Laura Oliff, Ph.D., Associate Director of the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy, is a New York State licensed psychologist, Founding Fellow and Diplomate of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy and a member of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. She has extensive experience in both cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy with individuals, couples and families. Dr. Oliff specializes in the treatment of generalized anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, health anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, a wide range of eating disorders and adult ADHD. Other areas of specialization include the development of effective interpersonal and workplace communication skills, interpersonal conflict resolution, problem-solving strategies, relationship enhancement and infertility. Managing life transitions such as divorce and dating in mid-life, death of a parent or spouse, caring for an elderly relative, retirement and aging are also areas of interest.
Dr. Oliff received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the Graduate Faculty, New School for Social Research. She began her training in CBT at the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy under the supervision of Robert Leahy, Ph.D. and has been a senior staff member of the institute for over twenty-five years. Dr. Oliff has been responsible for supervising and training numerous psychology externs and post-doctoral candidates in cognitive behavior therapy at the institute. She continues to incorporate mindfulness as well as acceptance and commitment therapy skills with cognitive behavior therapy in her work with young adults, adults, couples and families. She has most recently completed Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 1 training: Bridging the Couple Chasm.
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 couples and families. Dr. Paula specializes in the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Borderline Personality Disorder, complex trauma, emotional dysregulation in children and adults, and marital/relationship distress using the Gottman Method. She also treats mood and anxiety disorders, ADHD, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and helps 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 30 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.
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 serves as an adjunct professor and clinical psychology supervisor for the doctoral program of Columbia University, Teachers College. 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. Dr. Glubo draws from evidence-based treatments in her behavioral medicine work to treat those suffering from concussion, traumatic brain injury (TBI), headaches, pain, cancer, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, and issues affecting women's health. 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.
Dr. Glubo is also trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and runs the young adult group at AICT. She completed an intensive training course through Behavioral Tech - A Linehan Institute Training Company as well as a full year externship at Bellevue Hospital Center's Intensive Personal Disorder Program. Dr. Glubo has extensive experience working with patients to more effectively regulate their emotions, enhance their problem solving skills, reduce problematic or impulsive behaviors, and more skillfully navigate interpersonal dynamics.
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 is the developer of Mindfulness and Modification Therapy (MMT), a psychotherapy that helps clients break free from impulsive or addictive behaviors and build more fulfilling, meaningful lives. She is author of the book Treating Impulsive, Addictive, and Self-Destructive Behavior: Mindfulness and Modification Therapy. Dr. Wupperman has also authored several journal articles and chapters on topics such as mindfulness, emotion regulation, and psychotherapy outcomes. 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, psychology and psychiatry residents, social work interns, and graduate students.
Dr. Wupperman has extensive experience providing mindfulness-based treatments, DBT, cognitive behavioral 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 fulfilling and meaningful.
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.
Professional Workshops and Invited Talks
Westphal, M. (2019, April). Functions of mindfulness and self-compassion in coping with adversity. Invited guest lecture given at the College for Health Professions, Pace University, Pleasantville, NY.
Westphal, M. (2019, March). The potential contribution of mindfulness and self-compassion to coping with spinal cord injury. Invited award talk presented at the 8th European Spinal Psychology Conference at Der Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
Westphal, M. (2019, March). Mindfulness and resilience
to potential trauma. Invited talk presented as part of a half-day workshop on
“Integrated Psychotherapy and Optimism during Initial Rehabilitation”,
Schweizer Paraplegiker-Zentrum Forschung, Nottwil, Switzerland.
Westphal, M. & Kaufman, S. (2018, June). The role of campus-based mindfulness-based stress
reduction programs to increase resilience to stress and promote retention.
Workshop presented at the Second Annual Retention conference, Pace University,
Pleasantville, NY.
Westphal, M. (2018, May). Using media and experiential
learning strategies to identify and address cultural biases in assessment and
psychotherapy. Workshop presented at the 2018 Faculty Teaching Institute, Pace
University, Pleasantville, NY
Westphal, M. (2018, April). Mental health benefits of
mindfulness in medical personnel. Invited talk given at the 4th Annual
Psychology Research Conference, Pace University, Pleasantville, NY.
Westphal, M. (2018, April). Emotion regulatory
functions of mindfulness. Invited guest lecture given at the College for Health
Professions, Pace University, Pleasantville, NY.
Kathleen Mattran Taylor, Ph.D., DBT Program Coordinator, Clinican, is a licensed psychologist in New York. Dr Taylor creates a collaborative therapeutic process that is focused on how to help you make changes that will alleviate suffering and increase your 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 adult posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using cognitive processing therapy (CPT), prolonged exposure therapy (PE), and dialectal behavior therapy – prolonged exposure protocol (DBT-PE). She 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 is a Clinical Lecturer in Psychology at Barnard College, where she teaches and advises the next generation of psychologists and collaborates in ongoing psychological research.
Read some of Dr. Taylor's tips
here.
 (2).jpg)
Aspasia Hotzoglou, Ph.D., is a a Licensed Psychologist at the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy. She is trained in cognitive behavioral therapies, specializing in working with individuals suffering from anxiety and mood disorders, trauma, and anger related issues. Dr. Hotzoglou completed her intensive training in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in January 2018 and is proficient in the treatment of individual with borderline personality disorder and emotion regulation issues. Dr. Hotzoglou has been trained in intellectual assessments, and has worked with families on developmental issues along the lifespan.
Dr. Hotzoglou earned her Bachelor’s degree from Hunter College and completed her doctoral degree in clinical psychology at Hofstra University. She also completed her APA accredited internship at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center where she was trained in the use of prolonged exposure therapy (PE).
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 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.
Anna Brunner, M.A., Intake Coordinator, received her Bachelors in Psychology from Franklin and Marshall College in 2014 and her Masters in Clinical Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University in 2018. Before joining the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy, she served as the clinical research coordinator at Harvard Medical School, Dept. of Psychiatry at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, MA for two years following her Bachelors degree. While completing her Masters degree she was a research assistant in Dr. George Bonanno’s Loss, Trauma, and Emotions Lab at Teachers College, Columbia University and was a clinical research assistant at Columbia University Medical Center, Dept. of Psychiatry. Since finishing her Masters, she has been working as a clinical research coordinator at the Icahn School of Medicine, Dept. of Psychiatry at Mount Sinai Hospital. Anna’s research interests include investigating emotion regulation processes and what happens when emotion regulation goes awry. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, and is exploring either a career in research or as a clinical psychologist.
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.
All Content on this website is copyrighted © Robert L. Leahy, PhD. All Rights Reserved.