Michael Stark, Ph.D.

Dr. Michael Stark is in full-time independent practice since 1995. Formerly: Chief psychologist, Brooklyn Center for Families in Crisis; Psychology instructor, NY Methodist Hospital; Adjunct supervisor in doctoral programs, CUNY and Pace University.

About my practice: I have a general practice in psychotherapy with a diverse range of adults and children. Effective therapy is part art and part science, and I take both parts seriously. While keeping current on research findings, I base treatment on each person's goals and personality. Therapy is complex, and cookbook approaches are rarely adequate. An effective treatment should feel comfortable and even enjoyable, while also making a person conscious of factors usually in the background of their daily experience. Although insight is important, change usually happens when sessions are emotionally engaging and stimulate new ways of acting and feeling. My work with children and adolescents is similarly intended to feel both supportive and challenging. Play and humor can contribute greatly to therapy with children and teens. The most common need of children entering psychotherapy, regardless of any diagnosis, is increased flexibility in their responses to family and school life. This requires greater capacity to think, to reflect, and to tolerate anxiety. A strong therapy relationship should help someone, whether child or adult, develop skills in overcoming their own fears and self-defeating habits.

Contact me: 212-741-8874; irastar1@gmail.com

Education and Training:

A.B., Honors in Philosophy, Princeton University

M.A., Philosophy, University of Toronto

Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, City University of New York

Certificate, New York University Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis

Internship, St. Luke's Hospital, NYC