--- title: Pediatric Mental Health Care for Families | Brightline description: >- Brightline offers in-person & virtual mental health care for kids, teens, and parents. Get started with therapy, psychiatry, and testing programs today! category: Page canonical_url: https://www.brightline.com/start/brightline/ source: Brightline license: © 2026 Brightline. All rights reserved. slug: start/brightline id: 4XPI4aeme4CGbP2a9M938g contentType: page --- # Parenting is hard. We make it easier to get your child the right mental health support. We offer therapy, psychiatry, and testing for kids and teens, all in one place. *Complete a short form to request an appointment.* ![Brightline Landing Page Hero Image - Main](https://images.ctfassets.net/96gdpqkm7elu/5Is35gyX6X87lW8hPERM2C/2dc0c2507fcc18ea09ce6d1bcaa5f1c8/Brightline_LandingPage_Hero_Image-Main1.jpg) - [Book an appointment](/start/appointment/) - [(718) 715-1585](tel:+17187151585) ## We're in network with leading health plans Brightline services are available in person and online for families in NY, NJ, and CT ## Request an appointment **Get in touch** Please complete the form to request an appointment at Brightline. Our Engagement Specialist team will contact you to discuss your situation, explain the process, and schedule your appointment. ## Expert care for kids and families **Care that fits your life **Getting your child support shouldn't be stressful. We offer flexible in-person and online care — so your family can get help in the way that works best for *you*. ![Wrapper for 1BHIpvViFrDQtFFj9DaPwc](https://images.ctfassets.net/96gdpqkm7elu/1BHIpvViFrDQtFFj9DaPwc/874a09abddc1f593101cc0ba58453c13/020-geotargeting_2.svg) **Experts who understand children **Our therapists and psychiatrists know how to connect with children and teens, using evidence-based approaches that help them feel better and move forward. ![Wrapper for 2itIEybbcpjTmkpCjE78xO](https://images.ctfassets.net/96gdpqkm7elu/2itIEybbcpjTmkpCjE78xO/ee38a37c501258315a58f9740decbbb0/022-online_review.svg) **Support for your whole family **We'll guide you through every step — helping your child make progress and giving you the tools and confidence to keep it going at home. ![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) ## Why parents love Brightline “The care we received through Brightline was top notch. The provider knew just how to help and incorporated my daughter's interests into therapy. Our provider had answers on how to help regulate emotions that we'd never considered. The whole process was super streamlined. I can't recommend Brightline enough!” “Brightline has been a ray of light on our family! We communicate in healthier ways and work through each day and each problem without all the fussing. I'm so thankful for Lauren and the guidance she provided for my son and our family. Our care at Brightline is exceptional!” “Working with our Brightline therapist has given my son new confidence that he can manage his anxiety through the different techniques given. He also has really benefited from having an adult who is not a parent to talk through his emotions and experiences.” “My son was very nervous about therapy, but he instantly connected with his therapist and looked forward to chatting with her each week and telling others about his positive experience. I noticed improvements in his mood and behavior after only a few sessions. I'm very thankful for Brightline!” “I highly recommend placing your child in the amazing care of Brightline's therapists. My child went from instantly aggressive with no remorse to the amazing kid I've always known he could be. I understand him in a better way with the insights provided to me from his therapist and I'm forever grateful. Can’t recommend this program enough.” ![Wrapper for 21Enft9UNWepIrzL6MAU4C](https://images.ctfassets.net/96gdpqkm7elu/21Enft9UNWepIrzL6MAU4C/2ebb639c7852d3d5b3c20f3e74f71391/father-son-shoulder-ride-outdoor-happy-moment.jpg.jpg) ## Get the right care for your child If your child has been having a hard time — maybe feeling anxious, acting out, or just seeming “off” — you’re not alone. Our pediatric therapists and psychiatrists help kids and teens work through what they’re feeling and guide parents along the way. Not sure what’s happening yet? We’ll help you figure it out and get the right care in place. ### Psychological Testing - Autism - Learning differences - Giftedness and school readiness - Memory and cognitive skills - [Psychological testing →](/what-we-offer/psychological-testing/) ### Therapy - Persistent low