Connecticut families, when you know it’s time, Brightline is the right place
Our new family mental health clinic is open in Brooklyn — schedule your child’s first appointment today.
Our new family mental health clinic is open in Brooklyn — schedule your child’s first appointment today.
Care for every child starts with a two-step diagnostic evaluation. Step one is an in-depth, 1.5-hour conversation with a Brightline therapist. Step two is a 1-hour follow-up session for evaluation results and care path recommendation.
The goal? That you come away holding a care plan you helped create, knowing we truly understand your needs. From there, Brightline will recommend one of these paths:
Psychological Testing
Autism
Learning differences
Giftedness and school readiness
Memory and cognitive skills
General Therapy and Psychiatry
Persistent low mood, lack of motivation, withdrawal
Trauma and stress
Physical symptoms without an identified medical cause
Sustained difficulties with everyday tasks
Anxiety Program
Worries and fears, difficulty concentrating
Physical symptoms (like racing heart)
Feeling nervous, restless, edgy, afraid, or fearful
Avoidance of things they need or want to do
OCD Program
Repeated or ritualized behaviors that are driven by anxiety, fear, or disgust
Overdoing things more than is needed
Fear of not doing something “just right”
Avoiding things they need or want to do
Intrusive thoughts about any number of topics
ADHD Program
Difficulties paying attention
Difficulty sitting still
Distracting or disruptive behaviors
Impulsive actions
Disruptive Behaviors Program
Tantrums and other behavioral upsets
Impulsive actions
Troubling behaviors at school or with friends
Difficulty following directions
Diagnostic evaluations, generalized outpatient therapy and psychiatry, and our Anxiety, OCD, ADHD, and Disruptive Behaviors Program sessions can all be held in person at our Brooklyn clinic or virtually, based on family preference and clinical recommendation. Psychological testing must be held in person at our Brooklyn clinic; follow-up sessions can be held in person or virtually. Your child’s therapist will work with you to find the balance that is right for your family and the goals you have for your child.
Sylvia Ryszewska
LCP, MA, PhD
For the last ten years, Sylvia has worked in various settings with families who present with a wide variety of care needs. She’s adept at conducting psychological assessments, therapy, skills training, and parent coaching. Sylvia is an advocate of early intervention and is passionate about teaching the coping mechanisms that help kids and families navigate challenges.
Her care is rooted in collaborative support, and she employs a direct and non-judgmental communication style. Sylvia holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology, is trained and certified in multiple therapeutic approaches, and is licensed in New York.
Heather Buzbee
MSN, CPNP-PC, PMHNP-BC
Heather is a psychiatric nurse practitioner who brings over twenty years of experience in healthcare to her role with Brightline. With an encyclopedic memory and a critical consideration of each child’s situation, one of Heather’s specialties is careful psychiatric medication management.
As a mother to three neurodiverse kids herself, her professional journey is inspired by her personal one — Heather’s PhD focus is improving early identification of girls with autism. Trained, certified, and licensed in several states, including Washington, Idaho, and Arizona, Heather is happy to serve Brightline families.
Noora Abdulkerim
LCP, PhD
Noora has experience working with families in both clinical and school settings, and understands that parent support is vital to their child’s treatment and goals. Curious, compassionate, and dedicated, Noora is passionate about helping kids find healthy ways to stay grounded and learn about their own feelings.
With a PhD in School Psychology and training in special education, Noora is able to teach clinical concepts in a way that kids and adolescents find interesting and engaging. Noora utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in her approach and is licensed to practice in New York.
Jessica Cohen
LCSW, MSW
With a background in social work, Jessica has learned that parents and caregivers — through practice and support at home — hold the key to their kids’ true mental health and behavioral transformation. Her empathetic approach is shaped by her own childhood trauma experiences, and her passion is guided by her resiliency, hope, and faith.
Ephat Russcol
MD, FAAP
Ephat Bephat always knew she wanted to work with kids — in fact, she was a pediatrician for eight years before becoming a therapist. When she was a practicing physician, she saw the need for behavioral and developmental care, and is grateful now that pediatric and adolescent mental health is her focus.
Ephat is licensed in multiple states including New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. As a mom of four daughters, her strength lies in partnering with families to help kids identify their unique strengths and realize their potential.
