Dr. Genya Bernstein, PhD

I do not recommend Dr. Bernstein. She is well credentialed, but her treatment failed to address the problems that were injecting tensions into my marriage. My spouse and I disagreed on a range of parenting issues, but Dr. Bernstein was dismissive and passive in addressing these concerns. I believe that part of her attitude was based on her having a disabled daughter, and her considering our challenges light in comparison. She certainly faced significant challenges as a parent, but these should not interfere with the treatment she provides. It is not that she failed to validate -- we were not asking for validation and validation is not always appropriate. It is that she failed to engage, unpack and address our concerns. Her attitude was very disappointing, and her treatment only led to problems festering.

Genya is a passive therapist. We went to see her because my wife was increasingly unhappy in the marriage. During the visits, my wife wouldn't talk and I had to explain what was going on in the relationship, at least from my point of view. I tried to be empathetic and present my wife's point of view as well as I could. Genya did nothing to draw my wife out, and let her sit mute for session after session. After ten or so sessions, Genya said in an exasperated way, why don't you two fight and air things out? Genya does not channel the discontents of a marriage and work towards their resolution. Although experienced, she is extremely lazy and unconstructive.