Meet Our Staff

The HVCCT offers a free telephone consultation with Dr. Christine Ziegler, the HVCCT Director, to assess each client’s specific therapeutic needs. We understand the importance of choosing a therapist. Our priority is making the best match to ensure our clients feel comfortable with their therapists and confident they are receiving the highest quality care.

HVCCT Staff Psychologists

See also: Staff Publications

Christine Ratto Ziegler, Ph.D.

Dr. Ziegler is the Founder and Director of the HVCCT. She earned her Ph.D. from Hahnemann University and completed her two-year post-doctoral fellowship in Cognitive Therapy at the Center for Cognitive Therapy at the University of Pennsylvania. Her specialties include:

  • Depression
  • Panic Attacks / Agoraphobia
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Trichotillomania/Excoriation (Compulsive Hair Pulling/Skin Picking)
  • Generalized Anxiety / Excessive Worry
  • Social Anxiety
  • Phobias
  • Fear of Flying
  • Relationship Issues
  • Stress-related Medical Conditions (including headaches and irritable bowel syndrome)
  • Low Self-esteem
  • Schema-focused Cognitive Therapy

The author of several published articles and book chapters, Dr. Ziegler regularly offers talks and seminars to both professionals and the general public. She is a Founding Fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, an organization that certifies those who have demonstrated an advanced level of expertise in Cognitive Therapy.

Dr. Ziegler was honored by the Rockland Economic Development Corporation and the Rockland Business Association for its award for professional leaders who have demonstrated commitment to professional excellence and to the positive impact of individuals in the Rockland community.

Melissa Aiello, Ph.D.

Dr. Aiello earned her doctorate in Counseling Psychology at the University at Albany, State University of New York. She completed her post-doctoral fellowship at Purchase College, State University of New York where her training focused on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety and depression. Dr. Aiello then served as a senior psychologist at the Manhattan Center for Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. She has conducted individual and group therapy and supervised doctoral students in a variety of settings.

Dr. Aiello’s specialties include:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Panic Attacks / Agoraphobia
  • Generalized Anxiety / Excessive Worry
  • Health Anxiety
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Social Anxiety
  • Phobias
  • Insomnia and Sleep Related Difficulties
  • Trichotillomania/Excoriation (Compulsive Hair Pulling/Skin Picking)
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • College-related Issues
  • Assertiveness
  • Relationship Issues
  • Social Skills Training
  • Self-esteem/Self-confidence
  • Pregnacy-related Issues
  • Pre and Post-Partum Depression/Anxiety

In addition to clinical work, Dr. Aiello enjoys supervising and teaching. She has taught a number of classes at the undergraduate level and has served as a clinical supervisor for graduate students undergoing training. Dr. Aiello is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), as well as the Westchester County Psychological Association.

Emily Becker-Weidman, Ph.D.

Dr. Becker-Weidman earned her B.A. in Psychology and Health & Societies from the University of Pennsylvania and her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Northwestern University. She completed her Psychology Internship at New York University/Bellevue Hospital Center in New York, NY and is completed a two-year post-doctoral fellowship at the NYU Child Study Center.

She is certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) by the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, an organization that certifies those who have demonstrated an advanced level of expertise in Cognitive Therapy. In addition to her intensive training in (CBT) Dr. Becker-Weidman is certified in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy and has training in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy. She has also received specialized training in the assessment and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Dr. Becker-Weidman provides individual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for children, adolescents, and adults. Her specialties include:

  • Childhood and Adult Depression
  • Childhood and Adult Anxiety
  • Generalized Anxiety / Excessive Worry
  • Panic Attacks / Agoraphobia
  • Social Anxiety
  • Phobias
  • Emetophobia (Fear of Vomiting)
  • Childhood and Adult Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • PANDAS/PANS (Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome)
  • Childhood Adjustment Disorders (e.g., school, death)
  • School and Academic Issues
  • Childhood Behavioral Problems
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Autistic Spectrum Disorders (e.g., Aspergers)
  • Autism
  • Perfectionism
  • Family Therapy
  • Parent Training and Coaching
  • Post-Adoption Issues and Parent-Child Attachment Related Concerns
  • Relationship Issues
  • Social Skills Training
  • Academic/Learning Difficulties
  • Behavior Modification/Constructing Behavioral Plans for Home and School Settings

