Paul Sunseri, Psy.D.
Licensed Child and Family Psychologist
(PSY 25191)
For 40-plus years, I've treated over a thousand children, teens, and families navigating severe emotional and behavioral dysregulation — including autism spectrum disorder, demand-avoidant behavior patterns (PDA), oppositional-defiant disorder, ADHD, severe anxiety, school avoidance, and self-harm.
I know how exhausting and isolating this can feel for parents, and how much conflicting advice is out there.
I am an expert in treating severe emotional and behavioral dysregulation. I developed Intensive Family-Focused Therapy (IFFT) to give families an effective, supportive path forward, and I track real progress along the way using established measurement tools, not just relying on anecdotes or testimonials.
I've written two books for parents on oppositional and demand-avoidant behavior, contribute regularly to Psychology Today, and I'm a TEDx speaker talking about protecting kids' mental health. My goal is always to give families honest, practical guidance grounded in science and real clinical experience that gets at the true underlying issues behind a child's struggles.
If you're navigating this with your child right now, you don't have to figure it out alone — I'd welcome the chance to talk with you and help your family.
Reversing the Childhood Mental Health Epidemic Together
Dr. Sunseri believes that reversing the childhood mental health epidemic will require a focus on more promising “upstream” prevention strategies that tackle the root causes of the epidemic. He describes what he refers to as the Childhood Mental Health Triad, the three leading areas of social and psychological influence that are responsible for the erosion of our children’s emotional well-being. These three areas can be very effectively mitigated by families by following some clear action steps.
NEW BOOK RELEASE!
Dr. Paul Sunseri
Gentle Parenting Reimagined:
How to Make it Work
with Oppositional and
Defiant Kids
Do you feel like it’s a constant battle to get your child or teen to do even the smallest things? Despite all of the parenting advice you’ve been given, nothing has worked. Maybe you like the idea of Gentle Parenting but how, exactly, can a parent stay gentle in the face of daily disrespect and demand avoidance? Gentle Parenting Reimagined offers evidence-based solutions for families stuck at a crossroads.
Dr. Paul Sunseri
Family-Focused Treatment for Child and Adolescent Mental Health
A New Paradigm
Paul has been a featured speaker at several mental health conferences and on podcasts. He also conducted a TEDxFonddulac talk titled "How Families Can Support a Child's Mental Health," where he shared his thoughts and work on the importance of family therapy and its essential role in treating children's mental illness. His work is based on his Hidden Figures study, highlighting the link between childhood depression, anxiety, suicidality, and family functioning – i.e., how well a family communicates, solves problems, interacts peacefully, and stays connected.
Paul's TEDx video will make you think differently about parenting, mental health, and communication.
Watch as Dr. Paul Sunseri speaks at the 2023 National Conference for the Advancement of Family Therapies. He argues that the scientific data leads us to conclude that family-based treatments are more effective than treatments delivered to the individual child (e.g., individual therapy). The solution to the current childhood mental health crisis lies in a strategic collaboration between therapists, parents, and the community with family therapy playing a vital role.
Conference
Shifting the Paradigm
New Horizons Child and Family Institute is the founder and host of the National Conference for the Advancement of Family Therapies which brings together the most prestigious family therapy thought leaders in the world. Sessions and panel discussion inspire attendees as they discuss state-of-the-art family-based treatment approaches and interventions for children and adolescents.
