Business Details
Your Trusted Family Therapist in New York, NY
Kathryn Smerling, Ph. D., LCSW is a leading Upper East Side family therapy professional who has dedicated her career to helping individuals, couples, and families build healthier relationships through connection, communication, and community. With decades of experience in psychotherapy, she emphasizes proactive mental health care, encouraging clients to seek therapy before crises arise to develop self-awareness and resilience. Her approach balances academic expertise with practical application, tailoring sessions to meet clients' unique needs while maintaining a focus on real-world outcomes. Dr. Smerling's practice integrates her background as a former nursery school teacher, her work with families navigating autism, and her specialization in divorce-related therapy. She actively contributes to professional organizations like the Ackerman Institute for the Family and the National Association of Social Workers.Her Upper East Side office provides a welcoming environment for collaborative treatment, reflecting her commitment to creating calm, supportive spaces for personal growth. Dr. Smerling's philosophy emphasizes lifelong learning, evidenced by her ongoing accreditation in emotionally focused therapy and studies in neurobiology. She extends her expertise through media contributions to CNN, Fox News, and print publications, while maintaining clinical instructor roles at Mount Sinai Hospital and Fordham University. Client testimonials consistently highlight her compassionate approach, noting her ability to create lasting positive change without judgment. The practice's foundation rests on the belief that therapy should be accessible and beneficial at any life stage, whether addressing immediate crises or pursuing long-term personal development.
Services
One on One Therapy
Couples Counseling
Family Therapy
Parenting Coordination
Child Therapy
Divorce Therapy
Highlights and features
- 20+ years of specialized experience in family systems therapy
- Customized treatment blending academic expertise with practical solutions
- Recognized authority in divorce-related family therapy
- Active contributor to mental health education at Mount Sinai Hospital
- Proven success helping clients achieve measurable emotional growth
Associations and certifications
- National Association of Social Workers
- Ackerman Institute for the Family
What people say
Kindest, most compassionate doctor
Steady presence in my life
Helped develop my sense of self
Positive personal growth achieved
Created lasting therapeutic relationships
Services
One on One Therapy
Personalized psychotherapy sessions address mental health challenges through evidence-based techniques. Our approach combines cognitive-behavioral strategies with psychodynamic principles to help clients manage anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Sessions focus on developing self-awareness and practical coping mechanisms for lasting personal growth.
Couples Counseling
Specialized therapy for couples navigating relationship challenges. We employ emotionally focused techniques to improve communication patterns and rebuild trust. Sessions address conflict resolution, intimacy issues, and long-term relationship maintenance through neuroscience-informed practices.
Family Therapy
Comprehensive treatment addressing family dynamics and intergenerational patterns. Our systemic approach helps families navigate major life transitions, including divorce and autism-related challenges. Sessions focus on improving communication and establishing healthier relational boundaries.
Parenting Coordination
Structured guidance for separated parents managing child-related decisions. This service focuses on reducing conflict while prioritizing children's emotional needs. We help establish effective communication frameworks and dispute resolution strategies.
Divorce Therapy
Specialized support through the emotional stages of divorce. Our approach addresses grief management, co-parenting adjustments, and future planning. Sessions help clients navigate identity transitions while maintaining focus on children's well-being.
People
Kathryn Smerling, Ph. D., LCSW
Psychotherapist & Clinical Instructor
Dr. Smerling specializes in family systems therapy with 20+ years of clinical experience. She holds a Ph.D. from Fordham University and serves as a clinical instructor at Mount Sinai Hospital. Her expertise includes divorce mediation and autism-related family dynamics.
Questions
What types of therapy do you offer?
We provide individual therapy, couples counseling, family therapy, parenting coordination, child therapy, and divorce-related counseling services.
How can therapy help my relationship?
Couples therapy improves communication patterns, rebuilds trust, and addresses conflict resolution through evidence-based techniques tailored to your relationship's unique needs.
Do you work with families facing special challenges?
Yes, we specialize in supporting families with autism-related challenges and those navigating major life transitions like divorce or separation.
What is parenting coordination?
Parenting coordination helps separated parents make child-focused decisions while reducing conflict through structured mediation and communication strategies.
How long does therapy typically last?
Treatment duration varies based on individual needs - some clients benefit from short-term crisis intervention while others engage in longer-term personal development work.
