Dr. Dimitra Robokos Psychological Services PLLC

10/06/2025

Understanding and Harnessing the Therapeutic Power of Music: Music is often described as a universal language, capable of evoking emotions, memories, and connections across cultures.

However, despite its casual popularity, scientific journals from as early as the 1800’s have also recognized music for its therapeutic potential. In recent decades, research has increasingly demonstrated that music is not only an art form but an empirically supported therapeutic tool. Thus, music therapy has emerged as a recognized practice that can support individuals’ mental, emotional, cognitive, and physical health.

Defining Music Therapy
The American Music Therapy Association (2005) officially defines music therapy as “the clinical & evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program”. Here in New York at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, future practitioners can become equipped with the education to work one-on-one with clients and implement interventions as trained music therapists. This requires both theoretical knowledge and intensive clinical experience and can be highly fulfilling work in a growing field. Read more: https://therapyassociates.nyc/blog/understanding-and-harnessing-the-therapeutic-power-of-music

09/30/2025

The Importance of Early Intervention: Psychological disorders, ranging from anxiety and depression to neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), affect individuals at all ages.

Research has consistently shown that identifying these conditions early and implementing timely intervention greatly improves long-term outcomes. Early assessment and intervention not only provide a clearer picture of a child’s challenges, but also help families, schools, and providers develop personalized and effective strategies that foster growth, resilience, and overall well-being.

Why Early Testing Matters... Read more
https://childtherapysupport.com/blog/the-importance-of-early-intervention

09/09/2025

https://therapyassociates.nyc/blog/the-power-of-peer-support-and-mentorship-in-childrens-and-young-adults-mental-health
In recent years, conversations around children’s mental health have become more urgent—and more public.

With rising rates of anxiety, depression, and emotional distress among young people, families, educators, and mental health professionals alike are seeking ways to build resilience and promote well-being from an early age. While therapy, family involvement, and school-based programs all play vital roles, two often underestimated but profoundly effective approaches are peer support and peer mentorship.

08/26/2025

In a famous anecdote by author David Foster Wallace, he described a conversation between two fish:

“There are these two young fish swimming along, and they happen to meet an older fish swimming the other way, who nods at them and says, "Morning, boys. How's the water?" And the two young fish swim on for a bit, and then eventually one of them looks over at the other and goes, "What the [heck] is water?”

This exchange, although humorous, reflects a deep truth about the way we live our life. When we live, breathe, and exist in something for so long, we often rarely stop to consider it and how it affects us. In fact, unless someone brings our attention to it, we might never notice the ‘water’ we are living in. Read more:

https://therapyassociates.nyc/blog/invisible-environmental-influences-on-mental-health

07/02/2025

https://therapyassociates.nyc/blog/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-for-neurodiverse-individuals-modifying-traditional-cb-strategies-to-help-children-and-adolescents-with-autism Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, also called CBT, is one of the most well researched and studied forms of child therapy to exist in the mental health field.

A growing amount of literature, however, has found that for children who have Autism, CBT may not be as effective for them as it is for neurotypical kids. This may be due to a variety of reasons, such as CBT frequently relying on abstract thinking, interpersonal awareness, and flexibility of thought that not all children with autism have to the same level as neurotypical kids.

Due to these differences, recent scholars, researchers, and therapists have proposed a form of Modified CBT or M-CBT, in order to help children with autism obtain similar benefits. The core ideas behind CBT remain the same, including the emphasis on identifying maladaptive beliefs and behaviors, and attempting to replace them with more effective or less harmful beliefs/behaviors.

02/07/2025

Growth mindset is a term developed by psychologist Carole Dweck that describes the belief that one’s abilities, skills, and intelligence can be developed with effort.

This mindset often contrasts with what Dweck calls a ‘fixed mindset,’ which describes a belief that one’s abilities are static or unable to be changed. Studies have found that adults and children who often endorse a growth mindset tend to have a greater sense of efficacy, productivity, and resilience to setbacks. A growth mindset has also been correlated with improved mental health and interpersonal relationship outcomes. Read More: https://childtherapysupport.com/blog/five-psychological-techniques-to-encourage-growth-mindset-in-children

10/09/2024

https://childtherapysupport.com/blog/how-language-delays-can-indicate-learning-disabilities-in-children

09/13/2024

Family therapy is a valuable form of mental/behavioral healthcare that can help families and individuals cope with challenges and adversity.

Unlike individual therapy, family therapy attempts to create change by working with the family as a whole, helping family members improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen relationships. Family therapy has been found to be especially helpful for families experiencing behavioral issues in children, emotional difficulties, and communication breakdowns

https://therapyassociates.nyc/blog/a-brief-guide-to-family-therapy

09/02/2024

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/28/opinion/surgeon-general-stress-parents.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c-cb

Raising children is crucial work. Why don’t we treat it that way?

07/23/2024

https://childtherapysupport.com/blog/internal-family-systems-and-understanding-parts-of-your-child

We often like to think of our sense of self as whole, believing that there is only one ‘me.’ However, certain schools of thought have begun to challenge this notion.

05/29/2024

https://childtherapysupport.com/blog/social-emotional-skills-when-working-with-children-and-teens-in-therapy

Often, referrals are made to see children and teens with difficulty expressing their emotions and sentiments (with peers and adults). This impacts their social-emotional well-being and may affect social interaction skills. The challenges can sometimes be psychological and/or attributed to neurodevel...