Photo of Lauren J Behrman, Psychologist in 10165, NY
Lauren J Behrman
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
New York, NY 10165
Are you in the midst of a life transition-divorce, illness or loss? Are you a parent who wants to protect your child from the fallout of divorce? Do you have a child with special needs that is a challenge to parent? Are you looking to break out of a longstanding pattern of behavior that doesn't serve you well? Are you in a relationship that is painful and you don't know if it can be healed? Are you struggling with issues of infertility or thinking about adoption? Facing these issues and challenges can be daunting. I work with individuals to help them connect to their own capacity for transformation and growth. With the help of therapy people can develop tools and discover resilience that they can use now and in the future to overcome challenges that stand in the way of satisfaction, happiness, and a more fulfilling life.
Are you in the midst of a life transition-divorce, illness or loss? Are you a parent who wants to protect your child from the fallout of divorce? Do you have a child with special needs that is a challenge to parent? Are you looking to break out of a longstanding pattern of behavior that doesn't serve you well? Are you in a relationship that is painful and you don't know if it can be healed? Are you struggling with issues of infertility or thinking about adoption? Facing these issues and challenges can be daunting. I work with individuals to help them connect to their own capacity for transformation and growth. With the help of therapy people can develop tools and discover resilience that they can use now and in the future to overcome challenges that stand in the way of satisfaction, happiness, and a more fulfilling life.
(914) 265-2208 View (914) 265-2208
Photo of Courtlyn Shimada, Licensed Master Social Worker in 10165, NY
Courtlyn Shimada
Licensed Master Social Worker, LMSW
Verified Verified
New York, NY 10165
I’m Courtlyn Shimada, a therapist with a passion for understanding you and how you thrive. Therapy can be joyful and healing, as well as challenging. Through the highs, lows, and plateaus, I am committed to creating a warm and empowering space where together we can explore any obstacles that life may present. I offer a holistic approach, considering not only your individual dynamics but also the impact of the broader environment and societal systems. Together, we may navigate through feelings of depression, anxiety, or grief, and struggles with chronic illness or significant life changes.
I’m Courtlyn Shimada, a therapist with a passion for understanding you and how you thrive. Therapy can be joyful and healing, as well as challenging. Through the highs, lows, and plateaus, I am committed to creating a warm and empowering space where together we can explore any obstacles that life may present. I offer a holistic approach, considering not only your individual dynamics but also the impact of the broader environment and societal systems. Together, we may navigate through feelings of depression, anxiety, or grief, and struggles with chronic illness or significant life changes.
(929) 254-3012 View (929) 254-3012
Adoption Therapists

Does my adopted child need therapy?

Not every adopted child needs therapy. However, many can benefit from seeing an adoption-informed therapist, especially if they were victims of abuse or neglect, appear withdrawn or disconnected, have behavioral or developmental issues (which may or may not be related to their adoption), are struggling with feelings of grief or loss surrounding their birth parents, or find it difficult to establish an identity, a challenge that often becomes most apparent during adolescence.

When should adoptive parents seek therapy?

Prospective parents can benefit from therapy even before an adoption—for example, to voice worries and fears; to reconcile infertility struggles, if relevant; or simply to prepare themselves for parenthood. After the adoption, parents who are struggling to bond with their child; are unsure how to talk about adoption or related issues, such as race; or whose child is dealing with developmental, behavioral, or psychiatric concerns can address these and other issues with the help of an adoption-competent therapist.

Is family therapy appropriate for adoptive families?

Family therapy can be invaluable for strengthening the bond between adoptive parents and children, helping the latter feel more secure in their place in the family. Family therapy can also help adoptive families navigate complex communication issues—for example, parents who feel uncomfortable discussing race with their child, who in turn feels invalidated by their silence, or a child who has questions about his birth parents but avoids asking them out of fear of hurting his adoptive parents’ feelings.

What therapy is not appropriate for adoption issues?

A discredited therapy known as “attachment therapy” (sometimes called “holding therapy” or “rebirthing therapy”) should not be used to treat adopted and foster children, though it was largely designed for this population. Attachment therapy involves restraining, coercing, and punishing the child in order for them to “release” negative emotions and attach to their new caregivers—techniques that are abusive and dangerous and have even proven fatal in some cases.