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.

05/10/2026

Today, we honor and celebrate all the mothers and mother figures who nurture, guide, and support the children in their lives.

We also recognize that Mother’s Day can bring a mix of emotions. For some, it’s a day of joy and gratitude. For others, it may hold grief, stress, or complicated feelings - and all of those experiences are valid.

To the wonderful and beautiful moms who are doing their best each day:
🌸 You are seen.
🌸 You are appreciated.
🌸 You matter.

At The Child and Family Connection, we believe supporting caregivers is an essential part of supporting children.

Happy Mother’s Day! 🌸

05/08/2026

Mothers carry so much daily – emotionally, mentally, and physically.

That responsibility and caring for others can take a toll on any mother, and it often does over time. Whether it’s a partner, friend, sister, or your own mom, small acts of support can make a big difference.

Here are a few meaningful ways to show up:
💜 Check in regularly—ask how she’s really doing
💜 Listen without trying to “fix” everything
💜 Offer practical help (meals, childcare, errands)
💜 Remind her she’s doing enough—because she is
💜 Encourage time for rest and self-care, guilt-free

Support doesn’t have to be big or perfect - just consistent and compassionate.

What are other ways YOU can support the mothers in your life?

05/06/2026

🎉 It's Dr. Carlee’s birthday! 🎉

Every day Dr. Carlee Walsh brings so much warmth, patience, and genuine care to the children and families we work with. We honestly don't know what we'd do without her (and we'd prefer not to find out).

Dr. Carlee, today is YOUR day — no appointments, no assessments, just cake. You deserve every second of it. Happy birthday from all of us at The Child and Family Connection! 🎂

05/04/2026

Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week 💛

Motherhood is beautiful, but it can also be overwhelming, exhausting, and lonely at times. This week, we shine a light on the emotional well-being and mental health of moms everywhere.

If you’re a mom:
🩷 You are not alone.
🩷 It’s okay to ask for help.
🩷 Your feelings are valid.

If you love a mom:
💜 Check in on her.
💜 Listen without judgment.
💜 Offer support in small, meaningful ways.

Let’s create a community where moms feel seen, loved, heard, and supported.

05/01/2026

Meet Rebeca Loya, LMFT, the newest addition to our team! 🎉

Rebeca brings over 13 years of experience supporting children and families across diverse clinical settings. She has extensive experience working with concerns such as anxiety, depression, behavioral challenges, and emotional regulation.

She is intentional about creating a supportive, encouraging space where children feel safe to express themselves, build confidence, and develop coping skills they can carry into everyday life.

Rebeca also partners closely with parents, offering practical tools and guidance to strengthen family relationships. She is trained in prenatal and postpartum maternal mental health and is passionate about supporting mothers during times of transition.

As a bilingual therapist, Rebeca provides services in both English and Spanish and is committed to culturally responsive care.

We are thrilled to welcome Rebeca to our team!

04/29/2026

Spring isn’t just a season of growth. It’s a season of transition.

As schedules get busier and routines shift, many children experience bigger emotions... even when things are going well.

More activities, longer days, and changes in structure can feel exciting and overwhelming at the same time.

This is a great time to slow down and check in:
🌱 “What’s been feeling new or different lately?”

Small moments of connection help children feel safe, understood, and supported through change.

This spring, focus on consistency, patience, and making space for feelings - both big and small.

04/27/2026

The Child and Family Connection IS NOW ENROLLING kids for new SOCIAL SKILLS GROUPS.

Topics include:
🌱 Friendship – Making & Keeping Friends
🌱 Sharing & Taking Turns
🌱 Listening & Following Directions
🌱 Managing Emotions & Utilizing Positivity
🌱 Having Good Manners
🌱 Kindness & Empathy
🌱 Teamwork & Cooperation

👉 AGES 9-12 will meet on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m., beginning May 5, at the Costa Mesa office

👉 AGES 4-7 will meet on Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m. beginning May 6, at the Laguna Hills office

To enroll or for more information about social skills groups:
Contact Rebeca Loya, LMFT
rebeca@thechildandfamilyconnection.com

04/24/2026

❌ Myth: Therapy will “label” my child.

⭐ Truth: Therapy is about support, not putting your child in a box.

Many parents worry that seeking help means their child will be defined by a diagnosis. In reality, therapy focuses on understanding your child’s unique strengths, challenges, and experiences.

A diagnosis is simply a tool - to guide care, access resources, and better support your child. It doesn’t define their identity, their potential, or their future.

04/23/2026

📚✨ Happy World Book Day! ✨📚

Stories do more than entertain.. they help children understand their feelings, build empathy, and feel less alone in their experiences.

Reading together is a simple but powerful way to strengthen connection within your family. Whether it’s a bedtime story or a favorite book you’ve read a hundred times, those shared moments matter.

When reading together, ask your child, “Which character did you relate to the most, and why?” You might be surprised by what they share.

At The Child and Family Connection, we believe stories can open doors to conversation, healing, and connection. 💛

04/17/2026

April is stress awareness month.

Though we all experience stress as adults, it’s important to remember that children feel stress too - and it can often show differently in children than in adults, like:
🌿 Trouble sleeping
🌿 Irritability or big emotional reactions
🌿 Stomachaches or headaches
🌿 Difficulty focusing or withdrawing

Often, children don’t have the words to say “I’m stressed,” but it shows up in their behavior.

Here are simple ways to support your child through stress:
🌿 Create predictable routines
🌿 Offer calm, connected time each day
🌿 Help them name their feelings
🌿 Model healthy coping strategies (like deep breathing or taking breaks)

Even small moments of connection can help children feel safe, regulated, and understood.

04/15/2026

This month, we celebrate diversity 💛

Every child comes into the world with their own story, identity, culture, personality, and way of experiencing life. In a supportive environment, those differences aren’t just accepted - they’re valued.

Here are small ways families can celebrate diversity at home:
🌈 Read books that reflect different cultures, abilities, and family structures
🌈 Encourage curiosity and respectful questions
🌈 Model kindness and inclusion in everyday moments
🌈 Celebrate what makes your child uniquely them

In therapy, we honor each child’s individual experience and create a space where they feel safe to be exactly who they are. Let’s continue to work together to focus on celebrating diversity within our community this month and every month.

Address

151 Kalmus Drive, E250
Costa Mesa, CA
92626

Website

http://www.thechildandfamilyconnection.com/

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