Therapy, testing, and groups for children and adolescents

For Kids & Teens

Thoughtful therapy, testing, and support for children, teens, and the parents who care for them.

Why early intervention matters

We take early signs seriously

When a child or teen begins to struggle, it can show up in different ways — worry, avoidance, changes in mood, school problems, or difficulty managing emotions. Sometimes the signs are subtle at first. Sometimes they become harder to ignore.

We take those early signs seriously. Not because every concern is an emergency, but because support is often most effective when families are able to respond before patterns become more entrenched.

We assess risk carefully, document safety plans when needed, and keep parents involved when it is clinically appropriate. Our goal is to offer support that is steady, clear, and responsive to what your child or teen needs most.

When parents need support too

Parent coaching alongside the child's therapy

Therapy for a child or teen is often most effective when parents have support too. Children live within a household, and the ways that adults respond at home can shape how change happens between sessions.

That is why parent coaching is often part of the work. These separate sessions give parents space to think through what is happening, ask questions, and learn practical ways to respond at home. The goal is not to place blame or add pressure. It is to give the adults in the child’s life tools that make therapy more usable in everyday life.

When helpful, parent coaching may also include guidance around routines, communication, behavior patterns, or how to support a child through anxiety, emotional intensity, or changes at school or in the family.

When concerns call for a fuller picture

Therapy and assessment, together

Sometimes what looks like behavior, mood changes, or school struggles may be connected to something more specific, such as ADHD, autism, or a learning profile that has not yet been clearly identified.

Because our neuropsychologists work alongside our therapists, we can help you understand whether assessment would be useful and, when needed, move you from a diagnostic question into the right kind of support without having to start over with a new team.

What we do

We provide a range of services for children, teens, and families, including therapy, parent support, creative treatment options, and assessment. If you are not sure where to begin, we can help you think through which service is the best fit.

How we work

The Collaborative Model

Children do not grow up in isolation. Their well-being is shaped by home, school, friendships, family structure, and the adults supporting them. We consider that broader context from the start.

Because we are a multi-specialty group, we can coordinate care across therapy, parent support, assessment, and creative treatment options when that would be helpful. With your consent, we can also collaborate with schools, pediatricians, and outside providers so that everyone is working from the same understanding.

Our goal is to provide care that is coordinated, transparent, and responsive to what your child or teen needs most. When helpful, we can also adjust the type of support over time, whether that means individual therapy, parent coaching, a group, or assessment.

Your team

Meet our specialists in this area

Our team is a carefully selected group of clinicians with complementary specialties, united by a shared integrative approach to caring for children, teens, and families.

Lily Brown, PhD

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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Kaitlin Carson, PhD

Kaitlin Carson, PhD

Licensed Clinical Neuropsychologist

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

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Jessica Duffy, LCSW

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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Danielle Guerrero, PhD, NCSP

Danielle Guerrero, PhD, NCSP

Nationally Certified School Psychologist

Dr. Guerrero is a nationally certified school psychologist who works with children and adolescents on anxiety, ADHD, emotional regulation, and school-related difficulties, and who conducts psychoeducational evaluations.

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Melissa Klay, PhD, LCAT, ATR-BC

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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Eva Leighton, PhD

Eva Leighton, PhD

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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Emily Mudge, LCSW

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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Heather Rosen, PhD

Heather Rosen, PhD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Director of Eating Disorders Program

Dr. Rosen directs PPG’s Eating Disorders Program. A certified Family-Based Treatment (FBT) supervisor and former Mount Sinai faculty member, she treats adolescents and young adults and works closely with their families toward recovery from eating disorders.

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Valerie Scelsa, PhD

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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Megan Sedita, PsyD

Megan Sedita, PsyD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Sedita is a licensed clinical psychologist who works with adults, adolescents, and couples on trauma, anxiety, mood, and relationship difficulties. She trained at the VA Hudson Valley Health Care System, working with Veterans.

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Kate Testa, MA

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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Ready to take the next step?

Schedule a free consultation — we'll match you with the right clinician for what you're working through.

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FAQ

Common questions

Will parents be involved in treatment?

Yes. Parent involvement is always an important part of the work. Depending on your child’s age and needs, this may include parent coaching, updates, or guidance on how to support progress at home. We also rely on you to share with us what you are noticing at home including progress and setbacks so that we can tailor our work with your child to incorporate and address your concerns.

What ages do you work with?

We work with children and adolescents, and we tailor care to your child’s developmental stage, whether they are younger, older, or somewhere in between.

Do you offer virtual sessions?

Yes, some services are available virtually but much depends on your child's developmental level, temperament and receptivity to online work. We can talk with you about what makes the most sense for your family during your consultation.

What if my child is unsure about therapy?

That is very common. Many children are hesitant at first. We work at a pace that helps them feel comfortable and understood, and we do not expect children to present in any particular way.

Do you offer group support for children, teens, and parents?

Yes. We offer structured groups and workshops that can be a helpful option when your child, teen, or family would benefit from focused support in a group setting.

What happens on the consultation call?

During the consultation call, we’ll talk through what your child or teen is experiencing, what concerns you want help with, and what kind of support may be most appropriate. It is also a chance for you to ask questions and get a sense of whether we’re the right fit for your family.

How do I know whether my child needs therapy, testing, or both?

Sometimes the right starting point is therapy. Other times, assessment is helpful when a child’s challenges are not fully making sense yet. If you are unsure, we can help you think through which option fits best.