Child Psychology of Long Island

As always, blown away by the creativity of my awesome clients! 🌿✨ Using things found on our nature walks to create unique works of art. I love using art as a way to reduce pressure and expectations and promote learning and healing. 🎨🍂

💕🌀Very excited to announce that I am finally running a group for 10-12 year olds!! The group will be maxed at 5 kids and a waiting list will be formed for future sessions. Looking forward to offering a safe, supportive environment for kids to build friendships &learn skills 💕🌀💬 Go to the website and click Group Treatment ➡️Weekly Groups➡️Register Here

Lots of questions about selective mutism this week from colleagues, parents and school staff. Figured I’d share this in hopes I can help some kiddos out! Be on the lookout for signs and symptoms for your students and for your own kids. ASK DETAILED QUESTIONS to your child’s school staff. I can’t tell you how many times my clients have completed pre-k or kindergarten by the time someone realized they hadn’t spoken!! Teachers will say “I thought she was talking all year”, “I never realized she wasn’t responding.” Kids are good at hiding behind smiles and they find ways to get their needs met nonverbally very quickly. Ask questions at back to school night and remember you are the only one who is going to advocate for your child!

“To be kind is more important than to be right. Many times, what people need is not a brilliant mind that speaks but a special heart that listens” -F. Scott Fitzgerald.

And just like that, our two amazing weeks at Club Confident have come to a close! 🌟 Today we celebrated everyone’s incredible achievements, and we are so thankful the weather held out yet again! We took a trip to Tina’s Italian Ice and enjoyed some ice cream! Thank you to my incredible team of interns for all you have done this summer ☀️

What a fantastic Farm Yoga Day at Club Confident! 🌾 The kids had a blast pretending to be all sorts of animals, running their own farm stand, making up handshakes, learning about their brain and crafting sensory wands. It’s hard to believe today is the last day of camp!

Two very brave boys ran prize store all by themselves today🏆

🌍 Did you know? A free, U.S. national parks lifetime pass is available to kids with autism and ADHD?!? It provides admittance to more than 2,000 recreation sites🌲 This amazing opportunity is available for both kids and adults, giving you the chance to explore the great outdoors at no cost. 🏞️

🌟 Another great day at Club Confident! Today was all about unleashing our inner superheroes. 💥 We boosted our self-awareness by rating our own superhero skills, faced our fears and explored new foods, and to top it off, we had a surprise visit from The Flash himself! ⚡️ Can’t believe we only have 3 days of camp left—time flies when you’re having fun! 🦸‍♂️🦸‍♀️

A great start to the week at camp! ❤️🧡💛💚💙 Looking forward to more food exploring tomorrow with 🍌

🎉 Wrapping up an incredible first week at Club Confident! We ended the week with Carnival Day and a sweet field trip to Tina’s Italian Ice where the campers bravely ordered on their own! 🍦💪

A huge shoutout to our amazing interns who made it all happen. I hope you get some well-deserved rest this weekend because next week is going to be just as action-packed! 🙌✨

🌞 What a blast we had today at Club Confident! Despite the heat, we’re so thankful the rain held out and let us enjoy every moment. Tomorrow, we’re diving into a fun-filled day of yoga and water activities—can’t wait! And Friday, get ready for the ultimate Carnival Day! 🎉 We’re already excited to see many of our awesome campers back next week. Let the summer fun continue! 😎

🌟 Day 2 at Club Confident was amazing! 🌟 We’re so impressed with how comfortable the kids have gotten in such a short time. Today was filled with learning about different animals, exciting scavenger hunts, exploring foods through smell, touch, and taste, and lots of fun soaking our counselors! Can’t wait to see everyone tomorrow! 🐾🔍🍎💦

🌞 What a fantastic start to Club Confident’s 2024 summer program! 🎉 The kids showed so much bravery today, and we were so lucky the weather held out all day for us. ☀️

Today’s theme was all about emotions, and we learned from the amazing characters in Inside Out 2. We had a blast playing water games, got silly with spaghetti, created journals, and decorated our bravery bags with the first patches. ✨

Looking forward to a fun-filled 2 weeks ahead! 🤩 Thank you to my amazing interns ❤️ They have gone above and beyond to make it extra special for every camper!

