CC DBT - Our Staff


Our Staff Jennifer H. Byrnes, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist Dr. Byrnes was a founding member of the DBT team at Long Island Jewish Medical Center where she served as the Research Coordinator as well as skills trainer and individual therapist. Dr. Byrnes’ research focused on demonstrating the effectiveness of DBT in decreasing depression and suicidal ideation among adolescent participants. Dr. Byrnes currently leads DBT groups for both adults and adolescents at CCDBT. She also provides individual DBT services. Dr. Byrnes has served as a consultant on family therapy issues at Sagamore Children’s Hospital and has taught Behavior Therapy to graduate students at Adelphi University. Dr. Byrnes received her Ph.D. from St. John’s University where she also received a certificate in Family Therapy. Christine DeMaio, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist Dr. DeMaio is a member of the CCDBT family, now providing services in the Hartford, CT area. Dr. DeMaio received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Arkansas in 2004. Dr. DeMaio has extensive training in empirically-supported treatments with particular emphasis on cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). She completed her clinical internship at Yale University School of Medicine and her post-doctoral fellowship at The Center for Cognitive and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (CCDBT). Dr. DeMaio provides individual CBT and DBT to adults and adolescents and has served as a skills trainer in DBT groups. Additional areas of clinical practice include: parent training, panic control treatment (PCT), and mindfulness-based approaches. Dr. DeMaio has conducted research in the areas of intra-familial sexual abuse and the stigma of mental illness. Aaron D. Drucker, Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist Dr. Drucker has been a member of the DBT team since 2001. He attended various training by Behavioraltech, LLC. Dr. Drucker was a staff psychologist at the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, at Schneider Children’s Hospital for the past seven years providing treatment for adults, children, adolescents and their families. In addition, Dr. Drucker was the consulting psychologist for the Cystic Fibrosis Clinic and the Allergy and Immunology Clinic at Schneider Children’s Hospital during his tenure. Dr. Drucker received his M.A. and Ed.M from Teacher’s College, Columbia University in 1995 and his Psy.D. from the California School of Professional Psychology- Alameda in 2000. Joanna Fava, Ph.D., Post Doctoral Fellow Dr. Fava earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Fordham University in 2012. Prior to receiving her doctorate, Dr. Fava received a Masters degree in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She completed a pre-doctoral internship at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) in Newark. Her research has focused on developmental influences on emotion dysregulation, treatment considerations with mandated clients, and understanding suicidal behaviors. Dr. Fava has been extensively trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for the treatment of anxiety, trauma, and substance abuse. She completed an intensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offered by Behavioral Tech, LLC, and has been utilizing DBT since 2006. Dr. Fava has provided empirically supported treatments in various clinical settings including hospitals, community mental health clinics, and correctional facilities. Currently, Dr. Fava provides individual CBT and DBT and co-leads DBT skills groups for adolescents and adults. Elizabeth Gellman, Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist Dr. Gellman received her Psy.D. in Clinical-School Psychology from Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University in 2011. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Montefiore Medical Center. Dr. Gellman has received extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and has provided treatment to children, adolescents, and adults with anxiety, mood, behavioral and personality disorders. She has worked in a variety of settings, including schools, community mental health clinics, and hospitals providing individual, group, and family therapy. Currently, Dr. Gellman provides individual CBT and DBT and co-leads DBT skills groups for adolescents and adults. Rachel Gerstein, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist Dr. Gerstein received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Temple University in 2010. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. Dr. Gerstein received extensive training in both Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), empirically supported treatments for depression, anxiety, and personality disorders. She also received specialized training in using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for treating OCD. Dr. Gerstein has provided psychotherapy for adolescents, families, adults and older adults in various settings, including community mental health centers, day programs, and hospitals. Her research expertise is on the development and course of mood disorders. Currently, Dr. Gerstein provides individual CBT and DBT to adolescents and adults. She also co-leads DBT skills groups for adolescents and adults. Erez Harari, Ph.D., Post Doctoral Fellow Dr. Harari received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Fordham University in 2012. He completed his pre-doctoral internship at the Yale University School of Medicine, specializing in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for individuals with personality disorders and co-morbid substance use disorders. Dr. Harari has also received extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Relapse Prevention, and Motivational Interviewing and has provided group and individual therapy in various clinical settings including college counseling centers, community mental health centers, and multiple inpatient and outpatient hospital settings. Currently, Dr. Harari provides individual CBT and DBT and co-leads DBT skills groups for adolescents and adults. Tracy Kisner, Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist Dr. Tracy J. Kisner received her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University in 2008. Prior to earning her doctorate, Dr. Kisner received a Masters degree in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Dr. Kisner has received extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and completed an intensive training course in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offered by Behavioral Tech, LLC. Dr. Kisner