Family Therapist in Lafayette, CA Online
The Secret to Helping Your Struggling Child?
Start With You
As a child, adolescent, couples and family therapist in Lafayette, CA with over 25 years of experience, I've discovered the most powerful truth: When parents transform, children flourish.
Here's what I know: Your child or teen's behavior is their way of communicating something important. The real magic happens when you attune with caring and accuracy.
When you attune in this way, you provide the reassurance and safety that helps regulate (first yours, then) their nervous system. This builds deep trust and understanding, naturally reducing acting out behaviors while increasing mutual respect. As you become more attuned, you'll find yourself developing greater confidence and parenting more effectively, creating a positive cycle where both you and your child can feel successful.
From Exhausted to Empowered
See how parent transformation
changes everything
Before: Struggling Parent
Yelling more than you want to
Feeling like you're walking on eggshells
Battles over homework, chores, bedtime
Questioning every parenting decision
Dreading time with your child
Feeling like a failure as a parent
After: Confident Parent
Calm, consistent responses
Clear boundaries that stick
Cooperation instead of power struggles
Trust in your parenting instincts
Enjoying time with your child
Feeling proud of your parenting
Three Truths Every Struggling Parent Needs to Know
01
Your Child Wants to Please You
Even when they're defiant, disrespectful, or pushing every boundary—deep down, your child desperately wants your approval and connection. Their "bad" behavior is often their clumsy attempt to get your attention or express needs they can't articulate.
02
You Have More Power Than You Think
As the parent, you set the emotional tone of your home. When you learn to regulate your own emotions and respond instead of react, your child's behavior naturally begins to shift. You're not powerless—you're incredibly influential.
03
Small Changes Create Big Results
You don't need to overhaul your entire parenting style overnight. Often, subtle shifts in how you communicate, set boundaries, or respond to challenges can create profound changes in your family dynamic within weeks.
My Parent-First Method
How we'll transform your family dynamic by empowering you
Understand Your Triggers
We'll identify what pushes your buttons and why, so you can respond from a place of calm strength instead of emotional reactivity.
Master Effective Communication
Learn to speak in ways your child actually hears—techniques that get cooperation without yelling, bribing, or threatening.
Set Boundaries That Stick
Discover how to establish clear, consistent limits that your child respects—without becoming the "mean parent."
Build Deeper Connection
Create moments of genuine bonding that make your child want to cooperate and share their inner world with you.
The Parent-First Approach Works
Years of Experience
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Drama Therapy Training
Evening & Weekend Sessions
Your Child is Waiting for the Parent You're About to Become
Every day you wait is another day your child struggles unnecessarily. The tools you need exist. The question is: are you ready to use them?
📞 (925) 289-8411 | Available evenings & weekends
Serving Lafayette, CA and online throughout California
My Promise to You
After our first session, you'll have at least one concrete strategy you can implement immediately. You'll leave feeling more hopeful and empowered than you have in months.
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Family therapy helps improve communication between family members, making it easier to express feelings and resolve conflicts. In this supportive environment, families can learn to work together to overcome challenges and strengthen their bonds. Engaging in family therapy fosters understanding and respect, leading to healthier relationships within the family.
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Teen therapy helps with issues like anxiety and depression by building self-awareness, self-esteem, assertive communication skills, coping strategies and emotional support. It helps improve communication skills and strengthen relationships with peers and family.
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Child therapy can help children express feelings and learn to regulate their emotions better. As a childhood trauma therapist, I will focus on creating a safe space to identify and explore issues of concern at your pace. Child therapy helps children with communication and regulation. Play therapy allows children to express feelings, thoughts, and needs they have trouble putting into words.
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Couples counseling is a form of therapy designed to help partners improve their relationship through better communication and conflict resolution. It aims to strengthen emotional connections, rebuild trust, and address negative behavior patterns.
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Divorce therapy helps individuals and families process the emotional pain and stress of a separation, providing tools to navigate the challenges of this major life transition. It supports clients in improving communication, managing conflicts, and fostering healthy co-parenting relationships when children are involved. Additionally, it aids individuals in rebuilding self-esteem, rediscovering their identity, and creating a positive path forward after divorce.
Services
Hear What Colleagues Have to Say
About Julie Weigel, LMFT
“Julie Weigel has the extraordinary capacity to meet people where they are and engage them in therapeutic play, allowing uncensored expression of their feelings/emotions in a safe and supportive environment. She is an exceptionally creative and empathetic therapist!”
“Julie brings heart and presence into the healing space
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“Julie looks at you and understands...she treasures the individual while having good knowledge of larger systems — you couldn’t ask for a more thoughtful, insightful therapist...
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“I have had the opportunity to work with Julie by way of co-facilitating groups and consulting with her. Julie has an amazing ability to absorb human interactions and translate them into a metaphor, movement, and play in a way that illuminates the deeper meaning of them. She has an ability to listen to what is not yet said and bring it to the surface in a safe and accepting manner. Her intuition and experience with modes of communication other than spoken language allow her to help clients access unfamiliar aspects of themselves and gain new perspectives. I would entrust her with any of my clients and know they are in safe hands.”
“I am a Licensed Psychologist with over thirty years of experience providing services to children, adolescents and families. I have also been involved in the training and supervision of child, adolescent and family therapists for this same timeframe. Julie Weigel MFT is one of the most gifted child and adolescent psychotherapists I have known. She is compassionate, caring and persistently positive. Finally she is incredibly creative and integrates drama, role playing, humor and fun into her approach in a unique way. I recommend her without hesitation.
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“Julie is exceptionally skilled and provides meaningful support to children and their families. Her approach is extremely positive and children respond to her bright smile and warm demeanor.”