Toni Tarnell Psy.D, P.C.

Toni Tarnell, Psy.D., Bio and Professional Ideology

Dr. Tarnell is a NYS licensed school-community psychologist who received her doctorate from Hofstra University in 2003 and has been trained extensively in evidence-based psychotherapy practices, including Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Dr. Tarnell uses these strategies-based coaching tools to teach children and adults about their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors so that they can better manage their emotions and reach the personal goals they have set.  Additionally, Dr. Tarnell has conducted over 300 neuro-psychoeducational evaluations, and through the process, has come to understand children from a positive perspective and one that is based upon individual differences and learning styles.

Dr. Tarnell has been working with children and families since 1995 when she trained extensively to be a volunteer hotline counselor, speaking to dozens of children weekly about various issues and concerns.  Through her subsequent doctoral studies in psychology, internships, and training experiences she came to believe in the tenets of prevention psychology and the importance of differentiation in academic environments.  These ideas evolved into a larger philosophy and now form the basis for the mission of the practice and the development of the learning center model - To support children who are typical, and non-typical, traditional and non-traditional in their learning style, and to foster potential and success in a normalizing, natural, strength-based fashion.