ABOUT US

ANDREA E. SYWULAK, Ph.D. is a senior partner in Innovative Child and Family Psychotherapy and Counseling Associates. She has a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies and is licensed as clinical psychologist in Pennsylvania. She has been in private practice since 1981 and has specialized in the treatment of families with young children utilizing Filial Therapy to address the varied problems presented in childhood.

Dr. Sywulak has trained hundreds of professionals in Child Centered Play Therapy and the Filial Therapy method and is called upon regularly to supervise other professionals in their practice of child therapy. She has presented at numerous conferences on Filial Therapy methodologies and was invited to present at the International Play Therapy Conference in Oahu, Hawaii on the topic of utilizing Filial Therapy with children diagnosed as Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD).

As a forensic psychologist, dealing primarily with family and custody issues, Andrea has performed hundreds of custody evaluations, testified as an expert witness throughout Pennsylvania and has been appointed as Court Ordered therapist or Parent Coordinator. As a forensic psychologist, she is familiar with custody and divorce issues, as well as traumatic injuries. In her trauma work, she has evaluated and treated numerous children for sexual abuse, and personal injuries due to traumatic loss of a sibling or parent, child abduction, etc. Dr. Sywulak has also served as an expert witness for the effects of trauma on children.

At Innovative Child and Family Psychotherapy and Counseling Associates, Andrea treats children from pre-school age through adolescence and young adulthood. Parents are included as an integral part of therapy with any aged child. Issues may include anxiety, depression, behavior disorders, school problems, social skills problems, and various types of family problems. She specializes in treating trauma and assessing ADD/ADHD as well as childhood bi-polar disorder. Child-centered Filial Therapy involves parents in their child's treatment. EMDR and Brainspotting effectively treat trauma and anxiety, and installs positive behaviors and traits. Accurate diagnoses of ADD/ADHD includes psychological testing and consultation with teachers and pediatricians.

Dr. Sywulak is highly trained in the new Mind-Body therapies including EMDR and Brainspotting. Clients are taught the significance of mindfulness and ability of body sensations to give access to the subconscious where negative beliefs about self and repetitive problem behaviors give rise to daily problems in relationships and in the workplace. These very effective therapies are short-term and give clients relief even though they have made little to no progress in traditional talk therapies. In a warm, empathic environment, all treatment is Outcome Oriented, so that positive changes and symptom relief are clearly identifiable.