Child Therapy In NYC
Ages 6 - 12
When a child acts out, something deeper is going on.
We focus on understanding what the child is trying to communicate, and helping them learn to regulate emotions.
Do you walk on eggshells around your child?
Are school or daycare concerns weighing on you?
Behavioral challenges often come from emotional overload.
Anger, anxiety, sadness, or unmet needs can show up as tantrums, meltdowns, or constant conflict. If you feel exhausted, worried, and unsure how to help your child, therapy with us can help.
We Help Children Struggling With:
Tantrums
Emotional meltdowns
Aggression
Defiance
Trouble at school
Sibling conflict
Bedtime battles
Difficult transitions
Some children also struggle with ADHD or learning differences. When those needs go unaddressed, behavior escalates.
How We Work With Children in Therapy
We begin by building trust. Early sessions focus on helping your child feel comfortable, understood, and engaged.
Therapy is active and developmentally appropriate. We work directly with children while also collaborating with parents, caregivers, schools, and other providers.
It takes a village, and we help coordinate it.
Modalities We Use In Child Therapy
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Uses play as a child’s natural language to express emotions, process stress, and build regulation skills.
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Strengthens the child’s ability to calm with support, reducing emotional explosions over time.
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Teaches age-appropriate awareness and calming skills to improve self-regulation.
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Aligns responses at home so progress in therapy carries into daily life.
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Addresses how anxiety and fear live in the body, not just the mind.
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Therapy for neurodivergent individuals may require a specialized approach. Differences in executive functioning, emotional experience, communication, and sensory processing can require a therapeutic approach that is adapted to meet these needs. We have a deep understanding of neurodivergence and will work with you to tailor treatment to your needs.
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Mind Matters provides a non-judgmental and inclusive environment that validates LGBTQ+ identities, creating a safe space to help individuals explore their identities, address and navigate challenges like stigma, discrimination, and oppression, develop self-acceptance, and promote authenticity and authentic living. We take a culturally sensitive approach to LGBTQ+ mental health that is rooted in compassion, advocacy, and cultural responsiveness.
Our Child Therapy Gets Results
Fewer tantrums
Reduced aggression
Smoother transitions
Increased emotional control
Improved behavior at school
Less conflict at home
More confident parenting
As regulation improves, children feel safer and the family is less overwhelmed.
Our Child Therapists
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![Samantha Vasquez, LCSW]()
Samantha Vasquez, LCSW
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![Mougeh Yasai, PhD]()
Mougeh Yasai, PhD
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Elliot Rayman, PhD.
About Mind Matters Psychology Group
Our child therapists bring warmth, consistency, and structure into every session. Therapy is designed to meet children where they are, using simple language, clear expectations, and positive reinforcement.
We work closely with parents, caregivers, and schools to make sure everyone is responding in ways that support your child’s growth.
Samantha Vasquez, LCSW and Dr. Mougeh Yasai are our dedicated child therapists, and all clinicians at the practice share a child-centered, collaborative philosophy.
Availability: In-person on the Upper West Side, NYC. Telehealth available in New York.
3 Steps To Get Started
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Fill out the contact form and tell us what’s been going on.
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We’ll talk through concerns and match your child with the right therapist.
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We focus on building trust and helping your child feel comfortable.