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.

08/05/2026

Everyone has a "personal bubble," and learning to respect it is an important social skill that helps children build positive relationships and practice empathy.

Here are a few ways to teach this skill:
✨ Model asking before giving hugs or high-fives.
✨ Practice standing about an arm's length away during conversations.
✨ Point out body language and talk about what those cues might mean.
✨ Role-play different social situations and practice giving others space when needed.
✨ Remind children that everyone’s comfort level is different

Teaching children to recognize and respect personal boundaries helps them build confidence, strengthen friendships, and create safe, respectful interactions with others.

08/03/2026

We're thrilled to welcome Kelly Curnalia to our team at The Child and Family Connection. 🧡

Kelly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 20 years of experience helping children and their families navigate life’s most difficult seasons with compassion, creativity, and practical support. With extensive experience supporting children with life-limiting illnesses and their families, Kelly brings both deep expertise and a genuinely warm heart to her work.

Kelly believes every child deserves therapy that fits them — their personality, their strengths, their story. Blending play-based approaches with proven methods like CBT and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, she places a strong emphasis on building secure parent-child relationships and developing sustainable strategies that support meaningful, long-term change.

Warm, fun, and endlessly patient, Kelly creates a space where children feel safe, seen, and supported every step of the way.

We're so lucky to have her. Welcome to the team, Kelly! 🎉

07/31/2026

"What if my child doesn't want to talk in therapy?"

Children communicate in many different ways. Depending on their age and comfort level, they may express themselves through:
🎨 Art and creative activities
🧸 Play and toys
📚 Stories and games
💭 Movement or imaginative play

Therapists are trained to meet children where they are. Building trust takes time, and therapy isn't about forcing conversations - it's about creating a safe, supportive space where children can share at their own pace.

As they begin to feel comfortable, many children naturally become more willing to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Every child is different, and every therapeutic journey is unique. Our goal is to help children feel seen, heard, and supported - whether they use words, play, or creativity to communicate.

07/29/2026

🕵️ Turn your child into a Feelings Detective!

Being a good friend starts with understanding how others feel. Helping kids recognize emotions in others builds empathy, communication, and lasting friendships. 💛

How to play: Challenge your child to spot clues about how people are feeling — through facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice — throughout the day.

Ask them:
💬 "How do you think they're feeling?"
💬 "What clues helped you figure that out?"
💬 "What could you say to start a conversation or show kindness?"

Why it works:
✅ Builds emotional awareness
✅ Encourages proactive conversations
✅ Strengthens empathy and perspective-taking
✅ Improves friendship & social skills
✅ Helps kids respond appropriately in social situations

Try it together: Look at pictures, read stories, or observe everyday moments to spot emotional clues. Then brainstorm kind ways to connect:
🌟 "You seem excited! What happened?"
🌟 "You look a little sad. Do you want to talk?"
🌟 "That looks really fun — can you tell me about it?"

When kids learn to notice and respond to others' feelings, they grow into confident, caring communicators.

07/27/2026

Happy National Parents' Day!

Parenting is filled with moments of joy, growth, challenges, and resilience. Today, we celebrate the parents and caregivers who show up each day with love, patience, and a commitment to helping their children thrive.

At The Child and Family Connection, we know that supporting a child's mental and emotional well-being is a team effort. Whether you're navigating big emotions, life transitions, or everyday challenges, your care and presence make a meaningful difference.

Thank you for all you do, and for allowing us to walk alongside your family on your journey toward healing, growth, and stronger connections.

Happy National Parents' Day to all the incredible parents and caregivers in our community! 🧡

07/24/2026

"How do I build my child's confidence?"

Confidence grows when children feel supported, capable, and valued. The best way to be intentional about making your child feel this way is to:

✨ Praise effort, perseverance, and progress
✨ Encourage independence with age-appropriate tasks
✨ Help them learn from mistakes without fear of failure
✨ Celebrate small wins along the way
✨ Remind them of their strengths and unique qualities

Building confidence takes time, but with encouragement and opportunities to succeed, children will develop a strong and grounded belief and trust in themselves. 💙

07/22/2026

Learning to start and keep a conversation takes practice - and it can be fun! 🎉

A Conversation Ball is a simple activity that helps children build important social skills while playing. Write conversation starters or questions on a beach ball (or use a ball with prompts already printed on it). As children toss the ball, they answer the question closest to their thumb when they catch it.

Some fun prompts include:
💬 What's your favorite thing to do after school?
💬 If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
💬 What's something that makes you laugh?
💬 Tell us about a time you helped someone.

Activities like Conversation Ball help children practice:
✨ Taking turns in conversation
✨ Active listening
✨ Asking and answering questions
✨ Building confidence and friendship skills

Small moments of play can create big opportunities for connection and communication!

07/20/2026

Parents spend so much time caring for others that it's easy to forget to care for themselves. Taking time for your own well-being isn't selfish - it's an important part of being able to support your family.

Simple ways to practice self-care:
✨ Take a short walk
✨ Enjoy a quiet moment with your favorite drink or snack
✨ Connect with a friend
✨ Practice deep breathing
✨ Do something you enjoy

When parents take care of themselves, they build resilience, reduce stress, and model healthy habits for their children.

Self-care doesn't have to be time-consuming or expensive. Small, intentional moments of care can have a meaningful impact on your mental and emotional health.

Parent Self-Care Matters. Taking care of yourself helps you take care of the people you love. 💛

07/17/2026

"How can I support my child between therapy sessions?"

One of the best ways to support your child is by encouraging them to practice the skills they're learning in therapy during everyday moments.

✨ Praise their efforts, not just their successes
✨ Maintain consistent routines
✨ Encourage open conversations about feelings
✨ Practice coping skills together
✨ Stay connected with your child's therapist when appropriate

Remember, progress happens both inside and outside the therapy room. Small steps can lead to meaningful growth over time. The key is keeping it consistent.

07/15/2026

Accepting a child's emotions doesn't mean accepting every behavior - it means helping them navigate those emotions in a healthy way.

Parents can acknowledge a child's feelings while still setting clear and healthy boundaries around behavior.

Example:
✅ "I can see you're angry."
❌ "Stop being upset."

You can acknowledge the feeling while addressing the behavior:
💬 "I can see you're angry, but it's not okay to hit."
💬 "It's okay to feel frustrated, but it's not okay to yell at others."

When parents validate emotions, children learn:
✨ Emotional awareness
✨ Healthy ways to express feelings
✨ Emotional regulation skills

Address

151 Kalmus Drive, E250
Costa Mesa, CA
92626

Website

http://www.thechildandfamilyconnection.com/

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