Counseling and Psychological Services Staff and Trainees

Jeffrey Ng, Psy.D.
Director, Rose Hill/Lincoln Center/Westchester
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology/NYS Licensed
Rutgers University

Dr. Jeffrey Ng (he, him, his) is a licensed clinical psychologist and has served as CPS' Director for the past 8 years. He is currently the co-chair for the Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors’ Elements of Excellence committee. Dr. Ng received his doctorate in clinical psychology from Rutgers University and his undergraduate degree in human development from Cornell University. Prior to joining Fordham in 2008, he worked at New-York Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health.

Dr. Ng’s professional interests include collegiate mental health, multicultural and liberation psychology, psychodynamic psychotherapy, mindfulness based interventions, interpersonal neurobiology, and masculine identity development. As an immigrant and first generation HEOP college student, he is especially interested in reducing identity based mental health and educational disparities, and working with students from low income, under-represented and marginalized populations. Dr. Ng's clinical approach is informed by a phenomenological, social justice, Buddhist and systems focused framework, and privileges the exploration of depth, meaning, context, and subjectivity in the therapeutic process.

Dr. Ng is fluent in Spanish and Cantonese, is an avid sports fan, and lives in Brooklyn, NY with his wife and 16 year old son.

Miriam Burt, Psy.D.
Associate Director and Coordinator of Counseling, Rose Hill
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology/NYS Licensed
Rutgers University

Dr. Miriam Burt (she, her, hers) is the Associate Director for the Rose HIll Campus and has been at CPS for 8 years. Prior to arriving at CPS, she was a staff psychologist for Counseling & Psychological Services at Princeton University, where she specialized in serving students with eating disorders as well as students with a history of self-harm. She received her undergraduate degree from Boston University and her Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology from Rutgers, The Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology. Her research interests center around native language use in therapy and its implications on the therapeutic relationship. Dr. Burt practices from the use of self within a psychodynamic framework and has also been intensively trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Her professional interests include identity development, eating disorders, diversity and multicultural issues particularly around the use of mother tongue, supervision and training, and she thoroughly enjoys working with college student populations. Her preferred pronouns are she/her/hers and she is fluent in Spanish, being of South American descent. Outside CPS, Dr. Burt enjoys spending time with her immediate and extended family, traveling, the theater, and yoga.

Yael Uness, Ph.D.
Associate Director and Coordinator of Counseling, Lincoln Center
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology/NYS Licensed
The University of Connecticut

Dr. Yael Uness (she, her, hers) is the Associate Director of Fordham University’s Counseling and Psychological Services office, Lincoln Center campus. Her responsibilities include coordinating all counseling services for this office, consulting with members of the community, and organizing and leading our group therapy program at the Lincoln Center office.

Dr. Uness received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Connecticut in 2008 and is licensed in New York State. Her research interests and areas of publication center around providing support and clinical services for women, international students and people with backgrounds involving immigration. She is also passionate about supervision of clinical services, group psychotherapy and use of expressive writing and journaling to benefit emotional health.

Finally, Dr. Uness is a candidate at NYU’s Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis. This helps her to develop a deeper ability to understand the individuals with whom she works, both at CPS and in her private practice, where she treats individuals and also runs a group psychotherapy program.

Jessica Del Vita, Psy.D.
Supervising Psychologist and Training Director, Lincoln Center
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology/NYS Licensed
The California School of Professional Psychology

Dr. Jessica Del Vita (she, her, hers) is a licensed clinical psychologist and has been on CPS’s team for over 10 years serving as the training director at the LC campus. She received her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Fordham University and her PsyD in Counseling Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology.

Dr. Del Vita is passionate about training graduate students in the delivery of mental health services and values constantly growing and learning from teaching and supervising. Her clinical approach is informed by psychodynamic psychotherapy, mindfulness practice, feminist theory, and social justice work. In her clinical practice, she focuses on increasing emotional awareness, exploring conflict, finding meaning, and understanding how intersectionality and subjectivity impact every day experiences. She has a special interest in working with individuals exploring sexuality and gender identity, especially as it intersects with cultural and racial identity. Dr. Del Vita is an Italian native speaker..

