Child & Teen Therapy in Pleasantville, NY
Art Therapy, Play-Based Therapy & Counseling for Children and Adolescents
If your child is struggling with anxiety, big emotions, school stress, social difficulties, attention challenges, or behaviors that have become difficult at home, finding the right therapist can make a meaningful difference.
I provide child and teen therapy in Pleasantville, NY, integrating art therapy, therapeutic play, and cognitive behavioral strategies to help children express emotions, develop coping skills, and build confidence. I also work closely with parent to support meaningful progress beyond the therapy room.
Children don't always have the words to explain what they're experiencing. Anxiety may appear as avoidance, irritability, perfectionism, reassurance seeking, or difficulty sleeping. Other children may struggle with impulsivity, frustration, hitting, emotional outbursts, rigidity, or friendships.
Other children may struggle with impulsivity, frustration, hitting, emotional outbursts, rigidity, friendships, school expectations, or transitions.
My Pleasantville practice works with children, adolescents, young adults, and families experiencing concerns including:
- Anxiety and excessive worry
- Social and performance anxiety
- ADHD and neurodiversity
- Emotional regulation and frequent meltdowns
- Anger, hitting, and challenging behaviors
- School stress and perfectionism
- Low self-esteem
- Friendship and social difficulties
- Divorce and family transitions
- Adoption and identity concerns
- Selective or situational mutism
- OCD-related fears and rigidity
- ARFID and anxiety surrounding food
- Fears, phobias, and avoidance
How I Work With Children and Teens
Children often communicate differently than adults. Sitting across from a therapist and being asked to explain how they feel isn't always the most effective way for a child to engage in therapy.
As a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist and Board-Certified Art Therapist with 28 years of clinical experience, I use art therapy and play-based interventions alongside CBT-informed strategies to help children recognize emotions, understand patterns, develop coping skills, and build confidence.
Artwork is not analyzed or interpreted as having one hidden meaning. Instead, the creative process provides a comfortable way for children and teens to communicate, explore experiences, and develop new ways of responding to challenges.
When Anxiety Starts Taking Over
Anxiety is one of the most common concerns I see in my Mount Kisco therapy practice.
A child may repeatedly ask “what if” questions, avoid new situations, worry about getting sick, struggle to separate from a parent, become overwhelmed before school or activities, or appear angry when they are actually frightened or overstimulated.
Therapy helps children learn to recognize when their internal alarm system is reacting to something that feels threatening, even when they are actually safe.
Rather than simply telling a child not to worry, we work on understanding the worry, recognizing unhelpful thought patterns, developing coping strategies, and gradually building confidence in handling uncomfortable feelings.
Therapy for ADHD, Big Emotions & Emotional Regulation
For some children, the primary concern isn't worry—it is what happens when emotions become too big.
Parents may describe a child who goes from calm to overwhelmed very quickly, has difficulty accepting limits, becomes stuck when plans change, hits or throws things when frustrated, or has trouble calming down once upset.
Therapy can help children develop greater awareness of their emotions, recognize early warning signs, practice regulation strategies, improve flexible thinking, and find safer ways to communicate frustration.
Parent involvement is often an important part of this work. Children make greater progress when the adults around them understand what is driving the behavior and have consistent ways of responding to it.
Parent Support Is Part of Child Therapy
When I work with children, I don't believe everything should fall on the child.
Parents may need support understanding what is happening, determining which behaviors require firmer boundaries, recognizing patterns that unintentionally reinforce anxiety or challenging behavior, and learning how to respond differently.
Parent consultations are an essential part of my work with children. I typically schedule a parent session after approximately five to six child sessions to discuss progress, address concerns, and develop strategies that support the child's emotional and behavioral growth at home.
An Experienced Child Therapist in Mount Kisco, NY
I have worked in the mental health field since 1998, gaining clinical experience in hospitals, schools, behavioral health programs, nonprofit organizations, special needs settings, assisted- living programs, and private practice.
I am a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT), Registered and Board-Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC), and National Certified Counselor (NCC).
My approach is warm, practical, creative, and individualized. Some children immediately gravitate toward art materials. Others prefer games, play, conversation, problem-solving activities, or a combination of approaches. Therapy is adapted to the individual child rather than expecting every child to participate in the same way.
Conveniently Located in Pleasantville, NY
My private practice is located at:
141 Tompkins Avene, Suite 403, Pleasantville, NY.
Pleasantville office opens December 1, 2026
The Mount Kisco location is convenient for families throughout northern and central Westchester County, including Chappaqua, Bedford, Katonah, Armonk, Pleasantville, Yorktown Heights, Briarcliff, and surrounding communities.
Sessions are private-pay/out-of-network, and superbills can be provided for families seeking reimbursement through out-of-network insurance benefits.
Looking for a Child or Teen Therapist in Mount Kisco?
Choosing a therapist for your child is a personal decision, and the relationship between the child, parents, and therapist matters.
If you are looking for an experienced child therapist in Mount Kisco, NY for anxiety, ADHD, emotional regulation, social difficulties, ARFID, school stress, or challenging behaviors, you are welcome to reach out to discuss what has been happening and whether my practice may be an appropriate fit for your child.
Contact Beth Patane, MS, LCAT, ATR-BC, NCC to learn ore about child and teen therapy and schedule an initial consultation.