Tell us a little about you!
My name is Gelly Asovski and I live in Monsey, NY. I am in private practice and am private pay only at this time. Due to COVID-19, I am providing telehealth therapy until further notice.
I am an LCSW-R and have been in practice for 20 years.
I have additional credentials:
1- RPT-S ( Registered Play Therapist- Supervisor) through APT.ORG
2- EMDR Certified 2014 and EMDR Consultant ( CIT) Consultant in Training- I’ve just completed my hours but still doing paperwork for official papers.
I am a Child and Family Therapist and specialize in all issues related to children and families.
I have a sub-specialty in working with EMDR trauma treatment for all ages 2 and up through adulthood.
What is your theoretical orientation? Why did you choose that orientation?
My theoretical orientation is based on family systems with a trauma perspective. While being psychodynamically trained, my practice has taught me all about the power of family to heal. When family comes together, children are supported and build resilience for a lifetime.
Trauma hurts children and families. The earlier children and adults seek help for trauma, the quicker the individual and family unit can feel better. EMDR is a top tier 1 trauma treatment for trauma. It is my mission to make this important therapy available to as many people as possible both as an EMDR therapist and as an EMDR Consultant.
What is a mental health “ gold nugget” you can give over?
My mental health “gold nugget” is to love your kids. Too often, parents nowadays are so busy that they don’t make the time they need to for their kids. Our children are our “ gold nuggets”. We need to remember what’s really important in life and connect with our kids when they’re still open to developing that special bond with us.
What type of coffee do you enjoy best and how do you like your coffee?
This is a great question that has a before and after story.
Before my daughter moved back home during Covid a month ago, it was 1/3 tsp Nescafé Taster’s Choice with 1 pump of Skinny Syrups Salted Caramel flavor with some milk.
Now, I have a daily Latte with 2 shots of espresso and a half pump of skinny salted caramel. I was recently introduced to the Nanopresso, an 18 bar handheld espresso machine. It is fabulous. Frothy hot milk rounds out this amazing drink!
How did you first become interested in psychology? Why did you choose your specialty?
I became interested in a career in social work when I was 28 years old. As an Orthodox/ Hasidic Jewish woman, I realized that there weren’t many culturally competent therapists to treat all the people who needed help in my community.
I chose social work so I could make a positive impact in people’s lives. While I initially only wanted to work with adults, children and families found me when I worked in a local clinic. Because I speak Yiddish fluently, people kept bringing their young kids to see me and thus, I developed real expertise and love in working with children and families. I guess you can say the kids found me!
What aspects of clinical work do you enjoy the most and why?
I enjoy having a balance of working with children and families, parenting training, and adults with trauma. I find it very engaging to work with all ages in one day from early childhood through adulthood. Keeps me on my toes!
I guess the part I love most is when I teach a mom how to connect with a child through play as that is my life’s work. So much of the time, I spent hours and hours doing trauma work with clients that was caused by abusive parents. While I can work with adults to heal and overcome the past, it is especially meaningful to do preventative work and support parents who want to do things right.
What do you do for self-care?
First and foremost, self-care starts when I visit my 2 grandchildren, ages 2 years old and 4 months, every morning from 8:30–9:30 am. I dress them, pamper them and eat breakfast with them (whole wheat bread toast, and cream cheese, same as grandkid). I then take my grandson to playgroup. I think I will have to write a book one day about all of the wise things cute little Momo says every morning.
Other typical forms of self-care are going out with friends, doing a foot massage, reading, and hiking. Shopping at Homegoods is a major form of self-care….
Do you have a blog/podcast/other media people can follow?
Yes, I am @parentingwithgelly on all social media, mostly on Instagram, Facebook, and my Facebook parenting group “ Parenting With Gelly”. I am on LinkedIn as well professionally.
Currently, I’m listed on Psychology Today.
You can contact Gelly on her website at parentingwithgelly.com or by phone at 929–322–0791
ASK YOUR QUESTION TO DAVE:
