Kathleen M. Cuneo, Ph.D.

“The key to successful parenting is not found in complex theories, elaborate family rules, or convoluted formulas for behavior.
It is based on your deepest feelings of love and affection for
your child and is demonstrated simply through empathy and understanding.” John Gottman, Ph.D.

PHILOSOPHY

For many, parenting is the most important and meaningful role they will experience. When we are entrusted with nurturing the growth and development of our own individual child, we have an impact on not only on our own child but also on the community in which we live.

Perhaps unexpectedly, parenting is also an opportunity for personal growth for parents. We may have thought we had lots figured out in our lives before we got to this point. We may have succeeded academically, in business, or in other leadership roles. But WHAM!, then here we are with this little being, and we are amazed at their power to make us feel so overwhelmed and confused. We are not feeling like the leaders in life that we are used to being.

There is a way to feel more confident and less overwhelmed.

Dr. Cuneo’s empowered parenting coaching work can help you gain knowledge and expertise in the areas of self-understanding, understanding your child, and effective communication techniques. While considering parents' past experiences of being parented as important contributors to their current approach parenting, Dr. Cuneo maintains a “here and now” solution based focus. Each child and each family is unique. There is no “one way” that will work for everyone. When you step into the empowered parenting program you will experience a safe space to explore and find your way.

By giving yourself the opportunity to learn effective parenting strategies and "getting it right" from the start, you can prevent a lot of grief, heartache, and potentially expensive interventions down the road. While it's possible to learn and change at any age, setting a positive foundation in the early years is irreplaceable. Not only are significant brain connections being formed, but children learn from their first relationships how to be in a relationship. Empowering yourself as a parent empowers not only you but also your children.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Dr. Cuneo's training and professional experience has focused on the healthy development of children and families and overcoming risks and challenges to development. She earned her doctoral degree in Applied Developmental Psychology from Fordham University. She also has postgraduate training in working with infants, toddlers, and parents. She has worked with children and families for the past two decades in a variety of settings, including a primary health care center in the South Bronx, home- and community-based early intervention and preschool special education programs, center-based preschool special education programs, and private practice in Rockland County, New York. She has also taught psychology classes at the college level and has been involved in several research projects. She is a licensed psychologist in the state of New York.

Dr. Kathleen M. Cuneo