Dr. Samantha Suarino is a New York transplant who received her Bachelors of Art in Psychology from Stony Brook University as well as a Master’s of Science in Educational Psychology and a Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D) in School Psychology from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany. Throughout her training, Dr. Suarino has worked in schools, residential programs, residential treatment centers, and family homes. Across settings, she has conducted educational, psychological, and functional behavior assessments and provided treatment based on the results of these evaluations. Treatment is based on individual needs that account for the environment and range from academic interventions, behavior intervention plans, and therapeutic interventions such as individual, group, or family counseling.
Dr. Suarino’s work at the Center for Disability Services in New York afforded her the opportunity to work with adults and children with disabilities.  Children as young as four years old with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities may benefit from behavioral interventions in the home. Dr. Suarino has collaborated with parents to successfully provide these strategies in order to reduce caregiver stress and support the complex needs of children with behavioral issues.
Dr. Suarino currently works full time as a school psychologist and therefore possesses a unique understanding of the strengths and challenges of children with disabilities. She also provides support for a diverse population of children that do not meet clinical criteria, but require support in skill-building to reach optimal functioning in and outside of school. At Abrams Psychological Services, Dr. Suarino is available to provide individual and group counselling to children and adolescents to address a variety of issues including symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma, and post-traumatic stress. She also offers family therapy services, and as a new member of the A.P.S. team, hopes to establish support groups for parents and family members of individuals with disabilities through community outreach. She uses a cognitive-based approach but individualizes treatment to meet the needs of clients in a culturally sensitive and developmentally appropriate way