When Your Child is Struggling at School: Finding the Right Support in NYC

Your kid comes home from school stressed. Again. Maybe they’re having trouble focusing. Maybe they’re anxious about tests. Maybe the teacher keeps saying they’re “not reaching their potential.”

You want to help. You’ve probably googled “child therapist NYC” at 2am. You’ve thought about accommodations but don’t know where to start. And honestly? The whole process feels overwhelming.

Here’s the thing – we get it. We work with a lot of families going through exactly this.

What we’re seeing in NYC schools right now

Kids are dealing with a lot. ADHD, anxiety, and depression aren’t rare – they’re common. And the age between 10-14? That’s when a lot of underlying conditions show up. Your child might have been managing okay, and then suddenly they’re not.

The schools see it too. They know kids are struggling. But here’s what most parents don’t realize: schools are stretched thin. They want to help, but they’re overwhelmed with paperwork, limited resources, and dozens of kids who need support.

This is where things get tricky.

The accommodation conversation nobody prepares you for

Let’s talk about IEPs and 504 plans. These can be incredibly helpful – extra time on tests, modified assignments, mental health support built into the school day. But getting them isn’t always straightforward.

Parents want accommodations. Schools sometimes resist because it means more work, more resources, more documentation. We’ve seen this play out many times.

What helps? Having a mental health provider who works with the school, not against them. Someone who can provide the psychiatric evaluation, yes, but also talk to the school counselor, help create a plan that actually works in practice, not just on paper.

Because here’s what we’ve learned: the best school accommodations happen when everyone’s on the same page. Your child. You. The school. The mental health team.

 

What comprehensive support actually looks like

When families come to us, they’re often surprised by how we work. It’s not just therapy. It’s not just medication management.

It’s working with your 12-year-old on anxiety and calling their school to discuss how the accommodations are actually going. It’s helping your teenager manage ADHD and meeting with you as parents to figure out strategies at home. It’s providing the psychiatric evaluation for the IEP and being available when the school has questions.

Some families need therapy and meds. Some need just one. Some need help advocating with their school. Some need family sessions to figure out how everyone can support each other better.

We don’t have a one-size-fits-all approach because kids don’t come in one-size-fits-all packages.

The investment question (let’s be honest about it)

We’re private pay. Our fees vary, but the average is around $240 per session. We do offer sliding scale for some sessions.

Is it more than some other practices? Yes. Is it worth it for families who want comprehensive, coordinated care? Many families tell us yes.

What families value is this: when something comes up at school, you don’t have to wait three weeks for the next appointment to mention it. When your child’s medication needs adjusting, you’re not stuck in phone tag for days. When the school needs documentation, we understand what they need and how to provide it.

This is what we mean by a “mental health home” – a place where you’re not just another appointment slot.

You don’t have to figure this out alone

If your child is struggling at school and you’re trying to figure out next steps, we’re here. We work with kids 10-14 who are dealing with ADHD, new-onset anxiety or depression, school challenges. We work with young adults navigating college transitions. We work with parents who are dealing with their own stress while trying to support their kids.

We serve NYC families – and we particularly focus on working with BIPOC families, LGBTQIA+ youth, and anyone who feels like they haven’t found culturally responsive care elsewhere.

This isn’t the kind of thing you have to solve overnight. Let’s figure it out together.

If you’re looking for a practice that will work with you and your child’s school to create real, sustainable support, book a consultation call or reach out to us at (917) 740-5287.