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Childhood specialists at the Early Childhood Mental Health Service at the Child Study Center address social–emotional and behavioral challenges facing very young children. We also offer expert support and guidance to help parents navigate the challenges of parenthood, both before birth and from ages 0 to 6 years.
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Setting up an intake phone call is the first step to accessing care with a Child Study Center provider.
Learn MoreWe work with families of children affected by typical early childhood challenges, including separation worries, tantrums, irritability, nightmares, transition to solid foods, picky eating, and adjustment to new siblings, new caregivers, or daycare.
We also assess and treat infants and young children affected by anxiety, attachment difficulties, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, depression and mood disorders, disruptive behavior disorders, prematurity, sleep and feeding problems, and traumatic stress.
Our early childhood specialists, part of Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, use the following strategies to address your child’s and your family’s challenges:
If you or your partner is pregnant and you are anxious about becoming a parent, we can provide guidance and support.
Parents and parents-to-be may benefit from meeting with an early childhood expert to discuss concerns they have about parenting and child development. We also offer advice on the type of childcare, daycare, or preschool program best suited to your child’s particular needs. We can provide insight into issues related to behavior, social and emotional functioning, language and motor skills development, and school readiness.
Our team conducts comprehensive evaluations that may include questionnaires, interviews with parents, teachers, and children, observation of parents and children, and classroom observations. When indicated, we can refer you to our colleagues for neurodevelopmental testing. We also collaborate closely with your child’s general pediatrician and other pediatric providers.
We provide treatments that ensure the highest level of care for you and your family. Our therapists are trained in evidence-based family and individual psychotherapy, couples’ therapy, children’s group therapy, and dyadic therapy, in which a therapist works with the parent and child together to improve interactions between them.
If psychotherapy alone is not sufficient, our colleagues can provide a medication consultation. Our physicians are well informed about the most effective and safest medications for young children, which are only recommended when necessary.
(Recruiting for January and April 2026)
Based on principles from Parent-Child Interaction Therapy with Toddlers (PCIT-T), this four-week virtual support group provides caregivers with valuable tools and strategies to help navigate their toddler's big emotions. Topics include managing tantrums, fostering early emotion regulation, promoting healthy attachment, and supporting parental wellbeing. Groups are recommended for caregivers of children ages 4 and under.
To enroll in the class, please complete this form.
Within three business days of your submission, you will receive an email with a payment form. Your spot in the class is reserved only after we’ve received your payment.
The Dinosaur Group is a 15-session, skills-focused program designed for preschoolers (ages 4 to 6) and their parents. This evidence-based intervention supports children who struggle with making or keeping friends, understanding and managing feelings like frustration, anger, and worries, and following classroom expectations. Parents will learn effective behavior management and social/emotion coaching strategies. For more information, please contact DinoSchool@NYULangone.org.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) offers parent-and-child sessions for toddlers (ages 1 to 2) and young children (ages 2 to 7). Therapists provide live coaching to parents using a bug-in-ear device, guiding them in real time. This evidence-based intervention aims to strengthen parent-child relationships and support parents whose young children struggle with tantrums, aggression, and other disruptive behaviors.
Virtual or in-person consultation using evidence-based interventions for parents focused on addressing less-pronounced behavioral or social-emotional issues.
SPACE is a parent-focused treatment intervention for children and adolescents with anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and related problems. We use related principles to help parents of young children change their own behavior to respond more supportively to their anxious children and reduce accommodations they have been making.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment focusing on helping children understand feelings, thoughts, and behavior, and learn skills to manage negative feelings such as frustration and anxiety. We provide CBT in conjunction with parent interventions when appropriate.
Our school-based consultation services involve partnering with your child’s teachers and school staff to support their behavioral, social, and emotional needs in the classroom. This may include conducting classroom observations,developing and implementing behavior plans, and training teachers, aides, and paraprofessionals in evidence-based behavior management tools. Our goal is to create a supportive and effective learning environment for your child.
The Early Childhood Service Instagram page focuses on equipping parents and caregivers with free, research-backed, and practical general parenting advice. Follow us on Instagram at @nyulh_childstudycenter.
To make an appointment, please schedule an intake screening call.