Laura Oliff, Ph.D., Associate Director of the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy, is a licensed psychologist in the state of New York, Founding Fellow and Diplomate of The Academy of Cognitive Therapy and a member of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. Dr. Oliff has been trained extensively in both cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic approaches to therapy. With twenty-five years of clinical experience with individuals, couples and families, she specializes in the treatment of bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety, health anxiety, a broad range of eating disorders and adult ADHD. Other areas of interest include the development of effective career/workplace strategies, conflict resolution at work and home, relationship enhancement, coping with infertility and deciding among alternative parenting options later in life. Making healthy adjustments to your own life transitions or those of family members such as attending college, career changes, divorce, retirement and aging are also areas of focus.
Dr. Oliff received her B.A. in psychology from New York University and her Ph.D. in psychology from the Graduate Faculty, New School for Social Research. Dr. Oliff began her training in cognitive behavioral therapy at the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy under the supervision of Robert Leahy, Ph.D. and has been a staff member of the institute for nearly 25 years. Dr. Oliff has been responsible for supervising and training numerous psychology externs and post-doctoral candidates in cognitive behavioral therapy at the Institute over the years. She continues to incorporate mindfulness, acceptance and compassion focused therapy skills with traditional cognitive behavioral therapy in her work with individuals, couples and families.
Read some of Dr. Oliff's tips here.
Melissa D. Horowitz, PsyD, Director of Clinical Training, Director of Eating Disorders and Weight Management Program, is a New York State licensed psychologist with extensive experience in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), social problem-solving, motivational interviewing and mindfulness-based approaches. She works with adolescents, college students, adults and families. Dr. Horowitz specializes in the treatment of eating disorders (binge eating disorder, bulimia, anorexia) and body-image and weight-management issues in both men and women. She also specializes in the treatment of mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder), anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety, social anxiety, separation anxiety, panic disorder, phobias), and obsessive compulsive and related disorders (trichotillomania, skin-picking, body-dysmorphic disorder). Additional areas of expertise include insomnia, grief, procrastination, perfectionism, substance abuse, personality disorders and chronic health issues. Dr. Horowitz has been intensively trained in working with individuals struggling with regulating their emotions, impulsivity, poor problem-solving skills, interpersonal conflicts and self-injury.
Dr. Horowitz received her B.A. in psychology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and received an M.S. in clinical health and counseling psychology as well as a joint M.S. and PsyD in clinical psychology from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. In addition to her formal academic training, Dr. Horowitz completed externships at the Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy and Research, Hahnemann University Hospital/Drexel University Department of Psychiatry and Medicine – Neuropsychology Division, University of Pennsylvania Center for Weight and Eating Disorders and the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy (AICT). Dr. Horowitz completed her psychology internship at the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center in Waianae, Hawaii, and a postdoctoral fellowship at Cognitive and Behavioral Consultants of Westchester. Prior to joining AICT, Dr. Horowitz was a supervising psychologist in the Behavioral Health Department at Kings County Hospital Center and an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Psychology at Iona College.
In addition to treating clients, Dr. Horowitz is a visiting scholar and clinical psychology supervisor at Columbia University, Teachers College, where she supervises doctoral students. Dr. Horowitz conducts CBT workshops and is a frequent lecturer and guest speaker on topics relating to CBT and DBT generally and on topics relating to eating disorders in particular. She has been quoted in publications such as Weight Watchers Magazine, Shape, and Headspace. Dr. Horowitz is a member of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, the New York State Psychological Association and the Academy for Eating Disorders.
Read some of Dr. Horowitz's tips here.
