Mental Health Community Events in Brooklyn, NY

Community Events

Part of our mission at Ridge Psychological is to educate families, teachers and providers about mental health.

Upcoming Events:

Supporting Your LGBTQ+ Child: A Guide to Loving, Understanding, and Affirming Your Youth

When a child shares that they identify as LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, or Questioning), parents and caregivers often seek guidance on how best to support them. This evidence-based presentation is designed to provide families with practical tools, clinical insights, and peace of mind. Drawing from the latest pediatric and psychological science, the session will demonstrate how supportive actions at home foster long-term resilience, mental health, and trust.

Key Topics Covered:

• The Power of Parental Support: How active listening, affirming names and pronouns, and active advocacy serve as critical protective factors against depression and anxiety.
• Science vs. Myths: A review of peer-reviewed data addressing common concerns, demonstrating the stability of identity, the rarity of transition regret, and the safety of affirming care.
• Supportive Treatment Methodologies: An overview of how multidisciplinary medical care, evidence-based frameworks, and family therapy can reduce conflict and strengthen the parent-child bond.

Event Details & Registration

• Date: Wednesday, October 14th, 2026
• Time: 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM (EST)
• Presenters: Dr. Moyle (Presenter) and Dr. De Santis (Moderator)
• Cost: Free and open to all parents, guardians, and family caregivers.
• How to Sign Up: Register online via the Zoom Registration Link.

Past Events:

Mastering Minds: Practical Strategies for Emotional Regulation and Executive Function

Dr. De Santis (Ridge Psychological) and Casey Schmalacker (New Frontiers Executive Function Coaching) discussed:

• Emotional regulation as how children manage feelings and impulses, which can be learned at any age.
• It supports friendships, school success, and resilience, and helps prevent anxiety and depression.
• Signs a child may need support: intense emotions, frequent meltdowns, impulsivity, trouble naming feelings, or shutting down.
• Parent strategies: build routines, use emotion charts, encourage movement breaks, create cozy spaces, practice deep breathing, and praise efforts.
• Long-term habits: model calm responses, name emotions daily, build a regulation toolkit, and support sleep and social connections.
• Seek help if emotions are overwhelming or risky; therapies like CBT and DBT can teach coping skills.

Strength Based Parenting for Neurodiverse Children

Dr. Moyle spoke to parents about: 

• Strengths-based parenting focuses on recognizing and nurturing a neurodiverse child’s unique talents and interests rather than trying to “fix” their differences.
• Conditions like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia can be understood as natural variations in how brains work.
• Families can celebrate individuality while helping build a child’s confidence and independence.
• Helpful strategies include paying attention to sensory needs and using tools that support comfort and focus.
• Co-regulation is important—caregivers stay calm and supportive during emotional moments to help children manage feelings.
• Creating consistent routines with visual supports and dedicated connection time can provide stability.
• Caregivers should also seek support and share responsibilities to maintain their own well-being.
• Supporting both the child and the caregiver helps neurodiverse children thrive.

Calm, Confident, & Test-Ready: Helping Your Child Manage Test Anxiety

Dr. Christine Moyle spoke to parents about: 

• Why test anxiety happens (and how it affects performance)
• Simple techniques to help your child stay calm and focused
• How to build confidence through daily habits
• What to say (and what not to say!) before a big test

Homework without Tears

Dr. De Santis and Dr. Weinstein spoke to parents at a Brooklyn based school about:

• Common reasons and behaviors related to homework issues
• What’s the difference between a problem and a “bump in the road”?
• When to seek out an evaluation and what kind of evaluation does your child require?
• Strategies to assist your child with homework completion
• Where to go for help?

Promoting Emotion Regulation Skills in Your Family 

Dr. De Santis spoke to parents of a local public school about:

• the signs and symptoms of emotion dysregulation
• mental health conditions and emotion dysregulation
• causes of emotion dysregulation
• techniques that can promote healthier emotion regulation skills in your child

Adult Learning Disability Assessments 101

Dr. De Santis gave a talk for the Learning Disability Association of New Jersey discussing:

• What is a learning disability and how do you assess for it?
• How can an assessment be used to address your learning needs in higher education or at your workplace?
• What is the difference between a psychoeducational evaluation and a neuropsychological assessment?
• What types of tests are typically used and for what purpose?
• How do you find someone to conduct the assessment for you?
• Next steps after the assessment is complete.

Is a special education school right for your child?

Dr. De Santis and Mr. Marc Gottlieb, Esq. provided a talk discussing:

• The IEP process
• Benefit of neuropsychological testing
• When and why to seek out a private school
• The process of financial recovery and the likelihood of success
• Myths debunked about who gets reimbursed and why

How to advocate for your clients with learning disabilities

Dr. De Santis spoke with pediatricians at a large NY based practice on:

• How to identify learning disabilities in their clients
• How to complete a 504 and obtain an evaluation
• The services offered by the DOE
• Other options for their clients

Beyond The DOE: Securing an Alternative Educational Setting for Your Child

Dr. De Santis and Mr. Steven Alizio co-hosted a free webinar entitled Beyond The DOE: Securing an Alternative Educational Setting for Your Child to help parents identify:

• The process to advocate for an alternative educational setting paid for by the DOE
• The variety of alternative educational settings available
• The benefit of a neuropsychological evaluation to aid in this process

Navigating the DOE: Getting the Services Your Child Needs

Dr. De Santis hosted a free parent conference designed to help parents identify:

• The services and accommodations offered by the DOE
• Ways to get your child the services and accommodations they require
• The benefit of a psychoeducational and neuropsychological evaluation
• The difference between a 504 and an IEP
• Next steps for children who continue to struggle

Impact of the Pandemic on the Mental Health of Children

Dr. De Santis was interviewed by Dr. TJ Gold, a pediatrician at Tribeca Pediatrics, about the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of children and adolescents. Please click here to listen to the podcast.