Experiences With Children in Lower Manhattan in the Wake of 9/11

Abstract

On September 11, 2001, the author, a clinical assistant professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at New York University Medical Center, worked as a psychologist in private practice in close proximity to New York University and the twin towers. She and her young children directly witnessed the attack. She was actively involved in postattack responding to children’s and their parents’ needs through private practice and disaster relief work. The essay is a narrative that describes her experience of the attacks, professionally and personally, and lessons learned as a result.