Deborah Lawrence, Ph.D.
Supervising Psychologist and Group Therapy Program Coordinator, Rose Hill
Doctorate in Psychology and Respecialization in Clinical Psychology/NYS Licensed
Columbia University and Fielding Graduate University

Debbie (she, her, hers) is a NYS licensed psychologist. She received a PhD in Psychology from Columbia University and respecialized in Clinical Psychology at Fielding Graduate University. She continues to take classes at the NYU Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis. She has previously worked in research, technology development, and hospitals as well as college counseling. Debbie is the Group Coordinator at Rose Hill. She strongly believes in the value of groups for development and well-being, and works to make group experience available to Rose Hill students.

Elizabeth Clark, Psy.D.
Supervising Psychologist and Training Director, Rose Hill
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
Chicago School of Professional Psychology

A native Midwesterner, Dr. Liz Clark (she, her, hers) obtained her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2013 and moved to New York to join the staff of Fordham CPS in 2014. Her research centers on the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly those on the bi+ spectrum, those with non-binary gender identities, and individuals practicing kink and/or polyamory/consensual non-monogamy. As a White, queer, cisgender clinician, she sees supporting Fordham's LGBTQ+ student population and acting in solidarity with Black, Indiginous, People of Color, and other under-represented student groups as a core part of her professional identity. Her clinical interests and areas of expertise include gender and sexuality, trauma, integration of mindfulness with psychodynamic psychotherapy, and training and supervision.

Susannah Smedresman, Psy.D.
Supervising Psychologist-Athletics Specialization
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology/NYS Licensed
Long Island University Post

Dr. Smedresman (she, her, hers) is the Atheltics Specialist at Fordham. She provides clinical services to the general student body and specialized services for student athletes, as well as trainings for team coaching staffs and other athletics personnel. In addition to the unique world of student athletes, Dr. Smedresman is interested in lifespan development, multicultural counseling, psychodynamic therapy, and mindfulness-based treatment. A straight, cisgender white woman (she/her/hers), Dr. Smedresman is a committed LBGTQIA+ and BIPOC ally, an advocate for antiracism, and believes therapy can operate as a vehicle for social justice. She received her MA and Psy.D. from Long Island Unversity, Post Campus, and can be found practicing headstands between sessions.

Natasha Black, Ph.D.
Supervising Psychologist/Outreach, Prevention and Wellness Coordinator
Doctorate in Counseling Psychology/NYS Licensed
Fordham University

Dr. Natasha Black received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Fordham University and currently serves as Supervising Psychologist and Coordinator of Outreach, Prevention, and Wellness at the Lincoln Center campus. A licensed psychologist, her clinical and scholarly interests center on multicultural issues in psychotherapy, multiracial identity, and the impact of neoliberal culture on health and well-being. She is passionate about clinical supervision and has worked closely with numerous developing clinicians. She has also worked on a number of federal grants and research projects leading to publications in the areas of multicultural counseling, personality assessment, college mental health, and suicide prevention.

Dr. Black has received multiple distinctions for her work at the intersection of multicultural counseling and psychoanalytic theory and praxis, including the Multicultural Scholars award from Division 39 of the American Psychological Association. She is currently an advanced candidate in the NYU Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis, where she serves as Co-Chair of the Programwide Colloquium Committee and Program Chair of the Hans W. Loewald Center.

Stephanie Codos, Ph.D.
Supervising Psychologist and Outreach Coordinator
Doctorate in Counseling Psychology/NYS Licensed
Lehigh University

Dr. Stephanie Codos (she, her, hers) joined Fordham’s CPS in 2017. Prior to joining Counseling & Psychological Services, she received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Lehigh University and trained in various college counseling centers, including Pace University, Drexel University, Moravian College, and Kutztown University. Stephanie also has worked in an inpatient hospital setting. Stephanie conceptualizes from a psychodynamic and relational framework. She aims to work collaboratively with clients to foster a strong therapeutic relationship and allow for exploration and growth. She approaches treatment with a social justice and multicultural lens that considers the role that identity and societal/contextual factors play in our experiences. Stephanie’s clinical interests include depression, anxiety, identity development, family of origin and relational concerns, trauma, and grief. As the outreach coordinator, she works with campus partners and student groups to promote mental health awareness on Fordham’s campus.

