Women in Business: Dr. Laurie Emery
Women in Business - Boca Magazine

The compassion shown by the therapists at Families By Design comes from each having a personal experience with loved ones in need of care, says Dr. Laurie Emery, who created the center after being in practice for six years.

"When you have a personal story, it just makes you more passionate about what you do," she says. Emery’s associates are Dr. Stephanie May, Clinical Psychologist, who specializes in women and teens, and Amanda Elias, a New York School Psychologist and behavioral specialist, whose focus is child behavioral issues and developmental disabilities in children. "I picked them thinking, ‘Would I put my family in their hands?’ " Emery says.

Families By Design is a comprehensive therapeutic center designed to address all aspects of a family’s needs. The associates use a team approach to address all parts of the family dynamic.

Families By Design also provides training, workshops, courses, and monthly meet-ups for families who might not need counseling, but are seeking education and information. Topics include parenting skills, couples work-shops, teen empowerment, children with special needs, and the women’s empowerment series.

The group does whatever it takes to assist committed parents, Emery says, including offering a sliding payment scale.