in real life
Helping Children Thrive
Child & Teen Psychologist in Encino, CA, Specializing in Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, and Neurodivergent-Affirming Care
I'm Dr. Marie Johnson, a licensed clinical psychologist in Encino, CA. I've spent 25 years working with children, first as a classroom teacher and school psychologist, and today as a clinical psychologist specializing in trauma and neurodivergent-affirming care.
Every chapter taught me something the last one couldn't about how children learn, cope, and heal.
You don't have to do this alone
How I Can Help
HEALING FROM TRAUMA
I support children and teens healing from trauma, loss, or difficult life experiences, including children navigating foster care, adoption, or complex family transitions.
I'm certified in TF-CBT and have advanced training in EMDR, two of the most trusted, evidence-based approaches for helping children process what has happened to them at a pace that feels safe.
SUPPORTING NEURODIVERGENT KIDS
Every child deserves a therapist who sees their whole self, not just a diagnosis.
I offer neurodivergent-affirming, individualized care for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, including autism, intellectual disabilities, and ADHD, that meets each child exactly as they are.
ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION
Many of the kids I work with look like they have it all together, straight A's, packed schedules, big goals, but underneath, they're exhausted, quietly anxious, feeling depressed, or struggling under expectations that feel impossible to meet.
I help children and teens navigating academically demanding schools find their way back to themselves, whether that means easing anxiety and depression, loosening perfectionism's grip, or recovering from burnout that's easy to mistake for just being a high achiever.
If your child is healing from something hard, carrying something they don’t yet have the words to explain, or moving through the world a little differently than their peers, I want you to know something first: you are not alone in this, and neither are they.
I offer trauma-informed, evidence-based therapy for children, teens, and families throughout Encino and the San Fernando Valley. That includes EMDR and TF-CBT for children who have experienced trauma, neurodivergent-affirming care for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities including autism, intellectual disabilities, and ADHD, and support for kids struggling with anxiety and depression. Every child I work with, no matter what they have faced, has the capacity to heal and to feel like themselves again.
That belief guides everything I do.
Hi, I'm
Dr. Marie Johnson
For over 25 years, I've had the privilege of walking alongside children and families through some of life's hardest moments. My training includes a doctoral internship and two-year postdoctoral fellowship in trauma psychology at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. I'm certified in TF-CBT, widely considered the gold standard approach for childhood trauma. I also have advanced training in EMDR and am actively seeking certification through EMDRIA to ensure the highest quality care. I offer in-person and online therapy in Encino, serving families throughout the San Fernando Valley.
But underneath all of that, what actually drives me is simple. I believe healing is possible. I believe resilience is real. And I believe every child deserves to feel safe, seen, and full of joy.
What Support and Treatment Looks Like for Your Family
When a child is struggling, the whole family feels it. I know that when a family sits with me for the first time they’re looking for someone who understands this and can help them move forward together.
My hope for every child and every parent I work with is that your child leaves our sessions feeling a little lighter, a little more understood, and a little more like the kid you know is in there. That you leave with real tools, not just reassurance. And that slowly, the hard days get fewer, and the good ones start to outnumber them again.
That's the work. That's what I'm here for.
Small steps create big change
Ready to take the next step?
Reaching out is often the hardest part, and I'm honored to meet you there. You know your child best, and you may already have a sense that some extra support could make a difference.
What I can offer is a steady, experienced hand to help you find it. If you're ready to schedule, or you just have a question, I'd love to be there for you.