Counseling and Psychological Services Staff and Trainees 2023-2024

Jeffrey Ng, Psy.D.
Director, Rose Hill/Lincoln Center/London
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 11 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 18 year old son and 2 cats. 

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.

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 9 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.

Sarika Persaud, Psy.D.
Supervising Psychologist and Training Director, Rose Hill
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology/NYS Licensed
Pace University

Sarika Persaud (she, her, hers) is a Supervising Psychologist and Assistant Director for Training at Rose Hill. Her research and community work focuses on 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 is also a scholar of Vedanta and Tantra, and teaches classes on Hindu and Buddhist spiritual practices. 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.

Samantha Mahr, Psy.D.
Supervising Psychologist and Training Director, Lincoln Center
Doctorate in  Clinical Psychology/NYS Licensed 
Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University

Samantha received her Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology from Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University. Prior to joining Fordham CPS, she completed her pre-doctoral internship at North Central Bronx Hospital where she worked on an acute inpatient unit treating adults with chronic mental illnesses. Samantha has worked in a college counseling setting and outpatient clinics in Manhattan and the Bronx. Her research has focused upon the use of the couch in psychotherapy and the relationship between the patient's position and psychoanalytic process. Samantha's professional interests include psychodynamic psychotherapy and social justice in the mental health field. Samantha is particularly interested in working with young adults, but has experience working with adults across the lifespan. 

Erika Greene, LMSW
Supervising Counselor/Coordinator for the Group Therapy
Program and Graduate Student Services, Rose HillMasters in Social Work
Fordham University 

Erika Greene (she/her/hers) worked with underserved people living with AIDS and HIV at the Family Health Center of Harlem before coming to CPS. Her clinical approach integrates psychodynamic principles, acceptance and commitment therapy, attachment theory, family systems therapy, and trauma-informed care. Erika's clinical interests include identity-formation, anxiety, learning differences, trauma, and personality disorders. She works with clients through a biopsychosocial-spiritual lens, and she believes that the exploration of intersecting identities is critical in the therapeutic process. Erika is a champion of group therapy as a uniquely transformative treatment modality, a safely held space in which clients can experiment with seeing and being seen differently, connecting more deeply with their peers, and cultivating more meaningful, authentic relationships with others, and with themselves.

Jacob Nacheman, Ph.D.
Supervising Counselor/Outreach Coordinator, Lincoln Center
PhD in Clinical Psychology
New School for Social Research

Jacob Nacheman (he/him/his) is staff therapist and outreach coordinator at Fordham University CPS Lincoln center. After completing a BS in Brain and Cognitive Sciences and MS in Education with a specialty in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages at the University of Rochester, Jacob completed a MA and PhD in Clinical Psychology at the New School for Social Research. He has worked with adolescents and emerging adults in various domestic and international settings, teaching English language and literacy in Latin America and Europe and elementary through high school general and special education in New York. Jacob is deeply interested in young adult mentorship and completed his doctoral dissertation with a comparative study of arts-infused and traditional mentorship programs among NYC youth and young adults. Beginning at CPS in 2018, Jacob approaches psychotherapy from a psychodynamic orientation, integrating mindfulness and acceptance based practices with an understanding of cognitive/behavioral principles. Jacob is driven to work from a perspective of multicultural and pluralistic awareness and the intersectionality of identities, LGBTQAI+ and queer theory, adjustment, and trauma-informed care to support clients in the development of self-love, patience, and greater adaptability to subjective life stressors.

Alessandra Avallone, MA, LMHC
Supervising Counselor/Coordinator for Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice Initiatives, Lincoln Center
Master’s in Mental Health Counseling/NYS Licensed
Baruch College

Alessandra Avallone (she, her, hers) is a licensed mental health counselor. She received herMaster’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Baruch College and her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Italian Language from St. John’s University. Alessandra trained at the Karen Horney Clinic where she received her postgraduate certification in psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Alessandra has an inclusive, compassionate, and culturally affirming counseling approach. She is well-versed in working with culturally diverse adults with a wide range of issues. She specializes in supporting clients through life transitions, grief, trauma, multicultural issues, and interpersonal difficulties. Alessandra utilizes an anti-racist and anti-oppressive lens by placing thoughtful attention on historical trauma and social realities that shape the human experience.

