Gene Gardino is an experienced licensed clinical social worker specializing in adolescent and adults individual therapy, as well as couples and family therapy. He received his MSW degree from Fordham University and completed a three-year externship at The Ackerman Institute for the Family in Manhattan. He has consulted extensively in schools and has years of experience working with adolescents and/or their families. He maintains a private practice in midtown Manhattan where he treats clients in the areas listed below as well as coaches parents and other adults to deal with specific situations or specific communication needs inside and outside the family.
In his work with Couples, Gene uses the Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) approach. He has studied under Sue Johnson, the founder of this approace and continues with ongoing supervision in this technique from the most well-known practioners of EFT in Manhattan. While couples therapy is not a "one size fits all" situation, EFT is his preferred focus, an approach with remarkably effective results. Check out this website to see an article written by Sue Johnson to get n idea of EFT thinking. (https://www.psychotherapy.net/article/couples-therapy-attachment)
As a graduate of The Ackerman Institute for the Family in Manhattan, Gene has over 15 years experience as a marriage and family therapist. He specializes in Relational, Cognitive-Behavioral therapy as well as Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and The Gottman Method with couples. He is currently serving as private practitioner working with a broad spectrum of clients. He has also been the Director of Counseling Services in a highly-respected independent school in Manhattan. Aside from the general areas listed above, Gene's areas of expertise also include working with depression/anxiety, children and divorce, anger management, addiction and recovery, debting, grief and loss, sexuality, sexual dysfunction, and LGBTQ individuals and couples, and FAMILIES of all types with all types of challenges.
With his many years of experience working in schools, Gene knows adolescents and their parents well and has been active in the treatment of both. His work with schools, families, and adolescents have led him into the field of therapy with adolescents and COACHING for parents. His coaching skills extend to working with underahievers, professionals in the workplace, and people in search of greater success in certain specific situations.
In addition to being a prominent relationship therapist, Gene has presented at national conferences and to general audiences speaking on the topics of therapy training, the self-as-therapist, specific strategies for self-advocacy, and social justice and the impact of bias on an individual and in a therapeutic setting.
Gene is an interactive, solution-focused therapist. His therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. He integrates complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding, Gene works with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.
Education :
M.A.T. (University of Memphis): M.S.W. (Fordham University)
License :
Board Certification in the State of New York
Additional Training :
Three-Year Externship at The Ackerman Institute for the Family
Ongoing training in Emotionally Focused Therapy
Professional Activities and Memberships :
Member, Social Justice Committee Member, and Presenter in The American Family Therapy Academy (AFTA)