Susan Trachtenberg Paula, Ph.D., Director of Child and Adolescent Program, is a New York State licensed psychologist with extensive experience in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and cognitive- behavioral play therapy. She works with clients of all ages, from very young children to adults, as well as with families. Dr. Paula specializes in the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Borderline Personality Disorder, complex trauma, and emotional dysregulation in children and adults. She also treats and specializes in mood and anxiety disorders, ADHD, and in helping parents develop effective skills for managing difficult behavior in their children. Dr. Paula received her B.A. in psychology from the University of Rochester, and her Ph.D. in psychology from Indiana University, where she was granted a university fellowship and NIMH Research Traineeship. Dr. Paula completed her psychology internship at the University of California at Irvine Medical Center and Clinica del Nino, in Orange County, CA. In her 26 years as a psychologist, Dr. Paula has directed day treatment programs for children and youth with disruptive behavior disorders, ADHD, and PTSD, a program providing treatment and support to those impacted by the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and participated in the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, promoting evidence-based treatments for PTSD in children and adolescents. She has also been training and supervising other therapists in CBT and evidence-based treatments for PTSD for over 20 years, most recently as the director of the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services Martha K. Selig Educational Institute. Dr. Paula has authored journal articles and book chapters on child sexual abuse, aggressive behavior in children, cognitive-behavioral play therapy, and anxiety disorders, and helped develop the National Center for PTSD’s web-based training on STAIR (Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation), an evidence-based treatment model for PTSD. The training can be accessed at STAIR Online Training.
Scott Woodruff, Ph.D, MBA, Director of Anxiety and
Obsessive Compulsive
Treatment Program,
Clinician is a licensed psychologist who employs traditional cognitive behavioral treatments and mindfulness-based therapies to foster goal-directed improvements in life, relationships, and career. Dr. Woodruff practices full-time as a clinician at the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy and has served as a clinical psychology supervisor to Columbia University's Ph.D. program. He has worked in research programs at Johns Hopkins Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, and the Catholic University of America and published and presented on anxiety, mindfulness, and positive and negative emotions.
Dr. Woodruff’s treatment areas of focus include OCD and anxiety (worry, social anxiety, panic attacks / agoraphobia, and specific fears such as flying phobias or fears of medical procedures). He also specializes in work challenges (particularly finance / investment, technology, law, and creative careers), relationship and pregnancy stresses, concentration difficulties / ADHD, and depression and mood disorders. Other frequent treatment areas include insomnia, anger, and substance abuse. Dr. Woodruff holds an MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from New York University’s College of Arts & Sciences in 2001. He has treated clients at the Behavior Therapy Center of Greater Washington, a nationally recognized center specializing in OCD-spectrum and anxiety disorders, treated veterans at multiple VA Medical Centers, and completed his Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the Catholic University of America. Prior to moving into psychology, he worked for Citigroup’s Corporate and Investment Bank and served in multiple positions within finance and media. He has commented on psychological issues for several publications, including the Atlantic, Men’s Health and Quartz, and appeared on the AMHQ morning show.
Heather Glubo Ph.D, Director of Behavioral Medicine, Clinician, is a New York State licensed clinical psychologist with extensive experience in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and specialized training in health psychology. Dr. Glubo’s clinical health psychology training focused on the mind-body connection in treating neurological and medical conditions. She completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship and a predoctoral internship (APA Accredited) in Clinical Neurorehabilitation Psychology at New York University Langone Medical Center, Rusk Rehabilitation. Dr. Glubo uses a biopsychosocial approach in her practice. She considers the biological, psychological and social factors that influence the way her clients feel, think and act, and how those factors impact overall health. Her behavioral medicine work is informed by evidence-based treatments used to help those suffering from concussion, traumatic brain injury (TBI), headaches, pain, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and heart disease. Additionally, she provides neuropsychological evaluations to assess cognitive functioning, which is used to inform her cognitive treatment aimed at improving attention, memory, processing speed, language, visual-spatial skills, and executive functions.
Dr. Glubo received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a Health Emphasis (APA Accredited) at Yeshiva University, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. Academically, Dr. Glubo publishes peer-reviewed journal articles and abstracts, and she presents at national and international conferences. Dr. Glubo’s contributions to the field were recognized as an invited speaker at the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) Young Investigators Symposium and with several postdoctoral and predoctoral research awards. She currently serves on the New York State Psychological Association’s (NYSPA) Division of Culture, Race and Ethnicity and was a fellow in its Leadership Institute in 2014. Dr. Glubo also served as the Northeast Regional Advocacy Coordinator and as a representative on the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice.
