WELCOME TO THE CHRYSALIS WAY

GUIDING FAMILIES THROUGHChange,
ONE CONVERSATION AT A TIME

A woman with long dark hair, smiling and laughing, sitting on a white couch against a plain beige wall, wearing a cream-colored blouse and dark pants.
A woman with long dark hair, wearing a denim jacket, sitting indoors on a white couch, holding a black mug with white flowers, smiling gently at the camera.
Line drawing of a butterfly outline in black and blue.

HELLO, I’M Gaia Altshuler—

A LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST DEDICATED TO NURTURING HEALTHY, RESILIENT FAMILY SYSTEMS.

Based in Westlake Village, California, I specialize in supporting adolescents and their parents through one of life’s most dynamic and transformative stages: Adolescence. I earned my Master’s in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University and have spent my career walking alongside families as they navigate growth, change, and connection.

My experience spans community mental health—working with children and parents facing postpartum challenges, early developmental stages, and delays—to over five years serving as a school-based therapist in a middle school setting. These experiences have given me a deep appreciation for the complexity of each developmental milestone and the emotional intelligence adolescents bring to the table.

Above all, I’m continually inspired by the courage of young people and the devotion of the parents who love them. It would be an honor to support your family on this journey.

SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION

CREDENTIALS —

Masters in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. 
(Pepperdine University)

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #154154

TRAINED IN —

DIR Floortime (developmental individual differences and relationship based model) 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy 

Solution Focused Therapy 

Narrative Therapy

A woman with long dark hair wearing a beige oversize jacket, beige dress, and white high heels is walking past a white concrete wall with stairs and a metal railing in the background. She is holding a drink in her right hand.
Black line drawing of butterflies and stars on a light beige background.

THE CHRYSALIS WAY

SERVICES Menu: 

Clientele: Ages 7-16 & Parents 

INDIVIDUAL THERAPY —— CHILD & PARENT

Areas of Focus: 

School transitions (elementary to MS, MS to HS)
Social Skills, Navigating Friendship 
Anxiety 
Depression 
Challenges at School 
Identity Development / Self- Esteem 
Parenting: Boundaries, Discipline, Habits of the Home

BOOK A CONSULT

WORKSHOPS ——
[COMING SOON]

“From the ugly duckling to the very hungry caterpillar, we reach for stories about animal metamorphosis to capture the emotions we feels as we watch our children grow and change. For humans, the change in bodies is not nearly as dramatic as it is for butterflies, yet, the change in minds is every bit as Extraordinary. But while caterpillars will turn into butterflies with little input from the outside world, the human transition from child to adult depends in part of getting the right kind of experiences at the right time to guide the rapid rewiring of the adolescent brain.”

- Jonathan Haidt, Author of the Anxious Generation 

THE CHALLENGES WE HELP Families NAVIGATE

  • A classroom scene with three students during a lesson. A girl in the foreground with braided hair and a beige jacket is raising her hand. A boy in a gray and white hoodie and another student are writing on a whiteboard with diagrams and text about the permeable membrane.

    SCHOOL TRANSITIONS

    * Your 5th grader is excited about middle school, but suddenly becomes moody and overwhelmed by locker combinations, new teachers, and finding friends in the lunchroom.

    * Your teen just started high school and is withdrawing more than usual. You’re not sure if it’s normal adjustment or something deeper.

  • Two women holding hands and dancing outdoors, with trees in the background, captured in a blurred, motion effect.

    SOCIAL SKILLS & NAVIGATING FRIENDSHIPS

    * Your daughter was part of a close-knit friend group, but now feels left out and confused about shifting dynamics and unspoken rules.

    * Your son often misreads social cues and ends up isolated or getting in trouble for being “too much.” He wants friends but doesn’t know how to connect.

  • Blurred black object on a plain light background, with shadows on the surface.

    ANXIETY

    * Your child worries constantly—about grades, getting sick, you getting into an accident—despite your reassurances. Their mind just won’t stop racing.

    * Before every school day, your child complains of stomachaches and insists they can’t go. You’re beginning to wonder if it’s more than just avoidance.

  • Close-up black and white image of a person shaving their face with a razor.

    DEPRESSION

    * Your once energetic teen has lost interest in everything—sports, friends, even food. They sleep too much and seem distant.

    * Your child gets irritable over small things, isolates in their room, and says things like “nothing matters anyway.”

  • A young man with short dark hair wearing a black jacket and white shirt walking in a modern hallway with wood floors and wooden paneling on the walls, illuminated by soft overhead lighting.

