Ava Parnass

I am a Child-Family Psychotherapist, Author, and Songwriter. I utilize holistic eclectic techniques including playing- talking and cognitive behavioral therapy. I have been practicing for over 25 years. Recently on zoom we have had many fun feelings classes to help kid of all ages. I attended Columbia University Graduate School and worked at NYH Cornell before starting a private practice.

"I truly believe after decades in practice it's easier to build up a child than to repair an adult. I help parents and kids translate and understand the feelings, messages, and emotions underneath a child's behavior. Together we put hidden feelings and behavior into words and new skills."

In the wake of the past unprecedented crisis we continue to have a mental health crises unfolding in front of our eyes. Parents have the arduous task of helping our children recover. Getting a child to express their feelings is tough and that's where THE BEHAVIOR DETECTIVE, comes in.

Over the decades, I helped children and families listen to the messages underneath their behaviors to figure out what emotional needs should be met in addition to learning new coping skills.

"After speaking to hundreds of children about what they like and don't like about the world since the pandemic, there has been one common theme of interest. The children all have referenced an unexpected "silver lining" - they get to spend more time with their parents - regardless of the home environment - including all the yelling that can occur! Now we need to capitalize on this unexpected phenomenon to carry us through the crises and beyond our post-pandemic circumstances. We are our children's umbrella in the rain and their shield in the line of fire. They look to us for safety."

I help families have real feelings conversations about tough subjects. Parents are seeking ways to capitalize on their children wanting more quality time and supporting them emotionally. Families have always asked me to come home with them. Since that is not feasible, I have developed written strategies for parents to learn how to DECODE and TRANSLATE their children's behavior by using a special method known as THE PETAL TECHNIQUE.

Also, we as parents need to exhibit hopefulness, "Because hope is the one thing that will get all of us through these crises by building resilience in the long run that will tame the fear and modulate future post-traumatic stress."

I currently also coach families on food-mood healthy eating and the meaning of food cravings.

" Healthy Feelings = Healthy Eating"

My Mission is the PREVENTION of emotional problems in children including childhood obesity.

Prevention can be achieved by helping parents and kids become Behavior and Feelings Detectives. Parents help their kids figure out the hidden hurt, anger, and disappointment hidden in their misbehaving or overeating.

Then when families talk about the hard feelings and give empathy for those feelings, plus provide alternative skills, behavior improves.

The book "Hungry Feeling not Hungry Tummy" and "My Feelings are Hungry" provide 100's Conversation Starters plus tips to help children and families who have difficult behavior or overeat or beg for snacks.

The Conversation Starters help turn Misbehaving into Cooperation! Families learn to talk about feelings instead of food and find new solutions to problems instead of overeating.