Dr. Vanetta LaRosa

I have dedicated my career to helping children and young adults reach their fullest potential. With over 20 years of hands-on experience across clinical, educational, and neuropsychological settings, I provide compassionate, dignified care grounded in deep expertise. My training was shaped by leading scholars in neuropsychology, educational psychology, and behavior analysis. I trained in a neuropsychology lab at Stony Brook University, became a licensed, board-certified behavior analyst, completed doctoral training at Southern Illinois University under Dr. Barbara Cordoni, and later completed postdoctoral re-specialization in clinical neuropsychology under Dr. Elkhonon Goldberg, specializing in pediatric and complex behavioral cases.

Clients should know that I take the time to truly understand each individual’s needs before beginning treatment. Whether conducting an evaluation or providing therapy, I focus on getting to the heart of the referral question so the information is meaningful and useful for long-term educational, behavioral, and life goals. I provide structure and clarity. Clients always know what sessions will involve and how progress will be measured. In ongoing therapy, we work from a clear plan, often with practice assignments between sessions. My approach is supportive, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based, data-informed methods.

In addition to my clinical work, I serve as Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Behavioral Health Professions at Long Island University. I remain actively engaged in research, serving on the Dean’s research committee and overseeing doctoral-level research and IRB processes. I mentor both doctoral and undergraduate students, which keeps me closely connected to emerging science and evolving best practices. I am particularly interested in the ethical application of artificial intelligence in behavioral health, including research exploring how physiological data may help identify early signs of dysregulation in individuals with autism and neurodevelopmental conditions.