Getting Support
Children with cleft lip and palate, as well as their family members, may face unique emotional, social, and developmental challenges. During clinic visits, we meet with families to learn about each family’s journey, better understand their needs, answer questions, and offer supportive guidance.
At times, additional support beyond the clinic setting may be helpful. This resource list is a growing guide designed to help connect families with therapists, centers, and organizations that offer supportive services not only for the child, but also for parents, siblings, and the family as a whole.
For more information about organizations and resources, check out our team website: https://www.saintjohnscleft.org/resources
Specialty Cleft Palate Team Mental Health Providers
These providers bring both professional expertise and personal experience in supporting individuals and families through medical challenges and related issues that may affect the clients in our cleft palate community and their families.
Collaborating Therapy Providers
Affiliated with the Providence Saint John’s Cleft Palate Team
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Email: info.aceropsychological@gmail.com
Ph: (818) 203-7410
Web: https://aceropsychologicalinc.comVirtual only: In CA & NV
Age Range: 14+
Specialty: Craniofacial, Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Addition
Other: Lived experience with craniofacial, Bilingual-Spanish. Trained in EMDR, Brainspotting, Neurofeedback, Biofeedback.Accept insurance: yes
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Email: ericagierman@gmail.com
Ph: 424-262-0098
Web: www.hermosabeachtherapist.comIn person: Hermosa Beach, CA & Virtual in CA & OR
Age Range: 14-80+
Specialty: Medical Trauma, Chronic illness, Life Transitions, Certified in Brainspotting, Utilize mindfulness, meditation, hypnosis and an overall body, mind, spirit approach to healingAccept insurance: no
Hospital-Based Community Resource
Located within the Providence Saint John’s hospital setting, this clinic provides therapy/support services and accepts Medi-Cal, making it an important resource for families seeking accessible care options.
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Contact for the Intake Department
Ph: 310 829-8921
Web: https://www.providence.org/locations/socal/saint-johns-health-center/child-and-family-development-centerIn-person services provided in the clinic, school, home, community, and the hospital.
Virtual sessions are also available.
Primary Location: 1339 20th St, Santa Monica, CA 90404Age Range: 1 -18 years old
Services: clinical therapy, consultations, psychological assessment, and psychiatric services at CFDC. Specifically, services in early childhood mental health, family therapy, developmental services, school-based services, parenting support, psychiatric services, psychological assessment services.
There are multiple programs offered at the CDFC. Please see webpage (https://www.providence.org/locations/socal/saint-johns-health-center/child-and-family-development-center) for detailed description of programs.
Referral Process
Self-referral, physician referral, school referral, DCFS referral; please call 310 829-8921 if self-referringInsurance: predominantly Medi-Cal; please give us a call and we can assist you with any questions related to your funding source
Languages Offered: English, Spanish and other languages depending on staff currently employed (please call 310 829-8921 to inquire)
Additional Information: We have been in Santa Monica community since 1961 and are well embedded in the community.
Non-Affiliated Pediatric Providers
Licensed Pediatric Providers
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Email: tabarokibrigitte@gmail.com (preferred)
Ph: 3108675240
Web: therapybybrigitte.comIn-person: Brentwood/West LA & Virtual in CA
Age Range: 3-19
Specialty: children and teens with behavioral issues, developmental disorders like ADHD and ASD, life transitions, emotional regulation, and coping skillsOther: Collaboration is central to my work so I love working hand-in-hand with the client’s supports like parents, caregivers, psychiatrists, and teachers.
Accepts Insurance: No
Non-Affiliated Adult & Family Providers
Licensed Providers for Parents, Families & Siblings
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Email: stephanie@workingwithpayne.com
Phone: 626.344.0504
Website: workingwithpayne.comIn-Person: Pasadena ; Virtual: CA
Age Range: Adults 20y+
Specialty: Couples Therapy & Relationship Issues
Other: Individual adult therapy 20y+Insurance: No
More about me: I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in couples and relationship-focused work. I help couples strengthen communication, deepen connection, and navigate life transitions, and I also work with families and adult siblings around boundaries and changing family dynamics. In addition, I support individual adults dealing with relationship challenges, anxiety, stress and burnout, self-esteem concerns, and major life changes. I have particular experience working with caregivers of individuals with serious illness and healthcare professionals managing high-stress roles. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based practices including EFT and the Gottman Method.
