Welcome,

I am Dr. Savannah Sweet, a licensed clinical child psychologist at Early Elements Therapy. I specialize in infant and early childhood mental health, developmental assessment, and childhood grief and loss. In addition to my work with young children, I also work with school-aged children 7-11 years old who may be experiencing a range of mental health challenges. Particular areas of focus in my practice are difficulties related to childhood anxiety and depression, parent-child conflict, neurodivergence, foster care and adoption, and various forms of trauma. I am passionate about supporting children and their families through critical developmental stages and helping clients practice safe and healthy ways of managing emotional and behavioral challenges.

My clinical approach is attachment-based and trauma-informed, with a focus on strengthening caregiver–child relationships. I support children in making sense of their experiences through play, creativity, and developmentally attuned interventions, while building resilience and healthy coping skills.

I consider caregiver collaboration to be an essential part of a child’s treatment. Through parent coaching and consultation, I partner with caregivers to explore family dynamics, generational patterns, and the broader cultural and societal influences that shape parenting. Together, we develop practical, supportive strategies that extend beyond sessions and help children thrive in their everyday environments.

Areas of Expertise

Early Childhood (EC) Services

With expertise in infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH), I provide dyadic (parent-child) therapy that nurtures social-emotional growth within the context of the parent-child relationship. I am rostered in Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) and trained in DIR Floortime, integrating play-based strategies to support connection, co-regulation, and emotional processing.

My work addresses a wide range of concerns, including:

  • Trauma and stress-related challenges

  • Emotional and behavioral concerns

  • Attachment disruptions

  • Developmental differences

I place a strong emphasis on parent/caregiver collaboration and coaching, ensuring that progress extends beyond the therapy room while fostering confidence in parenting skills tailored to each child’s unique needs.

Developmental Assessment Services

I conduct comprehensive assessments for autism, ADHD, and other developmental concerns for children ages 0 to 12. My evaluation process is collaborative and multidisciplinary, often involving input from schools, medical providers, and other important providers in a child’s life to create a well-rounded understanding of each child’s strengths and needs. This approach ensures that recommendations are practical, meaningful, and effective in real-world settings.

Grief and Loss Support

Another area of specialty is grief and loss counseling for children and families. Grief is not limited to the experience of the death of a loved one—it can also stem from life transitions such as relocation, divorce, the loss of a pet, or experiencing a natural disaster.

Children express grief in many ways, which can temporarily affect school, friendships, and home life. I help children process their experiences through methods that fit their developmental needs, including play, art, writing, and verbal expression, while guiding caregivers in supporting their child’s healing journey.

My Approach

I believe that growth and healing happen within our closest relationships. Guided by attachment theory and evidence-based models, I honor parents and caregivers as the true experts of their children. My role is to collaborate with families and, when appropriate, other systems to support a child’s emotional and developmental well-being.

Therapeutic Modalities

My mission

My mission is to promote healing and resilience through early intervention and prevention for infants and young children. I believe that the foundation for lifelong well-being begins in the earliest relationships, and I am committed to strengthening parent-child connections as a path toward growth and healing. I strive to create a safe and affirming space where every child and caregiver feels seen, heard, and understood. Through compassionate care, advocacy, and collaboration, I aim to empower families, honor their unique stories, and support them in building nurturing relationships that foster healthy development.

Credentials

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology, California School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles

  • Master of Arts in Psychology, California School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles

  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, California State University Dominguez Hills

certifications and training

  • Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)

  • TF-CBT

  • DIR-Floortime

  • Infant Massage

  • Incredible Years (IY) Dinosaur School

  • Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2)

  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)