Gina/GinaMarie Dattilo (she/her)

My doctoral program at La Salle university had CBT as a specialty. i also able to work with Dr. Jeremy Safran of New School for Social Research (Full Professor), and Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center (Senior Research Scientist) at his clinic in the medical center.

I have been incorporating a solution focused approach to my therapy since working as a family preservation worker in 2000. I have also use a solution focused genogram in helping individuals see some of the positive aspects of their family constellation. This is particularly helpful when looking for support or trying to find strategies that have been effective in the past in the individual's life.

I have training in development and attachment theory and my dissertation was on the role of attachment style and clinician self efficacy and empathy. I have also received training in Theraplay. As an adoptee and adoptive parent, i draw heavily from attachment theory in my own life and am particularly drawn to the work of John Bowlby. Attachment theory impact social psychology, evolutionary psychology and clinical psychology.

Many adoptees feel the need to talk about their emotions and thoughts surrounding their adoption story, it is normal. I provide support & strategies that are specific to adoptees as they explore what adoption means to them. Some adoptees experience complex developmental trauma & need therapy that can create safety to calm the hyper-reactive fight, flight or freeze response. I am particularly skilled at practical strategies they can use daily. I am also an adoptee & adoptive mom.

People who have anxiety or are prone to worry need useful tools they can use daily. Many interventions that have been shown to be effective for treating anxiety, however, what will work for someone is based on their life circumstances, their skills, their strengths. Knowing which interventions are likely to be most effective is where the art of therapy comes in. Open honest communication will help us develop practical strategies you can use every day.

In addition to my experience as a parent, I provide parents with consultation & behavior management training. Behavior management training is more than developing a chore chart or time out chair. It is helping a child do more of the positive things they already do & less unsafe, disrespectful and irresponsible behaviors. Most parents have heard of time out but what about time in! In addition to helping parents I also have more than 10 years experience helping school with behavior management .

Anger like all emotions is not good or bad. The way we manage anger can have a negative or positive outcome. A person who regulates their an can use it positively to be more assertive. Some individuals ignore their feelings of anger & that may result in health issues, & running the risk of having the anger blow up in unpleasant ways. Anger unregulated can lead to aggression, stress, it can interfere with your relationships. I help others more effectively manage their anger and others emotions.

Emotions like anger are not good or bad, the way we choose to manage them can however have a positive or negative outcome. Emotional regulation can help someone channel anger so that they are more assertive. Lack of regulation can lead to aggression and impact your relationship with the people around you.

Emotions like anger are not good or bad, the way we choose to manage them can however have a positive or negative outcome. Emotional regulation can help someone channel anger so that they are more assertive. Lack of regulation can lead to aggression & impact your relationship with the people around you. Bottling up emotions can lead to physical health issues. I help individuals manage anger & other emotions more effectively.