About Us
Our difference is professional expertise, backed by evidence-based care
Every session at Friendship Building Psychological Services is led by certified and/or licensed professionals who specialize in meeting the needs of children and teens. We’re dedicated to improving their social and emotional growth through thoughtful, evidence-based models. We offer a range of services to help them connect, thrive, and grow.
Meet our founders
Our programs are designed and led by licensed psychologists and certified school-based professionals. Your child’s development deserves clinical precision, and your family deserves support that works.
Fern Sandler, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist and Co-Founder
Dr. Fern Sandler is a licensed psychologist and Co-Founder of Friendship Building Psychological Services (FBPS). She earned her Ph.D. in School Psychology from Fordham University and brings over 25 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and families. Her areas of expertise include Autism Spectrum Disorder, child and adolescent development, and social-emotional and behavioral challenges.
Dr. Sandler completed early training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in pediatrics and Mount Sinai Medical Center’s Department of Developmental Pediatrics, shaping her compassionate, family-centered approach. She has held clinical and leadership roles across medical, school, and clinic settings, including serving as head of the Psychology Department at Variety Child Learning Center.
She specializes in comprehensive Autism Spectrum Disorder evaluations, including administration of the ADOS-2, and integrates developmental, cognitive, and behavioral data to provide thoughtful diagnostic guidance. Dr. Sandler also provides individual therapy using CBT and other evidence-based interventions, along with parent training and consultation.
As Co-Founder of FBPS, Dr. Sandler co-developed the practice’s research-informed social-skills curriculum and parent education program. She is known for her warm, grounded style and commitment to helping children feel understood, confident, and supported.
Kristin Schmermund, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist and Co-Founder
Dr. Kristin Schmermund is a licensed psychologist and Co-Founder of Friendship Building Psychological Services (FBPS). She provides comprehensive evaluations and evidence-based treatment using CBT for children, adolescents and young adults.
Dr. Schmermund earned her Psy.D. and M.S. in School Psychology from St. John’s University and her undergraduate degree in Applied Psychology with Honors from New York University.
She has advanced training in Autism Spectrum Disorder evaluations, including administration of the ADOS-2, and has conducted hundreds of assessments across clinical, school, and private practice settings. Her background includes work at the NYU Child Study Center, St. John’s University Center for Counseling and Consultation, and schools across Long Island, where she specialized in Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, anxiety, and executive-functioning challenges. Her ability to translate assessment results into practical guidance helps support children at home, in school, and in their communities.
At Friendship Building Psychological Services, Dr. Schmermund co-developed the formal social-skills curriculum and parent-education model. She leads groups, trains staff, and is known for her warm, collaborative approach.
Meet Our Team
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Gabriella Duke, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Gabriella (“Gaby”) Duke is a licensed psychologist at Friendship Building Psychological Services (FBPS). She has extensive experience in child development, assessment, and school-based mental health, and is committed to helping children build emotional regulation, social understanding, and academic resilience.
Dr. Duke earned her Psy.D. in School Psychology from St. John’s University, where she received advanced training in psychoeducational evaluation, behavioral consultation, and evidence-based intervention. She has worked across clinical and educational settings, supporting children with diverse learning, emotional, and social needs.
In addition to her work at FBPS, Dr. Duke is a school psychologist in an elementary school setting, where she provides counseling, conducts evaluations, and collaborates closely with families and multidisciplinary teams. At FBPS, she offers individual therapy, assists with group programming, leads our Saturday morning social skills group program, and brings a warm, thoughtful approach that helps children feel supported, confident, and understood.
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Julissa Garris-Shade, Psy.D.
School Psychologist
Dr. Julissa Garris-Shade is a school–clinical child psychologist with more than 25 years of experience working with children and families. She is highly skilled in child development, emotional regulation, and social–emotional learning, and is dedicated to helping children grow in both individual and group environments.
Dr. Garris-Shade earned her doctorate at Yeshiva University. She has worked in a variety of school, clinical, and community settings, providing counseling, assessment, and consultation for children with a wide range of developmental and behavioral profiles. She is especially passionate about using structured, supportive group formats to help children strengthen communication, flexibility, and peer relationships.
At Friendship Building Psychological Services, Dr. Garris-Shade plays a central role in group facilitation and leadership, as well as social–emotional instruction. She is known for her steady presence, collaborative mindset, and belief in every child’s capacity to develop meaningful friendships and essential life skills.
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Stacey Schwartz, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Stacey Schwartz is a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist with over 25 years of experience supporting children and families. Dr. Schwartz earned her doctoral degree at New York University. She brings deep expertise in child development, emotional well-being, and school-based mental health, and is committed to helping students thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.
