Mark Sisti, PhD is the founder and director of Suffolk Cognitive-Behavioral, PLLC. He is a graduate of Hofstra University, a licensed psychologist and an adjunct professor at Yeshiva— Ferkauf University, Department of Clinical Psychology. Dr. Sisti and several of our staff, are certified cognitive therapists within The Academy of Cognitive Therapy, the only official certifying agency for cognitive therapists in the United States. He is also a Diplomate & Founding Fellow within the Academy of Cognitive Therapy and a member of it's Trauma Task Force. His advanced training in cognitive therapy was under the tutelage of a CBT master clinician, Robert Leahy, Ph.D., at The American Institute for Cognitive Therapy, where Dr. Sisti was formerly the associate director. He obtained still further clinical experience as a former director of the LI Center for Cognitive Therapy. He has continued to develop so called, "third generation" CBT skills by training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with Dr. Marsha Linehan, and in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with Dr. Steven Hayes.
Dr. Sisti has extensive experience with anxiety disorders through his work at Freedom From Fear, a nationally recognized anxiety and mood disorder advocacy organization. Dr. Sisti was formerly the director of cognitive therapy at Freedom From Fear; he is currently Vice President of Freedom From Fear’s board of directors and is on the board’s research committee. He has participated as a certified cognitive therapist in research trials
for N.Y.S. Psychiatric Institute & Columbia Presbyterian. He also supervises doctoral interns from both Yeshiva-Ferkauf and Hofstra Universities and is an adjunct clinical supervisor for Yeshiva University Graduate School of Psychology. He trains various mental health experts and professionals in CBT, has presented CBT symposiums at the American Psychiatric Association and to the American Psychological Association and has also given seminars on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Dr. Sisti is also a published author on cognitive therapy.
Maria Steblai, Psy.D.
Maria Steblai, PsyD., is a senior founding member of Suffolk Cognitive Behavioral beginning in 2004. Dr. Steblai's long tenure at our center has made many patients and their families consider her a life long mental health resource. She obtained her doctorate from Hofstra University, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa. Dr. Steblai obtained her initial clinical training in cognitive-behavioral therapy at Hofstra University. Her clinical experience at North Shore University Hospital has given her invaluable expertise working with the most intense of crises in peoples lives and the opportunity
to work as a team with medical/psychiatric professionals. Additionally her ongoing experience working as a certified school psychologist within several Long Island School districts, gives her broad experience with both children, adolescents, adults and families. We are very fortunate to have a professional with this much experience with childhood and adolescent disorders on staff. Her specialties include, cognitive-behavioral Therapy, ADHD, eating & body image disorders, and children-adolescent disorders. She has presented her research at psychological conventions on; attention & hyperactivity disorders (ADD & ADHD), eating disorders and body image disorders. She regularly conducts groups, workshops and seminars on ADHD, eating disorders and adolescent trauma.
Constance J. Salhany Ph.D., ACT
Dr. Salhany is a cognitive therapist with two decades of experience providing CBT and a long time colleague of Dr. Sisti. Currently, Dr. Salhnay acts only as an external consultant to our centers staff, as she is busy with her own CBT center on SI. She specializes in CBT for anxiety and depressive disorders. She holds a Master’s Degree (Counseling)
from the College of Staten Island, & a Ph.D. from Walden University (Clinical Psychology). We are very proud that Dr. Salhany is a graduate of The Beck Institute of Cognitive-Therapy & Research, Extramural Training Program. There, Dr. Salhany had the honor of being personally supervised by Dr. Judith Beck. She was an early member of Freedom From Fear (a national non-profit mental-health advocacy organization) and continues to contribute by being a FFF board member.
She was a case manager and therapist for the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University College of Physician’s and Surgeons, completed practicum and pre-doctoral internship at Staten Island University Hospital, and worked for Project Liberty in response to the terrorist attack of 9/11 in New York. She enjoys teaching and supervising students at the College of Staten Island (CSI) and Wagner College as an adjunct. Currently at CSI she is the acting administrator for a new Licensed Mental Health Counseling Program, which is in the application phase with NYS. She also trains medical psychiatric residents in CBT at Richmond University Medical Center. Dr. Salhany also has special training and supervision from Dr.'s Judy Beck & Debbie Busis, on applying CT to eating and dieting problems. Her special research interests are in spirituality-psychology, safety-seeking behaviors (a type of avoidant-compulsive behavior that exacerbates and maintains anxiety and mood disorders), learned helplessness, and multiple intelligence's. We are very fortunate to have a clinician of Dr. Salhany's extensive CBT experience and CBT expertise on staff.
