Attachment-Based Family Therapy

A structured approach built for families

ABFT is a research-supported family therapy developed for teens and their parents, originally for teens struggling with depression and thoughts of suicide. It rests on a simple idea: teens do better when they feel they can turn to their parents, and parents do better when they understand what’s getting in the way.

Most teens don’t stop talking to their parents because they don’t care. They stop because past conversations went badly. ABFT works on that directly.

Is this a fit for your family?

ABFT often helps when:

• Your teen has stopped talking to you, or every conversation turns into a fight
• Your teen is struggling with depression, anxiety or self-harm
• Your family is recovering from a crisis or a hospitalization
• You and your neurodivergent teen keep misreading each other
• You and your young adult want a better relationship, at home or apart

Five steps, at your family’s pace

1. Shifting the focus. We move from “what’s wrong with my kid” to “what’s happening between us.”
2. Time with your teen. I get to know your teen and what’s made it hard to come to you.
3. Time with you. We look at what you need, what you’re carrying and how you want to respond.
4. Repair conversations. When everyone is ready, we come together for the conversations that have felt impossible at home.
5. Building independence. With trust restored, we support your teen in growing up without losing the connection.

How I bring it to my work

I’m Level 1 trained in ABFT. I combine it with a neurodivergent-affirming lens shaped by my own lived experience, and with years of work in adolescent residential treatment and intensive outpatient programs. Sessions are in person in Thousand Oaks, a few minutes from Westlake Village, Newbury Park and Agoura Hills, or online anywhere in California.

Schedule a consultation Call or text (805) 974-0155 Send me a message