In addition to her work at the HVCCT, Dr. Becker Weidman is on the clinical faculty of NYU. She teaches undergraduate students and supervises pre-doctoral interns in CBT. She is active in a number of national and local professional organizations, including the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), the American Psychological Association (APA), the New York City Adoption/Foster Care Therapist Network, and the New York City Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Association (NYC-CBT). She has also presented research at several national conferences, co-authored book chapters on child/adolescent psychopathology, and published several articles in peer reviewed journals.

Janelle Brown, Ph.D.

Dr. Brown earned her doctorate in School, Community, and Clinical Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Child Study Center at New York University. She has extensive experience working with children, adolescents and adults. Her specialties include:

  • Childhood and Adult Anxiety
  • Panic Attacks / Agoraphobia
  • Generalized Anxiety (Excessive Worry)
  • Social Anxiety
  • Phobias
  • Childhood and Adult Depression
  • Autistic Spectrum Disorders (e.g., Aspergers)
  • Childhood Adjustment Disorders (e.g., school, death)
  • Childhood Behavioral Problems
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Impulse Control Problems
  • Academic/Learning Difficulties
  • Perfectionism
  • Behavior Modification
  • Parent Training and Coaching
  • Grieving and Loss
  • Psychoeducational/Psychological Testing

As well as receiving specialized training in Cognitive Therapy, Dr. Brown has significant experience in Psychoeducational/Psychological Testing and expertise in evaluating cognitive and academic skills, learning aptitudes, personality and emotional development, social skills, learning environment and school climate, giftedness, and eligibility for special education.

Dr. Brown has been invited to speak at various schools and professional conferences. Topics have included the evaluation and treatment of child sexual abuse, psychological assessment, and violence in teen dating.

Dr. Brown was honored by the Rockland Economic Development Corporation and the Rockland Business Association for its Forty Under 40 list of Rockland’s professional leaders who have demonstrated commitment to professional excellence and to the positive impact of individuals in the Rockland community.

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. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center and served as the Program Director of Adolescent Inpatient Services at Westchester Medical Center.

Dr. Buchwald has extensive training and experience in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and in working with children, adolescents, and adults. Her specialties include:

  • Childhood and Adult Depression
  • Childhood and Adult Anxiety
  • Panic Attacks / Agoraphobia
  • Generalized Anxiety / Excessive Worry
  • Social Anxiety
  • Separation Anxiety
  • Phobias
  • Emetophobia (Fear of Vomiting)
  • Childhood and Adult Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Trichotillomania/Excoriation (Compulsive Hair Pulling/Skin Picking)
  • Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) / Excessively Picky Eating
  • Adjustment and Coping with Medical Illness (e.g., cancer, diabetes)
  • Insomnia
  • Relationship Issues
  • Grieving and Loss
  • Childhood Adjustment Disorders (e.g., school, death)
  • Childhood Behavioral Problems (e,g., oppositional behavior)
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Impulse Control Problems
  • Low Self-Esteem
  • Behavior Modification
  • Family Therapy
  • Parent Training and Coaching

Dr. Buchwald is active in teaching and in the supervising and training of her students and colleagues. She holds positions as Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at New York Medical College and as Associate Professor of the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University. She has also participated in research projects that investigated a wide range of topics, including genetic and psychosocial risk factors for ADHD and the efficacy of relaxation training. Dr. Buchwald is a board member of the Westchester County Psychological Association.

Christopher Conway, Ph.D.

Dr. Conway earned a B.S. in Psychology from Duke University and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from UCLA. His training focused on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety and depression, including postdoctoral fellowships at UCLA’s Anxiety Disorder Research Center and Boston University’s Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders.

