Meet Our Team
Choosing the right therapist is an important part of successful treatment. At the Hudson Valley Center for Cognitive Therapy, our psychologists combine advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with compassionate, individualized care. Each clinician brings distinct areas of expertise and a shared commitment to thoughtful, effective treatment.
Our Clinicians
All of our psychologists have extensive experience treating anxiety and mood-related concerns using CBT. Each clinician also brings additional areas of specialized training and expertise, reflected in the profiles below. Select a clinician below to learn more. You can also explore the conditions we treat.
Christine Ziegler, Ph.D.
Founder and Director of the Hudson Valley Center for Cognitive Therapy, Dr. Christine Ziegler earned her Ph.D. from Drexel University. She completed advanced postdoctoral training at the renowned Center for Cognitive Therapy at the University of Pennsylvania, where she worked alongside Aaron T. Beck, M.D., the founder of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, on a number of clinical research projects. Dr. Ziegler is also honored to be a Founding Fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, a professional organization established by Dr. Beck and other prominent leaders in CBT, created to recognize clinicians who meet rigorous standards of training and competence in cognitive therapy.
Areas of Specialty
- Anxiety (Panic, Chronic Worry, Social Anxiety)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Depression
- Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (Hair Pulling & Skin Picking)
- Relationship Concerns
- Stress-Related Medical Conditions (e.g., headaches, GI issues, diabetes)
- Schema Therapy
Professional Activities
Dr. Ziegler has authored numerous journal articles and book chapters. She regularly presents workshops and lectures on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and related topics for both mental health professionals, schools, and the public. Dr. Ziegler has also taught at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, supervised doctoral psychology students, and provides clinical supervision to other psychologists.
Melissa Aiello, Ph.D.
Dr. Aiello earned her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University at Albany and completed postdoctoral training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at Purchase College. She has extensive experience providing evidence-based treatment for anxiety, depression, OCD, and related conditions, and has served as a senior psychologist at the Manhattan Center for Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.
Areas of Specialty
- Anxiety (Panic, Chronic Worry, Social Anxiety)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Health Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Relationship Concerns
- Parent Training (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions – SPACE)
Professional Activities
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Aiello has taught and supervised graduate students. She is an active member of the American Psychological Association and the Westchester County Psychological Association.
Janelle Brown, Ph.D.
Dr. Brown earned her doctorate in School, Community, and Clinical Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the NYU Child Study Center. She has extensive experience providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for children, adolescents, and adults, as well as specialized expertise in psychological and psychoeducational assessment.
Areas of Specialty
- Anxiety (Panic, Chronic Worry, Social Anxiety)
- Phobias
- Depression
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) & Neurodivergence
- Childhood Behavioral Concerns
- Academic & Learning Difficulties
- Parent Training
- Grief & Loss
- Psychoeducational & Psychological Testing
Professional Activities
Dr. Brown has presented at schools and professional conferences on topics including psychological assessment and the treatment of child sexual abuse. She was also recognized by the Rockland Economic Development Corporation and the Rockland Business Association as one of Rockland County’s Forty Under 40 professional leaders.
Jennifer Buchwald, Psy.D.
Dr. Buchwald earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Yeshiva University and completed her internship at North Shore University Hospital–Long Island Jewish Center, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at St. Luke’s–Roosevelt Hospital Center. She has extensive experience providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for children, adolescents, and adults and previously served as Program Director of Adolescent Inpatient Services at Westchester Medical Center.
Areas of Specialty
- Anxiety (Panic, Chronic Worry, Social Anxiety)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Separation Anxiety
- Phobias
- Depression
- Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
- Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (Hair Pulling & Skin Picking)
- Insomnia & Pediatric Sleep Disturbances
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Executive Functioning & Organizational Issues
- Childhood Behavioral Concerns
- Parent Training
- Stress-Related Medical Conditions (e.g., headaches, GI issues, cancer, diabetes, concussions)
- Grief & Loss
Professional Activities
In addition to her clinical work at the HVCCT, Dr. Buchwald has served as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at New York Medical College and an Associate Professor at the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University. She has also participated in research on ADHD and relaxation training and served on the Board of the Westchester County Psychological Association. In addition, Dr. Buchwald has appeared on television several times as a psychology expert.
Ready to see if HVCCT may be a good fit?
Christopher Conway, Ph.D.
Dr. Conway earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Duke University and his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from UCLA. He completed postdoctoral fellowships at UCLA’s Anxiety and Depression Research Center and Boston University’s Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, where he received advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for anxiety and depression. He works with adults using evidence-based treatments for anxiety, mood disorders, and other related concerns.
