About Me
My name is Dr. Sharon A Deacon, Ph.D. I am a NYS Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has been helping individuals, couples, and families to create the relationships they desire for over 25 years. I have trained under experts in my field to provide scientifically-evidenced interventions that improve relationships and help them to last. I want to share my knowledge and skills to teach you how to build a firm foundation for your marriage and family that will last for generations to come!
I am expertly trained in treating marital problems, sexual concerns, relationship conflicts, childhood traumas, family issues, and anxiety for the general population.
I also have specialized services for 3 specific groups:.
My academic career, research, and professional writing has focused on understanding the lives and unique problems of those in “helping professions” (therapists, physicians, healthcare workers, etc). I use this knowledge and expertise to provide therapy that is tailored to the needs of other service providers, because we are not immune to the problems we treat!
My practice caters to professionals in the public spotlight who desire the utmost privacy and discretion in addressing their personal matters. Whether you are a pastor, attorney, political leader, public spokesperson, educator, administrator, physician, athlete, or CEO, my goal is to create a safe space for you to receive professional, effective counsel. I understand what privacy is worth to you and have systems in place to protect your personal information within the legal limits of confidentiality.
I have spent a good portion of my career providing therapy through Christian organizations. I enjoy integrating Christian teachings and values into the therapy I provide for Christians who seek faith-based counseling.
I believe my job is to encourage you with hope for change. I will suggest new approaches and resolutions to your problems; serve as another set of eyes and ears to help you understand the issue more deeply; and teach you skills to move you closer to your goals. I strongly believe that healthy couples create healthy families, made up of healthy individuals, that form a healthy community, and make the world a better place! Lofty and idealistic, I know, but, I really believe that a better world and more fulfilled lives start with strong marriages and healthy families.
That’s why I created Firm Foundations for Families - 10 Building Blocks for a Healthy Family. I use this model as a basis for all of the counseling and teaching I provide. I sincerely value healthy, loving relationships in my own life and I want to help you to create the kind of relationships that enrich your days and add meaning to your life!
What People Are Saying
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Sharon Deacon is an amazing counselor. She listens well and offers straight talk and suggestions on how to deal with life situations. With her, you actually solve your problems!
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Dr. Deacon has great listening skills, and gives honest, straight-forward, helpful feedback that is insightful. She gave me a whole new perspective. She has a down to earth vision about relationships, people and the world we live in.
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She took me to hard emotional places and made me feel safe so I could grow out of them. She tells it like it is, but very compassionately, because she cares about you and genuinely wants to see you get better. She is authentic and real.
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I would describe Sharon as meticulously detailed, with a strong systemic focus, fair and just to everyone whose part of the family system. She doesn’t take sides, but holds everyone accountable. She is also very funny and helped me to laugh more. She is super smart and hard working!!!
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I hope you can see the passion I have for the work I do! But even better, I have the education and training that make me specifically qualified to do it! I have a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, with a minor in Education from SUNY Fredonia. From Purdue University, I received my Masters degree in Behavioral Sciences/Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) and my Doctorate in Child Development & Family Studies, with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT). At the time of my schooling, Purdue was the top-ranked program in the country for MFT. I trained under the best researchers, practitioners, and educators in my field to learn cutting edge, evidenced-based models for doing therapy. I have won numerous research and writing awards, published articles on practicing MFT, wrote for some national magazines on marriage and family topics, and authored a few books in my field. I have also been a professor of mental health, psychology, and/or family therapy at various institutions including Purdue University, Houghton College, and Medaille College. I continue to attend conferences, trainings, and workshops to sharpen my techniques and skills and remain informed of the latest research and approaches that can help my patients. I invest in the advancement of MFT because I believe in it and I truly love what I do!
While my qualifications and passions have led me to be an expert in MFT, I also continue to apply everything I learn to my own life and I practice what I preach! I won’t suggest that you do anything that I, myself, have not or would not be willing to do! I have been married for 25+ years and have four children. Life at my house can be crazy at times. . . we laugh a lot, we cry sometimes, we argue, we struggle with screen time, we compete ferociously at family games, we struggle with emotional issues, and sometimes we end up in a crisis and need a break from it all (not a Ross and Rachel kind of break. . . just a cooling off period)! But, we keep on learning, and growing, and saying “I’m sorry,” and forgiving, and trying to do it better the next time. I have been in therapy many times myself as I seek to grow to my fullest potential and overcome the barriers that prevent me from doing so. I believe there is strength in asking for help along your journey!
More personally, I grew up Catholic and have practiced my faith as a born again Christian for the last 25+ years. I strive to keep my faith and values at the center of all I do. I enjoy photography, graphic design, scrapbooking, painting, arts and crafts, hiking to waterfalls, reading, cooking, and exploring new places.
If I could serve you warm chocolate chip cookies in my therapy room, I would, because I do believe they make everything better!
Let’s Connect.
Let’s Make A Plan.
Let’s Work Together.
Chat with me.
Reach out and take the first step. I will listen to your concerns, and give you honest feedback.
Together we can take the next step!