Education & Training
I grew up in Canada, and graduated with an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts (Honors) from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario (Canada). I went on to complete my doctorate in clinical psychology at Stony Brook University, and a 3-year post doctoral fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatric research at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, where I was privileged to train with expert child psychologists and psychiatrists in the assessment and treatment of child and adolescent behavioral health. Since then, I have held full time faculty positions at Columbia University Medical Center, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and Duke University School of Medicine, where I enjoyed training graduate students and psychiatrists in psychological service delivery, teaching, and leading research projects on factors affecting mental health across development. I have worked extensively in treating youth and families for over 20 years.
Above all, my heart has always been in providing science-backed direct services to young people in the community. Everyone has a calling. I believe mine is caring directly for young people and families to live their fullest lives, and training the next generation of psychologists and psychiatrists to provide excellence in their care for them.
My Approach
My work is centered in a deep knowledge of development across the lifespan. For younger children, I work collaboratively with parents to understand the sources contributing to the child’s difficulties, to help rebuild a feeling of closeness, warmth and effective parenting. For older adolescents and young adults, our work is often centered on preparing to launch as an independent adult. That means strengthening relationships with family and friends, sorting out the balance of work and life choices, making values-based career decisions, and figuring out how to live in a way that really aligns with personal values. I look forward to working with you, and thank you for trusting me with what’s most precious to you.
Miriam K. Ehrensaft, PhD, PLLC
Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychologist, Family Clinical Psychologist, Behavioral Counseling Specialist, Child Development and Behavioral Health Specialist