Areas of Specialty
- Anxiety Disorders (Panic, Chronic Worry, Social Anxiety)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Health Anxiety
- Phobias
- Mood Disorders (e.g., Depression)
- Adult Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Insomnia
- College-Related Concerns
- Perfectionism
- Relationship Concerns
Professional Activities
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Conway is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Fordham University. He teaches and supervises clinical psychology doctoral students and leads a research team studying anxiety, depression, and other emotional disorders. His clinical work is informed by this research and his specialized training in evidence-based treatments. He has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, serves as an associate and consulting editor for several scientific journals, and is an active member of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT).
Alexa Gaydos, Psy.D.
Dr. Gaydos earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University and completed postdoctoral training at Saint Dominic’s Home in Blauvelt and the Bronx. She has extensive experience providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for children, adolescents, and adults, with particular expertise in anxiety, OCD, autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disorders, and parent consultation. She also has specialized training in Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT), an evidence-based treatment for tic disorders.
Areas of Specialty
- Anxiety (Panic, Chronic Worry, Social Anxiety)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Health Anxiety
- Phobias
- Depression
- Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (Hair Pulling & Skin Picking)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder & Neurodivergence
- Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
- Tic Disorders
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Childhood Behavioral Concerns
- Parent Training & Consultation
- Behavior Modification
- Stress-Related Medical Conditions (e.g., headaches, GI issues, diabetes, cancer)
- Insomnia & Pediatric Sleep Issues
- Grief & Loss
Professional Activities
In addition to providing psychotherapy, Dr. Gaydos consults with families regarding educational and support services for children. She has served as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Dominican University and has taught psychology at the undergraduate and graduate levels. She has presented at a number of professional conferences, and has authored journal articles on autism spectrum disorders.
Karen Hebert, Ph.D.
Dr. Hebert earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Maine and completed her internship in behavioral medicine at the West Virginia University School of Medicine. She received intensive training in Cognitive Therapy during her postdoctoral fellowship at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, where she remained a faculty member until joining HVCCT. Dr. Hebert provides Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for children, adolescents, adults, and couples.
Areas of Specialty
- Anxiety (e.g., Panic, Chronic Worry, Social Anxiety)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- PANDAS/PANS (Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome)
- Phobias
- Depression & Mood Disorders
- Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (Hair Pulling & Skin Picking)
- ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)
- Insomnia and Other Pediatric and Adult Sleep Issues
- Adjustment Disorders (e.g., school transitions, life changes)
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Childhood Behavioral Concerns
- Stress-Related Medical Conditions
- Couples & Relationship Issues
- Parenting Work
- Grief & Loss
Professional Activities
In addition to her clinical work at HVCCT, Dr. Hebert has served as an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University for many years. Her research has focused on a range of topics, including anxiety, ADHD, social skills, and aggression in children. She has co-authored a number of professional journal articles and book chapters related to these topics and has presented at numerous national conferences.
Elizabeth Yorke, Psy.D.
Dr. Yorke earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Hartford. She completed her clinical internship at Pilgrim Psychiatric Center and a postdoctoral fellowship at Trinity College Counseling Center. She also received advanced training in body-focused repetitive behaviors through the Trichotillomania Learning Center. Dr. Yorke has worked in diverse clinical settings and provides Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to children, adolescents, and adults.
Areas of Specialty
- Anxiety (Panic, Chronic Worry, Social Anxiety)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Phobias
- Depression
- Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (Hair Pulling & Skin Picking)
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Adjustment Disorders (e.g., school transitions, life changes)
- School & College Concerns
- Social Skills & Assertiveness Training
- Relationship Concerns
- Stress-Related Medical Conditions (e.g., headaches, GI issues, diabetes)
- Self-Compassion & Mindfulness Training
Professional Activities
In addition to providing individual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dr. Yorke has led skills-based therapy groups focused on emotion regulation, assertiveness, and social skills. She has been invited to present workshops on the benefits of mindfulness and has been a guest lecturer on anxiety and obsessive-compulsive related disorders.
Ready to take the next step?
Finding the right therapist is an important first step. We offer a free phone consultation to discuss your needs, answer your questions, and help match you with the clinician who may be the best fit for you.
Ready to take the next step?
Finding the right therapist is an important first step. We offer a free phone consultation to discuss your needs, answer your questions, and help match you with the clinician who may be the best fit for you.