play approach (with both kids and adults), and believe strongly in the value of spirituality, imagination, and common sense. We'll start wherever you are, and work together to achieve your goals.
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![Therapist in a close-up portrait representing child therapy services in the Bay Area.]()
Marissa Smit (she/her)
Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #140618 | Supervised by Jennifer Powe Runde, REAT, LMFT #46457 and Corinne Chheng Ear, LCSW #28984 |
Operations Director & Therapist
I am an expressive arts therapist dedicated to fostering a safe and fun environment for children and teens to learn, grow, and express. I believe a trusting and safe relationship between a therapist and child takes time and is essential to the therapeutic process. Grounded in psychology and the arts, my approach centers on creating a nurturing space where children can develop emotional awareness and regulation, build self-esteem and resilience, and practice positive behavioral skills. With empathy and patience, my passion lies in the magic of storytelling, using it to connect, inspire, and support children in expressing themselves through life's toughest complexities.
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![Therapist smiling in a home setting representing parent therapy support in Walnut Creek.]()
Amy Love (she/her)
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #43303I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Masters in Integral Counseling and over 25 years of experience in children’s mental health, primarily working with youth affected by trauma, family separation, and attachment challenges.
At Little Dove, I bring warmth, empathy, and a sense of joy into the therapy room, so children feel safe, seen, and understood. I believe in the therapeutic benefits of play, creativity, and humor. I take time to understand your beliefs and values around parenting so that we can work together in a way that feels collaborative. I am committed to supporting family healing and resilience in the face of challenges.
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![Scheduling help for child counseling in Walnut Creek, CA]()
Katelyn Etchison | Intake Coordinator
Hi! I’m Katelyn, and I am Little Dove’s Intake Coordinator. I grew up on California’s sunny Central Coast, where I developed an early passion for working with young children and supporting families. After recently relocating to the Bay Area, I am thrilled to be part of the Little Dove team and to spend my time connecting families with compassionate, skilled professionals who can support them on their journey.When I’m not working, I enjoy exploring my new home in the Bay Area with my partner, spending time with my adorable cats, and unwinding with a good video game.
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![Therapist smiling in a professional portrait representing child therapy services in the Bay Area.]()
Chheng Ear, Licensed Clinical Social Worker #28984
Clinical Supervisor and Mentor
Chheng is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience dedicated to supporting children, adolescents, and the adults who care for them. She finds deep fulfillment in helping families cultivate healthier, more connected relationships, empowering individuals to uncover their hidden strengths, and guiding children toward newfound confidence, joy, and abilities. In today’s challenging world, Chheng offers a compassionate space for healing, growth, and reconnection—where confidence, joy, and harmony can be rediscovered.
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![Founder and therapist standing outdoors representing parenting support services in Walnut Creek.]()
Anna Sasser-Christian (she/her)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker #11364 | Clinical Director & Assessment Therapist
Committed to connection and play, I am excited to share my uniquely focused therapy practice with you. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who feels incredibly lucky to join your story. It’s my goal to cultivate a space specially designed for children ages 2-6 years old and families in mind. I believe the power of play increases our ability to connect to each other and the world around us. If you’ve been impacted by disconnected or ruptured relationships, then I may be a good fit for you.
Areas of Focus
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50 mins | $185-225
Online or in-person, we provide parent coaching and parent therapy for those feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure how to support their child. Our work focuses on helping you reconnect with your instincts as a parent and feel more confident in how you respond to your child’s needs.
Using approaches such as Hand-in-Hand Parenting, Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), and attachment-based parenting support, we guide parents in understanding behavior, strengthening connection, and supporting their child’s emotional development.
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50 mins | $185-220
Adoption presents unique experiences in the connection process. As therapists with real world adoption experience and specialized training in attachment, we understand the complexities of building a family through adoption. Helping families understand the concept of the primal wound and the joy of grasping each adoption story informs the adoption therapy process.
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50 mins | $185-225
Nothing is worse than watching our children struggle with baffling behaviors. Are you feeling surprised, overwhelmed, or worried about shifts in your child’s temperament or behavior? Children develop so quickly! It can be disorienting trying to keep up and discern what is “normal kid stuff” and what might require some extra attention.
At Little Dove Counseling, we provide child therapy services in Walnut Creek, CA to help you answer this question. Our team of experts adores working with children and believes child therapy should be an engaging and meaningful experience for the whole family. You may be wondering if your child would benefit from child therapy.
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50 mins | $185-225
Teens fly towards adulthood but aren’t quite ready to leave the nest. Regardless, they certainly try to spread their wings, and often make a crash landing. Teens brains, hearts, and minds are developing at such a rapid pace! Keeping up as the parent is such a wild ride.
At Little Dove Counseling, we believe relationships paved the way to a healthy adulthood. We focus our work with teens on relationships with themselves, others, and the world. We believe that a healthy teen is a genuinely connected teen. Our teen therapists specialize in relational trauma, disconnection, anxiety, and depression. We understand the complex nature of navigating the world as a teen, and we believe that working closely with the teen and parent to foster connectedness will pave the way to a healthy adulthood.
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50 Min | $185-225
Expressive Arts Therapy is for people who heal best through creative expression. Modes include visual arts, dramatic arts, music, poetry/writing, movement, and play. Based on the science that children and teens learn by doing, Little Dove Counseling offers hands-on and experiential therapy settings. Expressive Arts Therapy is ideal for children and teens overwhelming symptoms of anxiety, depression, or trauma and need a safe and meaningful outlet for their healing process.
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50 mins | $185-$225
Focused on children 2-12 years of age, family play therapy is best for those who have little ones who are struggling. We provide a unique treatment plan for each child with a family component tailored to their needs. For children this young, life moves quickly! That’s why we make ourselves available to you between sessions for more thorough treatment.
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60 Min | $80-$135
We are better in community, which often means we heal better in community. Group therapy is an ideal way to develop a growth mindset, learn in real time, and find validation in others’ experiences. Groups will be chosen and developed throughout the year with you and mind. Upcoming groups include: Social Skills for Preschoolers, Process Group for Parents of Preschoolers, and weekend workshops.
In-person and remote options
Our office is conveniently located in Walnut Creek right by the highway to accommodate families all over the Bay. We have in-person and remote options for child therapy, teen therapy, and family play therapy in California.
Address: 1901 Olympic Blvd, Suite 240 Walnut Creek, CA 94596