Practice Philosophy:
Dr. Alison Haar is a licensed clinical psychologist who helps teens, college students, and adults meet their mental health goals. Naturally optimistic and enthusiastic, she helps clients overcome their challenges using a warm, supportive approach to care. Clients feel seen, comfortable, and understood, and she takes her role seriously as a collaborative partner in therapy. By guiding individuals toward recognition of patterns and themes that may not be serving them well, she is able to inspire change and personal growth.
As a New Yorker, Dr. Haar recognizes the unique pressures of living in the competitive Manhattan world, trying to keep up with unrealistic expectations and fast-paced life. She teaches clients to be comfortable existing with uncertainty, introducing effective skills to better manage anxiety and worry. For parents who are concerned about their teen or college student she offers a steady voice, helping teens and young adults navigate the challenges of independence, new responsibilities, and self-understanding. Therapy with Dr. Haar often includes weekly tasks that lead to incremental change. With creativity and playfulness, she encourages clients to practice baby steps that increase self-confidence, improve interpersonal relationships and inspire hope.
Areas of Expertise:
Dr. Haar treats both teens and adults and has extensive training in child and adolescent psychology. She customizes therapy for each client, drawing from evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), trauma-focused CBT, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness along with more dynamically-oriented treatment modalities. She specializes in working with individuals who struggle with depression, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, bipolar disorder and trauma, as well as those who have difficulties with life transitions, relationships and interpersonal issues. Dr. Haar is also trained in Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE), a parent-based training program that teaches parents how to best support their anxious child.
Additionally, Dr. Haar earned her certificate in Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration (PHRI) therapy through Fluence, a comprehensive training in how to deliver psychedelically-informed treatment. This model is designed to support clients in a safe, accepting environment in which to process psychedelic experiences. Please note: this model complies with local, state and federal law, as the clinician does not administer, nor is present during, the ingestion of psychedelic compounds.
Experience and Training:
Dr. Haar received her PsyD in School and Clinical Child Psychology from Pace University and is a New York state licensed psychologist. She received specialized training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) from the prestigious Beck Institute and also has advanced training in trauma-focused CBT. Prior to joining The Ross Center, Dr. Haar spent many years working in child welfare in both New Jersey and New York. She is enthusiastic about using her training and clinical experience to improve the mental health of her patients. Her goal is for clients to internalize the skills they’re working on and to equip each individual with the strategies, tools, and confidence to lead meaningful, satisfying lives.
Dr. Haar has completed continuing education requirements that meet the initiatives of The Ross Center’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force.
Blog Posts and Events:
- Video Blog: Pandemic Parenting: Managing Family Stress this Winter
- Blog: Parents – It’s OK Right Now Just to Survive . . . You Don’t have to Thrive!
- Past Event – Facilitator: From Stress to Success Strategies for Overcoming Anxiety in the Classroom
- Past Event – Facilitator: Parenting the Anxious Child – Tips & Tools to Minimize your Child’s Anxiety
- Past Event – Facilitator: Sleep Away Camp Survival 101 – Parent Edition
