B.E.S.T. PARENT Discussion GROUP

FOR PARENTS OF middle school-aged GIFTED & neurodivergent CHILDREN

Raising bright, gifted, and neurodivergent children through pre- and early-adolescence can be frustrating, confusing, and downright difficult. Parents face an array of challenges, from addressing reactive behavior and managing screen time to battling over schoolwork, worrying about their child’s social life, or struggling to understand their child’s changing gender identity, among other things.  

Held at the Sea Cliff office of practice, this in-person group will provide parents with a comprehensive toolbox to build confidence, strengthen parenting skills, and reduce feelings of isolation by engaging in open and supportive conversations about the challenges of raising their unique children. Facilitated by Maratea Cantarella, LMSW, the group will use the practice’s B.E.S.T model for building healthy relationships as a tool for understanding and resolving difficult parent-child interactions, focusing on recognizing and actively working on each of four critical areas of relationship-building: Boundaries, Effective Communication, Seeing the Person in Front of You, and Taking a Break.

Participation in this group is limited to 6-8 participants. The facilitator will introduce a new topic of discussion at each session.  

Maratea Cantarella, LMSW, is a social worker providing clinical and parent coaching services through the clinical practice of Melissa Sornik, LCSW PLLC. She is passionate about working with parents of gifted, neurodivergent, twice-exceptional, and LGBTQIA+ children and adolescents. Mara graduated with honors from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, CUNY, in 2022. She is also the parent of two young adults who are gifted and twice exceptional.  

the details

Dates & Time: Meets every other Wednesday: Starting, January 22, 2025. 7:30 – 9:pm

Location: In person at the office of Melissa Sornik, LCSW PLLC, 268 Sea Cliff Avenue, Sea Cliff, NY

Facilitator: Maratea Cantarella, LMSW

Additional Information: Light refreshments will be served

Cost: $300 per person for the 6-week series.

NOTE:

Please contact Maratea Cantarella for additional information and to register for this group.

Your registration fee will appear on your credit card statement as DiscoverTDC, a program of Melissa Sornik, LCSW PLLC.