Alessandra believes in the healing nature of a strong therapeutic bond. She works to create a therapeutic relationship grounded in empathy and provides a safe space for clients to feel accepted and heard. She guides clients through self-exploration to help them achieve a more authentic way of life. Alessandra is fluent in English and Spanish and has intermediate proficiency in Italian. In addition, she provides services in both English and Spanish or her favorite, Spanglish.

Brittany Blecher, M.Ed, MHC-LP
Supervising Counselor, Rose Hill
Masters of Education in Mental Health Counseling
Teachers College, Columbia University

Brittany Blecher (she, her, hers) is a Supervising Counselor at CPS Rose Hill campus. She received her Masters of Education in Mental Health Counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University. Upon graduating, she completed a postgraduate fellowship with Fordham CPS.

Brittany hopes to assist clients in achieving a life of satisfaction, pleasure, and meaningful relationships. She is dedicated to supporting individuals' growth and development by providing a space to be heard and addressing concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, emerging adulthood, and identity. Brittany uses an integrative approach of psychodynamic, relational, and trauma-informed techniques through a multicultural feminist lens.

Alice Feng, LMSW
Supervising Counselor/Outreach Coordinator, Rose Hill
Masters in Social Work
Fordham University

Alice Feng (she / her / hers) is a graduate of Fordham University’s Master of Social Work program. Upon graduating, she completed a postgraduate fellowship at CPS. Prior to her time at Fordham, Alice worked with NYC public school students in afterschool programming.
Alice's clinical approach is rooted in relational psychodynamic therapy. This means that she believes that early developmental experiences are central to emotional development and to shaping responses to problems in life. It also means that she sees the therapeutic relationship as a mutual process of discovery. Alice is passionate about working with clients and helping them cope with life transitions and navigate interpersonal relations. She strives to be sensitive to the needs of clients while fostering their existing strengths.
Outside CPS, Alice enjoys exploring the five boroughs, cooking and eating, and being in nature.

Dina Stella, M.Ed, LMSW
Staff Counselor, Rose Hill

Dina Stella (she/her/hers) is a licensed social worker and psychotherapist  trained in trauma systems and cognitive behavioral therapy. She holds a Master's degree in Educational Psychology from Temple University and a Master's in Social work from Lehman College.  Dina has extensive experience  in child welfare, working in foster care and with court adjudicated youth.     

Dina has a special interest in supporting clients during life transitions and working to increase self awareness, develop healthy behaviors and increase emotional well-being.  Dina focuses on understanding the challenges and pressures of being a student and ensuring every person is seen and understood; aware that each individual responds differently based on their life experiences.

Dave Cazeau, LCSW
Staff Counselor, Rose Hill

Dave Cazeau is a PhD candidate in the social welfare program at GC. He is also a licensed clinical social worker and practicing psychotherapist in NYC. Dave’s current research interests include improved access to mental health care for BIPOC spectrum clients, as well as culturally competent and supportive modalities in providing mental health care to individuals who are socially marginalized. In addition to having his MSW, Dave has also earned his Master’s in Counseling Psychology at Pace University, and completed a fellowship with the CUNY Graduate Center’s Wellness Center, where he further developed his clinical skills as a therapist.

Sanjidah Chowdhury, MA/Ed.M
Staff Counselor, Lincoln Center

Sanjidah Chowdhury (she,her,hers) is a staff counselor at Fordham University CPS Lincoln Center. She received her MA/Ed.M in Mental Health Counseling  from Teachers College, Columbia University. She got a Bachelors of Science in Applied Psychology at New York University- Steinhardt . She has been a part of research involving the analysis of adolescent language patterns and communication at NYU.

