Getting Support
Children with cleft lip and palate often face unique emotional, social, and developmental challenges alongside their medical care. During clinic visits, we meet with families to understand each child’s unique journey, assess their needs, answer questions, and offer supportive guidance around diagnosis, self-esteem, peer relationships, and emotional or behavioral concerns.
But sometimes additional support is needed, which is why we are creating this resource list and working to connect families with therapists or centers who can provide care between meetings or at crucial times. These resources include professionals who can support not only the child, but also parents, siblings, and the family as a whole.
Specialty Cleft Palate Team 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
Additional Therapy 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
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Web: https://riomarie.my.canva.site/
In-person: Hermosa Beach & Virtual In CAAge Range: 7 - 80
Specialty: health psychology/acute and chronic health conditions/injury, therapeutic assessment, athlete and sports psychology
Other areas: anxiety, adjustment disorder, maladaptive coping, self-esteem, identity, authenticity, relationship issuesOther: I am a former Division 1 NCAA student-athlete, Type 1 Diabetic, and enthusiastically enjoy life.
Accept insurance: No
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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
Additional Therapy Providers
Licensed Providers for Parents, Families & Siblings
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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
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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.