--- title: Care - Brightline Pediatric Mental Health Services description: >- In-person and virtual therapy, psychiatry services, and testing for kids up to age 18. What you're going through might be new to you, but it's not new to us. Call Brightline today. category: Page canonical_url: https://www.brightline.com/care/ source: Brightline license: © 2026 Brightline. All rights reserved. slug: care id: 7phCYX1iOVYt3wTGbBmZ0K contentType: page --- # We haven’t walked in your shoes. But we have a well-worn pair just like them. You’re full of questions about pediatric mental health. What you really want are answers. How do we know? Because we’ve been there. - [I’m ready to schedule](/care/appointment/) ## You’re not the only parent searching “pediatric therapist near me” at 2am - You know your child better than anyone. When it’s hurt feelings or a scraped knee, you’re the first and best person to care for them. But when it comes to things like depression, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, or autism, it’s easy to feel unsure of how to help. - Whether you are here because you’re looking for specific support (like medication management or psychological testing), or because you want to talk through what the options are, you’re in the right place. - Care for every child begins with a diagnostic evaluation, which is a fancy way of saying we’re going to have a focused, friendly conversation with you and to your child to get a deep understanding about what their life looks like right now, so we can paint a clear picture about how their clinical care should begin. - After that conversation, we’ll do a follow-up session to share what we learned, what it all means, and what next steps look like. ![Wrapper for 7px8Nof5sqVga9rBTDSBnV](https://images.ctfassets.net/96gdpqkm7elu/7px8Nof5sqVga9rBTDSBnV/126b088fb735c145dae71a2326ff0414/What_To_Expect.svg) ## What to expect *Once we’ve had a chance to have in-depth conversations with you and your child, which help our clinicians fully understand what your child (and you) have been experiencing, we will carefully review that information and determine what your child needs.* - You’ll receive recommendations, risk assessments, and a diagnosis (if that applies) — all documented and shared with you in a follow-up session. - Our care plans and recommendations aren’t based on guesses as to what might work. We make clinically-indicated decisions and use evidence-based approaches. - With Brightline, your child may start with ongoing therapy and depending on progress, could layer on psychiatry services (for medication consultation or management). Or, it might be recommended that your child start with psychological testing, and based on results, be guided into a therapy program to support their needs and their growth. Maybe your child receives therapy elsewhere — and you’re happy with it — you just need testing or a medication consult from our experts. - We meet your child wherever they are when you bring them to Brightline, and any necessary transitions to other types of care are simple, because it’s all done right here at Brightline. No starting over, no confusing referrals, no communication gaps. ![Wrapper for IVNMro5XSpOXqhQXBWwQ9](https://images.ctfassets.net/96gdpqkm7elu/IVNMro5XSpOXqhQXBWwQ9/69c7466583c716dd53b4801dd8cd1da5/young-woman-yellow-sweater-casual-office-meeting.jpg.jpg) ## Brightline’s care fits into your life — and your lifestyle **In-person and online:** Our therapy and psychiatry sessions can be held in person, online, or a combination of both, which means you have flexibility, convenience, and options. ![Wrapper for 1BHIpvViFrDQtFFj9DaPwc](https://images.ctfassets.net/96gdpqkm7elu/1BHIpvViFrDQtFFj9DaPwc/874a09abddc1f593101cc0ba58453c13/020-geotargeting_2.svg) **Inclusive space: **Our clinicians and support staff are trained to provide LGBTQ+ and BIPOC families the identity-centered healthcare they need and deserve. ![Wrapper for 2itIEybbcpjTmkpCjE78xO](https://images.ctfassets.net/96gdpqkm7elu/2itIEybbcpjTmkpCjE78xO/ee38a37c501258315a58f9740decbbb0/022-online_review.svg) **Family focus:** Our evidence-based approach works. It also keeps the whole family in mind, knowing that when one person struggles, there can be a profound ripple effect on everyone else. ![Wrapper for 6otZForUQLgyIJwasmwzL4](https://images.ctfassets.net/96gdpqkm7elu/6otZForUQLgyIJwasmwzL4/9e4dd7f0d2767fcef0f7fbda672276d3/009-premium_quality.svg) ![Wrapper for 4cm2On94Yaezbx7HekrR3h](https://images.ctfassets.net/96gdpqkm7elu/4cm2On94Yaezbx7HekrR3h/41d93f92f3e7d1bf26c4ccd59b731bd0/inclusive-family-same-sex-parents-child-smiling-yellow-rays.jpg.jpg) ## Meet some of our care team Our therapists, psychologists, and psychiatry staff are licensed, experienced, and ready to help families find the answers they need. They’re trained to deliver evidence-based care — in-person and online — that improves the mental health of kids and teens. - [See all of our providers](/providers/) ### Sylvia Ryszewska, PhD "I am most passionate about providing early intervention care as it can and does change the lives and trajectory of kids and families." ![Wrapper for 54TNkzBSn3pBwt9VpHugT](https://images.ctfassets.net/96gdpqkm7elu/54TNkzBSn3pBwt9VpHugT/a5e597252f80d9cd6258ff14ca051d33/Therapist_Sylvia_Ryszewska.jpg) - [Dr. Ryszewska's profile](/providers/sylvia-ryszewska-phd/) ### Edward Merritt, PhD “What excites me most about the field is being able to connect therapeutic skills to the interests or passions of my clients. It is very motivating when I see something that we have been working on finally click with a child.” ![Wrapper for 2l6qUz3fxxMbAbatx4lbef](https://images.ctfassets.net/96gdpqkm7elu/2l6qUz3fxxMbAbatx4lbef/39151666f971bd19f05cd6398e94786e/Edward_Merritt_PhD_500.jpeg) - [Dr. Merritt's profile](/providers/edward-merritt-phd/) ### Brittany Armstrong, LCSW "My greatest professional passion is the delivery of high-quality mental health care. I am deeply committed to leveraging technology and human-centered design to scale effective, accessible mental health solutions that work for modern families." ![Wrapper for 5JtSOr4NqfBDC0gLpFiszd](https://images.ctfassets.net/96gdpqkm7elu/5JtSOr4NqfBDC0gLpFiszd/4c70acda83ba4e430b16156bab52b0ba/Armstrong__Brittany_LCSW_Columbus_Circle.jpg) - [Brittany's profile](/providers/brittany-armstrong-lcsw/) ### Charlie Xiao, PMHNP “I am passionate about making a positive impact on each child's life and helping them overcome their struggles and challenges. Their resiliency and successes, large and small, are what inspire me each and every day." ![Wrapper for 53sNdVGxkiUYIXEs8pkxys](https://images.ctfassets.net/96gdpqkm7elu/53sNdVGxkiUYIXEs8pkxys/034d2d978ccbc28a0e5ddb8c6519c5be/Charlie_Xiao__PMHNP_headshot_500x500.jpg) - [Charlie's profile](/providers/charlie-xiao-pmhnp/) ## Get in touch with us It's okay if you don't know the root of the issue or are unsure what to say. We've been there — and now we're here for you. ![Wrapper for 1oJzhdAq441RH1KsPLarB2](https://images.ctfassets.net/96gdpqkm7elu/1oJzhdAq441RH1KsPLarB2/8998b76ac44cd2e4f73590d5191ccbd5/Book_and_Appointmtne_In-person.svg) - [Contact us](/about-us/contact-us/)