Sanjidah is passionate about providing service to the diverse individuals of NYC. Her approach is to understand the nuances of your intersectional identity by engaging in grounded dialogue. Utilizing a mixture of multicultural, relational, cognitive, and dialectical behavioral interventions, to emphasize authenticity and curiosity. Sanjidah conducts therapy in English. 

Liz Woods, MA
Student Counselor, London campus
Masters in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy
Univeristy of Roehampton

Liz (she, her, hers) obtained her Masters in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy from the Univeristy of Roehampton, London. She has a small private practice, alongside which she works with the Staff Counselling team at St George's NHS Trust in South West London as well as this new Fordham University London role. In her clinical practice, Liz focuses on emotional and psychological awareness and wellbeing, personal fulfillment, finding meaning, attachment and mindfulness practice including mindful self-compassion. Liz works relationally with clients, placing them at the centre of the work, and strives for a collaborative therapeutic relationship.

Rosalie Cirillo
Office Manager
Rose Hill

Rosalie Cirillo 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. Rosalie enjoys hiking, yoga, gardening and cooking in her free time. Preferred pronouns: she/her/hers.

Jazenda Garcia
Office Manager
Lincoln Center

Jazenda Garcia is the Office Manager for the CPS Lincoln Center office. She is also a Fordham University alumna. Jazenda is a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She enjoys being a part of a great team and staff. 

Daniel Stern

Daniel Stern, LMSW (he, him) received his Master's from Fordham’s Graduate School of Social Services and did his specialist clinical placement at Fordham CPS. He studied philosophy and anthropology as an undergraduate at Seton Hall University after which he spent many years attempting to answer the age-old question, “What will you do with a philosophy degree?” As a post-graduate fellow, his area of focus is group work.

His views on the therapeutic process have been particularly shaped by Eastern influences like yoga, of which he has been a dedicated practitioner for over 20 years. Daniel also focuses on the social determinants of health and views healing within the context of political, historical, and systemic contexts. He sees the client as the expert of their own experience and seeks to compassionately guide them through their unique and courageous process toward self-love and empowerment.

Mengtian Dong

Farah Khuzouz 

Ruiqi Yang

Ruiqi (She/Her/Hers) is currently a Master’s student in the Counseling and Mental Health and Wellness and LGBT Health, Education, and Social Services advanced certificate dual degree program at New York University. She received her Bachelor. of Sciences in Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She speaks English and Mandarin. Coming from Guangzhou, China, she also understands Cantonese.
Ruiqi sees counseling as an experience in partnership in navigating confusing emotions, going through life transitions, exploring identities, and understanding the self better. She hopes to provide a safe and growing space for her future clients. Having been an undergraduate student and a Chinese international student, she understands the challenges that come with becoming an emerging adult during college and navigating different cultures as a multicultural person. In her free time, she enjoys sailing, dancing, and film photography.

Talita Ahmed

Talita Ahmed (she/her/hers) is currently a doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at Montclair State University. She received her Bachelors of Science at the University of North Carolina Greensboro in 2019. Regarding clinical interests, she is interested in working with student populations, primarily from underrepresented backgrounds, to help treat them for a broad range of mental health presentations (including common ones on college campuses, such as internalizing and eating disorders). As she identifies as Bangladeshi-American, she believes in a culturally-sensitive approach that helps heal and individually empower different students. She is fluent in Bengali and English and enjoys hiking and spending time with close ones in her free time. 

Gabriel Motechin

Jeb Bunting

Jeb Bunting (he/him/his) is a masters student in Social Work at Fordham University. He received his Bachelors of Science at Southern Methodist University in 2017, and is currently in his second year at Fordham. His clinical interests include working with young adult and college-age populations, as well as a specific interest in treating mood disorders and substance abuse with psychodynamic therapy. In addition to his studies, he has spent the last year working on a research project exploring suicidality in young adults in inpatient settings. Outside of work, he is a musician and spends much of his free time writing, arranging, and performing original music.

