Child & Family Therapy, ADHD, Autism, and Psychological Assessments NEAR MONTCLAIR, NJ & SURROUNDING AREAS
Early Branches Child & Family Psychology offers compassionate, evidence-based therapy and assessments for children ages 0–12 and their families with in-person services near Montclair, Glen Ridge, Ridgewood, Franklin Lakes, Wayne, and nearby New Jersey communities + surrounding areas and virtual support throughout New Jersey, New York, and (coming soon) Pennsylvania from an experienced child psychologist.
Why Your Child Benefits from a Psychologist Specializing in Early Childhood Mental Health
Young children experience the world and express their needs very differently than adolescents or adults. Their emotions, behaviors, and developmental stages require a unique lens, specialized training, and therapeutic approaches designed specifically for early childhood.
At Early Branches Child and Family Psychology, you’ll find care grounded in science, compassion, and deep expertise in infant, toddler, and early childhood mental health.
Whether your child is navigating big feelings, behavior challenges, developmental concerns, trauma, or you are seeking clarity through an autism or ADHD assessment, you deserve guidance from a childhood mental health therapist who specializes in and truly understands this stage of life.
Every child’s story matters. Every family deserves to feel hopeful. My therapy work focuses on nurturing growth, strengthening relationships, and helping young children thrive within the context of their development, not expecting them to fit adult oriented models of care.
Emotional and behavioral challenges
Anxiety, tantrums, and difficulty regulating
Early signs of ADHD
Trauma and attachment disruptions
Social challenges and sensory differences
Autism or developmental concerns
Adjustment to major life changes
Parent–child relationship stress
Feeding, toileting, sleep, and early developmental struggles
Early Childhood Mental Health Concerns I Support WITH EVIDENCE BASED CARE AS A CHILD THERAPIST
I specialize in helping children ages 0–12 years old, including infants and toddlers who are often underserved in mental health care. My therapy training is grounded in attachment, trauma-informed, and culturally-responsive approaches that have shown proven success.
Why Families Choose Early Branches for Child Therapy, Autism Evaluations, ADHD Testing, and Professional MENTAL HEALTH Services
Hi, I’m Samantha,
Child Psychologist and Infant Mental Health Specialist IN New JERSEY & NEW YORK
I’m a licensed psychologist in New Jersey and New York with specialized training in infant and early childhood mental health, trauma, attachment, and child assessment. For more than a decade, I’ve supported children ages 0–12 and their families in healing, growing, and building hopeful futures.
Grounded Training and Deep Expertise in Early Childhood Mental Health
Unlike many practices that treat all ages, my expertise is exclusively in young children. My background includes a decade of specialized training, national leadership roles, and supervision of clinicians nationwide.
Evidence-based treatments (EBTs) backed by research
I am one of the only clinicians in New Jersey trained in several specialized, trauma-informed, early-childhood EBTs (including ABC and CPP).
A warm, relational, supportive approach
Children feel safe here. Caregivers feel heard here. You will always be met with compassion, patience, and genuine partnership.
Rooted in understanding. Growing with hope.
MY PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
CHILD Therapy, Autism Evaluations, ADHD Testing, and Professional MENTAL HEALTH Services in montclair, New jersey
I provide specialized early childhood mental health services and assessments for infants, toddlers, and young children with in-person appointments available near Montclair, Glen Ridge, Ridgewood, Franklin Lakes, Wayne, and nearby New Jersey communities. Families outside these areas can access the same high-quality support through secure virtual services available throughout all of New Jersey and New York.
With advanced training in early childhood mental health, my services are designed specifically for young children and their caregivers. Whether your child is navigating big emotions, behavior challenges, developmental or sensory concerns, trauma, or you are seeking a comprehensive autism or ADHD assessment, I offer evidence-based, developmentally informed care tailored to early childhood.
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Child and Family Therapist for Emotional, Behavioral, and Developmental Needs in-person near Montclair, New Jersey + Surrounding Areas and virtually throughout New Jersey and New York.
Supporting children ages 0–12 years old through evidence-based treatments designed to strengthen emotional regulation, behavior, and the caregiver–child relationship.
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Gold-Standard Autism Evaluations for Children Ages 0–12 in New Jersey
Culturally informed, compassionate, and developmentally grounded autism evaluations using gold-standard tools, including the ADOS. Assessments include a thoughtful differential diagnosis process to help determine whether autism is present, rule out or clarify other contributing diagnoses, and provide a clear, accurate understanding of your child’s strengths and needs.
