Counseling for kids in westchester county, ny

Jessi, founder of Westchester Counseling Studio smiling during play therapy for children in NY

Watching your child struggle is hard.

And for a lot of parents, "hard" looks less like a obvious crisis and more like a slow, creeping worry — the kind where your kid is functioning, technically, but something feels off. Where the meltdowns are getting bigger, or the silence is getting louder. Where they're coming home from school with that look on their face and you don't know how to reach them. Where you lie awake wondering if this is just a phase, or something more, and quietly asking yourself am I doing enough? You are. But your child is asking for something, and therapy is how you help them finally get it.

Our Approach

We don't do robot therapy here! At The Westchester Mental Health Counseling Studio, we meet kids where they are: in the play, in the art, in the joke, in the subtle moment when they finally feel safe enough to say the real thing. Our clinicians bring their full, human selves into every session, silly when it calls for it, steady when it doesn't. Your child is not a case file. They're a whole, complex, wonderful, kid with a big inner world that deserves to be understood. We use evidence-based, developmentally informed approaches, but wrapped in the kind of genuine warmth and playfulness that makes children actually feel like therapy is a place they want to be.

Our Mission

The Studio was built on one simple belief: that kids deserve a therapist they actually like. Not someone who talks over their head or makes them feel broken and in need of fixing—someone who gets them, makes them feel safe, and maybe even makes them laugh. Too many children have left therapy feeling worse about themselves than when they walked in. We opened The Studio to be something different. Our mission is to give every child a space where they can be completely themselves, messy feelings, big reactions, and all, and walk away not just coping better, but genuinely thriving. We show up fully for every kid we work with. Every single session.

Child, Teen, and Family Therapy in NY

Finding a therapist for your child to connect with can be hard and challenging. Working with children is a totally different approach than working with adults. Our primary focus is helping your child feel safe and comfortable in sessions so they can be themselves. We use a variety of different play therapy and person-centered techniques catered to each individual child and family.

Play based therapy techniques allow for a child to express their feelings without always needing to know how to talk about them. Children learn to express their feelings through observing their parents/caregivers, being with peers, and through the responses adults provide back to them after a feeling as been expressed. Children have big feelings often, and need support in learning what those feelings are as well as how to handle them. Through play-based therapy techniques , a clinician can understand how your child expresses their needs, what their needs might be, and how they learn to solve their needs. From this, the clinician can support parents and caregivers in better understanding their child's actions and behaviors as well as how to support them safely through their big feelings, teaching them tools and strategies for growth and progress.

Our child psychotherapy services also require a commitment from parents/caregivers to attend parent support sessions. In these sessions, the clinician and parent will work together to create a collaborative approach that best suits the needs of each individual child and family.

About Westchester Mental Health Counseling Studio

Children and family therapy at The Studio is a collaborative, personalized process, not a one-size-fits-all protocol.

Depending on your child's needs, your therapist will draw from evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), play therapy, trauma-informed approaches, and more. All adapted to your child's age, developmental stage, and unique way of experiencing the world.

Children and families who work with us move from:

Meltdowns that feel out of nowhere → a child who can name what they're feeling and ask for help
Shutting down or acting out at school → showing up with more confidence and fewer behavioral concerns
Anxiety running the show → real coping tools your child can actually use in the moment
A parent and child talking past each other → genuine understanding and connection at home
A kid who seems fine on the outside but is struggling on the inside → a child who feels safe enough to let people in
Surviving hard things alone → knowing they have a safe person in their corner

This is not just coping. This is a kid learning who they are, family learning to communicate better, and growing closer together.

This is for your family if...

Every child is different, and so is every family. But if you've landed here, chances are you're watching your kid struggle with something and wishing you could just fix it for them. You can't always do that. What you can do is get them the right support.

