SageMind Psychology

09/04/2026

Is it normal back-to-school nerves, or is your child’s anxiety becoming something more? 🎒

School anxiety doesn’t always look like a child saying, “I’m anxious.” It might look like stomachaches before school, difficult mornings, irritability, perfectionism, frequent reassurance seeking, or increasingly wanting to stay home.

In our latest SageMind Psychology article, Talia Gold, LMSW shares what parents can look for, why avoiding school can sometimes make anxiety stronger, and how approaches like CBT, DBT, parent support, and collaboration with schools can help.

One important reminder: you don’t have to wait until your child is in crisis to seek support.

Read more here:
https://sagemindpsychology.com/back-to-school-anxiety-in-children-when-is-school-stress-something-more

The beginning of a school year carries its own kind of emotional weather. There are new teachers and unfamiliar classrooms, sharpened pencils and shifting friendships, earlier mornings, and expectations that seem to arrive all at once.For some children, this change feels exciting. For others, it bri...

08/20/2026

I’m excited to share a new collaborative blog post with functional nutritionist Dr Sarah Khan exploring a topic that comes up often in our work: the space between knowing what to do and actually being able to do it.

Our physical and psychological health don’t operate in separate compartments. Nutrition, sleep, stress, executive functioning, anxiety, emotional regulation, and other factors can all influence our ability to make and sustain meaningful changes.

At SageMind Psychology, we often work with clients who know exactly what they “should” be doing but struggle with planning, starting, remembering, organizing, or following through. Rather than assuming the problem is motivation, we look at what is getting in the way and build strategies around how that individual actually thinks, feels, and functions.

This is also why I value interdisciplinary care. Functional nutrition and psychology address different parts of the picture, but for some clients, those perspectives can be incredibly complementary.

Sometimes you don’t need more motivation. You need less friction.

Thank you to Dr. Sarah Khan for the opportunity to collaborate and for highlighting the importance of looking at the whole person.

Read the full article:
https://www.sarahfunctionalnutritionist.com/blog/where-psychology-and-functional-nutrition-meet

Stress can affect behavior. Sleep can affect emotional regulation and attention. Cognitive overload can affect our ability to follow routines. Physical symptoms can affect mood and quality of life. Mental health can influence how we care for our bodies.

07/31/2026

Your child isn't always trying to be difficult.

Sometimes they're trying to tell you something they don't yet have the words to say.

When children seem suddenly irritable, withdrawn, emotional, or "fine" despite clearly struggling, their behavior is often communicating what they can't yet express. Learning to respond with curiosity instead of immediately trying to solve or stop the behavior can strengthen connection and help children develop emotional awareness over time.

In our latest blog, our amazing therapist Talia Gold explores what your child's behavior may really be telling you—and how parents can respond in ways that foster resilience and emotional growth.

Read more here: https://sagemindpsychology.com/when-your-child-cant-explain-their-feelings-what-their-behavior-may-be-trying-to-tell-you

Learn why children often can't explain their emotions, what their behavior may be communicating, and how parents can foster emotional awareness and resilience.

06/16/2026

📣 Now Accepting Referrals: Teen DBT Skills Group (Ages 14–19)

SageMind Psychology's virtual Teen DBT Skills Group currently has openings available.

This group is ideal for teens struggling with:
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Emotion dysregulation
• Self-harm urges
• Suicidal ideation
• School refusal
• Interpersonal difficulties
• Impulsivity

Many teens know what they "should" do but struggle to access those skills in emotionally charged moments. DBT helps bridge that gap by teaching practical, evidence-based strategies that teens can use in their everyday lives.

Participants learn:
✔ Emotion Regulation
✔ Distress Tolerance
✔ Interpersonal Effectiveness
✔ Mindfulness

Group Details:
🗓 Tuesdays at 7:00 PM
💻 Virtual
👥 Ages 14–19
👩‍⚕️ Facilitated by Kristin Peterolff, LCSW Peterolff, LCSW
🔄 Open enrollment — teens can join at any time when clinically appropriate

This group can be a powerful addition to ongoing individual therapy, and we are happy to collaborate with outside treatment providers.

In addition to our Teen DBT Skills Group, we also offer:
• Tween DBT Skills Group
• Adult DBT Skills Groups
• School Refusal Program
• DBT-informed Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
• Individual DBT therapy and parent coaching

Learn more:
https://sagemindpsychology.com/groups-intensives/

Request a consultation:
https://sagemindpsychology.clientsecure.me/request

Questions about fit? Contact Kristin directly at [email protected].

04/14/2026

Parenting while grieving is challenging. Learn how grief impacts parents and how emotional regulation, child therapy, and DBT skills can support your family. Insights from Steph Bayan and SageMind Psychology.

02/05/2026

Our practice founder Rebecca Kason, PsyD had a great time discussing practical DBT skills for everyday life with Debra Flics, LCSW

A Q&A with Dr. Rebecca Kason of SageMind Psychology introducing Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), practical skills for emotional regulation, and DBT programs for children, teens, and adults.

11/05/2025

Interested in learning more about the connection between emotional skills and academic success? Check out this interview by our founder, Rebecca Kason, PsyD on the topic!

Discover how emotional regulation, resilience, and executive function work together to boost academic success in students and neurodiverse learners.

08/12/2025

SageMind Psychology wants to say congratulations to Kristin Huffaker, LCSW, for passing her LCSW exam!!! We are so proud of you!!!💐🎉

02/24/2025

https://www.instagram.com/stories/nycdatenite/3575247734673590115?utm_source=ig_story_item_share&igsh=MTJwNHo5cHU3eHFvbQ==

Go R Seng, LMSW!

106K Followers, 1,004 Following, 2,115 Posts

02/19/2025

We are thrilled to welcome Rachel R Seng, LMSW to the team. Rachel specializes in treating clients 4-65 with a focus in treating Anxiety, Depression, Suicidal Ideation (SI)/Nonsuicidal Self-Injury (NSSI), School Refusal, interpersonal relationships, and behavioral challenges. Rachel's ability to provide validation and change strategies in a warm, engaging manner to diverse populations is truly impressive. She has immediate availability in person in Brookyln Heights, and virtually. Interested clients can book a free consultation with her below Rebecca Kason, PsyD

https://sagemindpsychology.com/scheduling/