Child, Adolescent & Young Adult Therapy
Meet Dr. Sabrina Mohamed Rafi
Clinical Psychologist · she/her
School-Age Children · Teens · Young Adults
Hi, I'm Dr. Sabrina Mohamed Rafi! I work with children, teens, and young adults as they navigate life's challenges, from anxiety and depression to chronic health conditions and major transitions.
My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in understanding the whole person. I believe meaningful growth begins with feeling genuinely seen and understood, and I strive to create a space where young people feel comfortable being themselves while building the skills to move forward.
A Little About Me
As a 1.5-generation Malaysian immigrant and Muslim woman, I understand how deeply our identities, cultures, and communities shape the way we experience the world. These experiences have inspired my commitment to making mental health care more approachable, culturally responsive, and accessible to the diverse families I serve.
I've always known I wanted to do this work. I'm passionate about reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and helping young people recognize that seeking support isn't something to be ashamed of. It's an opportunity to better understand themselves, discover their strengths, and develop tools they can carry into adulthood.
I bring genuine curiosity, warmth, and a strong foundation in evidence-based care to every therapeutic relationship. I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to support young people and their families through both difficult moments and meaningful milestones.
Outside of work, you'll often find me enjoying a walk in nature, admiring the sunset, tending to my houseplants, working on a puzzle, or experimenting with a new matcha combination.
Who I Work With
Areas of Focus
Anxiety and excessive worry
Depression and mood-related challenges
Adjusting to a new medical diagnosis
Chronic illness and medical conditions
Functional neurological symptom disorder (FND)
School-related challenges
Navigating life transitions and adjustments
Age Groups
School-age children (6–12)
Adolescents (13–17)
Young adults (18–25)
Service Offered
Individual therapy for children, teens, and young adults
Parent and caregiver support
Parent and caregiver consultations
School consultation and collaboration
Collateral sessions with family members or other individuals involved in a client's care, when appropriate
I especially enjoy working with young people from communities of color and those with marginalized identities, while warmly welcoming clients and families from all backgrounds.
How We’ll Work Together
I believe therapy works best when we start by getting to know you as a person, not just the challenges that brought you here. Our first sessions are an opportunity to build trust, explore your strengths and interests, understand what's been difficult, and talk about what you'd like to gain from therapy.
My approach combines a supportive, relationship-centered environment with practical, evidence-based strategies. I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients understand connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to build skills for managing emotions, navigating stressful situations, and strengthening relationships. I also incorporate play and other developmentally appropriate approaches when helpful.
I consider the whole picture, including physical health, family relationships, cultural identity, and everyday environments. When appropriate, I collaborate with parents, caregivers, and other important people in a young person's support system.
Together, we'll develop goals that reflect what matters most to you, build understanding of the challenges you're experiencing, and work toward meaningful growth at a pace that feels right.
Education & Experience
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Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), Clinical Psychology — The Wright Institute, Berkeley, California (APA-accredited program)
Clinical Internship, Adolescent Medicine — Children's Hospital Los Angeles (APA-accredited internship)
Fellowship, Pediatric Epilepsy — UCLA Semel Institute
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Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology
California Psychologist License — status and license number pending
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My clinical experience spans schools, children's hospitals, outpatient programs, and assessment clinics, giving me a broad perspective on the many systems that influence a young person's well-being.
I have specialized training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and my work emphasizes culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and strengths-based care.
A Few Things I Recommend
A collection of resources I often find helpful for the children, teens, and families I work with.
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Sesame Street: Autism Resources
Sesame Street offers approachable, family-friendly videos that help explain autism to young children and their loved ones. A helpful starting point for families looking to encourage understanding and acceptance.
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Social Story Library
Visual stories can help younger children with autism or behavioral challenges understand unfamiliar situations and everyday experiences. These picture-based resources give families a gentle way to introduce new ideas and practice navigating challenges.
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Helping Your Child Manage Fears and Anxiety
A resource from the American Academy of Pediatrics to help parents recognize signs of anxiety and understand how to respond. Especially useful for families wondering whether their child's worries are typical or may need additional support.
Meet the Rest of Our Team
Every clinician brings their own experience and approach to caring for children and families. Get to know the people who make up our team.
