Susan Panarella is a warm and compassionate LMSW who has been committed to providing social emotional and therapeutic support to children, families and caregivers in pre-school, elementary school and out-patient mental health settings for close to 20 years.

Susan believes that the foundation for helping is built through the experience of love, safety and connection in relationships.  Susan uses relationship based practices to increase the resilience and reduce suffering of the individuals with whom she works. While Susan works with adults, teens and children, she specializes in working with young children and their caregivers. Susan has a particular focus on strengthening the caregiver child relationship in order to support a child’s developing capacity to experience, regulate, and express emotions in socially acceptable ways and to form close and secure adult and peer relationships.

Susan also works as an Infant Toddler Mental Health Consultant (ITMHC) at the

Child Care Council of Westchester.  As an ITMHC, Susan works closely with Infant Toddler teachers throughout Westchester County early childhood programs to help build strong relationships and supportive environments that promote the healthy social-emotional development of children.

Susan received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Arizona and her Master of Social Work from New York University, Shirley M. Ehrenkranz School of Social Work. Susan is a trained Mindful Educator and uses mindfulness based practices in her work with teachers, children and families.