The Child and Family Connection

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Costa Mesa, CA
The Child and Family Connection

The Child and Family Connection is a solutions-oriented group practice focused on strengthening the parent-child relationship.

We provide individual and family therapy to toddlers, children, adolescents and their caregivers with offices in Costa Mesa and Laguna Hills.

08/24/2026

Starting a new school year can be exciting, as well as a little nerve-wracking. Making friends doesn't always happen overnight, and that's okay! Meaningful friendships take time to grow.

Encourage your child to:
😊 Smile and say hello
⚽ Invite someone to play
❓ Ask questions to get to know classmates
💙 Be kind and include others

Remind your child that they don't need to become best friends with everyone right away. Sometimes, one friendly moment is all it takes to start a new friendship.

As parents and caregivers, we can help by celebrating small social successes and encouraging connection without pressure. Every smile, conversation, and act of kindness helps build confidence along the way.

08/21/2026

Does my child have to attend therapy every week?

Not always! While weekly sessions are often recommended at the beginning of therapy to help build trust, establish routines, and make steady progress, every child is different.

The right schedule depends on factors like:
✨ Your child's goals
✨ Their current challenges
✨ Family schedules and needs
✨ Recommendations from their therapist

As your child grows and meets their goals, sessions may become less frequent. Therapy is a collaborative process, and we'll work with your family to create a plan that best supports your child's success.

08/20/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday to Dr. Brooke Herd!! 🎂 Your patience, warmth, and dedication make such a difference for the kids and families we work with.

Thank you for all you do — here's to another amazing year! 🩷 🎂

08/17/2026

A new school year can bring excitement, nervousness, curiosity, and uncertainty - all at the same time. And that's true for both children and adults!

Remind your child that it's okay to have more than one feeling about going back to school. When children know their emotions are accepted, they're more likely to share what they're experiencing and feel supported through the transition.

💬 Try Asking:
"What's one thing you're looking forward to, and one thing you're feeling nervous about?"

Listening without trying to "fix" every feeling helps build emotional awareness, confidence, and resilience.

Wishing all of our families a positive and successful school year!

08/14/2026

FAQ Friday: How Do I Talk to My Child About Starting Therapy?

🧡 Keep the conversation simple, honest, and reassuring.
You might say: "We're going to meet with someone whose job is to help kids understand their feelings and learn new skills. It's a safe place where you can talk, play, ask questions, and be yourself."

🧡 Reassure your child that they don't have to have all the answers. Their therapist will get to know them at their own pace through conversation, activities, and play.

🧡 Normalize it, don't dramatize it. Try to avoid describing therapy as a punishment or something that will "fix" your child. Instead, frame it as another way to help them grow, learn, and feel their best - just like seeing a doctor when their body needs care.

🧡 Let them ask questions. Kids often have assumptions (some scary, some funny) — clear those up before they take root.

Starting therapy can feel like a big step, but with encouragement and support, children often discover it's a safe place where they are heard, understood, and accepted.

08/12/2026

Taking turns is an important social skill that helps children develop patience, self-control, cooperation, and respect for others. One of the best ways to practice is through family games!

Try games like:
🧩 Puzzles – Take turns placing one piece at a time while cheering each other on.
🎲 Board games – Practice waiting patiently, following the rules, and celebrating everyone's successes.
🃏 Card games – Help children practice listening, taking turns, and handling both winning and losing with good sportsmanship.
⚽ Catch or kicking a ball – Encourage children to wait for their turn and share the fun with everyone.
🟦 Building with blocks – Take turns adding one piece at a time to create something together.

As you play, narrate the experience:
💬 "It's your brother's turn right now. You'll be next!"
💬 "Thanks for waiting so patiently!"
💬 "Even though you didn't win this round, you kept trying—that's great sportsmanship!"

These small moments help children build confidence, strengthen friendships, and learn skills they'll use at school, at home, and in the community.

08/10/2026

As the new school year approaches, getting back into a predictable routine can help children feel more prepared, confident, and less stressed.

Try easing into the school schedule a week or two before classes by:
📚 Moving bedtime a little earlier each night.
🥣 Eating breakfast together to create a calm start to the day.
🎒 Practicing packing backpacks and laying out clothes the night before.
⏰ Practicing the morning routine so everyone knows what to expect.

Children thrive on consistency. Familiar routines help reduce anxiety, encourage independence, and make busy school mornings feel more manageable for the whole family.

Remember, it doesn't have to be perfect! Small, consistent changes can make a big difference in helping your child transition back to school with confidence.

08/07/2026

Parents and caregivers play an important role in the therapeutic process.

Depending on your child's age and treatment goals, your therapist will regularly check in with you to discuss progress, share helpful strategies, and collaborate on ways to support your child's growth at home.

At the same time, we also respect your child's privacy during sessions. Creating a safe, trusting space helps children feel comfortable expressing themselves.

Therapy is a partnership, and we're here to support the whole family every step of the way.

08/05/2026

Everyone has a "personal bubble," and learning to respect it is an important social skill that helps children build positive relationships and practice empathy.

Here are a few ways to teach this skill:
✨ Model asking before giving hugs or high-fives.
✨ Practice standing about an arm's length away during conversations.
✨ Point out body language and talk about what those cues might mean.
✨ Role-play different social situations and practice giving others space when needed.
✨ Remind children that everyone’s comfort level is different

Teaching children to recognize and respect personal boundaries helps them build confidence, strengthen friendships, and create safe, respectful interactions with others.

08/03/2026

We're thrilled to welcome Kelly Curnalia to our team at The Child and Family Connection. 🧡

Kelly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 20 years of experience helping children and their families navigate life’s most difficult seasons with compassion, creativity, and practical support. With extensive experience supporting children with life-limiting illnesses and their families, Kelly brings both deep expertise and a genuinely warm heart to her work.

Kelly believes every child deserves therapy that fits them — their personality, their strengths, their story. Blending play-based approaches with proven methods like CBT and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, she places a strong emphasis on building secure parent-child relationships and developing sustainable strategies that support meaningful, long-term change.

Warm, fun, and endlessly patient, Kelly creates a space where children feel safe, seen, and supported every step of the way.

We're so lucky to have her. Welcome to the team, Kelly! 🎉

Address

151 Kalmus Drive, E250
Costa Mesa, CA
92626

Website

http://www.thechildandfamilyconnection.com/

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