Neophytos (Neo) Papaneophytou, Ph.D, LMHC

       Dr. Neophytos (Neo) Papaneophytou was born in Limassol, Cyprus. He earned a B.Sc. in Marketing and an MA in International Law & International Relations, Lancaster, England, an M.Sc. in Industrial Psychology, Baruch College, City University of New York, an MA in Clinical Psychology and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Fielding Graduate University, Santa Barbara, USA. Dr. Neo holds licenses in various US States. He has completed training in multiple areas of specialization, including sexual abuse and neglect, personality disorders and trauma. Dr. Neo has extensive experience with both victims and abusers, as well as with conditions pertinent to child development, anxiety, mood disorders, depression, schizophrenia (severe and persistent mental illness), bereavement, divorce, adjustment issues, LGBTQ issues, ADHD, PTSD, school/behavioral issues and parenting among other.

      Dr. Papaneophytou uses a client-centered approach to facilitate optimal therapeutic results and allow clients (children, adults, and couples) to enjoy an improved quality of life. Behavior modification, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, transference-focused psychotherapy, dynamic psychotherapy and trauma-focused CBT are some of the techniques of his practice. Throughout his career Dr. Neo has facilitated many therapy groups including children’s groups, anger management, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and stress management, among other.

In addition to his clinical practice and research, Dr. Papaneophytou’s career includes teaching psychology courses for over 20 years at institutions such as the City University of New York, The State University of New York and many other universities in the US and abroad, both at an undergraduate and graduate level. One of the postdoctoral programs Dr. Neo completed was in the scientific field of Infant-Parent Mental Health at the University of Massachusetts in Boston, while others focused on fields such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) where he has worked extensively with children and adults who were actively present during the 9/11 events in NYC.

      Dr. Neo has been volunteering with the Office of Emergency Management (Hoboken/NJ) for years. He has also volunteered as a disaster mental health clinician and actively engaged in animal-assisted/pet therapy. Furthermore, Dr. Papaneophytou is the founder and Chairman of two non-profit organizations aiming at expanding awareness and offering actionable help to people on the Autism Spectrum and their families.

As the author of many children’s books and co-editor of the book Autism 360 degrees (2019)          Dr. Neo ensures that all proceeds from book sales go toward the goals of his non-profit organizations.  These include the Annual Cyprus International Conference on Autism Treatment and Research as well as the establishment of the model Center for Excellence: The Cyprus International Center for Autism Education, Treatment and Research.

Previous children’s books published by this author include Magic Always Happens: My Daddy Loves Me (available in 4 languages), Strong as a Lion Big as a Tree, and Fluffadelia – all based on developmental psychology. His book Acculturation Experiences of Greek Americans (Lambert Publishing) is also available internationally. Dr. Neo is currently the co-editor of Emerging Programs for Autism Spectrum Disorder (Elsevier, 2021).   

      Dr. Neo welcomes clients and referrals at all the locations he practices in both New York and New Jersey. He is also a Distance Credentialed Counselor and holds licenses in CT, FL, GA, MA, NJ, NY, and PA. HIPAA Compliant technology is used for all communications with clients particularly for distance therapy purposes. For more information please visit Dr. Neo’s website: https://drneo.us/ 

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