Dr. Conway’s specialties include:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Panic Attacks / Agoraphobia
  • Generalized Anxiety / Excessive Worry
  • Health Anxiety
  • Social Anxiety
  • Phobias
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • College-related Issues
  • Insomnia and Sleep Related Difficulties
  • Perfectionism
  • Relationship Issues

In addition to his clinical work at the Center, Dr. Conway is on faculty in the Psychology department at Fordham University in NYC. There he studies the development and diagnosis of emotional disorders. Dr. Conway has authored 60+ peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters related to anxiety, depression, personality, and distress tolerance (the ability to stick with goals in the face of discomfort). He is Associate Editor and Consulting Editor for several scientific journals, and he is a member of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT).

Alexa Gaydos, Psy.D.

Dr. Gaydos earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Long Island University and completed her post-doctoral training at Saint Dominic’s Home in Blauvelt, NY and Bronx, NY. She has extensive training and experience in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and in working with children, adolescents, and adults. Her specialties include:

  • Childhood and Adult Anxiety
  • Generalized Anxiety / Excessive Worry
  • Panic Attacks / Agoraphobia
  • Social Anxiety
  • Phobias
  • Emetophobia (Fear of Vomiting)
  • Health Anxiety
  • Childhood and Adult Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • PANDAS/PANS (Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome)
  • Trichotillomania/Excoriation (Compulsive Hair Pulling/Skin Picking)
  • Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) / Excessively Picky Eating
  • Tic Disorders
  • Autistic Spectrum Disorders (e.g., Aspergers)
  • Autism
  • Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)
  • Intellectual Disabilities
  • Childhood and Adult Depression
  • Childhood Adjustment Disorders (e.g., school, death)
  • Social Skills Training
  • Assertiveness Training
  • Childhood Behavioral Problems (e.g., Oppositional Defiant Disorder)
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Impulse Control Problems
  • Academic/Learning Difficulties
  • Behavior Modification/Constructing Behavioral Plans for Home and School Settings
  • Issues Related to Foster Care and Adoption
  • Relationship Issues
  • Family Therapy
  • Parent Training and Coaching
  • Weight Management
  • Stress-Related Medical Conditions
    (e.g., headaches, irritable bowel syndrome)
  • Insomnia and Sleep-Related Difficulties
  • Adjustment and Coping with Medical Illness
    (e.g., cancer, diabetes, fibromyalgia, cardiac conditions, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease)
  • Grief and Loss

In addition to providing psychotherapy, Dr. Gaydos provides consultations for parents seeking information on academic and social programs for which their child may qualify and guides parents in the process of receiving these services.

Dr. Gaydos also teaches psychology at the graduate and undergraduate levels and has been invited to speak at various professional conferences. She has been involved in several research projects investigating autistic spectrum disorders and has authored several journal articles on this topic.

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 two-year postdoctoral fellowship through Brown University School of Medicine, where she remained on staff as a faculty member until starting at the HVCCT.

Dr. Hebert has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and couples. Her specialties include:

  • Childhood and Adult Depression
  • Childhood and Adult Anxiety
  • Panic Attacks / Agoraphobia
  • Generalized Anxiety / Excessive Worry
  • Health Anxiety
  • Social Anxiety
  • Phobias
  • Emetophobia (Fear of Vomiting)
  • Childhood and Adult Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • PANDAS/PANS (Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome)
  • Trichotillomania/Excoriation (Compulsive Hair Pulling/Skin Picking)
  • Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) / Excessively Picky Eating
  • Childhood Adjustment Disorders (e.g., school, death)
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • School and Academic Issues
  • Childhood Behavioral Problems
  • Health Psychology
  • Insomnia
  • Stress-Related Medical Conditions
    (e.g., headaches, irritable bowel syndrome)
  • Adjustment and Coping with Medical Illness
    (e.g., cancer, diabetes, fibromyalgia, cardiac conditions, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease)
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Perfectionism
  • Behavior Modification
  • Relationship Issues
  • Marital / Couples Counseling
  • Family Therapy
  • Parent Training and Coaching
  • Grieving and Loss

In addition to her clinical work at the Center, Dr. Hebert serves as an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University. Her research has focused on a range of topics, including treatment of ADHD, social anxiety, the development of romantic relationships in adolescence, 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 and completed her internship at Pilgrim Psychiatric Center in Long Island, New York. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Trinity College Counseling and Wellness Center in Hartford, Connecticut. Dr. Yorke’s specialties and interests include:

