Helping you understand your child, and respond with confidence.
Child development centered consultation for families raising children from the early years through adolescence. In-Person in San Francisco and Online Across CA
I’m Jessica (mom, therapist, & consultant)
For the past decade, I've supported parents through different stages of their parenting journey—from trying to conceive to raising teenagers. I have a specialized background in supporting families with children under 7 and am trained in the Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation model that originated at UCSF. As a mom myself, I know firsthand how hard it can be to watch your child struggle or go through a major transition. Different stages of development and life transitions can bring behaviors that feel confusing, unexpected, and challenging for parents.
Sometimes the hardest part isn’t knowing what to do. It’s understanding what’s really going on.
Parent consultation is a non-therapy supportive service for parents of children of all ages. It is a space for us to think together, take a step back, and look at the full picture of your child's behavior and the challenges that come with it. Together, we can better understand what is happening with your child, the needs and communication behind the behaviors, and identify developmentally informed ways to respond.
When helpful, consultation may also include collaboration with your child's school or childcare provider and observations in those settings. It is also a space for you to better understand what may be coming up for you during these challenging moments and identify any support you may need to feel more confident in your parenting.
PARENT CONSULTATION MAY BE RIGHT FOR YOU IF…
You have specific concerns about your child’s development or behavior.
Your child will begin or has begun attending a new childcare center or school and you have concerns about this transition.
Your child’s teachers or care team are sharing concerns about your child.
You and your child (ren) keep clashing and you don’t know how to understand what is going on.
You are welcoming a new baby in the family and need support helping your child (ren) adapt to this new change.
You’re struggling to stay on the same page in your parenting with your partner or family members.
You are a neurodivergent parent or you’re raising a neurodivergent child and are needing support on the unique challenges this brings up.
You’re going through a divorce or other major life transition and are worried about how this may be affecting your children.
Your own childhood history or trauma is resurfacing.
Helping you trust yourself in the hard moments.
Learn how to navigate hard moments with your children with more confidence and less guilt.
Identify the parenting values that best align with you and how to bring those values into the way you respond to your children.
Identify and understand what shows up for you during difficult moments and how to support yourself.
Identify your own limits and learn how to honor and communicate them.
Learn how to work together with your partner or co-parent to create more consistency and stay on the same page.
Feel more confident and empowered in navigating educational systems and advocating for your neurodivergent child.
You’re doing your best, and you don’t have to figure this out alone.
FAQs
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In consultation, there is a blend of reflection, insight, and practical strategies tailored to your family's unique needs. While these elements are also present in therapy, consultation is typically more short term and occurs less frequently.
Consultation focuses on supporting the adults in a child's life rather than providing direct treatment to the child. Child or family therapy can be done alongside consultation when additional support is needed.
Depending on your family's needs, consultation may also include collaboration with your child's preschool or school, as well as observations in their educational setting to help better understand their strengths, challenges, and experiences across environments.
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The timeline varies depending on the needs of each family. Some parents find that a few sessions provide enough guidance, while others benefit from ongoing support through periodic weekly or bi-monthly meetings.
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Parent consultation is priced at the same rate of my therapy services: $185 per meeting.
Parent consultation is not classified as therapy and as such is not reimbursable by insurance so you are not able to use your insurance benefits for this service.
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I work with all the caregivers involved in your child’s life. This can include working with parents together but consultation is not considered couple’s therapy.
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I currently am a mental health consultant at a few local infant and preschool centers in the Bay Area. I have extensive training and education in child and adolescent development and have advanced training in the Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation model that originated from UCSF.
I started working with parents long before I became a mom myself (about 10 years!). During this time, I have supported parents in all parenting stages ranging from raising babies to adolescents. I have extensive experience providing service coordination, case management, and consultation support.
If you’d like to learn more about training and experience, you can take a look at my CV here.