Yael Shayne

Psychotherapist

About Me

I have over 25 years’ experience working with children, adolescents and adults in individual, couples, and family therapy. Psychotherapy is a process that works well when the connection between the therapist and the client is open and strong. That connection is the most important aspect of therapy. While I have training and experience in many different modalities, it is the connections that I make with my clients that move the therapy forward. I work with individuals who are looking for someone to guide them through some of life’s challenging spaces and help them in building the skills to navigate them on their own.
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, I attended the Hunter College School of Social Work where I received my Masters in Social Work (with honors). I continued my post graduate education and obtained a certificate from IPTAR, the Institute for Psychoanalytic Training and Research in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy. I continue to train in different modalities since not all clients respond to one kind of therapy. Currently, I have certifications in Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Safe and Sound Protocol, Positive Psychology and additional training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention, Sensory Motor Psychotherapy, Somatic Intervention, Sand Tray and Play Therapy. I am also a certified Kripalu Yoga Instructor.

My Work

I work with people of all ages who are moving through life adjusting to many different issues including Anxiety, Depression, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Developmental and Attachment Traumas, and Sexual Abuse. I help guide people through life’s challenges by offering support and aiding in letting go of the habits that no longer serve them. At the same time, we work to create new habits that support a deeper, more engaged connection to life. Understanding how past experiences influence and affect present day functioning is a key component in the therapeutic process, opening up and enabling change to happen. Helping people cultivate Mindfulness is an important aspect of my work and it is an integral thread that links all the various treatment modalities I practice.

My work with children and families is focused on improving communication and strengthening the parent-child relationship. I guide parents to really listen to what their children are telling them so they can understand what it is that their children need from them. I help children to reduce stress and practice mindfulness through playful exercises that stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system (the rest and digest system) to help them manage and control their anxiety and stressors.

I provide clinical supervision to social workers and certified school counselors and am available for case consultations for both parents and schools.

Treatment Modalities

My work is influenced by the following evidenced-based practices:

Insight-oriented Psychotherapy

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy




Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Positive Psychology

Somatic-based Interventions for Emotional Regulation and Trauma

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
Somatic Intervention
Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)

Expressive
Psychotherapies

Play Therapy
SandTray
Drawing, Coloring and Painting
Music
Journaling


My Specialities


Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)
The Safe and Sound Protocol is an acoustic intervention designed to help regulate the autonomic nervous system. Based on Dr. Stephen Porges’s Polyvagal Theory, the SSP is a listening program that targets and strenghtens the social engagement system and emotional and behavioral regulation. read more

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavior Therapy is a therapeutic approach developed independently by Dr. Aaron Beck and Dr. Albert Ellis. CBT recognizes that thoughts influence emotions and emotions influence behaviors and if you can change your thoughts, you can change your behaviors. read more

Positive Psychology
Positive Psychology was developed in the late 20th century by Dr. Martin Seligman who was inclined to view the field of Psychology through the lens of mental health as opposed to mental illness. Dr. Seligman posited we should be spending more time on understanding what makes and keeps people mentally healthy and introduced terms like resilience and learned optimism. read more

Psychodynamic and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy
Psychodynamic and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy is a modern-day outgrowth of psychoanalysis, which is an in depth look at patterns of past behaviors, thoughts, and emotions that influence present functioning. The psychodynamic psychotherapist helps the client look at these past experiences and explore how they affect present functioning. read more

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy is a kind of psychotherapy, pioneered by Dr. Marsha Linehan, that addresses extreme behaviors and emotions through a series of behavior analyses and skills-based training and by using mindfulness to improve interpersonal relationships and communications. Dr. Linehan promotes the idea of acceptance then change. read more

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is a form of therapy that is very well suited to those who have experienced trauma. Through bi-lateral stimulation of the brain either through eye movements following fingers or a light bar or tapping opposite sides of the body, the client is able to reprocess traumatic memories so the autonomic nervous systems’ reactions to the old memories are no longer active and reactive. EMDR works well for those suffering from PTSD and other traumas. read more

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
Exposure and Response Prevention therapy is a form of Behavior Therapy that helps people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. ERP exposes people to their obsessive thoughts and then helps them manage their distress when they are prevented from responding with their compulsive behaviors. When someone is helped to prevent their compulsive responses, it can help them break the chain of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. read more

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is a somatic based psychotherapy that works with the body as both a source of information and a target for intervention. Developed by Dr. Pat Ogden, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy helps clients to regulate their nervous system by addressing the physical and emotional effects of past experience on the mind and body. read more

Mindfulness Meditation
As a certified yoga instructor, I have been using mindfulness in my practice for a number of years. Mindfulness and present moment awareness are critical aspects of dealing with anxiety and is a perfect partner for those clients looking for Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Positive Psychology. read more

Sand Tray
Sand tray is an intervention that is appropriate for both children and adults. Sand tray is an expressive therapy where clients can use sand and miniatures to create worlds to help express their inner conflicts and aspects that they are struggling with. read more

Somatic Intervention
Somatic Intervention is a form of Somatic Therapy (body focused therapy) that deals with the body and emotions and the connections between them and the brain. The stored memories and experiences cause stress reactions in the body and the somatic intervention helps to interrupt the old patterns and empower the body, mind, emotions and memories to peacefully co-exist.

Play Therapy
The language of childhood is play. Play Therapy engages the child through their own language. Using the therapeutic powers of play, children can work through the stressors, anxieties and challenges of childhood. read more

Contact Me

Please fill in the contact form and I will respond as soon as possible.