Child Therapy Services in Westchester & NYC
Helping Children Navigate Emotional & Developmental Challenges
At Everyday Parenting, we provide specialized therapy services designed specifically for children facing emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges.
Our experienced child therapists create a safe, nurturing environment where children can express themselves and develop the skills they need to thrive. We work in close partnership with parents throughout the therapeutic process, ensuring a supportive approach that extends beyond our office walls.
Our Services
Individual Therapy for Children
We provide one-on-one therapy sessions tailored to your child's specific needs, helping them process emotions, develop coping strategies, and build resilience in the face of challenges. Our therapists adjust their approach based on your child's age, personality, and unique circumstances.
Play Therapy for Younger Children
For younger children who may not have the verbal skills to express complex emotions, we offer specialized play therapy. Through carefully selected toys, art materials, and guided play, children can communicate their feelings, work through difficulties, and develop new understanding in a natural, engaging way.
Social Skills Development
For children facing challenges with peer relationships, we offer support in developing the social skills needed for positive interactions. From reading social cues to practicing conversation skills, we help children build confidence in social settings.
Emotional Regulation Support
Many children struggle with managing big emotions like anger, anxiety, or sadness. We teach practical, age-appropriate techniques to help children recognize their emotions, understand their triggers, and develop healthy ways to express and regulate these feelings.
Anxiety & Depression Treatment
Our specialized approaches for childhood anxiety and depression help children understand and manage these conditions. We use evidence-based techniques adapted for children, including cognitive-behavioral strategies, mindfulness, and expressive therapies.
Our Approach
Age-Appropriate Therapeutic Techniques
Our therapists adapt their methods based on your child's developmental stage:
Preschool Children (3-5): Primarily play-based therapy with simple emotional vocabulary building and parent coaching
School-Age Children (6-12): Combination of play, art, and talk therapy with skill-building activities for emotional regulation and social development
Adolescents (13+): More dialogue-based approaches with creative elements, emphasizing autonomy and identity development
Parent Partnership
We view parents as essential partners in the therapeutic process:
Regular parent check-ins to discuss progress and strategies
Guidance for supporting therapeutic goals at home
Family sessions when beneficial for addressing relational dynamics
Resources and education about your child's specific challenges
Play-Based & Expressive Techniques
Children often communicate most naturally through play and creative expression. Our therapists are skilled in:
Therapeutic Play: Using toys, games, and play scenarios to explore feelings and situations
Art Therapy Techniques: Drawing, painting, and crafting as tools for expression
Movement and Sensory Activities: Engaging the whole body in the therapeutic process
Narrative Approaches: Storytelling and therapeutic dialogue adapted to your child's age
Building Resilience & Coping Skills
Beyond addressing immediate concerns, we focus on developing lifelong skills:
Problem-solving abilities that transfer to new situations
Emotional awareness and healthy expression
Self-regulation techniques tailored to your child's needs
Confidence in their ability to handle challenges
Why Choose Everyday Parenting?
Specialized Training: Our therapists have advanced training in child development, play therapy, and evidence-based treatment approaches
Child-Friendly Spaces: Our offices are designed to help children feel comfortable, safe, and engaged
School Coordination: With your permission, we can collaborate with teachers and school counselors to ensure consistent support
Diverse Experience: Our therapists have worked with children facing a wide range of challenges, from anxiety and behavioral issues to trauma and neurodevelopmental differences
Whole-Child Perspective: We consider all aspects of your child's life—home, school, peers, and activities—to provide comprehensive support
Meet Our Specialists
Jeanette Sawyer Cohen | PhD, MPhil, MS, PMH-C, IMH-E®
Dr. Sawyer Cohen is a Columbia University-trained psychologist with extensive experience helping children who struggle with self-regulation and may be described as bright, sensitive, anxious, reactive, or intense. Following postgraduate training in dyadic therapies such as Parent-Infant Psychotherapy and DIR/Floortime, she became a CPS Certified Provider to help children solve problems using an evidence-based, proactive approach. Dr. Sawyer Cohen has particular expertise working with highly sensitive, gifted, and twice-exceptional ("2e") profiles, and has supported neurodivergent children and their parents for over 20 years.
Layne Raskin | PsyD, MA, PMH-C, IMH-E®
Dr. Raskin is a licensed clinical psychologist who spent over 15 years working in hospitals, agencies, and schools throughout New York City and Westchester County, helping children develop improved emotional and behavioral regulation. She uses a developmental, relational, and trauma-informed lens, integrating body-based therapeutic interventions to create an approach that is unique to each child. Dr. Raskin is endorsed as an Infant Mental Health Specialist and brings expertise in child development, emotional regulation, and parent-child relationships to her therapeutic work with children of all ages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everyday Parenting provides compassionate mental health care for families and individuals at every stage of life, specializing in maternal mental health, child development, family therapy, and individual care.
-
Consider seeking professional support if your child shows persistent emotional or behavioral changes, struggles with significant life transitions, experiences difficulties in social situations, or has been through a traumatic event. Signs that therapy might be helpful include changes in sleep or eating patterns, withdrawal from activities they previously enjoyed, increased anxiety, school refusal, or expressions of hopelessness. Our initial consultation can help determine if therapy would be beneficial for your child's specific situation.
-
We recommend keeping explanations simple, honest, and positive. You might explain that therapy is a place where children talk and play with someone who helps kids with big feelings or problems. Emphasize that therapy isn't a punishment and that many children see therapists. For younger children, describing the therapist as a "feelings doctor" or "talking doctor" can be helpful. We're happy to provide age-appropriate language for your specific situation.
-
The duration of therapy varies based on your child's specific needs, the complexity of the issues being addressed, and how they respond to treatment. Some children benefit from brief, solution-focused therapy over a few months, while others with more complex challenges may benefit from longer-term support. We'll discuss expectations and goals at the beginning of treatment and regularly review progress together.
-
Parent involvement is essential to successful outcomes. For younger children, parents are often very actively involved in sessions. With older children and adolescents, the therapist will work directly with your child while maintaining regular parent check-ins. We view therapy as a collaborative process and will help you understand how to best support your child's growth at home.
-
With your permission, we can communicate with teachers, school counselors, pediatricians, and other professionals involved in your child's care. This coordination helps ensure a consistent approach across settings and often enhances therapeutic outcomes.