Child & Adolescent Therapy
Evidence-Based Support for Emotional, Behavioral, and Developmental Challenges
Child & Adolescent Therapy in NYC
Childhood and adolescence are periods of rapid emotional, cognitive, and social development. While many children and teens navigate these stages with resilience, others may struggle with overwhelming emotions, behavioral challenges, anxiety, mood concerns, social difficulties, academic stressor or changes at home. Therapy can provide a structured, supportive space to help children and adolescents better understand themselves, build coping skills, and develop healthier ways of relating to others and their world.
At Upper East Side Psychology, we provide specialized, evidence-based child and adolescent therapy tailored to each child’s developmental stage, personality, and family system. Our clinicians work collaboratively with children, teens, and parents to support emotional growth, resilience, and long-term well-being.
We offer both in-person therapy in Manhattan and virtual therapy options, allowing families flexibility while maintaining high-quality care.
When Might a Child or Teen Benefit from Therapy?
Children and adolescents may not always have the language to explain what they are experiencing. Emotional distress often shows up through behavior, mood changes, or physical complaints. Therapy can be helpful when a child or teen is experiencing:
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Anxiety, excessive worry, or fears
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Mood changes, sadness, or irritability
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Emotional outbursts, tantrums, or difficulty with regulation
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Behavioral challenges at home or school
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Difficulty with transitions, change, or loss
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Social challenges, peer conflict, or bullying
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Academic stress, perfectionism, or school avoidance
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Learning disabilities or attentional problems
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Low self-esteem or identity concerns
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Trauma or stressful life experiences
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Family changes, including divorce or relocation
Early intervention can be especially beneficial, helping children develop skills that support emotional health well into adolescence and adulthood.
Our Developmentally Informed Approach to Child & Adolescent Therapy
Effective therapy must align with a child’s developmental level, emotional capacity, and learning style. At Upper East Side Psychology, we integrate play-based, creative, and evidence-based therapies to meet each child’s unique needs and interests.
Our clinicians take a collaborative, individualized approach, often blending multiple modalities to support emotional insight, skill-building, and behavioral change.
Play Therapy: Helping Children Communicate Through Play
For younger children, play is a primary language. Play therapy allows children to express thoughts, feelings, and experiences that may be difficult to articulate verbally.
Through structured and semi-structured play, children can:
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Express emotions safely
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Process stressful or confusing experiences
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Practice problem-solving and emotional regulation
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Explore alternative methods of communication
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Build confidence and mastery
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Develop healthier coping strategies
Our therapists thoughtfully select play-based interventions based on the child’s needs, ensuring sessions remain purposeful, supportive, and developmentally appropriate. Play therapy is often used alongside parent collaboration to reinforce progress outside of sessions.
Creative Therapies: Art, Writing, and Expressive Modalities
Many children and adolescents connect deeply with creative expression. We incorporate art, drawing, storytelling, journaling, and other creative mediums as therapeutic tools when appropriate.
Creative approaches can help:
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Increase emotional awareness and expression
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Reduce anxiety around direct verbal communication
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Enhance understanding of thoughts, emotions and physiological experiences
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Support identity development and self-esteem
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Engage adolescents who may feel resistant to traditional talk therapy
For teens especially, creative modalities can provide a sense of autonomy and ownership in therapy, making the process more engaging and effective.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Children & Adolescents
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a highly researched, evidence-based approach commonly used with children and adolescents experiencing anxiety, depression, behavioral challenges, and stress-related concerns.
CBT helps children and teens:
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Understand the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
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Identify unhelpful thinking patterns
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Modifying problematic patterns of thinking and behaving
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Develop healthier coping strategies
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Practice problem-solving and emotional regulation skills
CBT is adapted developmentally for children, often using visual tools, worksheets, and interactive exercises. With adolescents, CBT can support greater insight, autonomy, and resilience as they navigate academic, social, and emotional pressures.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills for Emotional Regulation
Some children and teens experience intense emotions that feel difficult to manage. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)-informed approaches can be especially helpful for adolescents who struggle with emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, or interpersonal challenges.
DBT skills focus on:
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Emotion regulation
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Distress tolerance
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Mindfulness
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Interpersonal effectiveness
We integrate DBT skills in a developmentally appropriate way, helping adolescents build tools to manage strong emotions, improve communication, and reduce impulsive or self-defeating behaviors. Parent involvement is often an important part of supporting skill generalization outside of sessions.
The Importance of Parental Support & Collaboration
Child and adolescent therapy is often most effective when parents are involved in the therapeutic process or are given tools to support the child’s learnings in therapy. At Upper East Side Psychology, we view parents as essential partners in care.
Parental support may include:
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Regular parent check-ins or consultations
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Psychoeducation about emotional development and behavior
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Coaching around boundaries, communication, and emotional support
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Strategies to reinforce skills learned in therapy at home
For adolescents, parent involvement is carefully balanced to respect the teen’s autonomy while maintaining appropriate communication and support. Our clinicians work thoughtfully to create a collaborative framework that benefits the entire family.
Therapy for Adolescents: Supporting Growth, Identity, and Independence
Adolescence is a time of identity exploration, increasing independence, and often heightened emotional intensity. Therapy can provide teens with a confidential, supportive space to explore challenges while developing insights, self-understanding and coping skills.
Common adolescent therapy concerns include:
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Anxiety and mood changes
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Academic pressure and perfectionism
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Peer relationships and social stress
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Identity development
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Family conflict
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Emotional regulation challenges
Our therapists prioritize building trust and rapport with adolescents while maintaining a structured, goal-oriented approach to treatment.
What to Expect from Child & Adolescent Therapy
Every child and family is different. Therapy typically begins with a comprehensive intake to understand the child’s history, strengths, and current concerns. From there, the therapist collaborates with parents and the child or teen to develop an individualized treatment plan.
Sessions may include:
Why Choose Upper East Side Psychology?
Families choose Upper East Side Psychology for our:
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Specialized training in child and adolescent mental health
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Evidence-based, developmentally informed approach
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Collaborative work with parents and caregivers
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Warm, professional, and personalized care
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Flexible in-person and virtual therapy options
We are committed to providing high-quality, individualized treatment that supports children, adolescents, and families through every stage of development.
Get Started with Child or Adolescent Therapy
If you are concerned about your child or teen and are considering therapy, we are here to help. Early support can make a meaningful difference in emotional development, confidence, and resilience.
Contact Upper East Side Psychology today to schedule an initial consultation and learn more about our child and adolescent therapy services.