Child Psychologists and Child Therapists in Sea Cliff, NY.

I do not treat young children because for many problems it is best to teach parents skills for effectively responding to their children's emotional and behavioral needs. I teach what is called Parent Effectiveness Training Skills. This involves helping parents reinforce behaviors in children they wish would occur with greater consistency. Train the parent!

Children are sweet, sensitive, naive and trusting. Many children enter a world where there is more chaos than they deserve. Chaos challenges the ability o function optimally. In working with adults, parents and caregivers, I guide and educate adults in children lives how to Make best available choices while functioning under stress. By doing such, the adult is modeling for the child(ren) effective, strategic and positive ways of coping. As well, I work With children helping them identify, define and express their sometimes complex emotions. By effectively processing feelings children are then able to go on to play , properly develop age appropriately and build a healthy strong self.

Sometimes knowing what your child needs in a difficult moment can be hard. At Family Guiding, we specialize in helping children with ADHD, aggressive, impulsive behavior and anxiety. We guide children towards appropriate ways to express feelings, cope with frustration and manage anxiety. We also work closely with parents and will help you use effective communication and discipline strategies with your child as well as increase peaceful and positive interactions.

I have a doctorate in child psychology, and have been a school psychologist, both diagnosing learning problems and doing counseling. I work closely with the parents, and in many cases would not treat the child directly. I usually focus on and get to know the parent, how I can best support them as a parent, as a spouse, and as a person in the world. And, I work with parents so that we are a team together helping you to do the best thing for your child or children.

Wise parents bring young children in for counseling for both preventative mental health, and early intervention before problems become entrenched. I work successfully with young children and their families with eating disorders, behavioral problems, attention deficit disorder, school avoidance and school phobia, difficulties with peers, siblings, and parental relationships. I also work with children challenged or frightened by medical symptoms and problems, and help families to learn strategies to cope and transform the challenges into experiences that lead to strength and family cohesiveness.

Dr. Joel and Dr. Sara provide comprehensive and educative consultations with parents to better understand their children's conflicts and self-destructive tendencies. As experienced, licensed and board certified clinical psychologists--who hold advanced degrees and certifications in clinical child psychology, Dr. Joel and Dr. Sara strongly believe that, for children to improve, the initial step has to involve their parents working with compassionate, high-level psychologists who can clarify for and guide them. Although Dr. Joel a and Dr. Sara do not presently accept children as direct clients, they will help you to find appropriate referrals for individual child therapists when necessary.

Often times children are struggling with issues in their own life and cannot communicate their need for help. It is a parent's job to recognize when something is not right. Helping children identify problems and work through them is a skill that lasts a lifetime. My work with children is based on trust. Only when they feel safe will they begin to reveal their inner thoughts and fears. This is achieved mainly through play therapy and parent child sessions.

Whether your child is experiencing anxiety, frequent tantrums, challenges in school, changes in their mood, friendship difficulties, trauma, low self-esteem, or they are processing family changes, I can help. I have extensive experience working with children in mental health clinics and in school settings. I’ve completed intensive postgraduate clinical training in Child and Adolescent Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. I have advanced training in Play Therapy, and I hold certificates in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and the Creative Arts Therapies. But most importantly, I can help your child express their feelings, uncover bravery, and begin to heal.

Is your child bullied or isolated from others? Is your child reluctant to go to school, has trouble making friends, or seems withdrawn and lonely? Many children have trouble with self confidence, anxiety or social skills. Improving self esteem, emotional regulation, and social skills deficits in the younger years reduces difficulties later. We all want the best for our children, and as a parent myself I know how it can hurt to watch your child suffer and not know how to help. Find out how your child can be helped by in-person counselling, online coaching, or online educational programs.

The most malleable of us all. Therefore, that segment of our society that can be most easily molded, sculpted. Since the sculptist is almost always the parents their cooperation in the therapy process cannot be emphasized enough. They are makers or breakers of it. That is why the creation of a trusting alliance with them is critical. However, respecting the boundaries and confidentiality too of the child's work (therapy) with myself. The child is allowed to express, within reason, their individuality. Encouragement is given for adaptive risk-taking and self-soothing mechanisms. I create, a safe, predictable, environment.

Children are a gift and a treasure. It never surprises me to hear something utterly unique come from one of my young clients. As a therapist I look to the strengths of the child and the family. I utilize play therapy and structural family therapy to help untangle difficult and challenging subject matter. Often times the child knows and reveals so much about the family and the special ways in which the family interacts with one another. One of the benefits of working with children in therapy is that I am able to identify with the child and family areas to strengthen and support. I work to encourage parents to be advocates and partners in setting clear rules, boundaries and consequences.

When a child is presented for treatment barring organic causes, the first question one asks, " Who has the problem?" Is it the child, parents, school or the interactions of all?" After interviewing the child and parents (conducted in both family and individual sessions), I present the parents with an evaluation. Dependent on the severity of the child's problems and the ability of the parents to mobilize their parenting skills, it is decided to address the presenting problems with individual sessions as well as family sessions. My attempt is to minimize the treatment of the child and enable the parents to learn to parent through "Creative Loving" (a program that Dr. PItta created).

I offer counseling typically to children 12+ If the child is younger than 12, and needs support for entering middle school, or peer/ social skills with my experience K-12, and graduate school age, please inquire re: need! As a family or with a sibling I would treat younger as well. As always just inquire with more information on how I can assist !