Expert Care for Kids, Teens & Trauma Survivors of All Ages
Understanding your needs
Adoption and foster care therapy supports children and caregivers navigating loss, transitions, attachment, identity and relationships.
We tailor care to your family’s history, strengths and everyday needs.
We're here to help you find the right support.
Children who have experienced adoption or foster care may have questions about belonging, identity, relationships, or changes in their lives. Some may also experience trauma-related distress, anxiety, behavioral challenges, or neurodevelopmental differences. At Therapy SoCal, we recognize that every child and family has a unique story, and we tailor care to each child’s individual needs rather than making assumptions based on their history.
We provide adoption-competent child and teen therapy grounded in trauma-informed care, attachment, and child development. Treatment may include individual therapy, caregiver guidance, and shared sessions to support emotional healing, strengthen relationships, and build a greater sense of safety and connection. When appropriate, we may incorporate Life Book work, a structured, developmentally sensitive approach that helps children organize and explore their personal histories, process experiences of separation and transition, and develop a clearer sense of identity and belonging. Life Books draw on established principles of trauma-informed, narrative, and attachment-focused care. We begin by understanding your family’s experiences and concerns, then work collaboratively to identify meaningful goals and practical ways to make everyday life more manageable.
Children may need time and support to feel secure in relationships, particularly after separations or changes in caregivers. We explore patterns of connection, distress and response within the family. Caregiver participation can help translate treatment into everyday interactions that build predictability and understanding.
Earlier experiences may influence how a child responds to reminders, transitions or uncertainty. When trauma symptoms are present, treatment is matched to the child’s readiness and needs. Explore trauma therapy for children to learn how EMDR or Trauma-Focused CBT may fit an individualized plan.
Caregivers may need help understanding intense reactions, setting boundaries and responding without escalating distress. Parenting support focuses on practical strategies and the relationship behind the behavior. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy or other developmentally appropriate approaches may be considered when they fit the child, caregivers and clinician’s training.
Questions about birth family, culture, belonging, and personal history may emerge at different stages of development. Therapy provides children and caregivers with a supportive space to explore these experiences with sensitivity and respect. For kinship caregivers, these conversations may involve complex family loyalties, grief, boundaries, and evolving relationships with the child’s birth parents and extended family. We help families navigate these dynamics while centering the child’s emotional needs, honoring meaningful relationships, and supporting a sense of identity and belonging without placing children in the middle of adult conflicts. Our approach considers each child’s perspective and the family’s unique circumstances rather than prescribing a single way of understanding or discussing adoption, foster care, or kinship relationships.
Adoption or foster care history does not explain every difficulty. A child may also need support for anxiety, ADHD , autism, or learning differences. When questions about development or diagnosis remain, psychological assessment may help clarify the appropriate support alongside ongoing therapy and caregiver guidance.
Step 1
Start with a free 15-minute phone consultation to share the child’s age, your concerns and preferred office or appointment format. We discuss clinician fit, the care you are seeking and any important circumstances affecting participation.
Step 2
The clinician gathers developmental and family history, listens to caregiver concerns and begins understanding the child’s experience. Existing records and information from other providers may be considered with appropriate consent. We also clarify who can consent to and participate in treatment.
Step 3
Together, we identify goals related to the child’s symptoms, relationships and everyday life. The clinician explains recommended approaches and how caregivers may be involved. The plan reflects the family’s priorities and the child’s developmental needs.
Step 4
Sessions may involve the child, caregivers or both. Work can include emotional regulation, strengthening connection and processing difficult experiences when appropriate. We review what is changing at home and adjust strategies to make them practical for your family.
Step 5
As goals are met, the clinician discusses how to maintain useful skills and respond to future transitions. Session frequency may change according to progress and need. We plan the next stage together rather than assume a fixed timeline.
Explore locations and fees, then request a consultation about adoption and foster care therapy. Ask about current in-person options in Valencia or Glendora and appropriate California telehealth services.
No. Adoption itself does not establish a diagnosis or a need for trauma treatment. We assess the child’s concerns, history, strengths and daily functioning. Recommendations may include therapy, caregiver support or another service depending on what the child and family need.
Caregiver involvement can be an important part of treatment. The clinician will clarify consent, participation and communication arrangements in light of the child’s situation. Sessions may help caregivers understand reactions and use practical strategies at home.
Attachment-focused support considers how a child experiences safety, trust and connection with caregivers. Treatment may help the adults and child understand one another’s responses and practice more supportive interactions. The specific approach depends on the child’s needs and the clinician’s training.
Yes. We consider what contributes to the behavior, including development, stress, relationships , grief and loss and other needs. Treatment may involve the child and caregivers, with practical support for emotional regulation and boundaries. We do not assume that adoption history is the only explanation.
We can assess how trauma-related concerns, attention difficulties and other symptoms may be affecting the child. ADHD treatment or psychological testing may be discussed when appropriate. The aim is to understand the child’s needs rather than select a diagnosis in advance.
Contact the practice with the child’s age, your concerns and preferred location. A free 15-minute phone consultation can help clarify the right clinician and next step. Appointment format and current availability are discussed before scheduling.
Dr. Melissa Jinariu, Licensed Psychologist and Associates
Mon-Fri: 08AM-08PM
Saturday: Appointments may be available upon request.
27201 Tourney Road, Suite 201, Valencia, CA 91355 AND 216 N. Glendora Ave, Suite 203, Glendora, CA 91741
(661)-904-0088
dr.melissaJinariu@gmail.com
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