Skip to content 
- Dorrie
- She, Her, & Hers
Language(s):
English
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
# 000088
Licensured State:
New York
Accepted Payment:
- Private Pay
- Sliding Scale
EDUCATION:
MA in Marriage and Family Therapy
~ Syracuse University
Additional Credentials
- Certificate ~ Association of Marriage and Family Therapy
- Certificate ~ Association for Play Therapy
Dorrie Rose, LMFT
Affiliated Therapist
Hello! I am so glad you are here. For more than three decades, I have had the privilege of working with children, adults, and families through many different stages of life. At the heart of my work is a belief that people make sense when we take the time to understand how they experience the world, what they have lived through, and what helps them feel connected, capable, and understood.
I am skilled in working with neurodivergent adults, bringing decades of clinical experience and a family systems perspective to understanding the ways neurodivergence can shape relationships, stress, communication, and everyday life.
I have particular expertise in working with young children ages 3 to 6, including neurodivergent children and children navigating autism, ADHD, attachment concerns, and other developmental needs.
My goal is to meet you where you are, follow your lead, and help you and your family find ways to move through life with greater confidence, connection, and a little more room for play.
Area of Focus
Young Children, Autism & ADHD ~ As a Pre-K specialist and play therapist, I have decades of experience supporting young children and their families. I work especially well with children ages 3 to 6 who are neurodivergent, newly diagnosed with autism or ADHD, or experiencing developmental, emotional, behavioral, or relational challenges. I also help parents better understand what their child may be communicating through behavior and play.
Attachment & Parent-Child Relationships ~ Relationships are at the center of healthy development. I help parents learn how to follow their child’s lead, get down on their level, and use play to create more opportunities for attention, emotional expression, connection, and fun. This is not about allowing the child to be in charge. It is about finding ways to empower the child without disempowering the parent.
Neurodivergent Adults ~ Neurodivergence does not end with childhood. I also work with neurodivergent adults, including those navigating ADHD, autism, stress, anxiety, relationships, life transitions, or a new understanding of how their brain works. My approach is curious and individualized rather than focused on forcing someone to fit a particular mold. Together, we can explore what works for you and build on the strengths and insight you already have.
Families & Life Stressors ~ With more than 30 years as a Marriage and Family Therapist, I understand that what affects one person often affects the whole family system. I support individuals and families in navigating stress, transitions, relationships, anxiety, trauma, and the many challenges that come with being human.
My Approach
I believe strongly in following the lead of the person in front of me, whether that person is four years old or forty-four.
With young children, play becomes our language. Play is not simply entertainment. It is one of the primary ways children learn, communicate, experiment, build relationships, express emotion, and make sense of their world. Through positive free play and immersive play experiences, children can expand attention, explore feelings, decrease anxiety, practice new skills, and experience themselves as capable.
Parents are an important part of this work. I help parents become more comfortable entering their child’s world through play and teach practical ways to create positive interactions at home. You may find yourself becoming part of a story, following an imaginative adventure, or discovering that a few minutes of child-led play can tell you quite a lot about what your child needs.
With adults, my approach remains collaborative, relational, and often playful. Therapy does not always have to feel heavy to be meaningful. We can be curious about patterns, explore relationships and experiences, and find approaches that work with your brain rather than constantly asking you to work against it.
My work is informed by Bowen Family Systems Theory, Internal Family Systems, trauma theory, and play therapy. My work with children has also been deeply influenced by pioneers in the field, including Dr. Garry Landreth and Dr. Eliana Gil.
Qualifications
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with more than 30 years of experience working with children, adults, and families. I am a Pre-K specialist and experienced play therapist with particular expertise in early childhood development, neurodivergence, attachment, and family relationships.
Throughout my career, I have advocated for children and families and have developed a deep understanding of the importance of supporting not only the child, but also the relationships and family systems surrounding them.
My clinical work includes experience with autism, ADHD, developmental needs, attachment concerns, anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, life transitions, stress, and women’s issues. I draw from Play Therapy, Family Systems, Internal Family Systems, trauma-informed approaches, and culturally sensitive therapy.
My Ideal Client
I work with clients across the lifespan, with particular experience supporting preschool-aged children, teens, and neurodivergent adults.
For young children, especially ages 3 to 6, I work with families navigating autism, ADHD, attachment concerns, developmental needs, big emotions, and challenges with connection or regulation. I also support parents in learning how to better understand their child’s behavior, follow their lead in play, and create more positive interactions at home.
With teens, I offer a supportive and collaborative space to explore identity, relationships, stress, anxiety, neurodivergence, family dynamics, and the many changes that come with adolescence. My goal is to help teens feel understood while also supporting healthier communication and connection within the family.
I also work with neurodivergent adults who may be navigating ADHD, autism, anxiety, relationships, life transitions, or a growing understanding of how their brain works. You may be newly diagnosed, self-identifying, or simply looking for a therapist who understands that there is more than one way to experience and move through the world.
Whether I am working with a young child, a teenager, or an adult, I want therapy to feel like a place where you can be curious about yourself, build on your strengths, and feel supported without being asked to become someone you are not.
Personal Information
I believe play is not only essential for children, but also something many of us have lost along the way. Children are given less and less time for genuine free play, even in environments designed for learning, and adults often stop making room for play altogether. Many of us have simply forgotten how to feel comfortable, free, and genuine when we play.
I think that matters. Play keeps us curious. It helps us learn and grow, strengthens relationships, and creates opportunities for connection that we cannot always reach through words alone. When we lose those opportunities, our families and social connections can suffer.
I have spent decades advocating for children and families, and that same spirit of curiosity and playfulness is part of who I am. I love creating opportunities for children, parents, and adults to laugh, explore, experiment, and discover something new about themselves and one another. I believe deeply that when people feel understood and empowered, relationships become stronger, and that is often where meaningful change begins.