Graham Reynolds,
Ph.D., Clinician is a New York State licensed psychologist with a broad range
of experience in cognitive behavioral psychology (CBT), dialectical behavior
therapy (DBT), and mindfulness based therapies. He practices as a
full-time clinician at the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy and
specializes in working with adolescents and adults struggling with anxiety,
OCD, social phobia, PTSD, personality disorders, depression, and mood
disorders. Dr. Reynolds approaches treatment with an emphasis
on creating meaning and collaborates with clients to help
them live a valued life while helping to foster change in
problematic behaviors.
Dr.
Reynolds received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Hofstra
University and completed his pre-doctoral internship at the Hudson
Valley VA Medical Center working in the areas of dialectical behavior
therapy, substance abuse, and trauma focused interventions, including
certification in Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD. He has also
treated clients in the Ambulatory Care Centers at
the Northwell Healthcare System in the OCD and Bipolar Disorder
specialty clinics, has worked with Veterans in the dual diagnosis and
mental health outpatient clinics at the Northport VA Medical Center, and he has
worked on inpatient psychiatry units at St. John’s
Episcopal Hospital and Jamaica Hospital in Queens, New York. Dr.
Reynolds has completed primary training at the Albert Ellis Institute in
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy and is a past adjunct professor at State
University of New York College at Old Westbury. He has published and presented
at national and international conference on anxiety, psychosis, and aggression.
Peggilee Wupperman, Ph.D. (University of North Texas), Clinician, is a New York State licensed psychologist who is currently an associate professor at John Jay College/City University of New York and an assistant clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Wupperman completed her pre-doctoral fellowship at Yale School of Medicine, attended a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Washington under the direction of Marsha Linehan (founder of Dialectical Behavior Therapy; DBT), and returned to Yale School of Medicine for an advanced postdoctoral fellowship in the Psychotherapy Development Center.
Dr. Wupperman has authored several journal articles and chapters on topics such as mindfulness, emotion regulation, psychotherapy development, and dysregulated behaviors (also known as self-destructive, addictive, or impulsive behaviors). She is also the author of a blog for Psychology Today entitled
"Beyond Self-Destructive Behavior" Dr. Wupperman has presented at multiple national and international conferences, and she regularly conducts seminars and trainings for licensed clinicians, pre-doctoral and postdoctoral psychology fellows, psychiatry residents, social work interns, and graduate students. Dr. Wupperman recently completed her third grant-funded clinical trial to investigate a therapy (Mindfulness and Modification Therapy; MMT) that integrates mindfulness, cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical techniques, and motivation enhancement to target emotion and behavior dysregulation.
Dr. Wupperman has extensive experience providing mindfulness-based treatments, DBT, cognitive behavior therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and motivation-enhancement therapies. She specializes in treating clients who struggle with anxiety and/or problem behaviors (issues with alcohol/drugs use, binge eating, anger outbursts, chronic avoidance, etc.) that interfere with living lives that fit their values. She understands that these behaviors are often used to cope with difficult emotions and may seem impossible to resist. Thus, she uses a compassionate and empirically supported approach to help clients decrease problem behaviors, address the urges and/or anxiety that often occur when the behaviors are decreased, and begin to live lives that feel more meaningful and fulfilling.
Maren Westphal, Ph.D., Clinician, received her B.A. (Honors) in Social and Political Sciences from the University of Cambridge and her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology (With Distinction) from Columbia University. She is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Pace
University and also serves on the faculty of Columbia University’s Department
of Psychiatry. Dr. Westphal’s research focuses on individual differences,
psychosocial processes and neurobiological mechanisms that explain variability
in response to adversity, ranging from resilience to psychopathology. She has
co-authored journal articles and book chapters on emotion regulation and
resilience and presented her work at numerous national and international
conferences. After completing a postdoctoral fellowship in the mood and anxiety
disorders program at Mount Sinai, Dr. Westphal worked as a clinician and
researcher in the Trauma and PTSD program at Columbia University. Dr. Westphal
has been trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior
therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and family/couples therapy. At Pace University,
she teaches doctoral and masters-level courses on CBT, health psychology, evidence-based
practice, and the role of culture in counseling. Dr. Westphal specializes in
treating adults coping with traumatic life events and stressful life
transitions. Dr. Westphal also has experience treating individuals with mood
and personality disorders, relationship issues, infertility, medical illness, chronic
pain, and obesity. Dr. Westphal is fluent in English, German and Spanish and
draws on her clinical expertise treating patients from ethnically diverse
backgrounds and her research on emotion regulation and resilience to help
individuals and couples identify strengths and challenges that may arise from
cultural differences.
