Child Anxiety, ADHD, & Teen Therapy in San Diego | Dr. Lindsay O'Shea, Ph.D.

Your child is struggling.
You don’t have to figure it out alone.

I help kids, teens, and parents understand what’s driving anxiety, ADHD, emotional outbursts, shutdowns, and family stress - so home feels calmer, connection feels easier, and your child gets the support they need.

Licensed Psychologist with in-person sessions in Cardiff-by-the-Sea and via telehealth in CA, CO, & UT.

Dr. Lindsay O’Shea has been Featured In:

San Diego child therapist helping kids with ADHD in therapy session

I work with families to:

  • Help children and teens manage anxiety and big emotions

  • Support teens dealing with stress, identity, or withdrawal

  • Improve parent-child communication

  • Provide parents with clear, practical strategies that actually work

You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Dr. Lindsay, San Diego family therapist

Parents, You might be here because…

  • Your child has big meltdowns after school.

  • Your teen is anxious, withdrawn, or won’t talk to you.

  • You’re wondering if this is ADHD, anxiety, burnout, or something else.

  • You’ve tried rewards, consequences, and reassurance, but nothing is really changing.

    You do not need to have the right label before reaching out. This is exactly the kinds of things I help with.

Is This Anxiety, ADHD, Emotional Overwhelm,

or Something Else?

Take this 2-minute parent quiz to better understand what may be going on and what kind of support could help.

Is this right for us?

  • Kids, teens, and young adults ages 5–23.

  • Parents worried about anxiety, ADHD, emotional outbursts, shutdowns, school stress, or family tension.

  • Families who want practical tools, not just reassurance.

  • Parents who are ready for support even if they are not sure exactly what the problem is yet.

How it works:

Step 1

Book a free 20-min parent consultation

Step 2

Get clarity on what may be driving the behavior and what support makes sense.

Step 3

Begin a personalized plan with practical tools for your child and family.

What I Help With

Therapy for Anxiety, ADHD, Emotional Regulation, and Family Stress.

You know something's wrong. You just need someone who can help you figure out what.

I use age-appropriate, evidence-based approaches tailored to your family's unique needs.

Specialized Care for Young Minds

Anxiety & Worry

Support for kids and teens dealing with excessive worry, school anxiety, perfectionism, separation anxiety, and avoidance.

ADHD & Focus

Help with attention, executive functioning, emotional regulation, impulsivity, and building confidence at home and school.

Emotional Regulation

Therapy for big feelings, irritability, shutdowns, anger, frustration, and trouble recovering from stress.

Family & Relationships

Parent coaching and family support to improve communication, reduce conflict, and strengthen connection at home.

Serving San Diego clients in-person in Cardiff-By-The-Sea as well as those in California, Colorado, and Utah via telehealth.

My approach helps families understand the patterns underneath the behavior — not just manage the symptoms on the surface.

Rooted in Science, Delivered with Heart

I believe therapy should feel like a safe space for kids, teens, and families.

San Diego Child, teen, and family therapy
child, teen, and family therapy, San Diego

How I Work

  • Identify patterns (not just symptoms)

  • Understand attachment + nervous system responses

  • Build emotional regulation skills

  • Improve communication and relationships

  • Parent Coaching so growth continues at home

  • Collaborative treatment plans built around your family

  • Give you tools you can actually use in real life

"You don't have to have it all figured out before reaching out.

The bravest step is the first one."

FAQs

What type of therapy do you offer?

1

Dr. Lindsay offers therapy for children, teens, and families, including support for anxiety, ADHD, emotional regulation, and family dynamics. I also offer parent coaching to help you respond more effectively to your child’s behavior and build a calmer, more connected home.

In addition, I offer walk-and-talk therapy sessions to help kids and teens open up.


How do I get started?

2

Getting started is simple. Reach out through my contact form or schedule a call - I’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.


What ages do you work with?

3

I work with kids, teens, and young adults ages 5–23, as well as parents who need guidance and support.


How do I know if my child or teen needs therapy?

4

If your child is anxious, overwhelmed, withdrawn, having frequent meltdowns, or struggling at home, school, or in relationships, therapy may help.


Do you accept insurance?

5

I am an “out-of-network” provider. While I do not accept insurance directly, I can provide monthly superbills (like a receipt) that you can submit to your insurance for reimbursement if your plan includes this benefit. When we connect on our initial consult call I would be happy to explain this further. I’ve seen some clients get as much as 75-80% reimbursement with this option!


Do you offer telehealth?

6

Yes, I offer telehealth sessions to those in California, Colorado, and Utah. I also offer in-person session in my office in Cardiff-by-the-Sea (San Diego).


What happens in the first session?

7

The first step is a parent consultation, followed by a plan based on your child’s needs, goals, and level of support. Then, we schedule your child’s first therapy session to get started.

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Support can start with one conversation