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What to Expect

Before starting ongoing work together, I meet with each new patient for an initial assessment. This first session helps us understand what you’re looking for, whether we’re a good fit, and the best path forward. From there, we move into weekly sessions tailored to your needs.

When working with adolescents, the first meeting typically includes time with the teen alone as well as a portion with parents or caregivers. This structure allows me to understand the adolescent’s internal experience while also gaining a clear picture of the family context. Together, we determine the best format for ongoing sessions and how to support your teen’s development and wellbeing.

I see patients in my North Brooklyn office at the William Vale Hotel. For those who prefer to meet remotely, I also offer secure teletherapy sessions with the same clinical focus and continuity of care. Both options are available to residents of New York and Connecticut.

Contact Information

Ellen Kessel, PhD


109 N 12th St #704
Brooklyn, NY 11249
Phone: (203) 952-0473
Email: kessel@kesselpsych.com

You can book consultations, evaluations, and ongoing sessions directly through my online scheduler. If you’re unsure where to begin, start with a 15-minute consultation.
If you have questions before scheduling, feel free to reach out.
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Emotion-focused therapy (EFT) is a therapeutic approach that emphasizes the importance of understanding, accepting, and transforming emotional experiences. By learning to identify, express, and regulate emotions in healthy ways, individuals can develop greater self-compassion, improve relationships, and experience deep, lasting change. EFT incorporates techniques such as chair work, empathic reflection, and experiential exercises to help clients process and make sense of their emotional experiences.

In therapy, teens can learn effective communication skills, practice asserting their needs, and establish healthy boundaries in their relationships. By developing these skills, teens can improve their interpersonal relationships, advocate for themselves, and foster a sense of safety and well-being.

Therapy provides a supportive space for teens to explore various aspects of their identity, express themselves authentically, and develop self-acceptance and confidence. By affirming their unique identities, teens can build a strong sense of self, which is essential for navigating the challenges of growing up and leading fulfilling lives.

In therapy, teens can explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a safe, non-judgmental space. By processing these experiences with a supportive therapist, they can gain self-awareness, insight, and a clearer understanding of themselves and their relationships, laying the foundation for personal growth and positive change.

Exposure therapy is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that helps individuals confront their fears and anxieties in a safe and controlled environment. By gradually exposing oneself to feared situations or objects, individuals learn to manage their anxiety and build resilience. Exposure therapy has been proven highly effective in treating various anxiety disorders, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a goal-oriented, short-term treatment approach that helps individuals identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to emotional distress. CBT provides practical tools and strategies to manage symptoms, build resilience, and improve daily functioning. It has been extensively researched and proven effective for treating a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, and stress-related issues.

I have extensive experience helping children and teens navigate the struggles of growing up, such as anxiety, low self-esteem, academic stress, and family conflicts. When working with youth with anxiety disorders, I utilize cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy tailored to their developmental stage, often incorporating parents into the treatment process.

For adolescents in particular, therapy offers a safe place to make sense of their experiences, affirm their identity, and learn to effectively communicate their needs. Drawing from the latest research, I provide a pragmatic, strengths-based approach that empowers young people with the self-awareness and skills to thrive.