Julia Yermash 

Laurel Dobkin

Laurel (she/her/hers) is a third-year Psy.D student at LIU Post’s clinical psychology doctoral program. She received a master’s degree in applied psychology from LIU Post and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and creative writing from Brandeis University. Laurel has worked as an extern at LIU-Post’s Psychological Services Center and Center For Healthy Living, where she worked with emerging adults, adults, and couples. Laurel provides a warm, open, and collaborative space in which her clients can freely explore their identities and experiences. Laurel is interested in working with clients on a variety of topics, including exploring relationships and helping clients to better identify and understand their emotions. Laurel enjoys drawing from various theoretical perspectives and utilizes a multicultural lens to inform her approach. In her free time, Laurel enjoys reading, baking, and spending time outside.

Tom Ford

Tom Ford (he/him/his) is a doctoral student in clinical psychology at Teachers College Columbia University. He received his Bachelor of Art in psychology degree from Stanford University in 2017 and a Master of Art in clinical psychology from Teachers College in 2019.

Tom works with college students and young adults on a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, identity development, and life transitions. Tom will help you understand what’s going on in your life and learn essential life skills to relate to yourself and others in a healthy and authentic way.

In his free time, Tom enjoys hanging with his dog Rufus, playing music, reading, exercising, and spending time outside.

Francois Ban

Francois Ban (she/her/hers) is currently a second-year doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at Montclair State University. She received her Bachelors of Science at Carnegie Mellon University in 2017 and her Masters in Public Health from Teachers College, Columbia University in 2019. Prior to starting her doctoral degree, Francois was a data analyst at NYU Langone Health for a research team studying comorbidities in people living with HIV. Her clinical interests include working with young adults with intersecting identities who may present with various mental health concerns. In particular, she is interested in working with individuals experiencing disordered eating, anxiety, and depression. Francois is fluent in English and Korean. In her free time, she enjoys running, traveling, and spending time with friends, and she has a soft spot for coffee and peanut butter.

Jonela Kolasi

Dhruv Maisuria

Dhruv Maisuria is an extern at the Rose Hill Counseling and Psychological Services Center for 2023 to 2024 academic year. He completed an MA in Psychology and has entered his 2nd year of the Felician University Counseling Psy.D. program. Dhruv looks forward to assisting the students at Fordham University's Rose Hill campus!

 

ADRIANA BRUGES-BOUDE, MD
Psychiatry Intern and Resident
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Mount Sinai Morningside - Mount Sinai West
Doctor of Medicine
Universidad de los Andes
Bogota, Colombia

Richa Bhasin, MD
Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Dr. Richa Bhasin is a NYS licensed psychiatry resident in her fourth year at Montefiore Medical Center. Dr. Bhasin received her medical degree from Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine. Prior to medical school, she attended The University of Pittsburgh as a creative writing major and French minor. 

Dr. Bhasin's professional interests include interpersonal and psychodynamic psychotherapy and psychosomatic medicine with a focus on the young adult population. 

In her spare time, Dr. Bhasin enjoys reading fiction, writing, and enjoying NY's impressive art and food scene NY. 

Eva Levy, MD
Montefiore Medical Center Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow
Doctor of Medicine
Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell

Jane Aronson, DO, FAAP
Fellow, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 
Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Children's Hospital

 Jazmine Hudson

My name is Jazmine Hudson (she/her)! I am currently a junior at FCLC majoring in Integrative Neuroscience. I am hoping to pursue a career in mental health as either a psychologist or psychiatrist, with a focus on adolescents who identify as racial minorities. I am passionate about breaking biases around mental health and increasing accessibility to potential resources. On campus, I've been involved in Residential Life in addition to lab research. I'm also interested in dance, music, reading, and the environment. I'm excited to be working with CPS this year! 

Francesca Sinisi

Fran (she/her) is an undergraduate psychology student at Fordham University Rose Hill. As a rising senior, she is further exploring her interests in psychology such as behavioral development, psychopathology, and clinical work and research. She has experience in working with disabled individuals and has a passion for helping others. Fran believes that counseling should be a resource encouraged for all as a tool for self growth and mental health care. She is excited to connect more with the Counseling and Psychological Services team as well as getting her peers more involved.

