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Neuro-Affirming ADHD Therapy for Children & Teens

ADHD affects far more than attention. It can shape how a child manages time, emotions, transitions, schoolwork, and friendships. Neuro-affirming therapy starts from the view that a child's brain works differently, not wrongly. It helps children build strategies that fit how they think and helps parents adjust expectations and routines at home. Sessions are available in person and online.

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What Is Neuro-Affirming Therapy?

Neuro-affirming care respects ADHD as part of how a child's brain is wired, while recognizing that it can create real challenges. Rather than asking a child to hide differences or work harder at what comes more easily to others, therapy identifies what is difficult and why, builds on strengths, and adjusts the environment and expectations to fit the child.

It is an approach we bring to our work with children and teens, not a separate type of therapy.

Areas We Help With

Executive Function

Trouble with organization, planning, starting tasks, and keeping track of homework and belongings.

Emotional Regulation

Frustration, big reactions, and meltdowns that are hard for a child to manage in the moment.

Transitions and Routines

Difficulty shifting between activities, mornings, bedtimes, and changes in plans.

Friendships and Social Skills

Navigating social cues, conflict, and belonging without having to hide who they are.

School Stress and Self-Esteem

Shame, discouragement, or a negative view of themselves after repeated struggles at school.

Anxiety Alongside ADHD

Worry, perfectionism, or avoidance that often accompanies ADHD.

How Our Approach Works

Understanding the Why

We look at what is behind a behavior, such as challenges with working memory, emotional regulation, or processing speed. Understanding the reason helps children and parents see the struggle as a skill difference rather than defiance or laziness, which reduces shame.

Work With Child and Parents

We work with the child on self-regulation and executive function strategies, and with parents on routines, expectations, and the home environment, so that the child has support in both places.

Therapeutic Methods

Executive Function Strategies

Practical, age-appropriate strategies for time management, organization, and starting tasks.

Social-Emotional Skill Building

Helps children navigate friendships and social cues in ways that respect their identity rather than asking them to mask.

Parent Management Training & SPACE

Evidence-based parent programs. Parent Management Training (PMT) builds consistent, positive approaches to behavior and boundaries. SPACE helps parents reduce accommodation when anxiety is also present.

Art & Play-Based Approaches

For younger children, play and art build frustration tolerance and emotional vocabulary.

decorative image of child with balloons

Therapy and Assessment Together

Many families come to us with questions about ADHD before there is a diagnosis. A diagnosis can be made without a full neuropsychological evaluation, but a full evaluation gives a fuller and clearer picture of how your child learns, pays attention, and manages emotions. That detail helps guide therapy and supports planning at school, including IEP and 504 plans. When evaluation and therapy happen within the same practice, the clinicians involved can share what they learn with you and with each other, and with your permission, with your child’s school.

Learn about neuropsychological testing

What to Expect

You don’t need to have it all figured out before you reach out.

  1. 1

    A Free Consultation.

    We talk briefly about what your child is experiencing and match your family with a clinician whose training fits your needs.

  2. 2

    Understanding Your Child.

    Your clinician learns about your child’s strengths, challenges, and how ADHD shows up at home and at school, and discusses whether an evaluation would be helpful.

  3. 3

    A Treatment Plan.

    Treatment typically combines sessions with your child, guidance for parents, and practice at home. Goals are set together and reviewed regularly.

Care That Connects Across Specialties

ADHD often overlaps with anxiety, learning differences, or sensory sensitivities. Our clinicians work across specialties, and with your consent your child’s therapist can coordinate with colleagues across the practice, including our evaluators.

Your team

Clinicians Who Work With ADHD in Children and Teens

Valerie Scelsa headshot

Valerie Scelsa, PhD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Scelsa specializes in anxiety, OCD, ADHD, ARFID and related behavioral challenges in children, adolescents, and young adults, and coaches parents to support their child’s progress.

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Jessica Duffy Headshot

Jessica Duffy, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Jessica is a licensed clinical social worker with twelve years of experience supporting adolescents, adults, couples, and families through anxiety, ADHD, trauma, and family or relationship conflict.

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Kate Testa headshot

Kate Testa, MA

Art Therapist in Residence

Kate is an art therapist who works with children and adolescents in grades preK–12, with a focus on neurodiverse young people, including autistic children, English language learners, and students with learning or physical disabilities. She also offers individual art therapy for adults, on its own or alongside traditional psychotherapy.

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Emily Mudge headshot

Emily Mudge, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Emily is a licensed clinical social worker and parent coach who works with children, adolescents, adults and families on anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation. She helps parents turn what happens in therapy into everyday strategies at home.

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Dr. Lily Brown Headshot

Lily Brown, PhD

Clinical Psychologist, Postdoctoral Resident

Dr. Brown is a postdoctoral resident in clinical psychology who works with adolescents and adults on trauma, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Her approach is collaborative, integrative and grounded in CBT and other evidence-based models.

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Eva Leighton Headshot

Eva Leighton, PhD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist, CFO, Training Director

Dr. Leighton is a licensed clinical psychologist who works with adults, couples, children, and families on trauma recovery, substance use, parenting and behavioral concerns, and relationship difficulties. Her style is warm and supportive, with a natural sense of humor.

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Melissa Klay Headshot

Melissa Klay, PhD, LCAT, ATR-BC

Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Director of Art Therapy Program

Dr. Klay is a licensed psychologist and board-certified art therapist with more than 25 years of experience treating complex trauma, eating disorders, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation in children, adolescents, and adults. She directs PPG’s art therapy program.

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Kaitlin Carson Headshot

Kaitlin Carson, PhD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Carson is a licensed clinical psychologist who conducts neuropsychological, psychoeducational, and psychological evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults.

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FAQ

Common questions

What is neuro-affirming ADHD therapy?

Neuro-affirming therapy is an approach that treats ADHD as a difference in how a child’s brain works rather than a flaw to be corrected. It builds on a child’s strengths, helps them develop strategies that fit how they think, and works with parents to adjust expectations and routines. It addresses real challenges without asking a child to hide who they are.

What does ADHD look like in children and teens?

ADHD can look different from child to child. Some children are restless and impulsive, while others are quiet, forgetful, or easily distracted. Difficulties with homework, organization, transitions, emotional regulation, and friendships are common. Because these signs overlap with anxiety, learning differences, and other concerns, an evaluation can clarify what is going on.

Do you diagnose ADHD?

Yes. A diagnosis can be made without a full neuropsychological evaluation, and a diagnosis is not required to begin therapy. A full evaluation offers a fuller and clearer picture of your child’s strengths and challenges, and it is useful for IEP and 504 planning. Our evaluation specialist is part of the same team as our therapists, so findings can inform your child’s treatment.

Does neuro-affirming therapy mean you do not address challenging behavior?

No. Therapy still addresses difficulties such as meltdowns, trouble with transitions, and conflict over homework. The difference is in the starting point. Clinicians look at what is behind the behavior, such as challenges with working memory, emotional regulation, or processing speed, and focus on building skills and adjusting the environment rather than on making a child appear neurotypical.

How are parents involved in treatment?

Parents are active partners. Alongside sessions with the child, parents receive guidance on adjusting routines, expectations, and the home environment, using approaches such as Parent Management Training (PMT) and SPACE when appropriate. The goal is to create a setting where the child can succeed and to reduce conflict at home.

Can therapy help with school?

Yes. Therapy can help your child build strategies for organization, planning, emotional regulation, and managing school stress, and we can help you think through what to ask of the school. If your child has had a full evaluation, the results can support conversations about IEP and 504 plans.

Do your clinicians prescribe medication?

Our clinicians provide therapy and do not prescribe medication. Some families explore medication for ADHD with their child’s pediatrician or a psychiatric prescriber, and we can coordinate with them, with your consent.

Can my child do therapy online?

Yes. Sessions are available in person at our Chappaqua and Hartsdale offices and by secure video.

What if my child is in crisis?

PPG provides outpatient care and is not an emergency service. If your child is having thoughts of harming themselves, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, at any time. If your child is in immediate danger, call 911.

How do I get started?

Schedule a free consultation. We will talk briefly about what you are looking for and match your family with a clinician whose training and style fit your needs.