Our Unique Approach to Child Therapy
We are one of the very few practices in New York City that offers sensory-motor psychotherapy for children. Our approach is informed by sensory integration principles. We have three offices that are equipped for SMART (Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Therapy). In each, we have mats, abundant cushions and pillows, and many resources for movement to help build regulation, from trampolines to Spandex tunnels and body socks.
Our child and adolescent therapists are trained in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy. Our weekly consult meetings deepen, develop, and apply this framework. Our therapists are continually growing their professional skills. We have some particular strengths for helping families in which children have suffered significant attachment injuries, like having been in foster care.
Children’s Behaviors That Concern Parents
- difficulty with transitions
- eruptive behaviors and tantrums
- difficulty talking with strangers
- inability to accept soothing
- sleep problems
Possible Underlying Root Causes
- Nervous system dysregulation
- Sensory integration issues
- Unresolved trauma
- Family dynamics
Parenting Support
Sometimes what a family needs the most is for parents to get support, strengthen their skills, and build their own capacity for self-regulation. Most often, we use a combination of parents’ sessions and child-parent dyad sessions. Several members of our team are trained and experienced in child-parent modalities.
SMART
(Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment)
SMART is an approach that incorporates psychotherapy, somatic awareness, sensory integration, play, attachment, and family therapy. It was developed by a team of child psychotherapists and pediatric occupational therapists. In our offices, we have SMART corners lined with mats and big pillows, where we can engage in play activity that helps children develop more regulation. This creates room for the child to have better relationships and improved self-esteem. To learn more, click here.
Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy
Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) is a therapeutic approach developed by psychologist Dan Hughes that is particularly well suited to families in which a child suffered attachment loss—whether through foster care or adoption or because they were unable to bond with their parent for other reasons. DDP’s foundational elements are playfulness, acceptance, curiosity, and empathy. To learn more, click here.
Safe And Sound Protocol
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, is an evidence-based therapeutic program that involves listening to music that has been filtered for certain frequencies. It is designed to foster greater ease in perceiving safety. In children or adults who get anxious easily or are chronically scanning for danger, SSP can help cultivate greater capacity for orienting to safety and feeling regulated. To learn more, click here.
Theraplay
Theraplay, founded in 1975, is an approach designed to build better relationships between children and parents by strengthening healthy attachment. It develops four basic components of parenting: nurture, structure, engagement, and challenge. Theraplay sessions are fun and playful, and focus on the parent-child connection. Theraplay can be especially helpful for families with children that experienced early attachment rupture due to adoption or separation between parent and child because of illness, hospitalization, addiction, divorce, or for other reasons. To learn more, click here.
Integrative Attachment Family Therapy
IATF, a modality developed by therapist Dafna Lender, weaves together elements of DDP, Theraplay, and attachment theory to foster changes in family dynamics. Instead of viewing the child as the problem, using IAFT we address the parent-child relationship in order to change dysfunctional patterns. To learn more, click here.
