Welcome to Child & Teen Counseling
How are you or your child feeling today?
You. Hi. Welcome to Child and Teen Counseling. I am the Executive Director, Kent Tussant. I'm a licensed marriage and family therapist. I'd like to take a moment to tell you a little more about who Child Teen Counseling is and how we can support you and your family.
First of all, we are a 501 c three nonprofit organization in Woodland Hills, California, with two main objectives the first objective is to offer affordable mental health care to children, teens, and families.
For example, a five year old little boy struggling with anxiety and fear because his family is going through a divorce, maybe is an angry 14 year old girl who is lashing out at her family, her friends, her teachers, because she doesn't know how to really cope with the uncomfortable feelings inside of her. Perhaps it's a young man who's graduated high school and has lost all his motivation, doesn't know what his passion is, and just feels lost on his path in the world. It could even be a parent who is just at her wits end, and she's trying to connect with her kids, she's trying to set boundaries, she's trying to guide them, but she just feels like she's hitting her head against the wall.
We want to help, and the way we want to help is with objective number two, and that is to be an elite training program for pre licensed therapists to compassionately and effectively work with kids, teens, and families in a therapeutic way to help them be happier and healthier in their lives.
That can be individual therapy, family therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, parent education workshops. We want to be an active member in the community and help support as many people as we can to live happier and healthier lives. I invite you to read through our website, watch some more videos, get to know more about us, and then go to the contact page and give us a call.
We're happy to take the time to talk with you about what your concerns are, what your goals are for your help with that. Also, to stay in touch with us, please follow us on Facebook. We're going to constantly be listing new workshops, new seminars, new articles, new videos to help support you as best we can. Thank you so much for spending time here at Challenge Counseling, and we look forward to speaking with you soon.
WHAT IS OUR MISSION?
The mission of Child & Teen Counseling is three-fold:
- Expand Access to Care: We provide affordable, high-quality mental and emotional health services to children, teens, and families across Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley.
- Serve Underserved Communities: Through our Therapy on Campus program, we offer free, school-based therapy for kids and teens in underserved neighborhoods—bringing support directly to where it’s needed most.
- Grow the Next Generation of Therapists: We train emerging mental health professionals to work empathically and effectively with youth and families—fostering strong, healthy relationships and a brighter future for the field.
WHO DO WE SERVE?
Child & Teen Counseling seeks to provide therapeutic support to children, teenagers and their families. This can range from a five-year-old who is struggling with her parents’ recent divorce, a fourteen-year-old needing stronger coping skills as he tries to overcome a bullying situation, a 21-year-old battling anxiety that interferes with her career goals and to a parent who desperately wants to strengthen his relationship with his kids.
Child & Teen Counseling is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
It is the sister nonprofit to Teen Therapy Center in Woodland Hills.
CONTACT US
Do you have more questions or want to learn more about us? Give us a call or send us an email and someone will get back to you as soon as possible!
AFFORDABLE THERAPY SERVICES
CHILD
THERAPY
Our therapists will specifically plan a strategy to help your child with his/her particular and unique needs in mind. We believe in involving parents in the process.
ADOLESCENT
THERAPY
At Child & Teen Counseling, our therapists are specifically trained in the “growing up” process and treat your teenager from a place of respect and understanding.
ADULT
THERAPY
Our counselors will help you find the right questions that unlock your own answers, leading to a proactive and healthier approach to your life, and parenthood.
FAMILY
THERAPY
We believe that family communication is so important to having peace and safety in the home for not only your kids… but you too!
COUPLES
THERAPY
Couples counseling doesn’t have to wait until there’s a crisis where one or both of you have a foot out the door already.
GROUP
THERAPY
Group therapy is a great way for children and teens to practice socializing in a safe and engaging environment, without needing to rely on electronics & social media!
HAPPY
Happy is what we all want our kids to be. In fact we want our kids to by Happy all the time. Of course, no one is. However, with proper emotional support, our kids can often be Happy. What makes a kid Happy?
RECENT BLOG POSTS
Checking in with Sophie Robichaud
Sophia Robichaud doesn’t do interviews often. Not because she’s a diva-therapist (we know you were thinking it), but because she really dislikes being on camera. So when she agreed to a “checking in” session, we knew she must hold our documentary film...
Checking in with Katherine MacLeod
Katherine has been a therapist trainee at Child & Teen Counseling for almost eight months now, and on a staff of exceptionally warm and genuine people, she still stands out as being warm and genuine! We decided it was time to stop in and see how she was gettin...
Twists of Fate: Checking in with Nathan Soria
Nathan Soria is a therapist trainee at Child & Teen Counseling. We know him for being a great person to work with, and for his energy, positivity, and strong work ethic. In addition to seeing clients in the office and as part of our Therapy on Campus program,...
It’s a Wrap! with Hari Simran Khalsa
The amazing Hari Simran Khalsa has officially completed her training at Child & Teen Counseling. For the past year and a half, Hari has been a special part of our team, bringing her calm, compassionate presence and occasional baked delicacies to both clients a...
Checking In with Jimmy Barker
It's hard to believe, but our resident Englishman, Jimmy Barker, is already halfway through his training journey at Child & Teen Counseling (and no, he’s not a foreign exchange student, stop asking!). While we've had fun quizzing him on British slang, we’v...
It’s a Wrap with Seif Jarrah
This week we bid farewell to the amazing Seif Jarrah as he jogs off into the future (he’s a runner, thus the metaphor). While he was here Seif took on challenges that caused him to grow and build self-confidence, like developing a workshop which he presented...
