Friendship Building Psychological Services, PLLC

Friendship Building Psychological Services, PLLC Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Friendship Building Psychological Services, PLLC, Psychologist, 150 Broadhollow Road, Melville, NY.

Friendship Building Psychological Services focuses on creating a warm and nurturing environment where parents and children learn fundamental friendship building skills.

04/23/2026

When a child struggles socially, it is natural for parents to wonder why 🤔

In many cases, these challenges are not about a lack of intelligence or interest in friendships. Some children are naturally more reserved, while others may be more directive in their interactions. Both profiles can experience difficulty navigating reciprocity, flexibility, or group dynamics.

Our role as psychologists is to understand each child’s individual profile and place them in a group where they can learn and practice within a supportive and well-matched environment.

Through this process, children begin to develop greater self-awareness, understanding what feels challenging, why it feels that way, and how to approach those moments differently.

For more information regarding our social group, visit: friendshipbuildingpsych.com/join

04/22/2026

Friendship Building started in a school setting, where 8 years ago, Dr. Fern and Dr. Kristin noticed something important:

Children learn social skills best when they practice them with other children.

Not just learning about it. Actually practicing it with peers.

Even after moving into private practice, one thing stayed clear.
Individual sessions help, but real-life practice is also where growth happens.

So we built what works:
✔️ Thoughtfully matched groups
✔️ Clear teaching
✔️ Real-time support

What started small has grown into a program grounded in experience and results 🩵

Things can feel different after a break.Less structure often makes social dynamics more visible.Parents may start to not...
04/16/2026

Things can feel different after a break.

Less structure often makes social dynamics more visible.

Parents may start to notice:
→ Difficulty joining activities
→ Challenges during playdates
→ Struggles with flexibility

Spring is a natural time to check in.

We are currently meeting with families for screenings to determine if a group may be helpful.

Spots are limited because we prioritize thoughtful group matching.

Learn more: friendshipbuildingpsych.com/join

04/15/2026

A core part of our program is supporting parents alongside their children 🤝

Dr. Fern and Dr. Kristin have always emphasized that meaningful progress happens not only within the group, but in how those skills carry into everyday life. For that reason, parent involvement is not an add-on; it is an essential part of the process.

Parents participate in supportive group sessions led by the same team that works directly with their child’s group. This allows for a deeper understanding of each child’s social profile and provides families with clear, practical ways to support growth outside of sessions.

When parents are taught and provided education to better understand the language, strategies, and patterns behind social interactions, they are better equipped to help their child navigate real-world situations with greater confidence.

If this resonates, we invite you to connect with us to learn more about how we support both children and parents: friendshipbuildingpsych.com/join

04/07/2026

As summer approaches, many families begin thinking about how their child will navigate camp and other group settings 🌞🌴🎾

Camp often brings longer periods of unstructured peer interaction: group games, shared activities, and social expectations that can shift quickly.

For some children, these moments feel exciting. For others, they can feel less predictable and more challenging to navigate.

Building social skills in advance can help children approach these environments with greater confidence. Practicing how to join groups, maintain conversations, adapt to changes, and manage emotions can make a meaningful difference in how children experience their summer.

Preparation does not mean perfection, it means helping children feel more equipped for the moments they will encounter.

For more information regarding summer readiness, contact us: friendshipbuildingpsych.com/join

04/03/2026

Not all social skills come naturally. And that’s okay.

Some children are bright, verbal, and thoughtful,
but still find things like joining conversations or maintaining friendships confusing.

That’s where we come in.

In our groups, social skills are not just discussed. They are:
✔️ Taught clearly
✔️ Practiced in real time
✔️ Supported by psychologists

Over time, kids don’t just learn social skills. They start using them with confidence.

And parents gain clarity on how to support them every step of the way đź’š

Children can often learn social strategies in individual therapy. However, applying those skills naturally with peers is...
03/27/2026

Children can often learn social strategies in individual therapy. However, applying those skills naturally with peers is a different challenge.

Social interaction requires real-time flexibility, perspective-taking, and reciprocity. These skills are best practiced in the presence of peers, with guided support and structured feedback.

Our groups are intentionally designed to provide this opportunity—allowing children and adolescents to learn, practice, reflect, and try again within a supportive environment.

For many children, this bridge between learning a skill and using it meaningfully is where growth truly happens.

Children can often learn social strategies in individual therapy. However, applying those skills naturally with peers is...
03/26/2026

Children can often learn social strategies in individual therapy. However, applying those skills naturally with peers is a different challenge.

Social interaction requires real-time flexibility, perspective-taking, and reciprocity. These skills are best practiced in the presence of peers, with guided support and structured feedback.

Our groups are intentionally designed to provide this opportunity—allowing children and adolescents to learn, practice, reflect, and try again within a supportive environment.

For many children, this bridge between learning a skill and using it meaningfully is where growth truly happens.

Social growth is most effective when parents are supported alongside their children đź‘ŞWhile children participate in their...
03/23/2026

Social growth is most effective when parents are supported alongside their children đź‘Ş

While children participate in their group, parents attend an every-other-week training and support group led by a child psychologist at the same time.

Importantly, the psychologist leading the parent group is the same clinician who works directly with your child’s team. This allows guidance to be individualized, practical, and grounded in a deep understanding of your child’s strengths and challenges.

Parent sessions focus on helping skills generalize into everyday life—at home, at school, and within the community.

Parents learn alongside their children, building clarity and confidence in how to support lasting progress.

As we prepare for our spring session, we are currently screening for new Friendship Building Groups 🌸Our screening proce...
03/19/2026

As we prepare for our spring session, we are currently screening for new Friendship Building Groups 🌸

Our screening process is thoughtful and individualized. We take care to ensure that each child is placed in a group that is developmentally appropriate and well-matched to peers.

Fit matters. Group composition matters. Structure matters.

Spring groups are anticipated to begin the week of April 13th. If you are considering additional social support for your child, this may be a good time to learn more about our approach.

Families who are unsure whether a group may be a fit are welcome to complete our brief online quiz as a starting point. It can help clarify whether your child’s profile aligns with the structure and goals of our current program.

To inquire about our groups, head to: friendshipbuildingpsych.com/join

What do we mean by “explicit teaching”? Many parents hear this phrase but aren’t always sure what it looks like in pract...
03/17/2026

What do we mean by “explicit teaching”? Many parents hear this phrase but aren’t always sure what it looks like in practice.

Instead of simply telling a child to “be flexible” or “just take turns,” we:

• Define what flexibility looks like in specific situations
• Model the skill clearly
• Practice it in structured group activities
• Reflect afterward on what worked and what felt challenging

Skills such as reciprocal conversation, perspective-taking, or managing frustration are broken down into concrete, teachable steps.

When children understand what a skill looks like, why it matters, and how to practice it, confidence grows through competence âś…

Parents often ask what distinguishes psychologist-led social skills groups.Our approach includes: ✔️ A structured, evide...
03/11/2026

Parents often ask what distinguishes psychologist-led social skills groups.

Our approach includes:
✔️ A structured, evidence-based curriculum designed to build nuanced social skills
✔️ Explicit breakdown of complex skills such as reciprocity, flexibility, and perspective-taking
✔️ Thoughtful screenings to ensure carefully matched peer groups
✔️ Ongoing parent collaboration to support skill generalization beyond the group setting

Social development is complex. Having licensed psychologists guide this process ensures that teaching, practice, and reflection are intentional and developmentally informed.

Address

150 Broadhollow Road
Melville, NY
11747

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