Daniel T. Sciarra, PhD, LCMHC, NCC, is Professor Emeritus of Counselor Education and Director of Counseling programs at Hofstra University. Fluently bilingual in Spanish, he maintained a clinical practice with children, adolescents, and families through the Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut. In addition to numerous articles and book chapters on the subject of multicultural counseling, Dr. Sciarra is the author of five books, Multiculturalism in Counseling (Peacock, 1999), School Counseling: Foundations and Contemporary Issues (Brook/Cole, 2004), and Children and Adolescents with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (Allyn & Bacon, 2010), Teaching Difficult Students: Interventions That Work (Norton 2016), and Working with Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders: A Guide for K-12 Teachers and Service Providers (Vernon, 2022). His most recent publications include: Sciarra, D.T., & Ambrosino, K E. (2011). Post-Secondary Expectations and Educational Attainment. PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING, 14, 231-241 Sciarra, D. T. (2011). Emotional/behavioral disorders: Impact Upon Learning and Strategies to Help. INSIGHTS ON LEARNING DISABILITIES: FROM PREVAILING THEORIES TO VALIDATED PRACTICES, 8, 5-20. Sciarra, D. T., Seirup, H.J., & Ulatowski, E. (2010). High School Predictors of College Persistence. Sciarra, D.T., & Weber, G. (in press). Working with diverse cultures: Exploring sociocultural influences and realities in ATOD treatment. In P. Stevens & R.L. Smith (Eds.), Substance abuse counseling: Theory and practice. Boston, MA: Pearson. A former bilingual school counselor with the New York City Board of Education, Sciarra holds a doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Fordham University, a master’s degree in counseling from Boston College, and a bachelor’s degree in English education from Fairfield University. He is a licensed psychologist, licensed mental health counselor (LMHC), and a national certified counselor (NCC). His research interests include multicultural counseling, racial identity development, and the role of the school counselor in the promotion of academic achievement and educational attainment among students of color. From 2001 to 2007, Dan was Chair of the Department of Counseling, Research, Special Education, and Rehabilitation during which time he oversaw numerous initial appointments, reappointments, tenure, and promotion processes. PLEASE NOTE: I am a psychologist and not a psychiatrist. I do not prescribe medication.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
I believe in listening carefully and providing feedback as clearly as I can. I like to ask challenging questions and help clients look at all aspects of a problem. I believe in empowering clients to accept and appreciate who they are and help them reach freedom by not looking outside themselves for their validation. I believe true happiness does not form anyone or anything outside of oneself but form the inside through self-acceptance and willingness to use each day to grow further and be a good person.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
My approach to counseling and therapy is three fold: Cognitive-Behavioral, Humanistic, and Psychodynamic. I also use a systems approach having been trained in family therapy.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I possess a deep sense of caring about my clients. I generally never miss a session except for extreme circumstances. I like who I am; therefore, will never use my clients to satisfy my own needs. I have many years of experience and continue to work for only one reason: I feel I have something to give to others and help them achieve being their true selves-- an achievement that brings peace and freedom.