Dr. Polak has a Ph.D. in Clinical and School Psychology from Hofstra University and an M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology from Columbia University. She was issued a Diplomate from the American College of Forensic Examiners in Family/Marital/ Domestic Relations Psychology in 1997.

She has been a member of the allied staff at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset since 1996, where she lectured to interns and psychiatric residents in the child and adolescent unit.

Dr. Polak has been a licensed full-time psychologist since 1983. She has particular expertise in the areas of interpersonal relationships, anxiety and depressive disorders, marital and divorce counseling, parenting and communication skills.

Dr. Polak teaches an innovative, interdisciplinary course in collaborative family law at Hofstra University Law School. She has taught law, graduate, undergraduate, and continuing education courses at Hofstra University, Sarah Lawrence College, and SUNY Purchase. She has also lectured for the Inns of Court Matrimonial Bar and New York Association of Collaborative Professionals. She is trained as a Family Specialist, Child Specialist, Parent Coordinator, and Mediator.