Joseph J. Williams, LMHC, ACT, NCC
Joseph received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from St. Francis College and his Master’s degree in Counseling from Fordham University. We are very proud to say he is fully certified as a cognitive therapist, as he is a Diplomate, within the Academy of Cognitive Therapy and a National Certified Counselor. Joseph is one of our Brooklyn centers senior members, and has many years of successful CBT cases at our center. He has gained invaluable experience working with severe and complex psychological disorders at his clinical internships with: Coney Island Hospital’s MICA (mentally ill chemically abusing)
populations, the U.S. Probation Department and various adolescent & high school populations. Beyond his graduate training in CBT, we are proud of Joseph's expertise in Rational Emotive Behavior therapy (REBT), a powerful and traditional form of cognitive therapy. His experience and training in this seminal type of CBT was gained at The Albert Ellis Institute in New York City, the original home of REBT and a founding home for the development for CBT. Joseph went onto receive advanced training and experience in other types of CBT at, The New York Cognitive Therapy and Wellness Centers. There he practiced as a cognitive therapist treating anxiety, mood, and other disorders along with a wide range the co-occuring complexities often seen in outpatient therapy. As he is also licensed school counselor, Joseph also brings valuable expertise and familiarity with the developmental challenges and problems of adolescence and the simultaneous struggles of adult parents. He has worked in high schools in the arch dioceses of New York and the Department of Education. He has also returned to St. Francis College in 2006 as an adjunct professor in the Psychology Department, where he introduces and trains undergraduate students in psychology.
Constance McKenzie, PhD
Dr. Constance McKenzie began her career working with depressed, anxious, and abused clients in the mountains of Virginia. She received her Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) training at the University of Virginia where she was trained in some of the most fundamental types of CBT, i.e., Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (RET) and Behavior Therapy.
When she returned to New York, she earned her second M.A. in Criminal Justice from John Jay College. After many years of hands on clinical experience, she earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Walden University. She also has a long college teaching career and is a full time professor at Touro College. As an instructor at Touro she introduces aspiring psychologists to the science of psychology, via courses such as: developmental-psychology, psychopathology, experimental psychology, eating disorders, etc. Clinically Dr. McKenzie has nearly two decades of experience working with difficult cases involving mood disorders and anxiety disorders complicated by anger, rage, impulse disorders and personality disorders. She has a special interest in anger management, is a fellow of the National Anger Management Association. We are fortunate to have Dr. McKenzie extensive experience and expertise in anger related problems and disorders. Anger disorders are often multiple disorder cases (“co-morbid” disorders), e.g. disorders in; mood, anger, impulsivity, relationships, attachment, co-dependency, personality, etc. With Dr. McKenzie’s experience in anger management, comes many years of experience in treating these complex mood problems, and a successful history of teaching the skills necessary to manage such intense and complex problems.
Dr. McKenzie also brings extensive experience and knowledge about helping couples and families to recover from these disruptions of impulsivity and mood disorders. By teaching better skills from which to understand and manage moods, communicate constructively, mutually problem solve and actively listen, she has helped many to live more constructive lives as individuals, within their families and their communities. She also has a special interest and expertise in providing psychotherapy to those with chronic illness, grief, death and dying related counseling. We are proud and fortunate indeed to have Dr. McKenzie’s many years of experience and community dedication with us a Suffolk Cognitive Behavioral, PLLC.
Lisa R. Silverman, PhD
Lisa received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Harvard and completed her doctoral degree (PhD) from New York University (NYU) in 2010. Additionally, Lisa serves as an adjunct professor in the Applied Psychology department at New York University and the Behavioral and Social Sciences department at Hostos Community College. An expert in developmental psychology,
her research at NYU focuses on the social and emotional development of adolescents. She is specifically interested in the connections between adolescents’ experiences at home and their experiences in other contexts (e.g., school, social contexts). Lisa has extensive experience in laboratory and applied research settings as both a field worker and a research scientist. She has conducted research on a variety of cognitive relevant topics, such as; the internalization of appearance-related stereotypes, the effects of a sense of belonging on achievement and the effects of how mood influences our choice of activities. Lisa is also a published author on research about adolescents and has presented at various professional conferences.
At Long Island Jewish Medical’s -Eating Disorders Center, she further developed her clinical skills working with one of the most complex and co-morbid of disorders; mixed and multiple diagnosis, e.g., eating disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, impulse disorders, compulsive disorders, etc. There she also gained further clinical experience with program development, group and family therapy, and CBT skills promoting self-esteem, positive body image and individual empowerment.
Lisa further developed her CBT skills with adults while originally interning at Suffolk Cognitive Behavioral, PLLC. There she gathered expert experience in the application of CBT to a variety of common problems such as anxiety and mood disorders.
At the other end of the age spectrum, Lisa has gathered additional clinical experience while working with senior adults with Alzheimer’s and other related dementias; she working cognitive behaviorally to facilitate and maintain social and cognitive skills.
Mindy E. Levin-Lee, LCSW
Mindy Levin-Lee is a licensed Certified Social Worker.