Robert Kwit, M.D.
Psychiatric Consultant - Rose Hill/Lincoln Center
Board Certified; American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology/NYS Licensed
Columbia College for Physicians and Surgeons

Dr. Kwit (he, him, his) has a B.A. Harvard College; M.D. Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons; Board Certified in Psychiatry; Graduate and Member, New York Psychoanalytic Institute and Society; Interests: Literature, Running, Sports Cars

Ashlee W. Davis, Ph.D.
Psychologist & Coordinator for Diversity, Inclusion, & Social Justice Initiatives/Rose Hill
Doctorate in Counseling Psychology
The University of Akron

Ashlee W. Davis, Ph.D. (she, her, hers), is a Supervising Psychologist and Coordinator for Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice Initiatives at Fordham’s Rose Hill campus. She is a specialist in empowerment, diversity and holistic wellness who divides her time between clinical practice, outreach and supervision. Dr. Davis is a licensed psychologist in both New York and the state of Maryland, and treats clients with a range of presenting concerns in private practice.

Dr. Davis is trained within a number of evidence-based treatment modalities and primarily works within a multi-theoretical Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Humanistic and Multicultural framework. Dr. Davis takes a culturally-tailored approach, factoring in the social context and promoting holistic wellness, while also attuned to clients’ varying individual needs. Clinically, Dr. Davis is most interested in family of origin concerns, relationship issues, spirituality/religious concerns, identity development challenges, trauma work, grief work, cultural concerns, life transitions, stress, empowerment and self-worth. She completed her undergraduate degrees at Penn State University where she triple-majored in Psychology, Spanish and International Studies. She is bilingual and can conduct therapy in English or Spanish. Dr. Davis completed her Master’s and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at the University of Akron. Additionally, she completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

Amy Sarika Persaud, Psy.D.
Psychologist & Coordinator for Diversity, Inclusion, & Social Justice Initiatives/Lincoln Center
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
Pace University

Sarika Persaud, Psy.D. (she, her, hers) is a staff psychologist and Coordinator of Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Initiatives at Fordham CPS (Lincoln Center). Her research and community work focuses on youth suicide prevention, the intersections of mental health, gender, class, and racial justice, and cultural adaptations to mental health interventions for Indo-Caribbean and South Asian communities. Dr. Persaud self-identifies as a queer Indo-Caribbean woman, and writes on relationship and sexuality issues in the South Asian diaspora. She speaks Hindi and Urdu. Dr. Persaud received her Bachelor’s in psychology from St. John’s University in psychology, with minors in physics and art. She received her Master’s in psychology from Columbia University, where she wrote her Master’s thesis on comparing egalitarianism in relationships between Western and Eastern cultures. She completed her doctoral studies at Pace University, where her dissertation focused on developing a culturally-responsive teacher training in suicide prevention for a secondary school in Guyana, South America.

Kevin Foster, Ph.D.
Psychologist
Doctorate in Counseling Psychology
Long Island University

Kevin Foster, Ph.D. (he, him, his), completed his clinical internship at the Center for Multicultural Training in Psychology at Boston University (2017) and his doctorate at Long Island University (Brooklyn Campus). He has worked on inpatient and outpatient settings in New York and Massachusetts, in a variety of organizations: foster care, pilot schools, rehabilitations programs, prisons, and counseling centers. His dissertation research explored the psychological symptoms associated with racial microaggressions, and their impact on developing and maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships. He specializes in anxiety, depression, and racial stress, while focusing on barriers to intimacy.

John Corbisiero, Ph.D.
Supervising Psychologist, Rose Hill
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology/NYS Licensed
Fordham University

Rosalie Cirillo
Rose Hill Administrative Manager

Rosalie Cirillo (she, her, hers) is the Office Manager of CPS’ Rose Hill Office and a FCRH alumna. She worked as an insurance underwriter for 15 years and as a substitute teacher for 5 years. Rosalie joined Fordham University’s Enrollment Services Group in 2010 and has been working at CPS since 2015. Languages: Limited working Spanish and professional working Italian. Preferred pronouns: she/her/hers.

Melissa Hellman
Lincoln Center Administrative Manager

Melissa Hellman (she, her, hers) joined CPS in 2016 as the Office Manager of the Lincoln Center office. She is a graduate of Bard College and NYU's Wagner School of Public Administration. Her prior professional experience was in human resources where she focused on recruiting and professional development. She enjoys working on a college campus and helping to ensure that the CPS office is a welcoming environment for all Fordham students.