Last minute opening at Club Confident!! ☀️ Reach out to me personally ASAP if interested: [email protected]

What a fantastic day of training at Club Confident! 🤩 Our awesome interns brought energy and fun to training. Super excited for an incredible summer program with this amazing team!!☀️🌻❤️

Translation: My mom is a psychologist. She does a service. She helps kids.

🐣🐰 Here’s some NeuroAffirming tips for interacting with ALL kids this Easter weekend 💞 Creating inclusive and accommodating spaces will help every child (and adult) feel comfortable and valued. Every child is unique and deserves to enjoy the holiday festivities in a way that feels authentic to them. By embracing neuroaffirming practices, we can create meaningful experiences that celebrate the diversity of all children.

🌟 Shining a Light on Autism & Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) 🌟

As a child psychologist and mom of a PDA’er, I’m here to shed some light on a topic that’s not very well understood: Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). 🧩💡

I know PDA might not be a term you’ve heard used often, especially in the U.S., but trust me, it’s very real. While it might not be officially recognized as a diagnosis in the US, as parents, we’re on the frontlines, advocating for awareness and understanding in our communities, schools, and beyond.

What exactly is PDA? 🤔 Well, think of it as a nervous system disorder that wires our loved ones differently. PDA’ers are quick to slip into fight, flight, or freeze mode at the drop of a hat. 🚦 Their meltdowns can be intense and frequent, often leading to misdiagnoses like mood disorders or oppositional defiant disorder.

But here’s the thing: with awareness comes understanding, and with understanding comes support. That’s why I’m passionate about sharing my knowledge and experiences with all of you. Together, we can break down barriers, challenge misconceptions, and create a world where every individual, regardless of their neurological wiring, feels seen, heard, and valued. 🌈✨

💙 Remember, kindness and compassion go a long way. 💖

🌟 We are so excited to announce our 2024 summer program, Club Confident! ☀️ Club Confident is all about building brave muscles, developing social and emotional skills, and having a ton of fun along the way! 🧠💪

Led by a team of child psychologists and mental health clinicians, Club Confident is your ticket to a summer filled with growth, laughter, and friendships. 🚀 From mastering new skills to crushing individual treatment goals, every day is an adventure where kids can thrive and shine! 🌈

At Club Confident, we are looking forward to turning all those nervous jitters into summer joys! 🎉 With personalized support from our dedicated staff, every child will have the tools and encouragement they need to soar! ✨ Don’t miss out on the best summer yet—join Club Confident and let’s make memories that will last a lifetime. Sign up today by visiting the link in our bio 🌟

Starting my business in 2019 was the best decision I’ve ever made. Even though I’ve been working tirelessly on expanding out of basement for the past 1.5 years it’s still bittersweet. My basement office was a sanctuary for many amazing clients, it was the space where many kids reached their goals, where they learned to talk and be brave, a place where numerous tears were shed and most importantly where my clients came to feel comforted and supported. While I know I have helped many along their journeys, my clients have helped me in ways they will never fully know or understand. The first picture is of my first week in my basement office in 2019 and the rest are of our new home at Bloom Space. I am so grateful for all of those who believed in me to start Child Psychology of Long Island and Bloom Space and to all of the kids and families who I have met along the way. 🌻

Tips for helping your neurodiverse child with the back-to-school transition 🚌♾️

No act of kindness is too small ✨ Check in on someone you love.
Let a friend go first.
Scream sing TSwift.
Help others.
“How do we change the world? One random act of kindness at a time” -Morgan Freeman

“Everyone longs to be loved. And the greatest thing we can do is to let people know that they are loved and capable of loving.” 💚 Fred Rogers

What do you do when you feel mad? Sometimes hearing what others do to cope can help spark some ideas within you. Have you tried any of these? What works for you?