Ellen Kessel Phd
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Adults

The initial consultation consists of two 45-minute sessions. After the initial consultation, we can schedule ongoing sessions, typically 1-2 times per week, depending on your unique needs and goals.

Children and Adolescents

The initial consultation includes one 45-minute session with the child/adolescent, one 45-minute session with the parent(s), and one 45-minute session with both the child/adolescent and parent(s) together. After the initial consultation, we can schedule ongoing sessions, typically 1-2 times per week, depending on your child’s unique needs and goals.

If you’d like to learn more or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to help. We should probably have a brief consultation to ensure that I’m the right fit for your needs. You can book a 15-minute intro consultation, 45-minute initial evaluation sessions, and ongoing therapy sessions by selecting the “Schedule an Appointment” button on my website. If you are sure you want to work with me and ready to get started, go ahead and schedule the initial evaluation. Everyone is welcome.

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Contact Information

Ellen Kessel, PhD


515 Madison Avenue
13th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Phone: (862) 414 8930
Email: kessel@kesselpsych.com

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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.