Post Doctoral Fellows

Kahlen Kim (RH)
Kahlen Kim (she, her, hers) is a post-doctoral psychology fellow at Fordham’s Rose Hill campus. Kahlen is passionate about providing mental health services and facilitating service utilization in a college population and marginalized populations. As a clinician, Kahlen primarily works from a trauma-informed, psychodynamically oriented approach with a meaningful consideration of the biopsychosocial perspective. Throughout her training years, she provided therapeutic and psychological evaluation services in a variety of settings throughout New York City. She recently completed her pre-doctoral psychology internship at Baruch College Counseling Center. She is bilingual, speaking English and Korean.

Melissa Gluck (RH)
Dr. Melissa Gluck (she, her, hers) is a post-doctoral fellow at CPS. She completed her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Florida. She completed her APA-accredited doctoral internship in Psychology at Pace University in New York, NY. Additionally, she completed her M.S. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Florida and her B.A. in Psychology from Franklin and Marshall College.

Dr. Gluck’s clinical style operates from a multicultural-feminist framework and is rooted in relational-psychodynamic, mindfulness-based, and client-centered approaches. She believes that therapy is not “one-size fits-all” and thus tailors her technique to meet each individual client’s needs. In her work, Dr. Gluck strives to develop an authentic therapeutic relationship with each client to empower them in their journey of self-exploration. She works collaboratively with clients to build trust and connection through warmth, genuineness, empathy, and non-judgment. She aims to promote increased self-awareness, self-compassion, and self-acceptance within each of her clients.

Some specific clinical interests include: gender role norms/socialization, identity development, relationship/interpersonal concerns, adjustment, LGBTQIA+ concerns and empowerment, sexual assault, grief and loss, and body-image and eating concerns. Dr. Gluck is an LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist and welcomes clients of all identities.

Annabelle Dortch (RH)
Dr. Annabelle Kyle Dortch (she, her, hers) is a Post Doctoral Fellow at Fordham University & recently completed her pre-doctoral internship at California State University, Long Beach. Dr. Kyle Dortch received both her Masters of Arts in Psychology & Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Fuller Graduate School of Psychology in Pasadena, CA.

Dr. Kyle Dortch has four years’ experience working in university settings & is passionate about encouraging students to tend to their mental wellness as an integral part of taking care of themselves. Her clinical approach is influenced by relational psychodynamic psychotherapy, attachment theory, mindfulness, and somatic (mind-body) theory. While working from these approaches, Dr. Kyle Dortch seeks to embed her work with clients in a multicultural framework, acknowledging and exploring the ways social context & intersecting identities impact clients’ experiences in the world. In her clinical practice, Dr. Kyle Dortch aspires to co-create safe spaces with clients in order to then acknowledge pain, increase awareness, discover patterns, and develop helpful ways of coping with difficulties and new ways of relating with self & others. Although Dr. Kyle Dortch has worked with clients with various presenting concerns, she has special interests in identity development, family of origin concerns, relationship issues, anxiety, trauma, spirituality & religious exploration/ concerns, grief work, self-compassion, and the mind-body connection.

Ji Yu (LC)
Psy.D.
The Wright Institute, Clinical Psychology
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Theoretical Orientation: Psychodynamic, Trauma-Informed, Relational-Cultural
Professional Interests/Experiences: Trauma, relational trauma, complex trauma; family of origin issues; identity issues; international students, immigrants; individuation; womanism; loss, grief; self-care, self-compassion; stress management; depression; anxiety
Languages: English, Mandarin 

Pre-Doctoral Externs

Lincoln Center

Erzulie Coquillon
Erzulie Coquillon (she, her, hers) is in the doctoral program in Clinical Psychology at Fordham, where she is affiliated with the Culture, Migration, and Community research group. Prior to coming to Fordham, Erzulie completed an M.A. in Counseling Psychology and a J.D., and worked as a lawyer and in career advising.

Eitan Zecher
Eitan Zecher (he, him, his) is pursuing a doctorate in Counseling Psychology at Fordham University. He graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from University of Maryland, College Park in 2017. During his undergraduate education, he completed research related to psychotherapy processes and outcomes and worked as an ABA behavioral therapist. Upon graduating, he began research at the Yale Child Study Center, studying cognitive-behavioral therapy treatments for children with autism and anxiety. He was drawn to Fordham University’s Counseling Center for its emphasis on diversity, inclusion and social justice. Eitan’s clinical interests include anxiety, spirituality/religious concerns, relationship issues, grief and loss, LGBTQ+ community and life transitions.