    CHALLENGES AT SCHOOL

    * Your child is bright, but their grades are slipping. Teachers mention lack of focus, while you see them struggling with motivation and pressure.

    * You’ve been called in again because your child is “disruptive” in class. You feel stuck between advocating for them and wondering what’s really going on.

  • A young woman with curly hair and freckles looking into a mirror, with her reflection visible.

    IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT / SELF-ESTEEM

    * Your child is exploring who they are—appearance, preferences, social groups—and seems unsure, overly influenced, or critical of themselves.

    * Your teen constantly compares themselves to others and spirals when they don’t “measure up.” You hear a lot of “I’m not good enough.”

  • Silhouettes of a family holding hands outdoors during sunset, with a tree and a cloudy sky in the background.

    PARENTING SUPPORT (BOUNDARIES, DISCIPLINE, HOUSEHOLD HABITS)

    * You find yourself repeating requests, giving in, or raising your voice—only to feel guilty or ineffective. You want to reset the tone at home.

    * Your child pushes every limit. You’re not sure how to stay connected while also setting clear expectations.

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STEP 1

5 SECONDS OF COURAGE

[PICK UP THE PHONE]

STEP 2

BOOK A 15 MINUTE CONSULT

STEP 3

EXPERIENCE THERAPEUTIC SUPPORT WITH Gaia

HOW TO Get Started

BOOK YOUR CONSULTATION

Values OF THE CHRYSALIS WAY: 

SPACE –—

“Creating space for kids to feel heard and for parents to be supported - so families can grow together.” 

HOPE ——

“When hope feels out of reach, I’ll hold it with you until you’re ready to hold it for yourself.”

PRACTICALS ——

“Real change happens in-between sessions - you will gain
practical tools that you can use in everyday life.” 

ACCOUNTABILITY ——

“With kindness and strength, you will be held accountable to the growth you’re reaching for.” 

SOUND FAMILIAR?
YOU’RE IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

  • A person with red hair, wearing a black-and-white checkered shirt and jeans, sitting on stone stairs with their head down and arms covering their face, in front of an old building with stone walls and greenery.

    FRIENDSHIP DRAMA & SOCIAL EXCLUSION

    Lately, your once-outgoing daughter has been coming home quiet and withdrawn. After some gentle nudging, she finally opens up: she’s been pushed out of her friend group at school. Now, she spends lunch alone or glued to her phone, pretending not to care. She doesn’t know what she did wrong, and you’re watching her confidence slowly fade. You want to help her navigate the rollercoaster of middle school friendships—but you’re not sure how to reach her.

  • A young woman with long dark hair and a hair clip, carrying a backpack, stands on a shaded street with trees and a sign in the background.

    PERFECTIONISM, ANXIETY & EMOTIONAL BURNOUT

    Your middle schooler seems to have it all together—honors classes, sports, clubs—but behind the scenes, they’re unraveling. One night, after another marathon homework session, they break down in tears over a single B on an assignment. They can’t sleep, they’re constantly tense, and nothing you say seems to ease the pressure they place on themselves. You’re worried they’re burning out and desperately want to help them breathe again.

  • A young man with dark skin and short, curly hair, wearing a wristwatch and a black t-shirt, is seen looking out through golden bars with a cloudy sky in the background.

    PARENTING “FIX-IT MODE” & EMOTIONAL OVERLOAD

    Your child gets in the car after school and starts unloading—everything from a bad grade to friend drama to anxiety about an upcoming test. You jump in with advice, quick fixes, and even a few pep talks. But instead of calming down, they snap at you, shut down, or say, “You just don’t get it!” Now you’re left feeling helpless and frustrated, wondering how to actually support them without making things worse.

  • Nighttime scene with trees and multiple people standing outside near a building. A woman in a black dress and a man in a light-colored shirt are visible, along with a person in front wearing a polka-dot shirt and backpack.

    THE PARENT–FRIEND TUG-OF-WAR

    You want your child to feel safe opening up to you—so you try to be understanding, flexible, even lenient. But lately, the house feels chaotic and boundaries are constantly being tested. You’re exhausted from the negotiations, the second-guessing, and the pressure to be both parent and friend. You know something has to change—but you’re not sure how to regain balance without losing connection.

Book Now

LET’S NAVIGATE THE TRANSFORMATION Together

CHILD FOCUS: 

CREATIVITY ——

“Finding therapeutic windows by following the lead of your child to learn, grow and transform.”

PARENT FOCUS: 

COLLABORATION ——

“You are the expert of your child - pair your expertise with fresh perspectives to breathe new life on your parenting journey.” 

LET'S WORK TOGETHER