Frances Barry
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
California #106509
"My friend can be mean. Maybe she needs a therapist to talk to."
I was born curious.
I still am.
Every session is an adventure of "whys" — the curious kind, never the judgy kind. I want to understand why your child thinks, feels, and behaves the way they do. That question has guided my whole life, not just my therapy practice.
My Curious Path to Child Psychotherapist
I came to psychotherapy later in life - both personally and professionally
As a student who loved mathematics, I earned three degrees in statistics and launched my career as a statistician researching the "why" behind marketing data. After more than twenty years, I had become a corporate executive — and I found myself asking a different question: what next?
I began my own therapeutic journey, turning that same curious lens on myself. That was the first step on the path to becoming a therapist. The questions changed; the curiosity never did.
Why I Work With Kids
When I first started practicing over ten years ago, my caseload ranged widely — toddlers, children, teens, adults, seniors, and families. Over time, I noticed that sessions with children were the ones I looked forward to most. I love their energy, curiosity, and directness.
When I knew my focus would be elementary and middle school kids, I sought out mentorship from specialist child therapists and pursued relevant training in addition to my education and internships.
How I Connect with Kids
Kids are perceptive. It doesn't take long for them to sense that my enthusiasm for spending time with them is genuine — and that matters. They feel comfortable opening up when they know we're exploring and figuring things out together, not following a script.
It also helps that our interests often overlap. I've always loved fantasy and science fiction. The Lord of the Rings was my favorite childhood book; as a teenager I willingly accompanied my younger brother to every Star Wars film. It's rare that a child and I don't find some common ground.
"You know so much about Harry Potter!"
"No-one listens to me. Except you."
"You remembered."
Education
M.A. Clinical Psychology - Antioch University, Los Angeles
M.A. & M.Sc. Statistics - Yale & Oxford (England)
B.Sc. Statistics - University College Cork (Ireland)
Training
OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center
INNER KIDS Mindfulness for Children
VIOLET OAKLANDER INSTITUTE Child/Teen Therapeutic Support
THE WAY OF COUNCIL The Power of Listening
Where I'm From
I'm Irish. I moved to the United States in my early twenties for graduate school.
I left behind the weather and most of my accent - but I've kept my love of green landscapes, music, writing, potatoes, and Irish dairy products.
That same sense of leaving something familiar to explore something unknown? I think it's part of what draws me to working with kids navigating their own uncharted territory.
