Therapy for Women, Teens, and Children in Studio City, Los Angeles, and Across California

If you’re here, something probably feels heavy. Maybe you’re exhausted and holding everything together for everyone else. Maybe there is friction with your teen, or your young child is having big feelings that nobody seems able to soothe. Whatever brought you here, I’m glad you found this page.

I’m Julia Carpenter, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and EMDR-certified clinician. I believe healing happens in connection. My work is warm, unhurried, and trauma-informed, which means you set the pace and we move at a speed that feels safe. I see women, teens, and children in person in Studio City and online anywhere in California.

What brings people to see me

People rarely arrive with a tidy diagnosis. They arrive with a feeling: something is off, and I don’t know how to fix it. Here are some of the things I help with.

For Women

Many of the women I work with are capable, caring, and quietly worn out. You may be dealing with:

• Anxiety, overwhelm, or a mind that won’t slow down
• The lingering effects of trauma, including childhood experiences, painful relationships, or events you’ve never fully talked about
• Burnout, perfectionism, and the pressure to do it all
• Life transitions such as motherhood, loss, career changes, or the end of a relationship
• Feeling disconnected from your body, your needs, or your sense of who you are

Therapy with me is a place where all of that is welcome, with nothing to perform and nothing to fix by next week.

For teens

Being a teenager right now is hard. Between school pressure, social media, friendships that shift overnight, and the work of figuring out who you are, a lot of teens are carrying more than the adults around them realize. I support teens who are experiencing:

• Anxiety, sadness, or low mood
• Low self-esteem, body image struggles, or feeling like they don’t fit in
• Stress around school, friendships, or family
• Big changes such as puberty, identity questions, or loss
• Difficulty opening up, even with people who love them

My graduate research focused on how girls move through puberty and adolescence, and how much they need caring adults who can bear witness to this stage rather than rush past it. I bring that respect into every session with teens. Your teen’s therapy is theirs, and I work with parents too, in ways that protect that trust.

For children

Children don’t always have the words for what they feel. It tends to come out sideways, as stomachaches, tantrums, clinginess, trouble sleeping, or worries that won’t quit. I work with children who are experiencing:

• Anxiety, fears, and big emotions that are hard to calm
• Changes at home, such as divorce, a move, a new sibling, or the loss of someone they love
• Difficult or frightening experiences
• Trouble with separation, school, or friendships

With kids, we meet them where they are, through play, creativity, movement, and gentle mindfulness. Parents and caregivers are an important part of the process, and I’ll help you feel like part of the team.

What it’s like to work with me

The first step is a free 15-minute consultation. We’ll talk about what’s going on, what you’re hoping for, and whether we feel like a good fit. There’s no pressure and no wrong way to start.
In our sessions, you can expect someone who listens closely, doesn’t judge, and takes your pace seriously. Many people tell me they feel seen and accepted here. That feeling of being understood is where healing starts.

Where I work

I offer therapy in person at my office in Studio City, serving Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks, Burbank, Toluca Lake, and the surrounding San Fernando Valley communities. I am close to West Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills. I also offer secure online therapy (telehealth) for clients anywhere in California.

You don’t have to do this alone

Whether you’re reaching out for yourself, your teen, or your young child, taking the first step can feel big. I’d be honored to walk alongside you.

I invite you to reach out to me today.

Julia Carpenter, MA, LMFT, E-RYT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #165719