Health

Elyse Bensusan Is the NYC Psychologist Changing the Conversation Around Kids’ Mental Health

July 28, 2025

Elyse Bensusan is quickly becoming one of the most watched names in NYC psychology. A Columbia-trained clinical psychologist based on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, she’s built a reputation for helping high-performing but emotionally overwhelmed children finally feel seen—and understood.

Through her concierge-style private practice, Dr. Bensusan offers neuropsychological and psychoeducational evaluations with unmatched emotional clarity. Parents often arrive confused, burnt out, or unsure of what’s really going on beneath the surface. They leave with answers—and a roadmap for supporting their child’s learning, development, and emotional life.

Her evaluations go far beyond test scores. She’s especially known for decoding complex profiles like twice-exceptionality (2e), ADHD, giftedness, anxiety, and subtle learning differences. These are the children who may excel in some areas but quietly struggle in others—leading to frustration, school avoidance, or emotional shutdowns. Dr. Bensusan helps families make sense of what’s happening and offers practical, tailored solutions.

“Families don’t just need a label,” she says. “They need insight, empathy, and direction.” That philosophy drives her entire process, from warm and welcoming intake interviews to developmentally appropriate testing, and finally to feedback sessions that are empowering rather than overwhelming. Her reports are known for being clear, beautiful, and actionable—combining clinical precision with emotional intelligence.

A hallmark of Dr. Bensusan’s approach is her real-world, down-to-earth recommendations. After testing, families receive more than a list of diagnoses or school accommodations. They receive a customized set of strategies that make life easier—at home, at school, and in everyday routines. From classroom seating suggestions and sensory tools to simple changes in communication style or homework flow, every recommendation is grounded in what will actually work for that child. Her goal is to make the science of neuropsychology usable for families—not just readable. As one parent shared, “It was the first time a report didn’t just explain what was wrong—it helped us know exactly what to do next.”

Her Upper East Side office is intentionally designed to reduce anxiety and foster a sense of calm. As a psychologist with a passion for interior design and sensory-informed spaces, Dr. Bensusan understands how environment impacts mindset. Children in her care feel at ease—whether they’re being evaluated for ADHD, anxiety, learning disabilities, or school admissions.

Her work also addresses a broader cultural concern: the pressure cooker environment so many NYC children live in. From elite private schools to competitive public programs, kids today are often expected to perform without enough space to breathe. Bensusan’s evaluations make room for emotional nuance. She helps parents understand not just how their child is doing, but how their child is feeling—and how that might be affecting performance.

As one client recently noted: “It didn’t feel like testing—it felt like someone finally understood my child. We left with a sense of peace and a real plan.”

In addition to evaluations, Dr. Bensusan offers consultation services for parents navigating the complexities of early intervention, IEPs, gifted testing, or school retention. Her concierge-style model allows for real-time communication, collaboration with teachers and pediatricians, and individualized care that respects a family’s time, values, and goals.

She is also the author of Are School Psychologists Prepared to Work With LGBTQ Youth?—a book available on Amazon that reflects her lifelong commitment to equity, emotional clarity, and inclusive practice. Her work highlights how overlooked identity factors can influence the testing experience and long-term outcomes for misunderstood children.

Outside of private practice, Bensusan has become a trusted voice in national parenting and psychology circles. Her insights have been featured in Vocal Media, Family Friendly Working, IdeaMensch, Authority Magazine, and more. She contributes regularly to professional platforms such as Zocdoc, LinkedIn, and Featured.com, where her guidance is frequently sought by editors and reporters covering mental health and child development.

She is also listed on Healthgrades, Sharecare, and the Psychology Today therapist directory, making her services accessible to parents seeking high-level evaluation in a discreet, emotionally attuned setting.

With demand for testing on the rise post-pandemic, Dr. Bensusan is now accepting a limited number of new families for Fall 2025 evaluations. Parents concerned about attention, anxiety, learning delays, or school placement are encouraged to reach out early, as her calendar fills quickly.

Whether you’re navigating an IEP, wondering about ADHD, or just feeling like something “isn’t quite right,” Dr. Elyse Bensusan offers a rare blend of clinical expertise, empathy, and strategic guidance. She’s not just changing children’s academic outcomes—she’s changing their emotional lives for the better.