mood, lack of motivation, withdrawal - Trauma and stress - Physical symptoms without an identified medical cause - Sustained difficulties with everyday tasks - [Therapy →](/what-we-offer/therapy/) ### Anxiety support - Worries and fears, difficulty concentrating - Physical symptoms (like racing heart) - Feeling nervous, restless, edgy, afraid, or fearful - Avoidance of things they need or want to do - [Anxiety →](/what-we-treat/anxiety/) ### OCD support - Repeated or ritualized behaviors that are driven by anxiety, fear, or disgust - Overdoing things more than is needed - Fear of not doing something “just right” - Avoiding things they need or want to do - Intrusive thoughts about any number of topics - [OCD →](/what-we-treat/ocd/) ### ADHD support - Difficulties paying attention - Difficulty sitting still - Distracting or disruptive behaviors - Impulsive actions - [ADHD →](/what-we-treat/adhd/) ### Disruptive Behaviors support - Tantrums and other behavioral upsets - Impulsive actions - Troubling behaviors at school or with friends - Difficulty following directions - [Disruptive Behaviors →](/what-we-treat/disruptive-behaviors/) ## Real results for families - [See our results](/learning-hub/) ### 70 *%* Kids and teens in therapy with Brightline experience an improvement in anxiety and depression symptoms ### 69 *%* Parents with a child in therapy with Brightline show marked improvements in high levels of caregiver strain ### 69 *%* Kids and teens show significant overall improvement after receiving care through therapy with Brightline ## 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/) ## Top FAQs - [More FAQs](/learning-hub/faqs/) ### Who is Brightline? Brightline is an award-winning pediatric mental health practice that provides expert therapy, psychological testing, and psychiatry services to kids and teens. We have three clinics in New York (Brooklyn Heights, Lake Success, and Columbus Circle) and offer both in-person and online care. ### What ages of kids do you see? We treat kids and teens up to age 18. ### What concerns do you treat? Our clinicians have a wide range of experience; some of the concerns we treat include anxiety, ADHD, OCD, disruptive behaviors, depression, trauma, grief, and symptoms of autism.  ### How do I know if my child actually needs therapy? Ask us! We will have a structured, in-depth conversation with you and your child to gather details about your child’s developmental history, patterns or changes you’ve noticed, and any concerns you have. Together, we will decide whether your child could benefit from therapy or another type of support.  ### Does Brightline provide both in-person and online care? Yes! Families in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut have access to both in-person and online appointments. Our New York clinics are in Brooklyn Heights, Lake Success, and Columbus Circle — with more to come. Families in Massachusetts and Washington have access to online-only therapy and psychiatry services (including medication management). Families in California with kids up to age 12 have access to free coaching and resources through Brightline’s BrightLife Kids program — an online-only behavioral health resource paid for entirely by the state of California. ### How much does Brightline cost? It depends on the type of payment (insurance vs. out of pocket) and the type of service.  Those paying out of pocket can typically expect to pay $350 for an initial therapy session and ongoing sessions are $200–$275 each. On average, psychiatry sessions range from $225–$350 each. And psychological testing can fall between $2,000–$5,000 depending on whether testing is held for a singular concern, complex or multiple concerns, school readiness, or complex learning evaluations. We are in network — no referrals needed — with Cigna, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Premera, and many more. If we are out of network with your insurance, we provide superbills. Brightline services can also be paid for using HSA/FSA funds. Please[ visit our pricing page](/cost-and-coverage/pricing/) for additional information. For any other questions, call engagement services at (888) 224-7332 (available Monday–Friday from 8am–12am EST). ### Do you take insurance? Yes. We accept Aetna, Cigna, Premera, Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts, and many more. All Brightline services are HSA and FSA eligible and we provide superbills. For more information or to find out if Brightline is covered under your insurance plan, call Brightline at (888) 224-7332.