  • Childhood and Adult Depression
  • Childhood and Adult Anxiety
  • Generalized Anxiety / Excessive Worry
  • Panic Attacks / Agoraphobia
  • Social Anxiety
  • Phobias
  • Childhood and Adult Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Trichotillomania/Excoriation (Compulsive Hair Pulling/Skin Picking)
  • Stress-Related Medical Conditions (e.g., headaches, irritable bowel syndrome)
  • Childhood Adjustment Disorders (e.g., school, death)
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • School and Academic Concerns
  • College-Related Issues
  • Childhood Behavioral Problems
  • Relationship Issues
  • Social Skills Training/ Assertiveness Skills Training
  • Mindfulness Meditation

In addition to providing individual cognitive-behavioral therapy, Dr. Yorke has extensive experience providing group therapy in a wide range of settings. She has led groups focused on building emotion regulation skills and has conducted several skills-based groups, including assertiveness and social skills training. She has also been invited to present workshops on mindfulness meditation and has been a guest lecturer on anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive related disorders.

Staff Publications

Newman, C. F. & Ratto (Ziegler), C. L.. Cognitive therapy for narcissistic personality disorder. In M. Reinecke and D. Clark (Eds.), Cognitive therapy across the life span. New York: Cambridge.

Ratto (Ziegler), C. L. & Capitano, D. L.. New directions in cognitive therapy: A schema-focused approach. Cognitive-Behavioral Practice, 6, 68-73.

Newman, C. F. & Ratto (Ziegler), C. L.. Cognitive therapy for substance abuse. In E. T. Dowd & L. Rugle (Eds.), Comparative treatments of substance abuse (pp. 96-126). New York: Springer.

Ratto (Ziegler), C. L.. Gender differences in the relationship between academic self-esteem and academic achievement. Der Zeitgeist, 1, 109-118.

Becker-Weidman, E., Jacobs, R., Reinecke, M., Silva, S., Curry, J.F., et al. (2010). Social problem-solving among adolescents treated for depression. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 48, 11-18.

Becker-Weidman, E., Jacobs, R., Reinecke, M., Zoran, M., Silva, S., Curry, J.F., et al. (2009). Predictors of hopelessness among clinically depressed youth. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 37, 267-291.

Becker-Weidman, E., Reinecke, M., Silva, S. (manuscript). Change in Hopelessness and Acute Treatment Outcomes Among Depressed Adolescents.

Bornstein, R., Becker-Weidman, E., Nigro, C., Frontera, R., & Reinecke, M. (2007). The complex pathway from attachment to personality disorder: A life span perspective on interpersonal dependence. In Freeman, A. & Reinecke, M. (Eds.). Personality Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.

Brown, A., Becker-Weidman, E., & Saxe, G. (2014). A developmental perspective on childhood traumatic stress. In Friedman, A. (Vol. Ed.). Handbook of PTSD, Second Edition. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.

Curry, J., Silva, S., Rohde, P., Ginsberg, G., Kratochvil, C., Simons, A., Kirchner, J., May, D., Kennard, B., Mayes, T., Albano, A.M., Jacobs, R., Lavonier, S., Feeny, N., Reinecke, M., Weller, E., Becker-Weidman, E., Emslie, G., Walkup, J., Kastelic, E., Burns, B., Wells, K., March, J. (2012). Onset of alcohol or substance use disorders following treatment for adolescent depression. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 80, 299-312.

Curry, J,, Silva, S., Rohde, P., Ginsberg, G., Kratochvil, C., Simons, A., Kirchner, J., May, D., Kennard, B., Mayes, T., Albano, A.M., Jacobs, R., Lavonier, S., Feeny, N., Reinecke, M., Weller, E., Becker-Weidman, E., Emslie, G., Walkup, J., Kastelic, E., Burns, B., Wells, K., March, J. (2010). Recovery and recurrence following treatment for adolescent major depression. Archives of General Psychology, 68, 263-269.

