Child & Teen Therapy
Individualized, evidence-based therapy for children and teens struggling with anxiety, avoidance, confidence, emotions, relationships, or other challenges.
Especially for Ages 4 to 18
Read moreKids & Parents
Helping Kids & Teens Feel More Strong, Connected and Free—One Brave Step at a Time
Guiding children and teenagers—and the adults who love them—with evidence-based care, compassion, and courage.
You’re Here Because You Care. And So Do We.
If your child or teen is struggling with anxiety, school, friendships, family life, or simply seems less like themselves, you’re not alone.
Anxiety and doubt can start small—and before we know it, they can shape how a child shows up at school, in friendships, in family, and in life.
- Your child worries about everything
- School mornings have become a struggle
- Bedtime is getting harder
- Your child avoids things they used to enjoy
- They are incredibly hard on themselves
- They are struggling socially
- You’re constantly reassuring, negotiating, or accommodating
- You’re not sure what to do anymore
But It Doesn’t Have to Stay That Way.
Children and teenagers can learn to face their fears and overcome struggles—with love, with tools, and with people who believe in them.
Fear is not something we need to eliminate. We want children to learn that they can do hard things even when they feel afraid.
Care That Builds Bravery
Therapy and tools to help kids and teens feel braver and more connected—and help caregivers feel more confident and empowered.
Parent Coaching
Practical support for parents who want to understand what is happening, respond differently, and feel more confident at home.
Especially for Parents and co-parents
Read moreFamily Therapy
Support for families caught in recurring patterns of conflict, disconnection, anxiety, or communication difficulties.
Especially for Families
Read moreNot Sure Where to Start?
You don’t have to figure out which service your child needs. Tell us what’s going on, and we’ll help you determine the best next step.
Tell Us What’s Going OnWhat We Want for Your Child
Strong. Joyful. Connected. Confident. Capable.
The goal isn’t to raise a child who never feels anxious, frustrated, or afraid. It’s to help them develop the skills and confidence to move through those feelings without letting them run their lives.
A child who can say: “I’m scared, but I can do it.”
What Makes This Approach Different?
- CBT customized for each child and teen
- Body-based strategies, including mindfulness and calming skills
- Relational skills and coping tools that last
- Collaboration with caregivers and schools when helpful
Parents are part of treatment, particularly with younger children. Because how you respond matters.
Dr. Dana Rhule, Child, Adolescent & Family Psychologist
Dr. Rhule leads the child, adolescent and family work at Relationship HQ, alongside colleagues who carry the couples and individual care.
- More than twenty years with children, teenagers and families
- CBT and anxiety expertise, including selective mutism and PCIT
- Parent coaching for the parents who bring their children in, and for those who come alone
- Consultation with schools, teachers and classrooms when it helps
- Warmth and creativity alongside strong clinical training
In person in Essex County, New Jersey, and by secure video across New York and New Jersey, including appointments after school.
Who you would see
Dana Rhule, PhD
Child, Adolescent & Family Psychologist
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy · Parent coaching · Anxiety and selective mutism · Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) · Classroom consultation and teacher coaching · LGBTQ+ topics
Accepting new clients
Questions
What people ask
Does my child have to come to every session?
Not always. With younger children in particular, changing what parents do moves things faster than treating the child directly.
How long does this take?
Structured anxiety treatment usually runs a defined course of twelve to twenty sessions. Parent coaching is often six to ten.
Do you see teenagers on their own?
Yes, with their own confidential space and clear agreements about what is shared with parents.
What if I am not sure which of the three we need?
Then start with the consultation and say what is happening at home. Choosing the right starting point is our job, not yours.
Fear is not a flaw. It’s an invitation—to grow, to connect, to heal. Let’s help your child or teen answer it.
Let’s Build Bravery Together
Whether you are worried about anxiety, stuck with something that keeps happening at home, or simply not sure what kind of support your child needs, tell us what is going on and we will help you work out the next step.