Child Therapy in NYC
When your child melts down, lashes out or goes quiet, it's easy to see it as behavior. Often it's a feeling they don't have the words for yet.
Our child therapists, at our Midtown Manhattan office, help kids understand what they feel, find the words for it and grow more confident. And you can use your insurance.
Or call us at (212) 675-8255
- Children 5 and up
- In network with 13 plans, including Medicaid
- In person at 55th & 6th in Midtown
- Sessions in English or Spanish
Your child may understand more than they can say
Children are often far more perceptive than we give them credit for. They notice changes at home and at school, and they feel the impact of what's happening around them, even when no one has explained it.
What they're still learning is how to make sense of it and put it into words. Their language and emotional awareness are still taking shape. So when it comes out as frustration, withdrawal or an outburst, it's often a feeling they haven't learned to express yet. That's where therapy can help.
Signs your child might benefit from therapy
Every child shows it differently. Some will tell you something is bothering them, and others show it through their behavior or changes in their routine. You might notice:
Frequent outbursts, frustration or trouble calming down
Trouble putting feelings, needs or thoughts into words
More anxiety or worry about school, friendships or everyday situations
Pulling away from family, friends or activities they used to enjoy
A hard time with friendships and social expectations
Low self-esteem, self-doubt or negative self-talk
Trouble with transitions, unexpected changes or disappointment
Feelings that seem to overwhelm them
Sometimes children know something feels wrong without knowing why. However it shows up, it deserves attention, patience and support. If you're not sure whether therapy is right for your child, a free consult is a good place to start.
Or call us at (212) 675-8255
How child therapy can help
Therapy helps kids see the connection between what they think, what they feel and how they act. Rather than simply telling a child how to behave, it helps them understand why they feel the way they do, and gives them tools to respond differently.
The goal isn't to get rid of difficult emotions. It's to help your child understand that every feeling has a place, and to build the skills to handle what life brings as they grow.
With their therapist, children can learn to:
- Name, understand and talk about their emotions
- See how their thoughts, feelings and actions connect
- Calm down after big feelings, and handle them better next time
- Cope with frustration and disappointment
- Build self-esteem, confidence and self-awareness
- Make and keep friendships
- Solve problems and say what they need
Therapy for neurodivergent kids
Neurodivergent kids, including kids with ADHD, often experience the world differently from other kids their age, and what helps them can look different too. Therapy can help them understand how their brain works, build skills that fit it and feel less alone in it.
Keilyn sees neurodivergent kids 5 and up. Edwin works with neurodivergent kids 10 and up, especially boys who've had a hard time connecting with other therapists, and he brings his own experience with ADHD and dyslexia. You can read more about how we approach ADHD therapy.
Approaches we use with children
Every child is different, so therapy is never one size fits all. We choose approaches that fit your child's age, needs, personality and goals.
Play therapy
For younger children, play is a language of its own. They may not have the words for complicated feelings yet, but they can show them through play, creativity and imagination. Play therapy lets children express themselves naturally while they work through what's hard. Our Midtown office has a room stocked with toys and games for it.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT helps kids notice unhelpful thought patterns, find more balanced ways to see things and practice calmer responses to stress. It can be especially helpful for anxiety, frustration and negative self-talk.
DBT skills (dialectical behavior therapy)
DBT skills are practical tools for intense emotions: calming down, getting through a hard moment without making it worse, staying present and asking for what you need. These tools help kids pause before reacting.
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
ACT helps kids make room for uncomfortable feelings without letting those feelings make their choices. It also helps them figure out what matters to them, and make choices that fit the person they want to become.
How parents are part of it
Therapy can help you understand what's happening beneath the surface of your child's behavior, so your family can approach hard moments with more patience and understanding. How involved you are depends on your child and what they need, because therapy with kids is individual. Often your child's therapist will meet with you first, or you'll join the first session, and from there you'll work out together what makes sense.
Who you'll work with
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Keilyn Mercado, MHC-LP
Keilyn works with children 5 and up, and sees clients in English and Spanish. She's in our Midtown office on Fridays and Saturdays, so school days can stay school days.
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Edwin Depner, LMHC-D
Edwin works with kids 10 and up, especially neurodivergent boys who've had a hard time connecting with other therapists. He brings his own experience with ADHD and dyslexia.
Insurance, location and session times
Sessions are 55 minutes, in person at our Midtown Manhattan office. Insurance works the same way for your child as it does for you. We're in network with these plans:
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1199 SEIU -
Aetna -
Cigna -
Curative -
First Health - Medicaid
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Meritain Health -
NYC Employee PPO -
Optum -
Oscar -
Oxford -
UMR -
UnitedHealthcare
Frequently asked questions
What age can a child start therapy?
We see children from age 5. Keilyn works with children 5 and up, and Edwin with kids 10 and up.
Do parents sit in on sessions?
It depends on your child. Often parents meet with the therapist first or join the first session, and you and your child's therapist decide together how involved you'll be after that.
Will I know what my child talks about in therapy?
Under New York law, parents generally have the right to information about their child's treatment, with some limits. Early on, you will have an open conversation with your child's therapist about what will be shared and how. Kids open up when they trust their therapist, and that trust is one of the strongest predictors of how well therapy works.
Does insurance cover therapy for my child?
Usually, yes, as long as we're in network with the company on your child's insurance card. It works the same way as it does for adults.
Insurance & FeesCan my child do therapy online?
Usually not. Online sessions are typically reserved for older teens, because they rarely work as well for younger kids. We don't set an age limit, because circumstances vary case to case.
What if my child's parents are separated or divorced?
We'll ask for your custody paperwork, and the consent form asks a few questions about the arrangement, including the other parent's contact information. We don't automatically contact the other parent. We ask so we fully understand your family's situation and ensure we are following the law.
How do I get started?
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Book your free consult
Pick a time online or give us a call. It's a short call with our intake team, not a therapy session, so there's nothing you need to prepare.
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We handle the logistics
We talk through scheduling and insurance, then check your coverage. That way your child's first session can be about connection, not logistics.
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Meet your therapist
We match your child with a therapist who fits what you're looking for and your schedule. Depending on the therapist, we can often book the first session the same week.
Every child deserves to be heard
Children don't need the words to explain what they're feeling for those feelings to matter. Sometimes they need someone willing to listen and help them find the words. We'd love to help your child do that.
Or call us at (212) 675-8255