Our Team

Carly Mayer, PsyD

Director of Clinical Services
I am a clinical child psychologist specializing in the treatment of disruptive behavior, anxiety, and selective mutism. As a co-founder of Growing Minds Psychology, I wanted to create a warm, trusting environment in which our families feel both supported and challenged to reach outside of their comfort zones. I use a hands-on, action-oriented approach to help children and families identify their most important goals and find the route to reach those goals, step-by-step. I believe wholeheartedly in the value of honest communication and transparency to help each family face difficulties, together. With my expertise in child development and behavior and your knowledge of your own child, we can work together to best meet your needs. Through short-term, goal-focused treatment, I am dedicated to helping your family make real and lasting changes.

I have received extensive training in evidence-based assessment and treatment of both internalizing and externalizing disorders in childhood. Within supportive, trusting relationships, we can help children to both face their fears and do what they need to do, despite wanting otherwise. My training as both a school and clinical psychologist has helped me to effectively bring together the most important areas of a child’s life to support the entire child. I collaborate closely with parents and schools to be an ongoing resource for both and have extensive experience training teachers on how to make classrooms more effective spaces for learning.

In my free time, I enjoy walks in Central Park with friends and family, skiing, Pilates, and lazy days in front of the tv with my husband, and therapy dog, Remi.

Experience

Staff Psychologist & Director of Mighty Mouth Kids Camp, Kurtz Psychology Consulting, PC
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy Within-Agency Trainer & Certified Therapist
PCIT-SM (PCIT for Selective Mutism) Within-Agency Trainer & Certified Therapist
Post-Doctoral Fellow, Kurtz Psychology Consulting, PC
Clinical Internship, Scarsdale Middle School

Education

PsyD, School Psychology, St. John’s University
BA, Psychology, University of Michigan

Matthew Pagirsky, PsyD

Director of Neuropsychology & Training
I am a pediatric neuropsychologist specializing in the evaluation of children, adolescents, and young adults with learning differences and school-related difficulties. As part of the evaluation process, I value working closely with families to ensure they feel listened to and supported from our first meeting together. I also believe that the evaluation is just the initial step in the journey towards helping your child educationally. After the report is completed, I will continue to be here as a touchstone to provide ongoing treatment and educational consultation and advocacy for you and your child. My recommendations are not only individualized for your child’s needs, but also grounded in evidence-based principles. Furthermore, as a school practitioner, I recognize the importance of implementing practical and realistic supports within your child’s school.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I firmly believe that it is just as important to identify and showcase a child’s strengths, in addition to providing support for their areas of weakness and growth.

As a co-founder of Growing Minds Psychology, I am committed to growing the minds of every child and family with whom I work through education, warmth, nurturance, and understanding.

Besides psychology, I love spending time with my wife and our dog, finding new music, reading historical fiction, and running through Central Park.

Experience

Adjunct Clinical Supervisor, Yeshiva University
Director of Training & Education and Senior Upper School Psychologist, The Quad Preparatory School
Clinical Neuropsychologist, Child Mind Institute
Adjunct Professor, School Psychology, St. John’s University, CUNY Queens College
Neuropsychology Trainee, Lenox Hill Hospital, NYU Langone Medical Center, Mount Sinai Hospital

Education

PsyD, School Psychology, St. John’s University
MA, General Psychology, CUNY Queens College
BA, Psychology & Journalism, SUNY Albany

Certifications

National Register Health Service Psychologist (HSP)

Dylan Lawson, MA, MHC-LP

Clinical Therapist

I am a mental health counselor experienced in working with adolescents, tweens, and young adults. I specialize in treatment for anxiety, depression, fluctuating mood, low self-esteem, ADHD, 2e (twice exceptional)/gifted individuals, and social challenges. I value privacy and positive regard as my top priorities, creating a safe space to communicate, free of judgement. I believe in respect and patience, and I embrace each person as an individual. I bring a lighthearted quality to my work with a playful sense of humor. I utilize evidence-based approaches in individual treatment and parent training sessions, incorporating CBT and DBT principles into interventions.

Since before graduating from New York University with a Masters in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness, I have spent my time accumulating a wealth of experience working with adolescents, adults, and children in individual, group, educational, and family settings.