Karen Ginsburg
Karen Ginsburg (she, her, hers) is in her fourth-year of training in the Clinical Psychology PhD program at Hofstra University. She received her bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from Bryn Mawr College in 2009 with a major in psychology and minor in biology. She also holds a postbaccalaureate Certificate in the Premedical Sciences from Columbia University. Karen earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, with honors, from Hofstra University in 2018.

Karen has received training in Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in both individual and group settings. Prior to joining the team at CPS, Karen was an extern at the Columbia Day Program, where she conducted intakes and co-led various intensive groups including CBT for depression, CBT for obsessive-compulsive disorder, DBT, as well as process groups with adults. Additionally, since 2017, Karen has been serving as a clinician within Hofstra University’s Anxiety and Depression clinic, where she provides ongoing individual psychotherapy to adults struggling with a range of presenting concerns, with a focus on cognitive and schema therapy work. Karen is especially interested in the presentation of anxiety struggles in young adults, and enjoys helping clients overcome obstacles in order to live more fulfilling lives.

Nicholas Bizzarro
Nick Bizzarro (he, him, his) is a licensed clinical social worker and licensed marriage and family therapist that has worked for over eight years in a variety of treatment settings that include community and university mental health centers, schools, and in private practice. He received his Master’s degree in Social Work at Rutgers University and is currently earning his PhD in Counseling Psychology as a graduate student at Fordham University.

Nick Bizzarro is passionate and enthusiastic regarding the delivery of mental health services and strives to continue learning and developing as a clinician and advocate for those he collaborates with. He has experience in providing individual, family, and group psychotherapy and utilizes clinical and culturally sensitive interventions informed by cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, humanistic, solution-focused, and social justice work. In his clinical practice, he endeavors to empower others by prioritizing the therapeutic relationship. He aspires to create a safe and comfortable space for exploring conflict, finding meaning, and taking action. His goal is to assist others in building confidence, learning and developing meaningful skills, and improving the quality of life. He has a special interest in working with individuals experiencing marginalization, stigmatization, and discrimination.

Eve Buck
Eve Buck (she, her, hers) is a student in the Mental Health Counseling Ed.M. Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She got a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and a Bachelors of Arts in Spanish at the University of Idaho in 2019.

Eve moved to NYC in the Fall of 2019, and has become passionate about providing counseling services to the diverse groups that make up this incredible metropolitan area. Her interest in counseling began in college, and her prior clinical work includes hotline services and emotional support counseling in intimate partner violence and sexual assault shelters in both Idaho and New York. She is interested in working with trauma survivors, particularly in underserved communities. She hopes to incorporate multicultural competence, empowerment building and coping development into her practice at Fordham University. Eve is bilingual and can offer therapy in Spanish or English.

Lenia Chae
After earning her Bachelor’s degree in Education and International Studies, Lenia (she, her, hers) continued her studies at Columbia University, where she graduated with a Master of Arts in Psychological Counseling and a Master of Education in Mental Health Counseling.

As a counselor, Lenia offers a warm, empathetic, and non-judgmental space to explore various mental health challenges (including depression, anxiety, trauma intervention, grief, loss, relationship concerns, identity crisis, and cultural adjustment) that clients need help with and discover ways to tap into their inner well of resilience to develop a flourishing life. Incorporating a multicultural, holistic, and collaborative approach, Lenia strives to help individuals take control of their narrative and cultivate a greater sense of self-awareness and self-acceptance. She is also a certified trauma specialist.

Lenia is a member of the American Psychological Association and Psi Chi: International Honor Society in Psychology.

Alejandra Feliz
Alejandra Feliz (she, her, hers) is a psychology extern at Fordham University’s CPS. Alejandra has experience working with children, adolescents and adults in a variety of settings. Alejandra has experience providing CBT, psychodynamic, trauma-focused and group therapy. Clinically, Alejandra is interested in issues related to relationship issues, dating culture and stress management.

Alejandra has a special interest in the development of psychopathology throughout the lifespan and is particularly interested in perinatal mental health. She completed her undergraduate degree at Boston University, where she majored in Psychology and minored in Public Health. Alejandra obtained her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychological from Columbia University and is currently pursuing a PsyD in Clinical Psychology at the Graduate School of Professional and Applied Psychology at Rutgers University. She is bilingual and can conduct therapy in English or Spanish.

