Chana Kaiman, LCSW-RPT

Healing happens in moments of connection we often overlook.

• Web
• Facebook
• Linkedin
• Instagram

Chana Kaiman, LCSW-RPT's style

Why Chana Kaiman, LCSW-RPT chose to be in the helping profession

I chose social work because I believe healing happens in relationship, not in isolation. From an early point in my work with children and families, I saw how behavior is often a response to unmet needs, stress, or trauma rather than a lack of effort or care. This perspective has stayed with me and continues to shape how I understand people and their experiences. Social work allows me to sit at the intersection of emotional, relational, and environmental factors and respond with both compassion and skill, rather than reduction or judgment. I am drawn to a field that values presence, advocacy, and ethical responsibility, while honoring the dignity and resilience of each person.

Most importantly, social work aligns with my commitment to creating safe, nurturing spaces where children and families can grow, regulate, and reconnect. I aim to meet people where they are and stay attuned to what is being communicated both directly and indirectly through behavior and emotion. In my work, I hold a deep respect for each person’s story and the context they are living in, including the systems and relationships that impact them. This approach allows me to support meaningful change that is both practical and emotionally grounded.

Chana Kaiman, LCSW-RPT's approach

My approach to therapy is grounded in relationship, safety, and attunement. I believe meaningful change begins when clients feel deeply seen, heard, and understood, and I prioritize creating a calm, predictable, and emotionally safe therapeutic space. I work from a trauma-informed and play-based lens, understanding that behavior is often communication rather than something to be corrected in isolation. From this perspective, I stay curious about what a child or family member might be expressing through actions, emotions, or patterns. I also recognize that healing unfolds at a pace guided by the nervous system, not by pressure or expectation.

Therapy, for me, is collaborative and strengths-based, and I work to honor the resilience that already exists within each child, parent, and family system. I aim to support regulation first, knowing that a sense of safety within the body and relationship comes before deeper insight or change can take hold. When regulation is prioritized, connection becomes more accessible and meaningful growth can follow. I see connection and safety as the foundation for learning, emotional integration, and lasting change over time.

What you can expect from sessions with Chana Kaiman, LCSW-RPT

In my sessions, you can expect a calm, welcoming space where safety and connection come first. I work to create an environment that feels steady, grounded, and emotionally containing, especially for children and families who may be carrying stress or overwhelm. I move at a pace that feels respectful and attuned, allowing trust to develop naturally rather than pushing for change before it is ready. Sessions are structured yet flexible, balancing predictability with responsiveness to what shows up in the moment and what feels most important to explore. Over time, this helps build a sense of safety that supports deeper work.

I pay close attention to emotional cues, regulation, and relationship patterns, using play, conversation, and reflection as pathways to understanding and healing. My work is guided by what I notice in the room as much as what is spoken, including shifts in affect, body language, and interaction. You can expect collaboration, transparency, and gentle guidance throughout the process, with space for both curiosity and support. The goal is to help you or your child feel more regulated, understood, and supported not only in sessions, but also in daily life outside the therapy room.

Chana Kaiman, LCSW-RPT's experience working with the Jewish community

I have worked closely with children and families in the Jewish community for many years, and this work is deeply meaningful to me. I understand how central values, tradition, and family life are, and I approach each family with care and respect for what matters most to them. I am mindful of communal norms and halachic considerations, while also holding space for emotional expression, curiosity, and growth. In my work, I aim to meet families where they are, honoring both their lived experience and the frameworks that guide their lives.

Trust, discretion, and sensitivity guide my work, especially in close-knit communities where privacy and respect are essential. I pay close attention to the unique strengths and challenges that can come with balancing individual needs and family or communal expectations. My hope is that families feel understood, supported, and at ease bringing their full selves into the therapy room. I strive to create a space where people can speak openly without fear of judgment, while still feeling anchored in their values and identity.

Chana Kaiman, LCSW-RPT's Book Recommendation Zone

• Aware: The Science and Practice of Presence by Dan Siegel, M.D..
  In Aware, Dan Siegel blends neuroscience, psychology, and practical meditation to explore what it means to be present — not just in a “mindful moment,” but as a skill that shapes our relationships, awareness, and emotional regulation.
• How Free Will Works: The Blueprints to Take Charge of Your Life, Health and Happiness by Dr. David Leiberman
  This book offers insights into how free-will impacts the ability to maximize opportunities, sidestep hardships and control the quality of our lives by increasing self esteem, conquering anxiety and insecurity and eliminate childhood issues.
• Home is Where We Start From by Dr. D.W. Winnicott
  Filled with rich insights into concepts gleaned from essays on Winnicott's vision of the ways in which the developing self, the family and larger society
• The Earth Has a Soul: C.G. Jung on Nature, Technology and Modern Medicine
  In this powerful exploration, Jung's writing on nature invites us to rediscover the beauty, connection, wonder and awe that we have lost in technology. These essays offer hope and insights on finding our way back to the old paths.
• You Are the One You've Been Waiting For by Dr. Richard Schwartz
  The breakthrough realization of IFS is that our psyche contains multiple parts. each one with a life of its' own. A groundbreaking approach for discovering essential tools to foster healthy dialogue with your parts and your partner. This book promotes connection, trust and understanding within yourself and the one you love.

Approaches

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Adlerian
• Attachment-based
• Expressive Arts Therapy
• Family Therapy
• Internal Family Systems (IFS)
• Mindfulness and Meditation
• Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
• Play Therapy
• Sand Tray
• Structural Family Therapy
• Trauma Focused Therapy

Concerns

• ADHD
• Allergies
• Anxiety
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Body image
• Chronic illness
• Codependency
• Crisis Intervention
• Depression
• Divorce/Separation
• Emotion regulation
• Life purpose and meaning
• Mood Disorders
• Panic attacks/panic disorder
• Parenting
• Relationships
• Religious Identity Issues
• Self-Harm/Suicidality
• Stress management
• Time Management
• Transitions & Change

12 years in practice

Licenses

• LCSW by New York 2007. License number 081758-01

Degrees

• Masters of Social Work by Wurzweiler School of Social Work 2007

Certificates

• RPT by Association for Play Therapy 2022

Trainings

• Adlerian Play Therapy by Dr. Rise Van Fleet 2017
• IFS Level 1 by IFS Israel 2021
• IFS Level 2 by IFS Institute 2024

Affiliations

• New York Association for Pla by New York Association for Pla 2023
• Adjunct Professor by Touro College 2025
• Education and School Lead by Bereishis Foundation 2025

Average costs per session

$220

Payment Methods

• Cash
• Check
• Credit Card
• Zelle Quick Pay

Insurances

• Aetna
• Empire BlueCross
• Medicare
• Optum