Stephanie Nova Fields, Ph.D.

Bio

I help parents help their children manage their emotions and behavior so that the child thrives and the family enjoys their time together.

Training & Modalities Used

My degree is in Clinical Developmental Psychology and my training is all with children.  I have been doing therapy with children and their families since 2003.  I am also a Certified School Psychologist and am able to consult with schools when children have issues there.

I know how important it is for parents to see improvements in your child’s functioning so that you can feel confident that you are on the right path together. I also know that parents are the most powerful agents of change for children.  Our work will primarily focus on what parents can do at home to support the healthy changes they are looking for in their child.

I primarily work with families who have concerns about their 3-11 year old child.  My first meeting is with parents only, in order to get a full picture of their concerns. In the next meeting, I will meet the child of focus and the other children living at home.   I require both parents in intact families to participate in all sessions, and I have weekday evening hours to accommodate them. Different arrangements are available for parents living apart.

Our work starts right away. Parents leave the first session with action steps to take at home.  We review the ‘homework’ during the next session and problem-solve any issues that come up.  Families get ‘homework’ for every session.  We generally schedule sessions two weeks apart so that families have time to implement and practice the assigned tasks.

One benefit of working with the entire family is that some action steps at home will apply to all of the children in the family.  The needs of siblings are taken into account, and they will also benefit from changes made.

My therapeutic modality is primarily Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).  My therapy work is also informed by my deep understanding of child development, family systems, and learning and behavior.

All of my therapy is virtual.  Much flexibility is afforded to children who do not prefer to interact on screen. Parents see excellent progress even when children are not cooperative in virtual sessions.  My focus is not on how well your child does in the therapy session, but rather on improvements in your areas of concern during your everyday life.

Education

Haverford College, BA; Bryn Mawr College, MA; Bryn Mawr College, PhD; Licensed Psychologist, Certified School Psychologist