Sean Gaughran
Sean Gaughran (he, him, his) is a doctoral extern on the CPS team. He is a student in the Clinical Psychology PhD program at Adelphi University where he also received his Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. Sean’s work is informed by several different modalities including psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy. He has experience working with patients to reduce anxiety, increase self-confidence, and explore both interpersonal and psychological conflict. He is most interested in religious/spiritual concerns, family difficulties, adjustment issues, stress, and codependency. Sean conducts therapy in English.

Rose Hill

Bianca Campagna
Bianca (she, her, hers) is a second-year doctoral student in Clinical Psychology. She received her BS from Fordham University in 2015 with a major in psychology. Before returning to Fordham, Bianca worked at the New York State Psychiatric Institute on studies involving alcohol and marijuana use. She has also been a part of research with families affected by Fragile X Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, at the New York State Institute for Basic Research. Her interests are in working with individuals coping with chronic health concerns and substance use. Bianca is currently working on research regarding medication nonadherence and her master's thesis on the relationship between alcohol use, social rejection, and adjustment to college.

Joshua DeSon
Joshua DeSon (he, him, his) is a pre-doctoral extern and a second year in Fordham University’s Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program (CPDP). He received his Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University in 2017 with a major in psychology and a specialization in health and development.

Josh has served at various counseling and crisis centers, including the Stanford Peer Counseling Center and National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, for 4 years and has a dedication to compassionate care. He is currently working on his master’s thesis on the relationship between internalized homophobia, masculinity, and self-injurious thoughts and behaviors. He is devoted to LGBTQIA+ mental health and engaging in clinical and research practices that serve sexual and gender minority communities.

Jae Hun Shin
Jae Hun Shin (he, him, his) received his BA in Psychology from New York University and earned MA in counseling psychology from Seoul National University in South Korea. After graduation, he served Republic of Korea (ROK) army for three years at Korea Military Academy, the Korean equivalent of West Point, as a faculty officer teaching psychology courses to cadets. Also, he continued to work as a lecturer until he joins the Fordham community to pursue his doctoral degree in counseling psychology.

He was drawn to CPS at Fordham Rose Hill because it has multicultural and supportive community from which every members can develop their potentials. In addition, the expertise of many professionals taking psychodynamic approach in practice influenced him to choose the CPS.  His clinical interest in general is to explore the clients’ unconscious and maladaptive patterns that cause the pathological symptoms in their relationship with family, friends and others. Specifically, he would like to delve into implicit (unconscious) coping strategy of clients with depression, anxiety, and PTSD etc in different cultural context. Jae’s interests outside of clinical practice include travelling, planting, watching soccer and football.

Noelle Santelli-Snyder
Noëlle Santelli-Snyder (she, her, hers) is a current Master’s student for Mental Health Counseling at Teachers College, Columbia University. She graduated magna cum laude from Marist College with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and minors in Art History and Cognitive Science. Noëlle enjoys integrating aspects of psychodynamic, humanistic, and cognitive behavioral schools of thought in her clinical work. She is dedicated to creating an inclusive and affirming space for clients so that they can feel empowered to reach their full potential. She has a special interest in studying attachment theory and the intersection of racial, cultural, and gender identity development particularly in the context of adoption.

Shasta Kaushik
Shasta (she, her, hers) is a second-year doctoral candidate in the Clinical psychology Ph.D. program with a MA in Clinical Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University. Shasta worked with individuals and groups in organizational psychology and psychometric projects for over 15 years before beginning clinical work. Her last institutional role was a research assignment to design psychometric assessments at the United Nations. Shasta also serves as an Adjunct lecturer in personality psychology at Hunter College, City University of New York. Shasta's research interests include group dynamics and personality disorders, and techniques to integrate Jungian approaches, and Arts in therapy.

Shasta is fluent in 3 languages and loves to read Mythology and Philosophy. She also learns classical drawing at the Art Students League of New York and attends improv at the pit theatre in NYC.

Samuel Han
Samuel Han (he, him, his) Is currently a Student in the Psy.D. program at Adelphi University. He received his Bachelors degree at SUNY New Paltz Majoring in Psychology and Sociology.

