Psychotherapy with Neurodivergent Individuals: A Developmental and Relational Approach to Parent-Child Work
2 CE Hours available for
NY Practitioners – LCSWs, LMSWs, LPs, LMFTs, LMHCs, LCATs, PHDs, PSYDs
As diagnoses and awareness of neurodivergence (including ASD, ADHD, etc.) have rapidly grown over the years, many psychotherapists wonder how to address neurodivergent clients’ unique needs in psychotherapy. The DIRFloortime® model and related strategies, developed by Stanley Greenspan, MD and Serena Wieder, PhD, are well-suited for addressing developmental differences, emotional regulation, reflective thinking, and self-advocacy in a strengths-based, developmentally-informed, and relationship-based manner. Through didactic and video case presentation and discussion, participants will learn the foundations of this person-centered, neuroaffirming model and how to apply to children (with their parents) and adults with a range of developmental capacities.
Dr. Lauren Tobing-Puente is a licensed psychologist who earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology, with a specialization in child and family therapy, from Fordham University. She leads a team of mental health clinicians at her private practice, Connected Growth & Wellbeing, in NYC which provides evaluations and intervention for individuals, from toddlerhood to adulthood, and their families, as well as professional consultations and training, and parent workshops. Dr. Tobing-Puente is the former Clinical Coordinator of a large nonpublic school where she supervised a multidisciplinary team of mental health clinicians, and evaluated and provided psychotherapy to students through age 21 using the DIRFloortime(R) methodology. Her diverse experience includes many years working in home-based and center-based Early Intervention, independent preschool and elementary school, Head Start, and hospital settings for children with various developmental needs. Dr. Tobing-Puente was a long-time board member of the NY Metro chapter of the National Autism Association (NAA).
New York and Connecticut mental health professionals, join us to meet our program directors and ask questions of current candidates, graduates, and faculty.
Our Couples Therapy Training Program is a one-year program which teaches both basic and advanced couples therapy techniques and theory with a combination of psychoanalytic and systems perspectives. Candidates are introduced to several different theoretical approaches including object relations and relational theory, self psychology, Bowenian theory and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with emphasis on the clinical work with couples. We also discuss issues pertaining to LGBTQ relationships, divorce, cross cultural relationships, and substance abuse. In addition to the didactic instruction, weekly supervision is provided by senior faculty for cases seen through our Psychotherapy Service.
The Couples Therapy Training Program provides a solid introduction to couples work and provides an opportunity to join the warm, supportive community at our institute, build your referral network, and be exposed to the many and varied learning opportunities provided at WCSPP.
Who is eligible and should apply?
Applicants must be NY or CT licensed Masters or Doctoral-level mental health professionals:
MD, PhD, PsyD, LCSW, NP, LMSW, LCAT, LMHC, LMFT and LP
Financial Aid is available for those who qualify.
The Rosalind Cohen Scholarship fund will award one fully paid scholarship for course work and supervision to a qualified applicant of WCSPP’s Couples Therapy Training Program.
CE hours available for some coursework for eligible NYS LCSW, LMSW, LMFT, LMHC,LCAT, LP and NYS Psychologists and CT Social Workers through NASW CT.
Timeline:
Rolling admissions with decisions made by July 30, 2026
Program begins September 2026
We will continue to be on Zoom for the 2026-2027 year.
Mental health professionals, join us to meet our program directors and ask questions of current candidates, graduates, and faculty.
Learn about our extensive training opportunities for Fall 2026 in: Child, Adolescent, Parent Psychotherapy
Our program weaves together the study of individual child & adolescent, and parent development through understanding the impact of psychological histories, relational patterns, intergenerational effects, and changing social contexts and constructs. Training is based on a psychodynamic, relational orientation to change, integrating parent guidance and advice as needed.
We welcome all mental health practitioners, whether your work is exclusive to children & adolescents, primarily serves adults or some combination. We never forget that there is, after all, a child’s history within each adult and the challenge of growing within every child, adult, and parent.
Who is eligible and should apply?
Applicants must be licensed Masters or Doctoral-level mental health professionals:
MD, PhD, PsyD, LCSW, NP, LMSW, LCAT, LMHC, LMFT and LP
Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.
CE hours available for some coursework for eligible NYS LCSW, LMSW, LMFT, LMHC,LCAT, LP and NYS Psychologists and CT Social Workers through NASW CT.
Timeline:
Rolling admissions with decisions made by July 30, 2026
Program begins September 2026
We will continue to be on Zoom for the 2026-2027 year.
*Advanced Psychoanalysis
*Foundations of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
New York and Connecticut mental health professionals, join us to meet our program directors and ask questions of current candidates, graduates, and faculty.
Hear candidates discuss the transformational impact of training: deepening their work in agency settings and building/growing their private practices with the help of our collegial referral network.
WCSPP PLANS TO OFFER ONLINE LEARNING
FOR THE 2026-2027 ACADEMIC YEAR.
CE credits will be offered for the coursework.
Financial assistance is available to those who qualify.
Who is eligible and should apply?
Applicants must be NY or CT licensed Masters or Doctoral-level mental health professionals: MD, PhD, PsyD, LCSW, NP, LMSW, LCAT, LMHC, LMFT
Join our Supervisory Training Program for the 2026-2027 academic year!
Program Highlights:
One-year certificate program
Provide direct supervision to psychoanalytic candidates or graduates
Receive weekly supervision from a senior faculty member
Once-weekly classes via zoom on a trimester basis
Program Benefits:
Learn some benefits of joining this highly regarded program from graduates and instructors of the program such as:
Professional Development: Continuous learning and skill refinement
Mentorship: Guide and mentor emerging analysts
Deepening Understanding: Delve deeper into theory and practice
Joining a Warm Community: Where we welcome WCSPP graduates as well as those from other psychoanalytic institutes to learn in a collegial atmosphere.