Laura Athey

Laura Athey-Lloyd, Psy.D.

Licensed Clinical Psychologist & Mental Health Contributor

Dr. Laura Athey-Lloyd is a New York State-licensed clinical psychologist with over 15 years of experience helping individuals and families navigate complex emotional landscapes. As the founder of Reflection Psychological Services, she maintains a thriving private practice with offices in Midtown East, Gramercy Park, and Yonkers, where she provides psychotherapy and specialized psychological assessments for children, adolescents, and adults.

Clinical Expertise & Philosophy

Dr. Athey-Lloyd’s work is rooted in a relational psychodynamic framework, meaning she helps her clients identify patterns in early, formative relationships that may be influencing their current lives. Rather than acting as a “blank slate,” Laura is known for an active, conversational, and collaborative style. She values authenticity and interactive energy, helping clients bridge the gap between their intentions and their actions to create lasting change.
For readers of Bipolar Lives, Dr. Athey-Lloyd brings a unique perspective on how mood disorders intersect with family dynamics and personal identity. Her clinical toolkit is diverse, integrating:
Internal Family Systems (IFS): Helping individuals understand the different “parts” of their internal world.
Attachment-Based Therapy: Exploring how early bonds shape adult stability and relationship health.
Evidence-Based Modalities: Including CBT, ACT, and EMDR to address trauma, anxiety, and depression.
Neurodiversity-Affirming Care: Providing a supportive space for individuals with diverse cognitive and emotional profiles.

Academic and Supervisory Leadership

Beyond her private practice, Dr. Athey-Lloyd is deeply committed to the future of the field. Since 2014, she has served as a Supervising Psychologist at Long Island University (LIU Post), where she provides clinical supervision to doctoral-level psychology students. She previously spent seven years at Andrus Children’s Center, serving as a staff psychologist and supervising interns during their residency.
Her research and writing have been featured in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Child Psychotherapy, where she published on the complexities of the therapeutic relationship and the value of “not knowing” in clinical practice.

Education & Training

Dr. Athey-Lloyd’s rigorous academic background provides a firm foundation for her clinical insights:
Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology: Long Island University
M.S. in Clinical Psychology: Long Island University
B.A. in Clinical Psychology: Tufts University
Postdoctoral Fellowships: Completed specialized training in adult psychodynamic therapy at the William Alanson White Institute in Manhattan and in child and family therapy at Andrus in Westchester.

A Personal Note

Laura’s curiosity about human stories began early, growing up in a diverse, blended family in Washington, D.C. This personal background shaped her lifelong interest in how families flourish and how individuals find their “stuck” points. When she isn’t working with clients or supervising students, she enjoys contributing to the mental health community through webinars, conferences, and writing, always aiming to make complex psychological concepts accessible and healing for everyone.