Rebecca Gorham
LCSW, MSW
Rebecca brings six years of experience working with families to her role at Brightline. She is inspired by kids and parents as they build skills and overcome challenges, and believes that every family should have access to mental health care free from stigma.
Rebecca is licensed in New York. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Rebecca’s professional and personal experience with the queer community enables her to support kids who are exploring their own sexuality and gender identity.
Elodie St. Fleur
LCSW, MSW
Elodie brings extensive experience to her role at Brightline. Adept at helping parents address kids’ emotional, social, and academic needs, she uses open communication and proven strategies that support them at home, school, and in the community. Helping kids build confidence and resilience by providing a safe, supportive place to process emotions and overcome obstacles inspires Elodie and reinforces her commitment to the work she does every day.
Elodie is licensed in New York and her focus areas are anxiety, depression, trauma, sleep, life transitions, ADHD, and working with BIPOC families. She utilizes her training in both CBT and DBT to build strong relationships and create a lasting, positive impact.
Brightline therapists are trained experts who are devoted to helping kids reach their goals and bringing families relief.
Sylvia Ryszewska
LCP, MA, PhD
For the last ten years, Sylvia has worked in various settings with families who present with a wide variety of care needs. She’s adept at conducting psychological assessments, therapy, skills training, and parent coaching. Sylvia is an advocate of early intervention and is passionate about teaching the coping mechanisms that help kids and families navigate challenges.
Her care is rooted in collaborative support, and she employs a direct and non-judgmental communication style. Sylvia holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology, is trained and certified in multiple therapeutic approaches, and is licensed in New York.
Heather Buzbee
MSN, CPNP-PC, PMHNP-BC
Heather is a psychiatric nurse practitioner who brings over twenty years of experience in healthcare to her role with Brightline. With an encyclopedic memory and a critical consideration of each child’s situation, one of Heather’s specialties is careful psychiatric medication management.
As a mother to three neurodiverse kids herself, her professional journey is inspired by her personal one — Heather’s PhD focus is improving early identification of girls with autism. Trained, certified, and licensed in several states, including Washington, Idaho, and Arizona, Heather is happy to serve Brightline families.
Noora Abdulkerim
LCP, PhD
Noora has experience working with families in both clinical and school settings, and understands that parent support is vital to their child’s treatment and goals. Curious, compassionate, and dedicated, Noora is passionate about helping kids find healthy ways to stay grounded and learn about their own feelings.
With a PhD in School Psychology and training in special education, Noora is able to teach clinical concepts in a way that kids and adolescents find interesting and engaging. Noora utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in her approach and is licensed to practice in New York.
Jessica Cohen
LCSW, MSW
With a background in social work, Jessica has learned that parents and caregivers — through practice and support at home — hold the key to their kids’ true mental health and behavioral transformation. Her empathetic approach is shaped by her own childhood trauma experiences, and her passion is guided by her resiliency, hope, and faith.
Ephat Russcol
MD, FAAP
Ephat Bephat always knew she wanted to work with kids — in fact, she was a pediatrician for eight years before becoming a therapist. When she was a practicing physician, she saw the need for behavioral and developmental care, and is grateful now that pediatric and adolescent mental health is her focus.
Ephat is licensed in multiple states including New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. As a mom of four daughters, her strength lies in partnering with families to help kids identify their unique strengths and realize their potential.
Rebecca Gorham
LCSW, MSW
Rebecca brings six years of experience working with families to her role at Brightline. She is inspired by kids and parents as they build skills and overcome challenges, and believes that every family should have access to mental health care free from stigma.
Rebecca is licensed in New York. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Rebecca’s professional and personal experience with the queer community enables her to support kids who are exploring their own sexuality and gender identity.
Elodie St. Fleur
LCSW, MSW
Elodie brings extensive experience to her role at Brightline. Adept at helping parents address kids’ emotional, social, and academic needs, she uses open communication and proven strategies that support them at home, school, and in the community. Helping kids build confidence and resilience by providing a safe, supportive place to process emotions and overcome obstacles inspires Elodie and reinforces her commitment to the work she does every day.
Elodie is licensed in New York and her focus areas are anxiety, depression, trauma, sleep, life transitions, ADHD, and working with BIPOC families. She utilizes her training in both CBT and DBT to build strong relationships and create a lasting, positive impact.
It's okay if you don't know the root of the issue or are unsure what to say. We've been there — and now we're here for you.