Checking In with Olivia Sung
Olivia Sung showed up earlier this year with a rucksack full of determination and set up camp at Child & Teen Counseling. She’s been seeing clients since March, and she bravely took on the responsibility of facilitating our High School Girls Group. Lacking i...
It’s a Wrap! with Peter Merrell
Peter Merrel has completed his training and leaves Child & Teen Counseling this week. We’re sad to see him go! During his almost year and half at our organization Peter made an impact by building connections with his clients and making them feel at ease, oft...
It’s a Wrap! with Haley Scher
Child & Teen Counseling’s Haley Scher has officially completed her masters program and is bidding adieu to us this month. We’re sad to see her go but very proud of the impact she has left behind. Haley’s work with our kids and teens was top notch. She al...
Checking In with Hari Simran Khalsa
We’ve known Hari Simran Khalsa as a calming presence around our office for seven months, but we didn’t know bubbles were her secret weapon until now. We took a few minutes to sit down with Hari and get some insight into her experience at Child & Teen Couns...
Are Parents Blaming Themselves Too Much?
Are parents blaming themselves too much? Sonja Bartlett thinks maybe they are. That’s just one of the insights she shares in our new video. Sonja has been on the gig now at Child & Teen Counseling for six months, so how’s it going? Hear her dish some real...
“Dudes Talkin’ Dude Stuff” and the Wisdom of John Garrison
John Garrison is a natural storyteller and the kind of guy who can relate to anybody, but at the outset of his CTC career he’s found himself to be a real “dude’s dude.”...
It’s A Wrap! with Ben Lewis
Ben Lewis graduates from his Masters program and leaves Child & Teen Counseling this month. He made a great impact during his time here and we’re sad to see him go....
Is Hannah Bacos CTC’s New Pinkie Pie?
Are you still a little kid on the inside but you just got taller? Hannah Bacos might think so. Hannah is a new Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee at our sister nonprofit Child & Teen Counseling......
Girls Can Count On Lea
Lea Estién Garcia is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee at Child & Teen Counseling, but it wasn’t that long ago that she was a teenager herself. Maybe that’s why she’s so good at relating to teenage girls...
Peter Merrell Is a Really Nice Fellow
Peter Merrell is a therapist trainee at Child & Teen Counseling who started seeing clients in Spring. He’s a really pleasant, easy guy to talk to, but he happens to be a talented listener as well....
She’s Cool Fer Scher…
Haley Scher has become a vital member of Child & Teen Counseling since she began seeing clients in March. we get a glimpse into her mind in this short video....
More Than A Seif Choice
Introducing Seif Jarrah, a promising recent addition to our sibling nonprofit, Child & Teen Counseling. With three months of experience under his belt, Seif has quickly found his footing. But what sets him apart? What drives him, and how does he access his own...
Jennifer Koerner is CTC’s Queen of Christmas
Jennifer Koerner is a Professional Clinical Counselor Trainee at Child & Teen Counseling. So what does that mean, and how is it different from being Marriage and Family Therapist trainee? Jennifer reveals the answer to that question, and discusses what parents...
Carl Rogers + Mr. Rogers = Ben Lewis
Ben Lewis has been a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee at Child & Teen Counseling for five months. So what has he learned about communicating with kids and what do you get when you add up Carl Rogers and Mister Rogers? We deliver therapy adjacent musi...
Adam Ashkenazi Is CTC’s Modern Man
Adam Ashkenazi is a therapist trainee at Child & Teen Counseling. He’s been providing services since September both in the office and as part of our Therapy on Campus program. He also co-facilitates our Middle School Boys Group. So why did he want to become...
Veronica Torres Establishes Her Personality
Child & Teen Counseling is elated to have the brilliant Veronica Torres as part of our latest cohort of therapist trainees. Veronica has been seeing clients since September and we wanted to find out how it 's going. In this short video she pontificates on...
Sipan Nazaryan Is CTC’s Renaissance Man
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Ralph Huang is an International Man of Intrigue
Ralph Huang has lived in seven different countries. How has this international experience shaped him and what he brings to the table as a therapist trainee? And of crucial importance, what are his favorite sports teams? Child & Teen Counseling’s Internati...
Checking In With Nicole Jabourian
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Francesco Onorati: What Makes Him Tick?
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Teenage Independence: Rebellion as a Good Sign?
As a parent, I'm sure many of you have had the experience of your teen pushing back at your authority. As frustrating as this is, it is quite tempting to say statements like, “Because I said so!” or “Do it or else!” However, being able to take pause to...
Checking in with Bianca Morris
Bianca Morris is a Therapist Trainee at Child & Teen Counseling in Woodland Hills, California. She's currently getting her Masters at Pepperdine University. She began seeing clients at CTC in August of 2021 under the supervision of Executive Director Kent Tous...
Group Therapy for Teenage Girls: Girls Who Glow
Girls Who Glow is Child & Teen Counseling’s therapy group for teenage girls which launched in March 2021. So how’s it going one month in? In this Therapycast, Child & Teen Counseling Marketing Coordinator Brian Frith-Smith checks in with Marriage and Famil...
Therapy for Kids: The Best Lie Detectors in the World
Alek is a new Therapist Trainee at our sister organization Child & Teen Counseling in Woodland Hills. He’s been seeing clients since February and we wanted to check in with him and see how it was going. What’s the work environment like at CTC, and can you...
Therapy for Kids: What can a kid expect the first time at therapy?
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Helping Your Teenager Cope With Anger
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Talking To Our Kids About Racism
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Learn how you can support us so that we can continue to support others! We are so appreciative to any and all help.
Meet Our Donors
We are so very grateful to all of our wonderful donors. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to help all the families and children who really need support in our community.
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We are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Learn more about how to donate through our PayPal Giving Fund.
