Caregiver Support

When your child is struggling with their mental health, caregiving can feel like a constant maze of stressors and difficult decision-making. Sequoia’s caregiver support team understands the unique challenges of caregiving teens and will walk alongside you every step of the way. You’ll strengthen the caregiving techniques you already have, and learn new research-driven approaches to supporting your child. Whether your teen is dealing with identity questions, navigating neurodiversity, or struggling with a serious mental health concern such as anxiety, depression, self-harm or suicidality, our team can help.

Services Offered

If your teen is in individual therapy with a Sequoia clinician and both the teen and clinician agree that parent/family sessions would be useful in supporting their mental health treatment, their clinician may offer parent or family sessions. If your teen is not being seen at Sequoia, does not agree to have you meet with their clinician, or more intensive parent or family support is indicated than their individual clinician can offer, we have two other options for caregiver support:

Non-Clinical Caregiver Coaching

Non-clinical caregiver coaching provides skill-based, non-clinical support for one or more caregivers in the family. This service typically includes 5 - 15 coaching sessions based on your needs. Caregiver coaching is ideal for families who are looking for short-term, concrete skill-building to learn new ways to support their youth and are committed to consistent practice of techniques at home.

Individual Caregiver Psychotherapy

Individual caregiver psychotherapy provides in-depth therapeutic support for parents/guardians. This service can be short or long term based on your needs. Individual psychotherapy is ideal for caregivers looking to explore how their own background, identities and mental health challenges interact with their role in the family.

Meet our Caregiver Support Team

  • Kathryn Ouke, MSW, LICSW

    CAREGIVER COACH & THERAPIST

    Hello! My name is Kathryn and I am excited to partner with you as we build your confidence to support your youth and their needs. I use the Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC) framework and neurodivergent-affirming therapies when working with caregivers whose youth have experienced trauma as well as caregivers whose youth are neurodivergent. We will not only explore the attachment between you and your child, but also your attachment with your own caregivers, as our past experiences influence our parenting styles. We will build on the strengths you already possess as a caregiver, and develop new skills and strategies to reinforce attunement between you and your child. In sessions with me, I ask that caregivers be willing and open to trying new ways of approaching their child's behaviors, be open to vulnerability, and reflect on their own stories growing up and their expectations of what it is to be a caregiver. My goal is to help you increase collaboration between you and your child, develop skills to manage challenging behavior, be aware of and utilize your child's strengths, support your child's development, and feel empowered in your role as a caregiver. I look forward to being part of this journey with you.

  • Aleen Adams, MAT; MA, LMHCA

    CAREGIVER COACH & THERAPIST

    At Sequoia, I provide individual therapy to adolescents and young adults, and parenting skills and consultation services to families seeking additional tools and strategies to support the teens or young adults in their lives.

    My experience has taught me that parents play a vital role in their child’s mental health care team, and that therapy is most successful with the teamwork and support of the whole family system. In Caregiver Coaching sessions, I aim to help parents understand factors that contribute to their child’s behavior and how interactions with family and school environments may reinforce certain patterns of behaviors. My approach draws upon a variety of research-based strategies, built upon a foundation of increasing positive parent-teen communication and connection.

    For many parents, seeking support can bring up feelings of vulnerability and self-judgement. As a parent of a 15-yr-old myself, I understand how challenging it can be to parent a teen! I believe that most parents are loving and caring and are doing the best they can. Parents often come tome feeling confused, stuck, and frustrated. They don’t know what to do (or what NOT to do) to make meaningful changes at home for themselves or their child. I strive to create an inclusive, non-judgmental space and bring a lot of warmth, creativity, and humor to the table. Sessions often include psychoeducation about teen development, goal-setting, self-regulation skills, and communication strategies to address dynamics that commonly occur between parents and teens. Parents can expect compassion, validation, and understanding from me, balanced with a practical no-nonsense approach grounded in research about where changes may need to happen to foster more positive family dynamics and improved mental health outcomes for children. I deeply value and respect the diverse values and priorities of each family and embrace collaboration to create a personalized plan to achieve your unique family goals. It is a privilege to learn from the families we work with, and I look forward to meeting you.

  • Eden Amital, MSW, LSWAIC

    INDIVIDUAL CAREGIVER THERAPIST

    Do you want a different, closer relationship with your child or teen? Are you curious about relating to yourself and your kids with more presence and playfulness, yet feeling exhausted and stuck? I provide individual therapy to caregivers and parents who are motivated to notice and heal intergenerational patterns of wounding and disconnection in order to show up for themselves and their kids with increased compassion and attunement. 

    I strive to show up as pro-Black and LGBTQIA, BIPOC, neurodiversity, disability, and polyamory affirming. 

    Types of Therapy: Relational therapy, Mindful Self-Compassion, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, harm reduction, and trauma-informed care.