Gaetano Patalano

Hi, I'm so glad you're here.

For more than 30 years, I've walked alongside adolescents who felt misunderstood, disconnected, or like they just couldn't find their footing in traditional school settings. I know how isolating it can feel when the world around you doesn't quite seem built for how you think, feel, or learn — and I've built my entire practice around changing that experience for teens and their families.

I work with adolescents navigating anger, ADHD, and the kinds of challenges that can make school, friendships, and family life feel like an uphill climb. Many of the young people I work with have felt overlooked or pushed aside by systems that weren't built with them in mind — and my goal is to help them feel seen, capable, and in control of their own story instead. I also have deep experience supporting teens and families through moments of real crisis, so if things feel urgent or overwhelming right now, you're not bringing me something I haven't navigated before.

My approach is rooted in Gestalt therapy — a present-focused, whole-person way of working. In practice, that means I'm listening to more than just your teen's words. I pay close attention to body language, tone, and the things that are hard to put into words, so we can understand what's really going on underneath the surface. Together, we focus on what's happening right now, build real self-awareness, and turn that insight into concrete, doable next steps — not just talk, but actual forward movement.

If you choose to work with me, you can expect an open-minded, accepting space where trust comes first. I bring attentiveness and genuine warmth to every session, and I'm deeply committed to helping your teen feel grounded, understood, and supported as we work toward meaningful, lasting change — together.