STEPHEN SHAINBART, Ph.D., C.Psych.

Registered as a psychologist in Ontario and New York State
Ph.D., Clinical Psychology,
Fordham University, New York, NY
B.S., Human Development and Family Studies,
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Certificate in Psychoanalysis
William Alanson White Institute of Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis, & Psychology
New York, NY

Stephen Shainbart, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist who provides psychotherapy to adults, adolescents, and couples. He is registered in both Ontario and New York as a psychologist.

Dr. Shainbart provides treatment for a variety of conditions, such as depression, anxiety, relationship issues, difficulties with self-esteem, trauma, and career challenges, among other difficulties. He has maintained a private practice in New York City for over twenty years. He received his certificate in psychoanalysis at the William Alanson White Institute in New York City in 2005. Dr. Shainbart is a supervisor of psychotherapy as well as a faculty member at the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy (ICP) in New York City, where he helps train other psychotherapists. He has training in both divorce mediation and collaborative divorce. Dr. Shainbart has given professional presentations at the American Psychological Association, various other professional organizations, and community centers. He has appeared in various media, such as a major television station in New York City (WNYW), the New York Post, and Women’s Day magazine.

Dr. Shainbart has training in couples therapy and has worked with couples for twenty years. One way he stands apart from many other couples therapists is his focus on exploring each individual partner’s earlier life experiences, or “backstory.” We all have our backstories, and these may lead us to develop emotional patterns that we ultimately bring into our relationships, often unintentionally. He believes it is often important to examine and change these patterns stemming from our backstories in order to make effective and lasting constructive changes to the relationship. Otherwise, couples therapy can begin to feel like a pointless merry-go-round (but not so merry).

Dr. Shainbart believes the therapist should provide an interactive approach, and actively provide feedback to his clients, instead of remaining quietly in the background. He believes his patients have a right to know what he thinks and why he thinks it. He sees psychotherapy as a collaborative process between the therapist and client in order to improve one’s life.