At Friendship Building Psychological Services, Dr. Schwartz co-leads parent and child groups and provides individual therapy to children and adolescents. She is widely appreciated for her warm demeanor, collaborative approach, many areas of expertise, and ability to partner effectively with caregivers to support each child’s unique needs.
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Wendy Rothman, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Wendy Rothman is a licensed psychologist with more than 30 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and their families in a school setting. She earned her doctorate at Yeshiva University. She has joined Friendship Building Psychological Services to continue her work helping students strengthen their social, emotional, and behavioral functioning through the provision of individual therapy sessions. She also works closely with caregivers through parent training and support, helping families build strategies that carry over into home and community settings.
Throughout her career, Dr. Rothman has emphasized the importance of partnering closely with parents and caregivers to promote meaningful, lasting progress. She brings a calm, supportive presence and a deep understanding of child development to her work, offering guidance that helps families foster confidence, resilience, and positive peer relationships.
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Ari Kalish, M.S.
Behavioral Expert and Consultant
Ari Kalish is a Behavioral Expert and Consultant at Friendship Building Psychological Services (FBPS) and has been a key member of the team since its founding. She draws on her background in applied behavior analysis and child development to help children strengthen social and behavioral skills in settings that are both nurturing and structured.
Ari earned her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Hunter College. She currently works as a behavior consultant and also supports operations at an ABA clinic, where she oversees behavioral programming and staff coordination. Her earlier work in a special education preschool—first as a teacher’s assistant and later as a behavior interventionist—helped shape her supportive and compassionate approach.
At FBPS, Ari assists with group facilitation, provides behavioral coaching, and ensures a warm and consistent approach that promotes growth, confidence, and peer success.
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Felicia Flammia, M.S.
School Psychologist
Felicia Flammia is a school psychologist at Friendship Building Psychological Services (FBPS). She earned her M.S. in School Psychology from Adelphi University and has experience supporting students across a variety of educational settings and developmental profiles.
Felicia is passionate about creating welcoming, student-centered environments that encourage social, emotional, and academic growth. She has worked with children of all ages, offering counseling, skill-building interventions, and collaborative support designed to strengthen confidence and emotional resilience.
Felicia uses a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates art-based strategies, mindfulness practices, and developmentally tailored counseling techniques. At FBPS, she plays an important role in group facilitation, bringing creativity, warmth, and a thoughtful, child-focused lens to her work.
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Laura Boehm, M.S.
School Psychologist
Laura Boehm is a school psychologist at Friendship Building Psychological Services (FBPS), where she provides social–emotional support and structured skill-building interventions to children and adolescents. She is known for her calm, collaborative approach and her ability to help children strengthen regulation, communication, and social awareness.
Laura earned her master’s degree in School Psychology from Adelphi University. She holds specialized certification in supporting students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Her professional background includes counseling, assessment, and multidisciplinary collaboration across multiple school settings. She works with children and teens with a wide range of developmental and cognitive needs.
At FBPS, Laura works closely with children, offering developmentally informed interventions that build confidence, resilience, and positive peer interactions.
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Nicholas Dechiaro, M.S.
School Psychologist
Nicholas Dechiaro is a school psychologist at Friendship Building Psychological Services (FBPS), where he supports children in developing social–emotional skills, communication abilities, and strong peer connections. He brings an energetic, engaging style to his work and is particularly passionate about helping children learn to navigate social situations and manage their emotions. Nicholas assists in facilitating group sessions, helping children build confidence and essential social–emotional foundations.
Nicholas earned his M.S. in School Psychology from St. John’s University. In addition to his role at FBPS, he works in an elementary school setting as a school psychologist, providing counseling, conducting evaluations, and collaborating with families and staff to support each child’s growth.
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Kassidy Mullins, M.S.
School Counselor
Kassidy is a group facilitator at Friendship Building Psychological Services (FBPS) and brings experience working with children and adolescents across a wide range of developmental, social, and emotional needs. She currently works as a school counselor in a middle school setting and has supported students of all ages through individual counseling, group work, and school-based interventions. She received her Master of Science Degree at Long Island University.
Kassidy is also pursuing licensure as a Mental Health Counselor and is dedicated to expanding her clinical skills to better support children and families. She is enthusiastic about incorporating a variety of counseling techniques to help students strengthen emotional regulation, communication, and peer relationship skills. At FBPS, Kassidy brings warmth, creativity, and a student-centered approach to her group work.
Success Stories
“Friendship group has provided our son with a safe space to interact and make connections with peers. Dr. Schmermund and Dr. Sandler expose him to different social situations and provide him with the tools he needs to be successful at school, camp, and at home. Our son enjoys going to friendship group each week, and we look forward to seeing him continue to progress!”