Diana Esoldi

My name is Diana Esoldi, and I am an FCRH Senior from Bergen County, New Jersey majoring in Psychology and minoring in Peace and Justice Studies. I am a member of the Pedro Arrupe Volunteer Council, so I spend a lot of time volunteering both on and off campus in the Bronx/Manhattan. I am also a Research Assistant in the youth Development, Diversity, and Disparities (3D) Lab here on campus, where I work on various research projects with my fellow RA’s. In my free time, I love to work out, watch movies, go to concerts, cook, eat, and travel/explore new places! But at the end of the day, I just love to be with my friends and family. –Can’t wait to meet you :)

Anastasia Pezza

My name is Anastasia Pezza (she/her) and I am an undergraduate senior majoring in Psychology, with a minor in Italian. I am also a lab research assistant and a member of Fordham’s Dance Co-op team! My hobbies include volunteering, being outdoors, and reading! In the future, I hope to further my studies in the field of psychology, but in the meantime, I am looking forward to working with you!

Casey Taylor

My name is Casey (she/her) and I’m a senior from Philadelphia, PA. I am majoring in psychology and minoring in sociology at Rose Hill. On campus, I am a member of our Committee on Sexual Misconduct and a research assistant for The Bronx Personality (B-PER) lab! Following graduation, I hope to attend a PsyD program to obtain my doctorate and pursue a career in trauma therapy. In my free time, I love exploring Manhattan, hanging out with my friends, watching Netflix, and meeting new people. I am so excited to be a peer counselor this year, and welcome anyone who is in need of the services and support we provide!

Maria Rosario

My name is Maria Rosario (she/her), and I’m from The Bronx. I’m a senior majoring in psychology at RH with hopes of becoming a clinical psychologist. Currently, I work as a research assistant in Fordham’s 3D and Mood and Behavior labs. I speak Spanish and love film and music. I look forward to meeting you!

Nicholas Verniero

My name is Nicholas (he/him/his), and I am a senior from New Jersey, majoring in psychology and minoring in chemistry and biology. In the future, I hope to study clinical child psychology at the graduate level. During my spare time, I love to cook, read, and go for long walks. I look forward to meeting you!

Connor Chapman

My name is Connor and I am a senior from Hoboken, New Jersey. I am a Psychology major and Business Administration minor here at Fordham, and have worked within college counseling center, in-patient, and private practice settings. I hope to become a psychologist in the future with the goal of working one on one with folks and helping them reach their goals. At Fordham, I am also involved in campus ministry with the Pedro Arrupe Volunteers Council. In my free time, I like to play guitar, watch soccer, read books, and spend time with friends and family. I am looking forward to getting to know you!

Piper Smith

My name is Piper (they/them) and I am a Junior from San Diego. I am majoring in Psychology and Social Work with a minor in Disability Studies. I am passionate about making mental healthcare more accessible and prioritizing mental health. On campus, I am the secretary of the Psi Chi honors society, Founder of the Delta Alpha Pi honors society, and I work in two psychology research labs. I enjoy dancing, reading, crafting, playing with my cat Marceline, and spending time with my friends. I am excited to get to know you!

Sade Henriquez

Malia Coghlan 

My name is Malia (she/her), and I am a junior at Fordham from New Jersey! I am currently majoring in Psychology and minoring in Bioethics at the Lincoln Center campus. I have been an undergraduate intern with Fordham CPS and am presently working with LSA Family Health Service in East Harlem as part of their mental health services department. After graduation, I plan to pursue a career in psychology and work towards a doctorate, hopefully working as a Clinical Psychologist in trauma therapy to offer support and treatment tactics to those in need. In my free time, I love to see friends, go for runs, try new recipes, and overall be involved in any activity exploring the city! I am looking forward to meeting you all and being able to support Fordham's student body by being a peer counselor this year.