has worked as a treatment provider in various settings providing empirically supported treatments to individuals with a diverse range of problems including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and borderline personality disorder. Dr. Kisner provides CBT and DBT to adults, adolescents, and families and serves as a skills trainer in DBT groups. In addition to her expertise in CBT and DBT, Dr. Kisner completed a seven-day intensive practicum in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) with Jon Kabat-Zinn and Saki Santorelli. Dr. Kisner teaches a MBSR course to help individuals learn to more effectively manage chronic pain and life stress and incorporates mindfulness and acceptance based strategies into her work. Allison Lebowitz Elkoubi, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist Dr. Lebowitz received her Ph.D. in Clinical and School Psychology from Hofstra University in 2009. Dr. Lebowitz has received extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (CBT), with intensive training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), commonly used in the treatment of various anxiety disorders. She has also received intensive training in Interpersonal Social Rhythms Therapy (IPSRT), an evidence-based treatment developed for treating Bipolar Disorder. Dr. Lebowitz has attended DBT trainings conducted by Behavioral Tech, LLC, the training company developed by Marsha Linehan, Ph.D. Additionally, she has extensive training in the assessment and diagnosis of intellectual, academic, personality, and behavioral difficulties. Dr. Lebowitz has worked as a treatment provider in various settings including schools, community mental health clinics, hospitals, and college counseling centers. Currently, Dr. Lebowitz provides individual DBT and CBT and serves as a DBT skills group co-leader. Julia B. Marks, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist Dr. Marks received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology-Alameda in 2001. She has a background in social work with adopted and foster children. Additionally, she worked as a special education teacher for teenagers with learning and emotional issues. Dr. Marks was a staff psychologist within the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Schneider Children’s Hospital where she specialized in psychotherapy with adolescents and families. She has been practicing Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program for nine years. Perry Meltzer, Psy.D., Post Doctoral Fellow Dr. Meltzer received his Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University in 2012. He completed his pre-doctoral internship at Long Island Jewish Medical Center - The Zucker Hillside Hospital where he received specialized training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with adults. Dr. Meltzer has also received extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and has provided treatment to adults, older adults, adolescents, and children with anxiety, mood, behavioral, and personality disorders. He has gained experience in a variety of settings, including community mental health clinics, hospitals, and schools providing individual, group, couples, and family therapy. Dr. Meltzer provides individual CBT and DBT and co-leads DBT skills groups for adolescents and adults. Adam C. Payne, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist Dr. Payne is the Program Chair for the ISITDBT Conference for 2012 and 2013. Dr. Payne provides Intensive Trainings for Behavioraltech, LLC. Within his role as a Behavioraltech Trainer, he has provided DBT training to clinicians across the nation and internationally. Dr. Payne is a Clinical Supervisor for the Behavioral Research and Therapy Clinics at the University of Washington in Seattle, the clinical research center led by Marsha Linehan, Ph.D. Dr. Payne served as the Clinical Coordinator of the DBT Program at NSLIJ Schneider Children’s Hospital for seven years prior to starting the CCDBT with his colleagues. Dr. Payne currently provides individual DBT and CBT as well as serving as a DBT Skills Group Leader at CCDBT. Dr. Payne received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1996. Burt Silverman, L.C.S.W., Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Social Worker Dr. Silverman has worked with children, adolescents, couples and families for many years in the New York City public schools, in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Schneider Children’s Hospital (North Shore-LIJ), and in private practice. He was intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy by Marsha Linehan's Behavioraltech, LLC. Dr. Silverman was instrumental in starting the DBT program at Schneider Children’s Hospital, where he was the Administrative Coordinator of that program. He is also an individual DBT therapist and DBT Skills Group leader at CCDBT. In 2007, Dr. Silverman was the recipient of the Third Annual Nita Henick Memorial Award in Advocacy and Public Policy from the Queensboro Council for Social Welfare. In addition, he received a City Council Citation as "an outstanding citizen, one who is worthy of the esteem of both the community and the great City of New York." Dr. Silverman also received a Citation of Honor from the Office of the President, Borough of Queens "in grateful recognition of his exceptional work with children in helping them reach their optimal level of functioning." Mitch Young, L.C.S.W., Licensed Clinical Social Worker Mr. Young has more than 20 years of experience providing Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to children, adolescents and adults in both inpatient and outpatient settings. He joined the Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) program at NSLIJ Schneider Children’s Hospital upon its inception in 1999. Since then he has been both an individual therapist and skills group leader and has attended many DBT-oriented trainings. Mr. Young has given many presentations in the community and helped to orient trainees to DBT at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Mr. Young worked for 4 years as a therapist at the Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at Schneider Children’s Hospital and then for 5 years on the Child Psychiatry Inpatient Unit at Schneider Children’s Hospital. For the 10 years prior to starting the CCDBT with his partners, Mr. Young was also in private practice on the south shore of Long Island. Mr. Young received his Master’s Degree in Social Work in 1991 from Florida State University.	Center for Cognitive & Dialectical Behavior Therapy, PLLC 2001 Marcus Avenue, Suite E128 Lake Success, NY 11042 Phone: 516.390.3525 Fax: 516.396.2195 Email: info@ccdbt.com