How I Can Help Your Family
Evidence-based treatment for children and teens struggling with anxiety, OCD, and related challenges. Virtual sessions available throughout New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Ohio.
Individual Therapy for Anxiety
When anxiety interferes with school, friendships, or family life, individual therapy provides a safe space to learn practical skills. Together we'll work on managing worry and building confidence.
What we work on:
- Challenging anxious thoughts
- Relaxation and grounding techniques
- Facing feared situations (exposure)
- Building confidence managing worry
- Reconnecting with avoided activities
Conditions treated:
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Social anxiety
- Panic disorder
- Separation anxiety
- School-related anxiety and school refusal
- Specific phobias
Specialized OCD Treatment
OCD can be incredibly disruptive with time-consuming rituals and significant distress. I specialize in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold-standard treatment.
What ERP involves:
- Understanding how OCD works
- Creating personalized exposure plans
- Learning to resist compulsions
- Practicing exposures in session and at home
- Family education about OCD recovery
Common OCD themes:
- Contamination fears and washing rituals
- Checking compulsions
- Intrusive thoughts
- Perfectionism and "not quite right" experiences
- Mental rituals and rumination
Family Therapy & Parent Coaching
Children don't exist in a vacuum—their anxiety or OCD affects the whole family. Parent involvement is crucial for successful treatment, and I work closely with families every step of the way.
I use evidence-based approaches like SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) to empower parents as essential partners in their child's treatment.
What we cover:
- Understanding anxiety or OCD patterns
- How accommodation maintains symptoms
- Supporting exposure work at home
- Managing your own anxiety and distress
- Improving communication, reducing conflict
- Creating consistent responses
Frequently Asked Questions
Consider therapy if anxiety or OCD is:
- Causing significant distress for your child
- Interfering with school, friendships, or family activities
- Leading to avoidance of important situations
- Taking up significant time (for OCD rituals)
- Not improving with your support alone
If you're unsure, let's talk. A free consultation can help clarify whether therapy is the right next step.
The first session (intake) focuses on understanding your family's concerns. I'll meet with parents first to gather background information, then spend time with your child to start building rapport. By the end of the intake process, I'll share my initial impressions and recommend a treatment plan.
It varies based on the severity of symptoms and your child's response to treatment. Some families see significant improvement in 3-4 months, while others benefit from longer-term support.
Yes! Therapy works best when kids practice skills between sessions. Homework might include practicing exposures we discussed in session, trying new coping strategies, tracking anxious thoughts or OCD urges, or gradually expanding their comfort zone. I keep homework manageable and make sure it fits into your family's life.
This is common, especially with anxiety—the very thing causing problems also makes seeking help feel scary. I'm experienced in working with reluctant kids and use a gentle, collaborative approach. We start where they are and build trust gradually. If your child is refusing entirely, we can begin with parent sessions to develop strategies for reducing accommodation and increasing motivation for treatment.
All sessions are conducted via secure video platform. You'll need a private, quiet space, reliable internet connection, and a computer, tablet, or smartphone with camera and microphone.
Virtual therapy has several advantages for anxiety treatment:
- Kids can practice skills in their home environment
- Reduces barriers like transportation
- Allows for in-vivo exposures in natural settings
I have a fee-for-service practice, which means I do not partner with insurance and I am considered an "out of network" provider. This allows me to provide care that is fully tailored to your needs, without the limitations or requirements often imposed by insurance companies. Many families are able to seek partial reimbursement through their out-of-network benefits, and I’m happy to provide the documentation needed if you wish to pursue this option.
Very involved! I meet regularly with parents to review progress and challenges, teach strategies for supporting practice at home, address accommodation patterns, coordinate on exposure plans, and troubleshoot barriers to progress. The exact format varies by age—parents of younger kids typically join portions of sessions, while teens may prefer more independence with periodic parent check-ins.
The first step is a free 15-minute consultation call. We'll discuss your concerns, I'll explain my approach, and we can determine if we're a good fit. If so, we'll schedule an intake session and get started. Most families hear back within 24 hours of reaching out.
Ready to Help Your Child Thrive?
Reach out today for a free consultation. Let's talk about your family's challenges and how evidence-based treatment can help your child overcome anxiety or OCD.