Child & Family Psychotherapy

Helping young people—and the adults who love them—grow together

Why Choose Child & Family Therapy?

Children and teens express distress differently from adults. Tantrums, school refusal, anxiety about friendships, or sliding grades are often a child’s way of saying, “I need help.” We partner with the whole family to translate those signals, strengthen connection, and restore a sense of safety at home. Our work is rooted in the same strength-based, person-centered philosophy that guides all of San Francisco Counseling Collective’s services, honoring each child’s innate capacity for growth while respecting every family’s unique culture and values.

What we Help With

• Preschool behavioral challenges & parent coaching

• Anxiety, perfectionism, and school avoidance

• Depression, self-esteem, and identity exploration

• Attention-deficit / executive-function challenges

• Grief, loss, or family transitions (divorce, blended families, relocations)

• Sibling conflict and communication issues

• LGBTQIA+ support and gender-affirming care for youth and families

• Trauma recovery and attachment difficulties

Our Approach

• Whole-family lens. Even when we meet individually with a child or teen, we keep the family system in view, offering parent sessions, joint meetings, and practical home strategies.

• Developmentally-attuned methods. Play therapy, creative arts, sand-tray, CBT, and mindfulness meet kids where they are, while older adolescents benefit from narrative and solution-focused techniques.

• Cultural humility & inclusivity. We honor each family’s cultural identities, faith traditions, and definitions of “family,” and we offer family services in California in English, Spanish, and ASL.

• Collaboration with schools & providers. With your permission, we may coordinate with teachers, pediatricians, and psychiatrists to create consistent support across environments.

• Brief or longer-term therapy. Some goals resolve in a few focused sessions; others require deeper, ongoing work. We work with you to determine treatment length wherever possible.

Meet Our Child & Family Therapists

Nancy Pullen brings 15 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and families in schools and community settings before joining SFCC’s clinical team. Additional licensed therapists and supervised associates in our collective share training in child development, play therapy, and parent consultation.

Visit Nancy’s page for more information.

Amanda M. Chan blends a 20-year Silicon Valley career with experience in hospice-based grief work and high school-based counseling to guide her work with children, teens, and their families, using collaborative, strength-based approaches that are appropriate for their stage of social and emotional development. Amanda also works with adults and has completed Level 1 and Level 2 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy.

Visit Amanda’s page for more information.

What to Expect

• Free 20-minute phone consultation to ensure fit and answer your questions.

• Intake & goal-setting—we meet with caregivers first, then your child, and together craft goals everyone supports.

• Regular check-ins so parents stay informed and children feel ownership of their progress.

• Clear next steps—whether that’s graduation from therapy, occasional “booster” sessions, or referrals for additional services.

Ready to Begin?

Contact us to schedule your consultation. We provide in-person sessions in San Francisco’s Castro district and secure teletherapy for families anywhere in California.