Dr. Gary Altheim is a New York State licensed Clinical Psychologist who has extensive experience in working therapeutically with emotionally challenged children, young adults, seniors, and families. He is the Founder and Executive Director of Growth and Development Services (GDS), a nonprofit organization that services elders and youth. He also has extensive experience working with seniors and elders with dementia. After discovering the healing power of music in caregiving for his mom with Alzheimer’s Disease, he created an intergenerational music program namesake, Youth Engaging Seniors (YES), to bring life and connection to elders with dementia and caregivers suffering from the burdens of living with a loved one with dementia.

In 2018, Dr. Altheim was a finalist for Child Mind Institute’s Annual Change Maker Awards and was featured in Parents Magazine for his work addressing the burdens of family instability, violence, mental health, and learning disabilities. He has a plethora of experience in conducting workshops, consulting, and training corporations, nonprofits and assisted living facilities in creating effective environments and tools to work with clients, staff, and caregivers. He developed a leadership development model (The Reah Your Potential Model) to empower individuals and groups to team build, bond, and reach their full potential!