Hi, I’m Cindy Hedlin, a therapist serving children, teens, parents, and adult individuals throughout California. I’m also a parent of three children, including twins. As a therapist and parent, I’d be honored to provide your family with a safe space to heal, connect, and grow together.
I have more than a decade of professional experience working with children and families in diverse settings including private practice, hospitals, non-profit organizations, public schools, and recreational organizations.
Throughout my career, I have had the honor to work with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, developmental disorders, sensory processing challenges, dysregulated behavior, anxiety, depression, emotional struggles, and family concerns in both individual and group settings.
My approach to therapy is strengths-based, client-led, trauma-informed, and grounded in the transformative power of play — for children and, yes, adults of all ages!
I also believe that attachment is essential in the therapy journey for both children and adults, meaning it’s important to understand how our earliest relational experiences have a profound impact on our lives today.
In our work together, I’ll prioritize forming a strong connection between myself as the therapist, you as the adult, and your child to create a safe environment for growth and healing.
Cindy Hedlin Therapy exists to help children, teens, parents, and adult individuals feel valued, heard, and supported, no matter what challenges you’re facing. I believe that building a strong, safe connection is the foundation of a successful therapy process. That’s why I’d like to share a few details about who I am as a person, too, beyond my professional background!
I love being outdoors and spending time with my friends and family.
It might sound cliche, but I genuinely enjoy walks on the beach.
I am an active runner and enjoy spending time outdoors.
Two of my passions are reading and traveling.
My heritage is both Japanese and Mexican, and I welcome families of all origins, backgrounds, and identities in my practice.
If you are looking for support working through natural growing pains that are a part of your child or teen’s development — or have a child who is struggling socially, going through life transitions, aggressive behaviors, experiencing anxiety, or having difficulty regulating emotions — I can help you and your family.
Children and teenagers often come to my office because they are struggling at home or at school. Together, we’ll take an individualized approach to help your child process unconscious conflict, past experiences, or working through their day-to-day struggles.
In my playroom, children and teens are provided a safe space to heal parts of themselves to make positive changes in their lives. They have fun and get better in the process. The whole family benefits.
As a parent, I know it can be hard to reach out when you or your child or teen is struggling. My education, training, and decade of professional experience mean that I’m equipped to help your family navigate these challenges without judgment:
Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) #147149
Peninsula Play Therapy: Provided comprehensive child/client centered therapy in private practice
UCSF Infant Parent Program: Provided relationship-based assessment and child and parent therapy to children ages 2-5. Ran weekly group therapy sessions.
Autism Center of Northern California Intake Coordinator and Play Therapist for JumpStart Learning to Learn, a Parent Education Program
Developmental Coach: Led social skills groups for children ages 4-10 with special needs, provided “shadowing” support in classroom and consultation with teachers, play therapy, parent education, and support.
Social Coach: Worked with children directly in the classroom to support positive interactions with peers, emotional and imaginative expression, behavioral success, and organizational skills.
Behavioralist and Floortime Interventionist: Planned and provided in-home and in classroom Floortime sessions for children age 2-8 with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Camp Counselor: Developed and implemented a multimodal curriculum that engaged the diverse needs of children ages 6-10 diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.