Kathleen Mattran Taylor, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, is a New York State licensed psychologist. Dr Taylor creates a collaborative therapeutic process that is focused on how to help the person make changes that will increase happiness and satisfaction in life. She employs cognitive behavioral therapies to treat of a variety of psychological disorders in both individuals and couples. Dr. Taylor works with people suffering from anxiety disorders, mood disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, bipolar disorder, trauma, and borderline personality disorder. She is extensively trained in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using cognitive processing therapy (CPT), prolonged exposure therapy (PE), and dialectal behavior therapy – prolonged exposure protocol (DBT-PE) and has helped veterans and civilians suffering from PTSD due to combat experiences and/or sexual assault. Dr. Taylor is also intensively trained in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and works with persons with borderline personality disorder, co-morbid substance use disorders, and other disorders of emotional regulation. Dr. Taylor has expertise in behavioral therapies and uses this knowledge to work with individuals with ADHD in learning behavioral control.
Dr. Taylor earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from George Mason University and her doctorate in Psychology and Neuroscience from Princeton University. She completed her postdoctoral respecialization in clinical psychology at Hofstra University and her psychology internship at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System in West Haven, CT. Dr. Taylor brings 25 years of neuroscience research experience and her expertise in the neural mechanisms of learning and motivation to her clinical practice. Dr. Taylor continues to teach psychology at Columbia University and remains actively involved in research using animal models to better understand the brain mechanisms of mental illnesses.
Read some of Dr. Taylor's tips
here.
Austin Harrison, M.A., Extern, Psychologist in Training, is a predoctoral extern at the American
Institute for Cognitive Therapy (AICT). Austin received a B.A. in Psychology
and Philosophy from The College of New Jersey. He is currently enrolled at
Fordham University where he is working toward his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
under the supervision of Dr. Dean McKay. Austin recently completed a
clinical externship at Hunter College’s Counseling & Wellness Services,
conducting individual therapy with young adults. At Fordham, he is currently
involved in research investigating cognitive-behavioral treatment for the sound
sensitivity disorder, misophonia. Prior to beginning his doctoral
studies, Austin was a research coordinator and lab manager at Columbia
University Medical Center and Duke University Medical Center, where he studied
the use of brain stimulation for the treatment of psychiatric illness and as a
tool for elucidating the neural correlates of working memory, visual search,
cognitive reserve, and decision-making.
Nicole Seligman, M.A., Extern, Psychologist in Training, received her Bachelors
degree at the University of Pennsylvania, with Honors in Psychology in 2013.
She worked as a research coordinator for Dr. Lauren Alloy at the Mood and
Cognition Lab at Temple University. In this position, she conducted structured
diagnostic interviews using the DSM-IV. Nicole
is currently a third year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology Doctoral
Program at Fordham University. She completed her master’s thesis with Dr.
Margaret Andover and identified adaptive situations to engage in emotion
regulation or distress tolerance strategies in order to recognize better
treatment targets.
Nicole completed her previous clinical externship at the Women’s
Unit of New York Presbyterian Hospital, Westchester Division. In this position,
she provided comprehensive behavioral treatments to a wide variety of
psychiatric diagnosis in an inpatient setting, including intensive group and
individual cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical-behavioral
therapy (DBT). In addition, she completed a four-month rotation on the Personality
Disorder Unit. Nicole’s professional focus is on treating outpatient adults who present with a range of
psychopathological trans- diagnostic processes through evidence-based
behavioral treatments.