Jacobs, R., Becker-Weidman, E., Jordan, N., Reinecke, M.A., Rohde, P., Silva, S., March, J., et al. (2010). Treating depression and oppositional behavior in adolescents. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 39, 559-567.

Reinecke, M., Washburn, J., & Becker-Weidman, E. (2007). Depression and Suicide. In Dattilio, F. & Freeman, A. (Eds.). Cognitive-Behavioral Strategies in Crisis Intervention (3rd Edition). New York: Guilford Press.

Sokol, L., Fox, M. G., & Becker-Weidman, E. (2014). Dealing with difficult cases: What are the roadblocks and how to overcome them? In D. J. A. Dozois (Vol. Ed.). CBT: General Strategies. Volume 1. In S. G. Hofmann (Series Ed.), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: A Complete Reference Guide. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.

Conway, C., C., Krueger, R. F., & Clark, L. A. (2020). Contemporary psychopathology diagnosis. In M. Sellbom and J. Suhr (Eds.) Cambridge Handbook of Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Conway, C. C., Krueger, R. F., & the HiTOP Consortium Executive Board. (2021). Rethinking the diagnosis of mental disorders: Data-driven psychological dimensions, not categories, as a framework for mental health research, treatment, and training. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 30, 151-158. https://osf.io/dfprx/

Snorrason, I., Conway, C. C., Falkenstein, M., Kelley, K., & Kuckertz, J. (2022). Higher-order compulsivity versus grooming dimensions as treatment targets for the DSM-5 obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. Depression & Anxiety, 39, 49-55. https://osf.io/8kwb4/

Conway, C. C., Snorrason, I., Beard, C., Forgeard, M., Cuthbert, K., & Björgvinsson, T. (2021). A higher-order internalizing dimension predicts response to partial hospitalization treatment. Clinical Psychological Science, 9, 373-384. https://osf.io/b5yw7/

Williams, A. L., & Conway, C. C. (2022). Correlation between laboratory-based vicarious threat learning and emotional disorder symptom dimensions. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 74, 101696. https://osf.io/m3xst/

Carmody, D.P., Kaplan, M., & Gaydos, A.M.. Spatial orientation adjustments in children with autism in Hong Kong. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 31 (3), 233-247.

Kaplan, M., Carmody, D.P, & Gaydos, A.M. Postural orientation modifications in autism in response to ambient lenses. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 27 (2), 81-91.

Hebert, K.R., Nangle, D.W., Fales, J., & Grover, R.L. Linking social anxiety and adolescent romantic relationship functioning: Indirect effects and the importance of peers. Journal of Youth and Adolescence.

Grover, R.L., Nangle, D.W., Serwik, A. & Zeff (Hebert), K.R. Girlfriend, boy friend, girlfriend, boyfriend: Broadening our views of adolescent heterosocial competence. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 36, 491- 502.

Barreto, S., Zeff (Hebert), K.R., Boekamp, J., & Paccione, M. Fire behavior in children and adolescents. In A. Martin & F.R. Volkmar (Eds.). Lewis’s Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: A Comprehensive Textbook, Fourth Edition, Baltimore, MD: Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins.

Grover, R.L., Nangle, D.W., & Zeff (Hebert), K.R. The measure of adolescent heterosocial competence: Development and initial construct validation. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 34, 282-291.

Nangle, D.W., Zeff (Hebert), K.R. , & Rivera, M. Peer intervention. In M. Hersen Series Ed.) & A.M. Gross & R.S. Drabman (Vol. Eds.), Encyclopedia of behavior modification and therapy: Vol. 2: Child clinical applications. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Nangle, D.W., Erdley, C.A., Zeff (Hebert), K.R., Stanchfield, L.L., & Gold, J.A. Social status and behavioral-style concordances and discordances among children and the peers who like and dislike them. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 32, 425-434.

Ahmed, A. O., Marino, B. A., Rosenthal (Yorke), E., Buckner, A., Hunter, K. M., Mabe, P. A., & Buckley, P. F. (2016). Recovery in schizophrenia: What consumers know and don’t know. Psychiatric Clinics of North America.

Rosenthal (Yorke), E. & Ahmed, A. O. (2017). Psychosis. Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences.