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Training Program Administration and Faculty

DIRECTOR OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES

Ilene Cohen, Ph.D. (Long Island University, 1983) Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine. Director of Psychological Services, Bellevue Hospital Center. Director of Psychological Services, Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture. Interests: dynamic psychotherapy, health psychology, trauma, secondary trauma and the supervisory process. Graduate, NYU Postdoctoral Program in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy.

DIRECTOR, NYU-BELLEVUE CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Alan S. Elliot, Ph.D. (Yeshiva University, 1991) Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine. Senior Research Scientist, NYU School of Medicine. Director, NYU/Bellevue Clinical Psychology Internship Program. Director, Child and Adolescent Psychology Service, Bellevue Hospital Center. Research and interests: the effects of HIV status on sexual identity formation, psychological development and treatment of gay men and lesbians, professional training, development of HIV risk reduction programs, integration of cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic treatment approaches.

SPECIALTY TRACK COORDINATORS

Yvette Caro, Ph.D. (Adelphi University, 1987) Cross-Cultural Track Coordinator, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine. Chief Psychologist and Unit Chief, Bilingual Treatment Program Clinic, Bellevue Hospital Center. Interests and research: cross-cultural psychology, treatment and assessment of bilingual patients, health psychology, psychodynamic perspectives on chronic and life-threatening illness, bereavement, trauma, supervision, professional training and development.

Lori Evans, Ph.D. (St. John’s University, 1992) Child and Adolescent Track Coordinator , Associate Research Scientist, NYU School of Medicine, Director of Psychology Training, NYU Child Study Center. Research and interests: adolescent depression and ADHD, school consultation.

Glen E. Heiss, Ph.D. ( Fordham University, 2000) General Track Coordinator, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine. Senior Psychologist, Adult Inpatient Psychiatry, Bellevue Hospital Center. Research and interests: gay and lesbian identity development, integration of spirituality and psychotherapy, psychotherapeutic components of psychiatric training.

Andrew A. Shiva, Ph.D. (Columbia University, 2001) Forensic Track Coordinator, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine. Senior Psychologist and Director, Inpatient & Forensic Assessment, Bellevue Hospital Center. Primary Supervisor, Postdoctoral Fellowship in Forensic and Clinical Psychology. Research and interests: clinical and forensic psychological assessment, personality and projective testing supervision and supervisory process, forensic inpatient satisfaction, juridical decision-making, criminal responsibility, psychopathy, mass murder, terrorism.

TRAINING PROGRAM FACULTY

Adeyinka M. Akinsulure-Smith, Ph.D. (Columbia University, 1997) Staff Psychologist, Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture. Research and interests: psychodynamic psychotherapy, multi-cultural issues, war-related trauma, HIV/AIDS.

Lowell T. Anderson, Ph.D. (University of Wisconsin, 1973) Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine. Postdoctoral training at NYU School of Medicine in clinical research. Interests: behavioral pediatrics and behavioral genetics. Numerous publications in operant analysis of psychopathology, child behavior, Lesch-Nyhan disease, and childhood autism.

Eduvigis Cruz Arrieta, Ph.D. (City University of New York, 1998) Clinical Instructor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine. Senior Psychologist, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Service, NYU/ Stephen S. Hassenfeld Children 's Center. Interests: chronic illness and coping, women, girls and psychotherapy, depression, family issues, migration, culture and ethnicity, dance therapy.

Dominick Auciello, Psy.D. ( Yeshiva University, 2000). Clinical Neuropsychologist, Associate Research Scientist, NYU Child Study Center. Specialized training in clinical neuropsychology. Interests: the evaluation and treatment of ADHD, LD, and concussions in youth ice hockey.

Massimo Balestri, Ph.D. (Boston University, 1998) Clinical Instructor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine. Senior Psychologist and Director, Intensive Personality Disorder Program, Bellevue Hospital Center. Research and interests: subtypes of narcissistic personality disorder, development of personality disorder measures, neuropsychological and psychological testing, treatment of Axis II disorders, object relations theory and psychoanalysis.

Bornali Basu, Ph.D. (Adelphi University, 1997) Clinical Instructor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine, Senior Psychologist, Bellevue Hospital Center, Outpatient Mental Hygiene/South Asian Clinic. Interests: Psychotherapy with adults combining psychodynamic and cognitive techniques, cross-cultural and immigrant psychology, cardiac and health psychology.

Brian J. Belfi, Psy.D. (Carlos Albizu University, 2002) Forensic Program Administrator, Kirby Forensic Psychiatric Center. Interests and research: Psychology and the law, violence risk assessment and management, DBT, personality assessment, and treatment of offenders.

Belinda Bellet, Ph.D. (Adelphi University, 2003) Clinical Instructor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine. Senior Psychologist. Clinical and Co-Director of the Interim Crisis Clinic, Division of the Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program. Research and clinical interests: disorders of attachment and crisis management, trauma and psychological sequelae, brief psychodynamically oriented treatment, treatment of Axis II disorders.

Marcela A. Bonafina-Caraccioli, Ph.D. (City University of New York, 2003) Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine. Assistant Director, Traumatic Brain Injury Unit (TBI), Bellevue Hospital Center. Supervisor Postdoctoral Fellowship in Traumatic Brain Injury. Research and interests: psychiatric comorbities in TBI patients, agitation in TBI, dementia, neuropsychological deficits in TBI, cross-cultural assessment in neuropsychology. Publications in childhood psychopathology, asterognosis, temporal perception.

Anthony P. Bossis, Ph.D. (Adelphi University, 1999) Co-Director and Chief Psychologist, Pain Treatment Center, Bellevue Hospital Center; Clinical Instructor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine. Interests: clinical health psychology and psychosomatic medicine, pain psychology, psychoanalytic and humanistic psychotherapies, meditation, psychology and religion.

Nereyda G. Brenner, Ph.D. (New York University, 1987) Senior Psychologist, Bilingual Treatment Program, Bellevue Hospital Center. Interests and research: assessment and treatment of Hispanic patients, thinking disorders in schizophrenia, ethnicity and mental health, geriatrics, parent-child problem-solving, health psychology/menopause.

Suellen M. Carney, Psy.D., ATR (Pace University, 1992) Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine. Senior Psychologist, Pediatric Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Service, Bellevue Hospital Center. Research, publications, and interests: diagnostic assessment of children and adolescents, integration of neuropsychological and projective tests, learning disabilities, the impact of medical illness on families, symbolic expression in psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy.

Alison Carper, Ph.D. (Adelphi University, 2003) Clinical Instructor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine. Senior Psychologist, Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Service. Director of Psychology Externship Program, Bellevue Hospital Center. Interests: relational theories in psychotherapy, gender and psychopathology, infant-parent attachment, and the supervisory process.

Linda Carter, Ph.D. (New York University, 1974) Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine. Director, Family Studies Program, NYU Child Study Center. Advanced training in family psychotherapy and supervisory techniques with Jay Haley, Cloe Madanes, and Salvador Minuchin. Research interests and publications: family factors in schizophrenia, divorce and step-parenting, family factors in hypertension and cardiac disease, couples therapy, prevention of distress in couples.

Suzanne M. L. Colin, Ph.D. (University of Barcelona, 1995) Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine. Senior Psychologist, Child and Adolescent Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic, Bellevue Hospital Center. Co-Director, Child and Adolescent Psychology Externship Program. Research and interests: neurobehavioral development from fetal period through adolescence, perinatal intervention and support, maternal and child health, professional training. Advanced training in hypnosis and pediatric psychological and neuropsychological evaluation.

Meena Dasari, Ph.D. (Case Western Reserve University, 2004) Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine and Bellevue Hospital Center. Interests: anxiety disorders, psychological issues related to HIV/AIDS, cognitive behavioral therapy, treatment modifications for challenging populations. Graduate, Postdoctoral Fellowship at NYU Child Study Center.