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Email: avillalobos@oneononepsych.com
Phone: 720.772.6686
Website: https://www.oneononepsych.com/Virtual only: in California & Colorado
Age Range: Adults 20y+
Specialty: Couples Therapy
Other: Adult individual therapy 20y+Insurance: No
More about me: I am a clinical psychologist specializing in individual and couples therapy. I have extensive experience working with couples who are navigating the complexities of raising children with medical differences, including conditions such as cleft palate, cardiac issues, and cystic fibrosis.
Additionally, I support couples through various other challenges, such as communication difficulties, cultural differences, sexual concerns, family planning, life adjustments after having children, and infidelity.
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Email: therapybyolivia@gmail.com
Ph: 805 750 7003
Web: therapybyolivia.comIn-person: West LA & Virtual in CA
Age Range: 14-65y.o.
Specialty: IFS, Sensorimotor, Young Adults, Trauma and Grief, Motherhood
Other: Therapy for TherapistsAccept Insurance: No
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Email: rebecca@rebeccaneubauer.com
Ph: 424.260.8290
Web: www.rebeccaneubauer.comVirtual only: In CA
Age Range: 12+ ; Preteens, Adolescents, Adults
Specialty: Trauma, Anxiety, Depression
Other: Parenting; sexual assault; school-related difficultiesAccept Insurance: No
Cleft and Craniofacial Support Groups
These support groups offer a welcoming space for individuals and families to connect, share experiences, and find support around the medical and life challenges associated with cleft and craniofacial conditions.
Lived Experience Support Groups
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Cleft Connect Chat
Monthly virtual peer group for teens through university students with cleft conditions, focused on connection, communication skill-building, and peer support, facilitated by adults with lived experience. Offered in English and Spanish.To join, go to website and click on “register for a chat”: https://www.operationsmile.org/make-an-impact/student-programs/cleft-connect-chat/
Contacts:
Brigette Clifford, AVP of Operation Smile Student Programs
Email: brigette.clifford@operation smile.org
Ph: (757) 412-8500Ethan Richlak, student volunteer
Email: ethan.richlak@intern-operationsmile.org
Ph: (440) 867-8144 -
MyFace Support groups: https://www.myface.org/online-groups/
For more information, email Dina Zuckerberg: Dina@myFace.orgDrama Therapy Group For Youth
A small, monthly youth group (ages 10-14 years old) focused on creative expression and emotional exploration through role-play, storytelling, and improvisation in a supportive, small-group setting.Adolescent Support Group:
Monthly peer support group for adolescents ages 14–18 with craniofacial conditions, offering facilitated discussion around stress, coping, emotions, peer dynamics, and disclosure, along with interactive games.Adult Support Group:
Biweekly peer support group for adults (18+) with craniofacial conditions, focused on shared experiences, relationships, career concerns, emotional regulation, and navigating care in adulthood.
Parent Support Groups
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Cleft Connect Parent Chat
Monthly virtual peer support group for parents of children with cleft conditions, focused on sharing experiences, practical advice, and mutual support, with guidance from experienced parent mentors.To join, go to website and click on “register for a chat”: https://www.operationsmile.org/make-an-impact/student-programs/cleft-connect-chat/
Contacts:
Brigette Clifford, AVP of Operation Smile Student Programs
Email: brigette.clifford@operation smile.org
Ph: (757) 412-8500Ethan Richlak, student volunteer
Email: ethan.richlak@intern-operationsmile.org
Ph: (440) 867-8144 -
MyFace Support groups: https://www.myface.org/online-groups/
For more information, email Dina Zuckerberg: Dina@myFace.orgPrenatal and Infant Parent Support Group
Monthly peer support group for expectant parents and parents of infants (up to age 1) with craniofacial conditions, offering facilitated discussion around diagnosis-related concerns, preparing for a baby’s arrival, navigating early medical care, stress management, emotional regulation, and family dynamics in a supportive setting.Parent Support Group
Peer support group for parents of a child with a craniofacial condition, offering facilitated discussion around parenting challenges, supporting a child with a facial difference, sibling and family dynamics, emotional regulation, stress management, and effective communication in a supportive setting.Grupo de apoyo para padres españoles
Grupo de apoyo para padres hispanohablantes de niños con una diferencia craneofacial, que ofrece un espacio seguro con conversaciones guiadas sobre la crianza, el apoyo a los hijos y hermanos, la dinámica familiar, la regulación emocional, el manejo del estrés y la comunicación efectiva, con el acompañamiento de un facilitador de habla hispana.