She received her master’s degree in clinical social work, in 1990, from New York University. She returned to NYU from 1993-1995 to receive a degree in advanced clinical social work which further enhanced her clinical knowledge.
The bulk of Mrs. Lee’s experience has been in working with adults who have a myriad of medical and emotional disorders.
She began this work with an initial internship at a Senior Center in New York City. She followed up by working in the Department of Social Work at the New York Hospital / Cornell Medical Center. She specializes in working with individuals, couples, and families who are coping with anxiety, depression, grief, and loss. Mrs. Lee brings her past experience of working with a variety of diagnosis with a wide range of patients, e.g., children, couples, adults and groups. Mrs. Lee’s many years in the field have provided her with a wide range of clinical training in both long term (traditional psychodynamic) and short-term (cognitive-behavioral) therapies.
Suffolk Cognitive Behavioral, is fortunate to have her wealth of invaluable experience working with individuals and their families, within multi-disciplinary settings, coping with multiple physical, medical and emotional difficulties. She regularly works with various MD’s, nurses, and physical therapists in helping patients to cope with various emotional challenges associated with complex problems and multiple professionals. Additionally she brings unique expertise in working with cognitively disabled adults and their families. She has extensive experience working with the psychological difficulties (anxiety, depression, etc.,) associated with various medical disorders such as; cardiovascular illness, stroke, diabetes, cancer, traumatic injuries, and crisis intervention.
Nava C. Solomon, PsyD
Dr. Solomon is a licensed psychologist whose doctoral training specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). She earned her doctoral degree in clinical psychology at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, where she was honored with the Jeffrey Sage Memorial Award for Clinical Excellence. Dr. Solomon obtained her original training in cognitive behavioral therapy through Yeshiva University’s CBT Program for Anxiety &Depressive Disorders,
which is directed by an Academy of Cognitive Therapy Fellow
Lata K. McGinn, PhD, ACT.
Dr. Solomon has experience providing CBT to individuals, families, and groups, with patients ranging from
age five through eighty-five years old. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at the James J. Peters VAMC, where she provided individual & group CBT. There she gained valuable experience applying CBT to a wide range of clinical problems i.e; anxiety and depressive disorders as well as substance abuse, issues of loss and bereavement, marital and family conflicts, and severe medical illnesses. Her training at the VA also provided valuable experience with a third generation form of CBT called, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Dr. Solomon later completed her post-doctoral fellowship at Columbia University’s Counseling & Psychological Services. At Columbia University she provided individual therapy to undergraduate and graduate students struggling with a host of difficulties including major depression, panic disorder, social phobia, health anxiety, physical and sexual abuse, as well as with issues of professional development, procrastination, and stress management. Having also trained at Fordham University’s Counseling and Psychological Services Center, Gracie Square Hospital, and at Montefiore Medical Center (Child Outpatient Psychiatry Department), Dr. Solomon continues to develop advanced CBT experience and is well prepared to treat a population that is diverse not only with regard to symptom presentation, but also in terms of age, ethnicity, and sexual orientation.
Dr. Solomon’s has researched the effects of adolescent peer-labeling as potential antecedents of adult depression and anxiety. She has presented research at both national and international psychological conferences including the Association for Behavior and Cognitive Therapy (November 2009), the Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association (August 2008) as well as at the International Congress of Cognitive Psychotherapy, Rome, Italy (June 2008). We are very proud to have Dr. Solomon on staff to represent our centers commitment to state of the art CBT and empirically supported treatment and training.
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ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Laura Bilick - Office & Insurance Manager
Laura is the executive assistant and office manager at Suffolk Cognitive-Behavioral, PLLC. She is responsible for managing the administrative responsibilities of SCB. For patients with questions regarding insurance, billing, balances, etc., which your therapist cannot answer, please contact Laura by phone at the main office (631-696-2896). We are grateful that Laura brings decades of administrative skills from various businesses to our practice. Her multi-disciplinary expertise ranges from a history in; retail management, to multiple executive assistantships in business, to university and hospital settings.
She is also currently on staff at Stony Brook University.
Shelli Trager - Intake Coordinator
Ms. Trager is the intake coordinator at Suffolk Cognitive-Behavioral, she is often the first person to meet and greet patients who call the center for information. With a call to the center, she will be more than happy to answer any general questions about the center. Ms. Trager has worked for mental health professionals and their patients for decades and has in that way gathered a wealth of invaluable experience in helping patients to make difficult decisions around starting therapy and answering general mental health FAQ's (frequently asked questions). Ms. Trager also manages the calendars and appointments of our staff, and will patiently guide patients through the complex process of initial screening and referral.
In addition, to her work at SCB, Ms. Trager is an entrepreneur, with a BS in Education, from The University of Connecticut. She manages her own multi-faceted medical business by helping other mental health professionals with all aspects of office management, information Technology, etc.
