the freedman center for clinical social work, founded in 1994 by diane e. freedman, phd, lcsw, is a group psychotherapy practice serving the mental, emotional and spiritual needs of long islanders. our approach is client-centered and we achieve this through an empathic presence that creates a safe space for addressing the problems of the individual, couple or family. we believe every person has the capacity to live a happy, healthy life. every individual possesses innate strengths to overcome adversity, trauma and stress. many of us need the appropriate support and guidance in order to achieve that end. the freedman center's clinicians are licensed social workers who have received training to help clients identify patterns, stressors and traumas that lead to emotional distress and ineffective coping.