Helen Butleroff Leahy, RD, CDN, offers nutrition counseling specializing in weight management, eating disorders, Type II Diabetes, GERD, IBS and medical conditions requiring nutritional intervention. Ms. Butleroff Leahy is a Registered Dietitian by The Commission on Dietetic Registration and Certified Dietitian Nutritionist licensed by NYS. She is winner of the "Certificate of Achievement Award" and "Activ8 Kids Mini Grant" from the NYS Department of Health for her nutrition program targeting obesity in NYC public school children. In addition to her private practice, Ms. Butleroff-Leahy gives nutrition presentations for the outpatient Psychiatric Clinic of New York Presbyterian-Cornell Hospital, for state legislators, United Nations Health forums, law firms and has been employed by GHI for TV segments on portion control, dehydration and healthy lifestyle choices. She also runs "The Nutrition & Fitness Education Intiative" that has now reached 2100 NYC school children. Click Here to visit her Website
Nicolette Molina, B.A. Research Assistant, received her Bachelors in Psychology and Cognitive Science, magna cum laude, from Rutgers University in 2016. Before joining the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy, she served as the clinic administrator for The Psychological Center at The City College of New York, CUNY. Concurrently, she was a research assistant for The Galynker Suicide Research Laboratory at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, working on a study of imminent suicide risk assessment. Nicolette’s research interests include investigating the cognitive and emotional processes involved in the development of suicidal motivation and developing efficacious care for individuals at risk for suicide. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, and is exploring either a career in research or as a clinical psychologist.
Martin Viola, M.A. Research Assistant, received his Masters in Forensic Psychology summa cum laude from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY, in May 2016. His research interests lie in the intersection between psychology and the wisdom traditions, integrating aspects of spirituality, religion, meaning-making and mindfulness into CBT. Having previously worked with Dr. Peggilee Wupperman and Dr. Ma'at E. Lewis at John Jay, he has a special focus on adapting cognitive behavioral therapies to support diverse populations. His future aspirations include fluency in Spanish and entrance into a Ph.D. program in clinical psychology.
Andrew Villier, B.A. Intake Coordinator, received his Bachelors in Psychology, summa cum laude, from Hunter College.
His previous experience includes working as a research
assistant in Dr. Douglas Mennin’s READ (regulation of
emotion in anxiety and depression) Lab at Hunter
College, where he completed his undergraduate honors
thesis studying the physical symptoms often present in
individuals with generalized anxiety disorder. Andrew is
also interested in atrisk
youth and adolescent
populations, which led him to work as an intake
counselor at The Door, whose mission is to empower
young individuals to reach their fullest potential.
Concerning his future aspirations, Andrew plans to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical
psychology.
Tatini Mal-Sarkar, B.A., Research Assistant, received her Bachelors in Psychology and Sociology from Columbia University in May 2017. She is currently a Master's candidate at the Mailman School of Public Health, specializing in the social determinants of mental health disparities. Her research interests are primarily within anxiety and eating disorders in female adolescent populations. Her previous experiences in psychiatry and social psychology, combined with her background in sociology, have informed her passion for diversity within the mental health field. She is also intrigued by the role of media in mitigating misperceptions of mental health in popular culture. She hopes to next acquire her doctorate in clinical psychology, ultimately specializing in the cognitive behavioral therapeutic approach.
William C. Sanderson, Ph.D., is a Professor of Psychology at Hofstra University. His primary areas of research include anxiety disorders, depression, and cognitive behavior therapy. Dr. Sanderson’s clinical expertise is in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for patients with anxiety and depressive disorders, and he has been treating and conducting research on such patients since 1983. Dr. Sanderson is a Founding Fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy and he has participated on numerous national committees, including the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-IV Anxiety Disorders Workgroup, and was recently the Chair of the American Psychological Association Division of Clinical Psychology's Committee on Science and Practice (a Task Force aimed at identifying and promoting the practice of empirically supported psychological interventions). He has published seven books and over 80 articles and chapters, primarily in the areas of anxiety, depression, personality disorders, and CBT.
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