Cynthia de Jesus, M.A. (New York University, 1982) Senior Psychologist, Bellevue Hospital Center. Research and interests: bilingual preschool assessment, early onset childhood schizophrenia, homeless and foster children, children of crack-addicted mothers.

Richard Gallagher, Ph.D. (Temple University, 1981) Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine. Interests: neuropsychology, behavior therapy protocols, parenting practices.

Jessica Gerson, Ph.D. (Long Island University, 1999) Senior Psychologist, Pediatric Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Service, Bellevue Hospital Center. Advanced training in family and couples therapy, and hypnotherapy. Research: PTSD, Borderline Personality Disorder and suicidal behavior. Interests: reunited families, program development and efficacy research, impact of psychological interventions on chronic disease, and the role of community and social support in the prevention of psychological problems in children.

Germaine Griswold, Ph.D. (Yeshiva University, 2004). Clinical Instructor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine. Psychologist, Bellevue Hospital Center, Outpatient Consultation/Liaison Psychiatry Department. Interests: Women's health including high risk pregnancy, palliative care, smoking cessation, chronic medical illness, and health psychology.

Galit Gurevitz Stern, Ph.D. (Long Island University, 2004) Senior Psychologist, Pediatric Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Service, Bellevue Hospital Center. Interests: Contemporary psychoanalytic theory and practice, psychotherapy integration, parent-child relationships, family therapy, mind-body interaction and clinical health psychology.

Peter T. Haugen, Ph.D. (University of Tennessee, 2006). Psychologist, Bellevue Hospital Center, World Trade Center Medical Monitoring Program; Chemical Dependency Outpatient Program. Interests: Psychodynamic psychotherapy process and outcome research; psychodynamic psychotherapy; trauma and PTSD; psychodynamic treatment of addiction. Research: Adolescent close relationships, communication, sexual decision-making, and normative sexuality.

A. Elizabeth Hirky, Ph.D. (Yeshiva University, 1997) Senior Psychologist, Rehabilitation Medicine, Bellevue Hospital Center. Areas of research and interest: adjustment to chronic illness and disability, HIV/AIDS, stress and coping, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy.

Anne B. Joelle, Ph.D. (Adelphi University, 2005). Senior Psychologist, Recovery Clinic, Bellevue Hospital Center. Clinical and research interests: Severe and persistent mental illness; co-occuring disorders; underserved populations; group process; object relations theory; Lacanian theory; mindfulness approaches.

Ruth Jonas, Ph.D. (New School University, 1987) Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine. Senior Psychologist, Bellevue Hospital Center. Graduate, NYU Postdoctoral Program in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. Interests: psychoanalysis, treatment of character pathology (narcissistic, borderline, antisocial, etc.), individual and group therapy with psychiatric forensic patients, couples and family therapy, forensic competency evaluation, the relationship between emotional expression and somatic symptoms.

Danielle Kaplan, Ph.D. (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2000). Psychologist and Director, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Program, Bellevue Hospital Center. Clinical and research Interests: cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety and depressive disorders, training and supervision in therapy, effective adaptation and applications of psychotherapy techniques to diverse populations, immigration and acculturation.

Lucia Kellar, Ph.D. (Columbia University, 1976) Research Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine. Senior Psychologist, Bellevue Hospital Center. Director, Neuropsychological Assessment Service, Bellevue Hospital Center. Core Faculty, Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture. Interests: neuropsychology, psychoanalytic psychotherapy, body psychotherapies.

Ifat Knaan-Kostman, Ph.D. (Adelphi University, 2006). Senior Psychologist, Program Coordinator, Intensive Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Bellevue Hospital Center. Interests: Theory and practice of short-term dynamic therapy and the application of this modality to a wide range of patients, including patients with substance problems and individuals with medical conditions, group psychotherapy and the supervisory process.