Get in Touch

Your child is dealing with:

Anxiety that shows up as clinginess, avoidance, stomach aches, or meltdowns before school
Big emotional reactions that feel disproportionate — and that everyone in the house is walking on eggshells around
Withdrawal, low mood, or a loss of interest in things they used to love
The aftermath of something hard — a loss, a transition, a scary experience they're still carrying
Sensory sensitivities or neurodivergent traits that make everyday life more overwhelming
Social struggles — difficulty making friends, reading social cues, or feeling like they don't belong
A hard time at home around homework, transitions, or following routines

You want:

To understand what's actually going on with your child — not just manage the behavior
A therapist your kid will actually open up to (and maybe even look forward to seeing)
Tools you can use at home, not just strategies that only work in the therapy room
Someone who sees your child's strengths, not just their struggles
Real, honest communication with a clinician who respects you as the expert on your own kid

You're showing up as:

The parent who has tried everything and isn't sure what's left to try
A family navigating a big change — divorce, a new sibling, a move, a loss
Someone whose child was recently diagnosed and who doesn't know where to start
A parent whose kid has been to therapy before but never really connected with their therapist
A family that knows something needs to shift — and is finally ready to get support

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us using our contact page if you cannot find an answer to your question.

"How involved do I get to be in my child's care?"

At The Studio, parent coaching is a required part of every child's treatment. The work your child does in session is only as powerful as the environment they return to, which means we need you to participate in regular parent coaching sessions. Children make the most progress when the adults in their lives understand what's happening and know how to support it. We'll work with you on language, strategies, and how to show up for your kid in a way that makes the therapy actually stick.

"My child has tried therapy before and it didn't help."

We hear this a lot, and it matters. The research is clear that the relationship between a child and their therapist is the single most important factor in whether therapy works. If your child sat through sessions that felt boring, uncomfortable, or like talking to a stranger, this will be different. We offer a free phone consultation so you can get a feel for us before committing to anything.

"I'm not sure my child is struggling enough to need therapy."

You don't have to wait for a crisis. If something feels off — if your child seems more anxious, withdrawn, or reactive than usual, or if you just have a gut feeling that they need more support than you're able to give alone — that's enough. Therapy isn't only for kids in crisis. It's for kids who deserve a space that's entirely their own.

"My child says they don't want to go."

That's one of the most common things we hear. Most kids warm up quickly once they realize therapy isn't what they imagined. There's no lying on a couch, no scary questions, no homework. We meet kids in play, creativity, and conversation. Many kids who swore they wouldn't like it end up asking when they get to come back.

"I don't have time to add another appointment to the week."

Sessions are 45–50 minutes. We offer telehealth options for flexibility, and many families find that the ripple effect of a regulated, supported child makes every other part of the week feel more manageable. It's one hour that tends to give a lot back.

"Will you tell me what my child says in sessions?"

Confidentiality is important. Kids need to know they have a safe space to be honest. At the same time, we know parents need to feel informed and included. We'll always communicate with you about themes, progress, and anything that matters for your child's safety or your role at home. You're a partner in this process, not an outsider.

"How long will my child need therapy?"

There's no universal answer. Some kids make meaningful progress in a few months; others benefit from longer-term support as they grow and face new challenges. We'll set clear goals together and check in regularly on progress. You'll never feel like you're just showing up indefinitely without direction.

"Do you take insurance?"

We don't take insurance. Here's why that's actually a good thing.

When a practice accepts insurance, your treatment plan is largely controlled by your insurance company. They decide what type of therapy you can receive, how many sessions you're allowed, and when you're "done." We don't think a claims department should have any say in your child's mental health care. By staying out-of-network, we make every clinical decision based on what's best for your family.

That said, you may still be able to use your benefits. We work with a company called Thrizer that handles the out-of-network reimbursement process for you. No confusing paperwork, no phone calls to your insurance company. About 80% of our clients receive reimbursement from their insurance. Not sure if you have out-of-network benefits? Reach out to Jessi and she'll help you find out before you commit to anything.

"What's the first step?"

A short, free phone consultation. No commitment, no pressure. We'll hear a little about what's going on with your child, share how we work, and figure out together whether we're the right fit.