LEARN MORE ABOUT AUTISM ASSESSMENTS IN NORTH JERSEY -
Evaluations include a thorough differential diagnosis process to distinguish ADHD from other developmental, emotional, or behavioral conditions and to ensure families receive clear, accurate guidance and next steps.
Evidence-based ADHD evaluations that go deeper than checklists to understand your child’s strengths, challenges, and needs utilizing IQ, neuropsychological, and research-informed measures to evaluate. -
One of my favorite roles as a psychologist is being a reflective supervisor/ consultant to those doing the important work in helping others. In our work, it is important to take the time to reflect on the thoughts, feelings, and biases we are experiencing. This process is important not only to make sure we are providing the best services possible for children and families, but also to make sure we stay happy and healthy in our work to prevent burnout. I have experience supervising individuals of all training levels, professions, and backgrounds.
LEARN MORE ABOUT REFLECTIVE CONSULTATION, CASE CONSULTATION, AND CLINICAL SUPERVISION -
Professional Mental Health workshops, presentations, and trainings for agencies, schools, and organizations on early childhood mental health, trauma, diversity, development, and more.
Available virtually or in-person.
LEARN MORE ABOUT PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH PRESENTATIONS & TRAININGS
PROFESSIONAL ENDORSEMENTS
“Dr. Smith is a superb evaluator and diagnostician. She helps children and caregivers feel comfortable with the process and ensures the most accurate results by engaging everyone in a comprehensive and supportive evaluation. Professionals referring to her for diagnostic clarity are always impressed with the quality of the evaluation and her ability to answer the referral question and provide tailored recommendations.”
Jennifer Mitchell, PhD, IECMH-E®, PMH-C
“Dr. Smith is one of those rare people who is not only a highly skilled professional, but also a human being who lights up a room and spreads warmth and connection wherever she goes. She's part of a small group of mental health professionals who specialize in working with very young children and their families, fostering secure relationships and growth. She has a natural capacity to connect with her small clients and their adults. She has a way about herself that creates a sense of belonging, and she is a fierce advocate for including everyone! If I were looking for a therapist for my little one and myself, I would choose Dr. Sam!”
Dr. Ilse DeKoeyer
“Samantha is a warm, grounded, and highly skilled therapist. She brings clinical insight, genuine care, and a steady presence to her work. Her approach fosters growth, trust, and meaningful change and her guidance consistently helps children thrive.“
Margie Chastain, LCSW
“While I was Sam's supervisee, I felt heard, validated, and respected as a burgeoning mental health professional. In moments of difficulty, Sam showed me and my clients genuine compassion, offering psychoeducation that gave me diverse tools to tackle situations in unforeseen ways. With humor and authenticity, Sam's love for humanity was apparent in all of our supervision sessions, and she is a mentor I will seek guidance from as I continue on my professional journey.”
Elizabeth Malley
“I have been privileged to work closely with Samantha Smith, Psy.D, IMH-E as a Board member of the Utah Association for Infant Mental Health, for the past several years. Sam is an inspiration, always leading with heart, empathy, conviction, and courage. She backs up her emotional accessibility with a strong intellect committed to optimizing the care of stressed young children and their overwhelmed families. She also brings her deep caring to the emotional support of her co-workers through reflective supervision.”
William Cosgrove, MD
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Dr. Samantha Smith through the Utah Association for Infant Mental Health for several years and have seen firsthand the depth of her knowledge, care, and leadership. She is widely respected state-wide for her expertise in early childhood mental health, trauma-informed care, and supporting nurturing caregiving relationships. Dr. Smith brings a deep commitment to promoting equity and high-quality care for young children and their families.”
Alysse M. Loomis, PhD, LCSW
Compassionate, Evidence-Based PSYCHOLOGIST SupportING Children and Families IN MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY
My care is guided by
Decades of research in early childhood
A strong foundation in developmental science
Evidence-based models uniquely designed for infants and young children
A warm, collaborative therapeutic environment
A belief that caregivers are essential partners in healing
My work with children may look playful at times, but every activity is intentionally chosen and grounded in research to support meaningful growth and change.
Schedule a VIRTUAL Child Therapy or Assessment Consultation
You deserve a therapist who deeply understands early childhood and who genuinely cares about your family’s future.
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation
to discuss your concerns, ask questions, and see whether we’re a good fit.