Amy L. Krain, Ph.D. (Temple University, 2003) Assistant Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Child Study Center, NYU School of Medicine. Assistant Director of the Phyllis Green and Randolph Cowen Institute for Pediatric Neuroscience. Research, interests, and publications: neural and cognitive mechanisms underlying pediatric anxiety disorders.

Steven M. S. Kurtz, Ph.D., ABPP (Washington University, 1985) Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine. Clinical Coordinator, Institute for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity and Related Disorders, NYU Child Study Center. Areas of interest: evidence-based treatment for childhood externalizing behavior disorders, comorbid presentations with externalizing behavior disorders integration of school-based interventions with clinical outpatient services, parent training.

Jennifer Lewis, Psy.D. (California School of Professional Psychology, 2000). Research Scientist and Senior Psychologist, Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, NYU School of Medicine and Bellevue Hospital Center. Clinical and Research Interests: Pediatric health and psychology, depression and symptom differentiation among youth perinatally and behaviorally infected with HIV/AIDS, development of transtheoretical disclosure programs for families infected and affected with HIV/AIDS, assessment and program development, cultural diversity issues and deafness in mental health.

Jennifer A. Mathur, Ph.D. (Adelphi University, 2002) Senior Psychologist, Bellevue Hospital Center, Forensic Psychiatry Service. Interests: psychodynamic psychotherapy, individual and group treatment of inpatients with persistent and severe mental illness, forensic assessment and court-ordered evaluations pertaining to issues of competency, and supervision and the supervisory process.

Marilia Neves, Psy.D. (Carlos Albizu University, 2001) Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine. Senior Psychologist, Consultation Liaison - Psychiatry, Bellevue Hospital Center. Interests and research: Psychosomatic medicine, adjustment to traumatic physical injuries, integrated brief psychotherapy with patients suffering from chronic and terminal illnesses.

Nancy Nichols-Goldstein, Psy.D. (Long Island University/C.W. Post, 1998) Senior Psychologist, Bellevue Forensic Psychiatry Clinic. Advanced training: Critical Issues in American Psychiatry and the Law presented by the Postgraduate Medical School of New York University. Interests include clinical/forensic interviewing and psychological analysis of criminal psychopathology in literature.

Ona Nierenberg, Ph.D. (Adelphi University, 1997) Clinical Instructor, Department of Psychiatry, Senior Psychologist, AIDS Program, Bellevue Hospital Center, Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture. Interests: Freudian and Lacanian psychoanalysis, history and philosophy of science, and the psychical consequences of medical illness.

Jessica Pearson, Psy.D. (Yeshiva University, 2003) Clinical Instructor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine. Senior Psychologist, Bellevue Hospital Center, Division of Forensic Psychiatry. Interests: Psychological and malingering assessment, DBT with inpatient forensic patients, dissociative disorders in forensic populations.

Carol Pepper, Ph.D. (City University of New York, 1997) Senior Psychologist, Rehabilitation Medicine, Bilingual Treatment Program, Bellevue Hospital Center. Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture. Bellevue Hospital Center. Research and interests: interpersonal and relational psychoanalysis, the clinical use of dreams. Advanced candidate, William Alanson White Institute.

Allyson M. Pimentel, Ed.D. (Harvard University, 2003) Clinical Instructor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine. Senior Psychologist, Geriatric Psychiatry Clinic and Mental Health Clinic, Bellevue Hospital Center. Research, interests, and publications: gender and ethnic identity development, immigrant-origin youth adaptation, mind-body psychotherapeutic approaches.

Kate Porterfield, Ph.D. (University of Michigan, 1998) Clinical Director, Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture. Interests: children and war, adolescent treatment, impact of bereavement and loss on families, behavioral intervention with children.

Cynthia Scheuer, Ph.D. (Southern Illinois University, 1967) Associate Psychologist, Kirby Forensic Psychiatric Center. Research interests: forensic psychology, experimental psychopathology, gender issues.

Susan J. Schwartz, M.A. Ed. (The George Washington University, 1977) Clinical Coordinator, Institute for Learning and Academic Achievement, NYU Child Study Center; Clinical Instructor of Psychiatry NYU School of Medicine. Research and interests: assessment and treatment of children with language, reading, writing, math and study/organizational difficulties, nonverbal learning disabilities, phonological awareness, and adolescent development of higher level reasoning skills.

Lauren Silverman, Ph.D. (City University of New York, 1999) Supervising Psychologist. Director, MICA/Mentally Ill Smoking Cessation Program. Senior Psychologist for Post 9/11 Counseling. Interests: Child- and adult-onset trauma. Psychodynamic interventions with at-risk populations; health care policy initiatives; survivors of torture; eating disorders and obesity.

Zoya Simakhodskaya, Ph.D. (City University of New York, 2002) Clinical Instructor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine. Director of Psychological Services and Training for Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program, Bellevue Hospital Center. Interests: psychology training in a psychiatric emergency room, chronic mental illness, adult and child psychodynamic psychotherapy, clinical health psychology and psychosomatic medicine.

Hawthorne Smith, Ph.D. (Columbia University, 1999) Staff Psychologist, Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture. Adjunct Assistant Professor, Teachers College, Columbia University. Research interests and publications: therapeutic individual and group modalities in the treatment of torture survivors, multicultural psychology, treatment of adolescents, international affairs and development.

Andrea Vazzana, Ph.D. (Northern Illinois University, 2000). Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Child Study Center, NYU School of Medicine. Research and interests: forensic evaluations, psychosocial outcomes of Lap-Band surgery for obese adolescents, eating disorders, obesity prevention and treatment, evidence-based treatment of externalizing behavior disorders.

Stephanie Victor, Psy.D., LMFT  ( California School of Professional Psychology, 2000).  Staff Psychologist, Child and Adolescent Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic, Bellevue Hospital Center.  Research and Interests: marriage and family therapy, cross-cultural competency, school-based mental health, parenting and juvenile delinquency, incarcerated youth, childhood sexual assault.

Andrew Weintraub, Ph.D. (Wayne State University, 1981) Clinical Instructor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine. Chief Psychologist, Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Bellevue Hospital Center. Interests: alcoholism, cognitive processes, psychotherapy.

Erica Weissman, J.D. (New York University, 1981), Psy.D. (Yeshiva University, 1994) Clinical Director, Division of Forensic Psychiatry, Bellevue Hospital Center; Clinical Instructor, NYU School of Medicine. Interests: Forensic evaluation, treatment, and research; psychology and the law; culture and psychology; psychodynamic psychotherapy; prisoner re-entry; professional education and training.

Allen A. Wilkes, Ph.D, CASAC. (New School for Social Research, 1996) Senior Psychologist, HIV Services/Alcohol and Chemical Dependency Outpatient Clinics, Bellevue Hospital Center. Clinical Instructor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine. Interests: Health psychology focusing on psychological coping factors associated with chronic, life-threatening illness (HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, C); substance abuse/dependence treatment emphasizing integration of psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral treatment in individual and group psychotherapy.

ADJUNCT PROGRAM FACULTY

Frances Sommer Anderson, Ph.D. Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine

Margaret E. Backman, Ph.D. Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine

Sharlene Bird, Psy.D. Clinical Instructor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine

Martha Edwards, Ph.D. Clinical Instructor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine

Rose Marie Perez Foster, Ph.D. Clinical Instructor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine

Ellen Katz Westrich, Ph.D. Clinical Instructor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine

Enrique Gular, Ph.D. Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine

Bruce Hubbard, Ph.D. Clinical Instructor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine

Richard Johnston, Ph.D. Clinical Instructor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine

Carmen I. Vazquez, Ph.D. Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine

Alan Stuart Wikler, Psy.D. Clinical Instructor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine