Stacy Donarumma, LCSW

Kids and teens are people, too.

Kids and Teens all have their perception about what is going on around them and how they fit in. Does this sound familiar?

“Nobody understands me… why can’t I have things my way? You are so controlling… nobody hears what I need… my friends and family are so annoying.”

And as a parent you may be saying, “My kids don’t listen to me… we are always arguing… why do they have to have such an attitude… will we ever see eye to eye?”

Recognizing strengths is very important in life.

As a big kid (well, in my mind anyhow), I have the uncanny ability to understand what is going on in their brains!

I am approachable, fun, and able to get past all of the walls that kids put up or hide behind. We work on their strengths to help them feel better about themselves. I offer loving guidance and work on the child’s coping skills with family, friends, and life!

My diverse background and training serve me well as a therapist.

I went to school at Molloy College in Rockville Centre, where I earned a Bachelor’s in Social Work. I then went on to receive my Master’s degree in Social Work from Fordham University in Manhattan.

I have been working with youth for the past 18 years and have made it my life’s work to educate myself to continue to meet the needs of the kids that I work with.

Trauma-informed care has been a large focus of my training. I wanted to understand how trauma affects youth and how to work to move them past the trauma.

I received my certification in SPARC (Structured Psychotherapy for Adolescents Responding to Chronic Stress). SPARC is a 16-week psychoeducational program aimed at working with youth to help them learn mindfulness, relaxation, and positive coping skills to deal with life stressors. I am also certified in TCI (Therapeutic Crisis Intervention), which teaches techniques in working with youth when they become destabilized due to trauma.

Give us fun facts about you…

In my free time, I sing and had aspirations of being an actress! This experience has been helpful in my career to help me work with youth in sometimes uncomfortable situations. It allows me to help youth relax and step outside themselves to work on their issues.