DR. LAYNE RASKIN, PsyD, MA, IMH-E®

Everyday Parenting Psychology PLLC
www.edparenting.com
914-510-2227

Layne leads Prana's New Mamas Support Group every Wednesday.

I'm from...
The Midwest - I was born and raised in Michigan where I also attended college at the University of Michigan – GO BLUE!!  I moved to New York in 2001 and now consider myself a New Yorker (although still a Midwesterner at heart). 
 
My education and training...
After graduating from the University of Michigan with a major in psychology, I attended New York University where I earned a Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Child Psychology/School Psychology and a Master’s Degree in School Psychology. A significant experience occurred during my internship on the inpatient unit at a state psychiatric hospital for adolescent girls. I worked with an adolescent who had a significant history of abuse and neglect imposed by her mother. What was most fascinating to me was when this adolescent became extremely upset and dysregulated, the one person she always called for was her mother.  This was one of the most significant experiences of my training – to truly see the complexities of the parent-child relationship. This experience led me to seek out a deeper understanding of attachment theory and to gain greater knowledge of the importance of our early experiences and those with our caregivers. Following my internship and graduation, I then completed a Postdoctoral Program at the St. Luke’s Child and Family Institute Parent-Infant Center, a prevention and treatment program that provides multidisciplinary assessment and psychotherapeutic services to pregnant women, parents and children between the ages of birth to three. It was here where I led my first New Moms Support Group. These experiences solidified my path toward specializing in the early childhood development and parenting. I then expanded my focus to include the perinatal population and was trained by the Postpartum Stress Center as well as Postpartum Support International. I am also endorsed as an Infant Mental Health Specialist through the New York State Association of Infant Mental Health.   
 
My backstory…
In addition to my family history and life experiences that led me to the field of psychology, I understood from an early age that I connected with people, especially children. I was a good student, but have been told that the teachers’ only complaint was that I talked too much! I spent many years as a babysitter and worked at my aunt’s home day care so it was not a surprise that I continued to choose educational and work opportunities that allowed me to work with children and families. As my education and training continued, it became apparent that my passion was working with the early childhood population and their families. I worked at schools, foster care agencies, and implemented screening and consultation programs at hospitals throughout New York City to integrate mental health into pediatric primary care settings. The more I worked with young children, the more I realized that the work needed to start even earlier so I expanded my focus to include maternal mental health and working with the perinatal population. After moving to Westchester and becoming a mother, it became evident to me that there were few options for women to seek support and guidance during their postpartum period. I then began to run a New Moms Support Group which I still lead today, 6 years later. In addition, I opened a private practice with my partner where our goal was to offer services focused on maternal mental health, early childhood development and promoting attachment and positive parenting experiences. I have great pride in knowing that we have built a practice coming from a place of compassion and care.  
 
I love being a psychologist because...
I am grateful to have found a profession that brings joy and fulfillment to my life and I appreciate the fact that each day, I look forward to going to work.  Knowing that I can help a mother feel understood, not alone, and supported through working together feels like a gift.  Helping parents understand their own histories and guiding them to make connections between their past and current experiences, especially as it pertains to parenting, is powerful and meaningful and I appreciate each individual’s willingness to allow me to be part of their journey in becoming the parent they want to be. 

My work style...
Having specialized training in infant mental health, child development, parenting, and maternal mental health, I offer a unique set of skills to families through many phases of life. I support women and families beginning with family planning, including struggles with infertility, and throughout the prenatal and postpartum periods. This is true for many perinatal therapists.  However, my work does not stop there. As an infant mental health and child development specialist, I can support both the parent and child as needed.  The work can focus not only the parents’ experiences and struggles, but also around their child’s development and functioning and how to best support the relationship. I work integratively, pulling from Cognitive Behavioral, Psychodynamic and other approaches, as different families have different needs at different times. I am often thinking from an attachment perspective which highlights the importance of the early interactions and relationship between a child and caregiver, and how all the needs of a child, including physical and emotional, are met. Additionally, I was trained to work dyadically, supporting both the caregiver and child together.  Through this lens, even when working with the parent alone, the child is always kept in mind.  This work also allows us to follow the need; and so the focus of treatment shifts between the mother, to the child, to the relationship. 

When I am not working, I am… 
When I am not at the office, I am often spending time with my family and friends.  I love animals and being outdoors although you can also find me cozying up at home playing board games with my kids and cooking.  I played instruments growing up and still enjoy music and love going to shows and concerts.