Samuel Han is passionate about working with students and young adults to help them succeed in all facets of life. Samuel Discovered his passion while working at Sleepaway summer camp and as a Resident Assistant at SUNY New Paltz. Samuel constantly works to add to his toolbox of clinical approaches which is informed by his current studies at Adelphi University. This Includes: Understanding the person as a whole, promoting wholistic wellness, and discovering and paying attention to the client’s individual needs.

Jordan Singleton
Jordan Singleton (she, her, hers) is currently a junior psychology student at Fordham University. She is also a Ram Van driver for Fordham University, working to ensure the safety of Fordham University members during their travels between the Rose Hill, Lincoln Center, and Calder Center campuses.

She was drawn to CPS for its efforts to support college students, while also offering awareness on mental health. In addition, CPS's willingness to always improve and evolve for the sake of accommodating all members of the Fordham community influenced her to choose CPS. She is greatly interested in Intersectionality in Psychology and Forensic Psychology, which she will further explore as she moves on to graduate school. She hopes to help CPS increase mental health awareness.

Charlotte Utschig
Charlotte (she/her/hers) is a senior at Fordham Rose Hill majoring in Psychology and German. On campus, she is involved with the Outdoors Club and with Fordham Experimental Theater as a co-captain of the Black Sheep Performance Poetry team. She also works as a research assistant with various professors in the Psychology department. In her free time, Charlotte enjoys puzzles, listening to music, and rock climbing. She is very excited to work with CPS this year as an outreach intern and help support and engage the Fordham community during this difficult time.

Thanh Vi Dang
Thanh Vi Dang (she, her, hers) is currently a Junior at Fordham’s Lincoln Center campus. Thanh is studying Psychology, with a minor in Marketing and Mandarin. She was born and raised in Vietnam and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree here at Fordham. In the future, she hopes to further her education in Clinical Psychology and to work with the under-represented and marginalized populations. Thanh recently joined the CPS office as an undergraduate intern, who works closely with the Outreach, Prevention, and Wellness Coordinator, Natasha Black, Ph.D.

Frankie Osso
Frankie Osso (he, him, his) is a junior undergraduate at Fordham College at Lincoln Center. He is majoring in Psychology and minoring in Sociology, hoping to pursue a career in clinical and school psychology. Frankie has been an active member of Lincoln Center’s Commuting Students Association (CSA) for 3 years and currently serves on its executive board as Vice President. Last year, Frankie joined the CPS office as an undergraduate intern and now works with our Outreach, Prevention, and Wellness Coordinator Natasha Black, Ph.D. as the Senior Wellness Outreach Intern.

Psychiatric Residents/Fellows

Alaa Elnajjar, M.D. (RH)

Alaa (she, her, hers) is a PGY5 Child Adolescent Psychiatry (CAP) Fellow at Montefiore Medical Center, who is also an International Medical Graduate (IMG) from Egypt, where she had my first psychiatry training. She is interested in two interrelated areas in psychiatry: cross-cultural training and impact of immigration on health care professionals and their children mental health. This interest evolved from her career journey at USA, which guided her to pursue child adolescent psychiatry as subspecialty.

Yehuda Lerea, M.D. (LC)

Dr. Yehuda Lerea (he, him, his) is a board certified adult psychiatrist interested in both psychotherapy and medication management. He received his medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and his adult psychiatry training at the Montefiore Medical Center where he is also completing a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry. He is joining the CPS team as a psychiatry fellow and is looking forward to working with students at Fordham. 

Dr. Lerea's professional interests include medical student and psychiatry resident education, psychotherapy, and family therapy. Dr. Lerea's clinical work is eclectic, rooted in a psychodynamic understanding of individuals, and incorporating principles from alternative approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy and internal family systems. Most importantly, he believes in the importance of the formation and exploration of the therapeutic relationship as the foundation of psychotherapy. Dr. Lerea has particular interest in working with young adults exploring issues of identity, values, and sense of self.

Briana Mathews, M.D. (RH/LC)

Briana Mathews (she, her, hers) is a resident psychiatrist at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. She believes that healing is best achieved through psychotherapy, and through a combination with medications when necessary. She has special interests in integrative practices such as trauma sensitive yoga (TSY) and mindfulness based interventions, as well as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy. She enjoys hiking, yoga, and cooking in her spare time.

Seema Shukla, M.D. (LC)