The HVCCT offers a free telephone consultation with Dr. Christine Ziegler, 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.
Meet Our Staff
- Christine Ratto Ziegler, Ph.D.
- Janelle Brown, Ph.D.
- Yoav Cohen, Ph.D.
- Alexa Gaydos, Psy.D.
- Robyn Connuck Jacobson, Psy.D.
- Karen Hebert, Ph.D.
- Jonathan Levinson, Psy.D.
- Jordana Muhlmeister, Psy.D.
- Heather Carpenter-Sarmiento, Psy.D.
- Gina Scharoun, Ph.D.
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 and Mood Disorders
- Panic Disorder / Agoraphobia
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Trichotillomania (Compulsive Hair Pulling, Skin Picking)
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (chronic worry and anxiety)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Social Anxiety
- Phobias
- Fear of Flying
- Relationship Issues
- Stress-related Medical Conditions (including headaches and irritable bowel syndrome)
- Low Self-esteem
- Workplace Stress
- 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.
In 2003, