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Dr. Karen Wachtel, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist in Great Neck, NY
Therapy for adults, support for parents of young children, and thoughtful neuropsychological and psychoeducational evaluations for children
A thoughtful, practical approach to addressing challenges, deepening connections, and experiencing more ease and joy.
Serving clients in Great Neck, Manhasset, Roslyn, Port Washington, and throughout Nassau County, with telehealth across New York State.
You May Be In the Right Place If....
You are feeling overwhelmed, stuck in patterns you don’t fully understand, or navigating a life transition that feels harder than you expected. Parenting may feel more stressful than you imagined, or you may have questions about your child’s learning, attention, or emotional development.
Whatever brings you here, you don’t have to sort it out alone. Working together, we slow things down, make sense of what's going on, build on your strengths, and find practical ways forward through therapy and assessment.
Ways I Can Support You
Adult Therapy
Supportive, insight-oriented, strengths-based therapy for adults navigating:
• anxiety, stress and feeling overwhelmed
• low mood, burnout, and feeling stuck
• relationship challenges and communication difficulties
• life transitions, identity shifts, and career changes
• fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and maternal mental health
• parenting stress and family dynamics​.​
​​Sessions combine thoughtful reflection with practical tools and steady, honest support to help you feel more grounded and able to make meaningful changes in your life. You don't have to figure it all out alone.
Parenting Support
Compassionate, developmentally informed support for parents of young children navigating:
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• toddler behavior
• emotional regulation and big feelings
• daily challenges with transitions, sleep, eating, toileting and routines
• sibling relationships
• stress, overwhelm, and parenting fatigue
• anxiety and worry in children
• attention, organization, and executive functioning challenges (including ADHD)
Parenting support focuses on empathic, practical, low-stress strategies to help you better understand your child, make daily life feel more manageable, and strengthen your relationship with your child.​​
Testing & Assessment
Comprehensive, individualized evaluations that help you better understand:
• differences in learning, regulation, or processing
• attention, focus, and executive functioning skills
• areas of strength as well as challenges
• emotional or behavioral factors affecting learning
• Inconsistent performance or output
• needs for support and accommodations ​​​​​​
Neuropsychological and psychoeducational testing helps you better understand your child’s needs and prvides clear, practical recommendations so you feel more confident supporting them at home and at school.
Therapy is personal, and the connection you have with your therapist matters. Learn more about my background, approach, and what it’s like to work together.
About Dr Karen Wachtel
I’m a clinical psychologist based in Great Neck, NY with over 20 years of experience supporting adults and parents of young children through life transitions, emotional challenges, and questions about development and learning. My approach is warm, collaborative, and evidence-based, combining thoughtful insight with practical strategies you can use in everyday life. I also provide comprehensive neuropsychological and psychoeducational evaluations to help families better understand their child’s learning and development. I aim to create a space where people feel understood, supported, and more confident navigating their lives and relationships.
Get Started
Reaching out for support can feel like a big step and it's okay to feel a little nervous. Many clients notice some relief after making that initial contact.
If you’re interested in working together or have questions about my services, I invite you to get in touch. We'll have a brief conversation about what's been going on, what you're hoping for, and whether therapy, parenting support, or an evaluation makes sense for you.
There's no pressure. It's just an opportunity to ask questions, get a sense of how I work, and see whether working together feels like a good fit.