About Us
Families by Design is an excellent example of the sum of its parts being greater than the whole. We are a “family” of loving, caring professionals that has dedicated their lives to creating relationships that are connected and fulfilling. Each member is an accomplished therapist with countless years of formal education, as well as personal and professional experience. By combining our own specific specialties, experience, and professional gifts, Families by Design has created an organization that is uniquely qualified and committed to resolving the various issues of today’s family.
We encourage multiple family members (if not all) to work together. While this is not mandatory, we have found that it is most beneficial and that it produces the greatest results. Like a baseball team, we believe that each person has an important and valuable position within the family. By supporting each member to play their position to the fullest, the entire team will win. By working with Families by Design, your family will be able to resolve disagreements peacefully, establish boundaries, and create fulfilled relationships.
Dr. Laurie Emery, PsyD, LMHC
Founder and Owner
Dr Laurie Emery, president and founder, created Families by Design with the comprehensive needs of families in mind. After working with families in a multitude of settings, including mental health centers, public schools and private practice, Dr Emery realized the need for a central center that specializes in all areas of family needs. By having a team of professionals and their services in one location, Dr Emery and her staff provide parents and children with avenues and resources to make family life easier and fun.
Dr. Laurie Emery began her esteemed career in the educational system of Palm Beach County, Florida. With her Masters in Special Education, Dr. Emery was introduced to the realm of modern youth while in the special education program where she was responsible for children with emotional and behavioral problems. For over eight years, Dr. Emery supported the regular teachers with behavioral modification programs. She soon became known for her work as a behavioral specialist. As a specialist, Dr Emery began working with students with speech and language disorders, pervasive developmental delays, and learning disabilities. Dr. Emery then went on to work toward her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology while working in mental health clinics, adolescent treatment centers and later private practice.
In addition to her work at the Center for Group Counseling in Boca Raton, Florida, where she specialized in Play and Family Therapy, Dr. Emery later became a Clinical Director of a large group practice in South Florida.
In 2002, Dr. Emery opened the Emery Psychological Center. As sole practitioner, she continued her psychological services with adults and married couples, concentrating on parenting training, including advocating for parents with children with special needs and adolescent treatment.
Dr. Emery continues to expand her skills and resources in the area of families and children. In order to supplement her skills Dr Emery believes working in team will support families who come to our center to have the diverse resources needed.
Amanda Elias, M.A.
Program Development for Children's Services
Amanda Elias is passionate about helping children work towards reaching their optimal potential.
As a School Psychologist in New York, she gained valuable experience around behavior modification strategies and social skills training to improve children's daily functioning. Mrs. Elias also conducted group sessions in which she focused on anger management, crisis intervention, behavior modification, esteem-building, children of divorce, conflict resolution, as well as parent training. Furthermore, she was an integral part of a pilot program that developed an Applied Behavioral Analysis kindergarten class for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders within the mainstream environment.
Prior to working in the public sector, Mrs. Elias held the position of a psychological evaluator at a diagnostic and treatment center. She determined the eligibility for early intervention and special education services for children ages birth to five through comprehensive psycho-educational evaluations. She also developed goals and treatment plans to help these children succeed most effectively in the academic and home environments.
Mrs. Elias received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from The George Washington University. She continued her graduate training at Adelphi University where she received her Master of Arts degree in School Psychology. She specialized in evaluating and treating psycho-educational and developmental disabilities in children. Mrs. Elias joins the Families by Design Team to add her program development skills to the center.
AmandaElias@familiesbydesign.net
"Dr. Cindy” Bunin-Nurik
Marriage and Family Therapist
Blending humor and warmth with first-hand experience on modern-day parenting, Dr. Cindy a child development specialist, and marriage family therapist has worked closely with thousands of children, teens and families over the past thirty years. She was recently been honored by being chosen for the 2004-2005 Who’s Who in American Women.
The culmination and years of dedication to the well being of families led Dr. Cindy to becoming the author of the award winning book "Fun with Mommy and Me" and she is the founder of the Mommy and Me Company. She developed award winning children’s videos, CD’s and toys. Dr. Cindy has answered hundreds of questions on many parenting websites and wrote columns for national magazines. Many of her articles can be found on the web, at mommyandme.com and on parenthood.com, discussing various parenting and teen issues.
Dr. Cindy’s professional standing has also been spotlighted both nationally and internationally on radio and on NBC's TODAY SHOW, "CNN”, and on the “Lifetime” channel. Dr. Cindy appears locally on NBC 6 “South Florida Today”, and CBS4, doing Parenting segments. In addition, to co-producing videos on health and family issues, Dr. Cindy has lectured and given seminars at colleges and other public forums throughout the country.
Dr. Cindy attended Ithaca College for her undergraduate degree, and then to The University of Miami and received her Masters Degree in Music Therapy and became a registered Music Therapist. She received her Doctorate in Early Childhood Education and Development from Nova Southeastern University.
In 1987, Dr. Cindy entered into private practice where she continued her work with families and children. Simultaneously, she became the Director of the Cancer Wellness Program, an in-patient hospital based program to help cancer patients deal with the emotional aspects of the disease. This program, created by Dr. Cindy, a cancer survivor herself, was the first of its kind in the country.
Dr. Cindy believes that one of her most important qualifications is that of being a mother to her teenage daughter. She combines this experience along with her educational and therapeutic expertise, to bring special understanding and a sense of well being to all the people with whom she works.
Brian Schaflin, L.C.S.W.
Counseling and Psychotherapy
Mr. Schaflin graduated from City University of New York at Queens College with a degree in psychology in 1980. He furthered his studies at Hunter College, where he graduated in 1982 with a Masters in Social Work. Mr. Schaflin has been Licensed and Board Certified in Florida since his move to the area in 1994.
For over 25 years, Mr. Schaflin has been providing counseling and psychotherapy for children, adolescents and adults. His goal is to create a therapeutic atmosphere where clients can feel safe addressing the areas in their lives that cause imbalance and stress. His belief is that each person is unique and should be viewed with a holistic approach, attending to the needs of the mind, body and spirit.
Mr. Schaflin has years of experience working with people with issues related to depression, anxiety, addictions and managing stress and anger. He assists people in finding new solutions which can create change and eventual healing.
Commitment and integrity are two of many qualities that Mr. Schaflin brings to his work. His love of people and the belief that there is hope for everyone to find settlement and well- being is his motivation.
Copyright © 2008 Families by Design, Inc. web design by Criation Design