During my leisure time I play saxophone and guitar, snowboard, hike, mountain bike, skateboard, rollerblade, play video games, and cuddle with my adorable cats.

Experience

Mental Health Counselor, Intuitive Healing Psychotherapy NYC
Mental Health Counseling Intern, Interactive Discovery LLC
Founding Psychosocial Supervisor, The Quad Preparatory School

Education

MA, Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness, New York University
BA, Psychology, Roger Williams University

Abi Martel, MA, EdM

Clinical Therapist

I am a clinical child and adolescent therapist specializing in the treatment of both internalizing and externalizing disorders. I am passionate about providing evidence-based treatment to children, adolescents and families. I believe that intervention is not one-size-fits-all and that you know your child best. I use a collaborative approach, working closely alongside caregivers and schools, to identify the best matched treatment plan for you and your child. Through a warm and playful environment, I am committed to establishing a connection with the children and families I work with in order to best support each family’s needs.

My commitment to providing my families with the best evidence-based treatment has led me to continue to grow my specialization in child psychology. I’ve obtained my masters degree in Counseling Psychology and I am currently pursuing my doctorate at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology in Combined School-Clinical Child Psychology.

My unique expertise as a practicing therapist and a psychologist in-training contributes to my effective evaluation and intervention and holistic understanding of your child and their individual needs.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, yoga, and exploring New York City.

Experience

Clinical Psychology Extern, Milestones Psychology
Mighty Mouth Counselor, Kurtz Psychology Consulting, PC

Education

MA, EdM, Counseling Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University
BS, Child Psychology, University of Minnesota

Kate Bartolotta, BA

Clinical Extern

I am a clinical extern at Growing Minds Psychology providing both treatment and neuropsychology services. I am passionate about providing evidence-based services to children, adolescents and their families. Whether it's providing assessment services or evidence-based therapeutic interventions, I am committed to understanding families and their children within their own socio-cultural context. Knowing that each parent is the expert of their child, I incorporate my expertise and work collaboratively with parents to enhance treatment outcomes. These values have led me to obtain my PhD in school psychology, a discipline that enables me to become well-versed in child psychology, familial dynamics and evidence-based care. Currently, I am a third year PhD student at Fordham University with a specialization in therapeutic interventions.

In my free time I enjoy riding my bike, painting, yoga, and spending time with family and friends.

Experience

Pediatric Neuropsychology Extern, NYU
Clinical Practicum Student, Reece School

Education

BA, Psychology, Stony Brook University
Doctoral Candidate, Fordham University

Francine Shamosh, BS

Clinical Extern

I am a clinical extern at Growing Minds Psychology providing both treatment and neuropsychology services. I am passionate about looking at a child’s whole experience within the context of their own unique strengths and needs. I aim to bring integrative information into evaluation and treatment services, in order to best support the needs of each child, family, and environment. I value collaboration and open communication with your child, caregivers/family, school, and other related services in order to establish a relationship of trust, support, and positive progress.

As a school-clinical child psychologist doctoral candidate at Ferkauf graduate school of psychology, I have training in both school and clinical psychology. These experiences enable me to understand the immense importance of working closely with a child’s entire team. I value a holistic approach, considering each child’s environment alongside evidence-based treatment modalities. My interests lie in attachment patterns and how children's interactions with others affect their developmental outcomes.

When I am not in classes or at work, I enjoy walking the streets of Manhattan- discovering local stores and cafes, going to concerts, being creative in the kitchen and experimenting with new recipes, and journaling.

Experience

School Psychology Extern, Cooke School and Institute
Clinical Practicum Student, Parnes Clinic at Yeshiva University

Education

BS, Psychology, New York University
Doctoral Candidate, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University

Katie Bernstein, BS

Administrative Assistant
I am the first point of contact for most families, helping to coordinate scheduling and connecting you with the right clinician. I believe in supportive collaboration from the start of the treatment or evaluation process. My passion for working with children began at summer camp and continues to grow as I have had opportunities to help support the education and learning of students with learning challenges. My upbeat and empathetic approach allows me to connect with kids in the office, while supporting families through getting started with services.

In my free time, I love spending time with children and work as a camp counselor, tutor, and mentor. I also love to be active and catch up with family and friends.

Experience