Children's Therapy in Manlius & Baldwinsville

Serving children ages 3+ through play therapy, counseling, and family support.

Is Your Child Struggling With...

Parents often reach out when they notice:

  • Anxiety or excessive worries

  • Emotional outbursts or difficulty regulating emotions

  • School-related concerns

  • Behavioral challenges

  • Social difficulties or friendship struggles

  • ADHD-related challenges

  • Family transitions such as divorce, separation, or blended families

  • Grief and loss

  • Low self-esteem

  • Trauma or stressful life events

  • Difficulty expressing feelings

  • Changes in mood or behavior

What Is Play Therapy?

(Great SEO section because many parents search this specifically.)

Play therapy is a developmentally appropriate approach that allows children to express thoughts and feelings through play, art, games, imagination, and other creative activities.

Through play, children can work through challenges, build emotional skills, and learn new ways to cope in a safe and supportive environment.

How Children's Therapy Helps

Children often communicate through play, creativity, movement, and storytelling long before they can fully explain their feelings with words.

Our therapists create a safe, supportive environment where children can:

  • Learn healthy coping skills

  • Build emotional awareness

  • Improve confidence and self-esteem

  • Strengthen communication skills

  • Process difficult experiences

  • Develop problem-solving abilities

  • Improve relationships with family and peers

Our Children's Therapy Services

Individual Counseling

One-on-one support tailored to your child's unique needs.

Play Therapy

Helping children process emotions and experiences through play-based interventions.

Sand Tray Therapy

Uses miniature figures and sand to help children and teens express emotions, process experiences, and explore thoughts that can be difficult to put into words.

Family Support

Collaborating with parents and caregivers to strengthen communication and support progress outside of sessions.

Child & Family Therapy

Working together to improve relationships, reduce conflict, and build healthy family dynamics.

Meet Our Children's Therapists

Stephanie Strzelecki, LMHC

Specialty Areas: Women’s Wellness, Addiction & Play Therapy (ages 5 and up)

Sanja Schneider, MS CAS LMHC

Specialty Areas: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Narrative Therapy for Children, Adolescents, Adults, & Seniors

Madison Coon, Children & Family Therapist Intern

Specialty Areas: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Narrative Therapy for Children, Adolescents, Adults, & Seniors

Megan Hess, MHC-LP

Specialty Areas: Children & Adults with Feelings of Overwhelm, Anxiety, Decision Paralysis, Sadness, and Life Transition

Christina Petersen, Pre-Licensed, MS

Specialty Areas: Children, Adolescents, and Adults

Paige Williams, LMHC

Specialty Areas: Individual, Group, and Couples Counseling for Children (ages 3 & up), Teens, and Adults.

Katie O’Leary, LMHC

Specialty Areas: Person Centered, Strength Based, and Play Therapy for Children & Adolescents

Meet Our Children's Therapist Affiliates

Elizabeth Thorpe, LCSW

Specialty Areas: Children & Family Services, Grief, Anxiety, Depression, Medical Complications, & Veteran’s Care

Kelly Murphy, LCAT, ATR-BC

Specialty Areas: Art Therapy, Sand tray Therapy, and Medical Illness in the Family

Carly Anzalone, LCSW

Specialty Areas: Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy for clients ages 13+ including teens, young adults and adults

Bridget Quinn, LCSW

Specialty Areas: Children’s Services, Sports Psychology, Behavioral Concerns, and Women’s Wellness

Reach Out Now

We are ready to help you & your child.