Dr. Nicole Gend

Hi, I'm Dr. Nicole! I'm a Licensed Psychologist (PsyD) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with over 15 years of experience helping children and families navigate emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges.

I understand how difficult it can be when your child is struggling with anxiety, ADHD, depression, autism, learning differences, or challenging behaviors. My goal is to create a welcoming, supportive space where children and teens feel comfortable, understood, and heard.

With a background in psychology, school-based counseling, and behavioral therapy, I take a compassionate, individualized approach that focuses on each child's unique strengths and needs. I believe in working collaboratively with families to build confidence, develop practical coping skills, and create meaningful, lasting progress.

I provide online therapy for children and adolescents ages 6–17 throughout California.

My approach to therapy is warm, supportive, and centered around each child's individual needs. I take the time to get to know each child, understand their challenges, and build a relationship where they feel comfortable being themselves.

I use a variety of evidence-based approaches depending on your child's age, needs, and goals. For younger children, I incorporate play-based activities and parent coaching strategies informed by Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). For older children and teens, I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) to help them manage emotions, build confidence, and develop practical skills.

I believe parents and caregivers play an important role in a child's progress. I welcome family involvement and offer practical strategies that can be used at home. Although sessions are virtual, I work to make them engaging, interactive, and comfortable for each child. Psychological testing is available for families looking for a better understanding of concerns related to ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), learning differences, and developmental needs.

Most importantly, my hope is that children and families feel they have someone in their corner who genuinely cares, listens, and is there to help.

Our first session is an opportunity for me to get to know you and your child, understand your concerns, and learn more about what brought you to therapy. We'll talk about the challenges your child may be experiencing, what you've tried so far, and what you hope to accomplish through our work together. I also want to learn about your child's strengths, interests, and what makes them unique.

My priority is to create a welcoming and supportive environment where both you and your child feel comfortable, heard, and understood. Depending on your child's age and needs, I may incorporate interactive, age-appropriate activities to help build rapport.

By the end of our first session, my goal is for you to feel supported and have a clear understanding of what to expect as we move forward together.