Welcome
Helping children become more successful at home, at school, and in their community has been a passion of mine for over twenty years. I’m Dr. Allison Patterson, a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in Manhattan, specializing in child Psychotherapy.
Upper East Side, NYC
Child Psychotherapy
I specialize in helping children ages 3-11 to develop the coping skills they need to better manage their emotions. By improving emotional regulation, sharpening social skills, and building self-esteem, I help children respond to challenges more effectively. I provide a warm and supportive environment so children can share and explore feelings. Building a positive therapist-child relationship is essential. I strongly believe that each child needs to feel connected, valued, respected and understood in order to grow and learn.
Sessions occur in a warm and inviting therapeutic playroom where children feel relaxed. My goal is to equip children with a tool box of coping strategies and improve their ability to communicate their needs more effectively. Materials of interest to children are used to learn various skills. For example, pinwheels, bubbles, or videos are used to teach deep breathing techniques – – essential as an initial strategy for children to calm their bodies when anxious, sad or frustrated. I use books, calming art activities, and play to foster conversation. Putty may be used during relaxation training. A mood meter is used to help children learn how to differentiate and articulate their feelings in words.
Family participation is a key element to ensure success across all environments. I have decades of experience utilizing behavior management techniques. I help families learn preventative strategies and appropriate reactive strategies to respond to challenging situations. I follow a positive behavioral support model and believe that when children struggle, it is our role to seek understanding. Teaching them the skills they need is far more effective than attempting to control and criticize.
When appropriate, I can provide support in the school setting. This allows for learning to occur in the environment where challenges such as socialization or anxiety may occur. Consistency of intervention techniques is maximized when teachers are partners in the process.
Let’s discuss if I would be a good fit for your child and your family.
Services
INDIVIDUAL & GROUP THERAPY
Individual Play Therapy
Children develop the skills they need to communicate their feelings appropriately and manage emotions more effectively. They engage in interactive hands-on experiences and participate in activities that help them feel relaxed, such as arts and crafts, games, and role playing. Through play and conversation, socialization skills and coping skills are developed.
Group Therapy
Some children learn best in the context of their peers. Group therapy is offered at the office when appropriate so children can learn skills and gain support from others. School sessions are offered to help support children in their everyday environments where challenges may occur. Services can be provided during times of socialization such as free choice, lunch or recess.
PARENT SESSIONS & SCHOOL CONSULTATIONS
The Home Environment
Parents play a crucial role in the success of treatment. Therefore, parent sessions are provided to help cultivate success in the home environment. These sessions ensure that parents understand the skills their children are learning, and help to educate parents about effective preventative and reactive strategies.
The School Environment
I collaborate with schools and other related service providers (e.g. teachers, early intervention specialists, administrators, school psychologists, speech and occupational therapists) to ensure a holistic and consistent approach to the child’s treatment. When language is consistent, goals are coordinated, and communication is fluid, the child benefits greatly.
DR. ALLISON PATTERSON
I am a licensed clinical child psychologist specializing in psychotherapy for children between the ages of 3 and 11. Prior to entering private practice, I served as the elementary school psychologist for one of the top districts in Long Island, New York for fourteen years. This experience has given me a keen understanding of the school settings in which children spend a large portion of their day. During that time, I provided individual and group counseling, completed psychological evaluations, was the Chairperson for the Committee on Special Education, and coordinated a program for children with severe developmental disabilities. I worked collaboratively with teachers and various related service providers (e.g. speech and occupational therapists, behavior analysts, early intervention specialists, school psychologists and administrators). I believe that in addition to working with families, working with the other professionals in the child’s life is important to ensure consistency and success across all settings. This collaboration is more likely to enact positive change.
I provided counseling services for the New York City Department of Education for five years to children in their preschool and private school settings. I collaborated with various private school administrators and teachers. I served as a therapist and evaluator at Mount Sinai University Hospital and worked in their therapeutic nursery. I taught Developmental Psychology, Consultation with Teachers in the Schools, and Psychological Testing at the Undergraduate, Masters, and Doctoral levels at Pace University. I currently live in New York City with my husband and two children.
Education:
- B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from Cornell University
- Doctoral degree in School-Clinical Child Psychology from Pace University in Manhattan
TESTIMONIALS
“Allison has seen my eleven-year-old son through so many ups and downs. She has sustained us all as a family. I want to thank her personally for always helping me look forward.”
“Allison has helped me be a better, more patient mom – I am eternally grateful.”
“Our daughter has worked so hard, but we owe Allison such a debt of gratitude for all of her support and guidance last year. There is absolutely no way our six year old would be able to be in such a good spot if it weren’t for Allison.”
“Allison has helped provide our four-year-old daughter with the tools she needs to cope with her anxiety on a daily basis. We are constantly told by family and friends how confident and outgoing our daughter has become since she started working with her. We highly recommend Allison as she has made a huge impact in our daughter’s life!”
PRACTICE INFORMATION
Insurance
I do not participate in-network with insurance. My services may be covered in full or in part by your health insurance or employee benefit plan. I am happy to provide you with statements which you can submit to your insurance company for out-of-network reimbursement.
Services Offered:
- Individual Play Therapy Session – 45 minutes
- Group Therapy Session -45 minutes
- Family Psychotherapy Parent Session (without the child present) – 60 minutes
- Consultation Sessions – 15 minute increments
DR. ALLISON PATTERSON
Licensed Clinical Child Psychologist
Call: (917) 881-8620
Email: allisonpatterson@gmail.com
167 East 82nd Street, Suite 1C
NY, NY 10028
PHOTO GALLERY
CONTACT ME
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