Therapy for Adolescents

Effective therapy with adolescents supports them in achieving their potential as youngsters and prevents them from experiencing undue emotional distress as adults.  I've witnessed the profound impact that psychotherapy can have on the life of an adolescent, and creating this impact has been one of the great joys of my professional life.

My experience in this area is extensive.  I received training in psychotherapy with children and adolescents first at the Roberto Clemente Family Guidance Center and then at the Yale Child Study Center.  Upon completing a fellowship at Yale, I served as a member of the clinical faculty of the Yale Child Study Center Outpatient Clinic, where I supported the training of psychiatrists and psychologists in working with children.  In these roles, I became experienced in treating adolescents with severe substance abuse issues, eating disorders, suicidal depression, ADHD, and other disturbances.

Working therapeutically with children also means engaging productively with their parents, and I am a firm believer in an approach to therapy that includes parents in the treatment process.  At the same time, I know that without a safe space for the child to express himself or herself in therapy, no meaningful progress can be made.

In addition to working as a therapist with children and adolescents myself, I have also served as the Director of Social Work at a network of charter schools, training therapists how to work best with children.  I am also a consultant at the New York City Charter School Center, providing consultation to issues related to child and adolescent psychotherapy to all charter schools in New York City.

Finding the right therapist for your child is a complicated process.  If you are looking for someone who will compassionately understand the challenges you are facing with your child--but also will engage actively your youngster in the treatment process--I encourage you to reach out to me for a phone consultation.