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.

dremery@familiesbydesign.net

Amanda Elias, M.A.

Licensed School Psychologist

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

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.

BrianSchaflin@FamiliesbyDesign.net

Sabrina Braisin, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

A former New York City practitioner for over 10 years in both public and private sectors, Sabrina Braisin has developed and implemented unique healing strategies using result-oriented methods. Her experience in Florida has acclimated her to the growing needs of the community, providing empathic support and encouragement to those seeking assistance through life transitions. She empowers people to respond rather than react to challenges by combining her clinical and spiritual wisdom. As a family specialist at Families by Design, Ms. Braisin focuses her work in strengthening couples and families, teaching parenting skills, guiding co-parenting techniques after divorce, fertility related issues and stress reduction techniques.

Sabrina Braisin was trained by a leading forensic psychologist to become a Supervisor at a private family center where she performed custody evaluations, conducted supervised visitations, and facilitated anger management and co-parenting courses. As manager of the Employee Assistance Program at a top cardiac center and the Student Assistance Program at a private college in New York, Ms. Braisin provided supportive counseling to address issues that affected their well-being.

Ms. Braisin holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, and a Masters in Science degree from Columbia University in New York City. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Florida. Ms. Braisin is dedicated to using her past work and life experiences together with her high professional standards and compassion to guide people to achieve their optimum wellness.

SabrinaBraisin@FamiliesbyDesign.net