Child Psychologists and Child Therapists in Williston Park, NY.

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.

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.

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 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!

I am a registered play therapy supervisor who believes that play is the natural language of children. Through play children are able to express themselves in a way that the child does not feel pressured and can process their emotions and experiences at their own pace. I am also trained in playful EMDR for children to help them process their trauma in a safe and creative space.

Many times, child therapists overdo the family system in their quest to seek effective solutions for emotional, learning or behavioral concerns with young children. And many times doctors overpathologize issues that shouldn’t be medicated necessarily. This leaves parents wondering what is the best route for their child? Introducing brainwave optimization technology. A fast, effective, natural, and less expensive way to allow your child's brain to make the optimizing changes it desires to make---on its own! Without any external force, opinion, medication, diagnostic, etc. Contact kevin@kevinflemingphd.com or 877-606-6161.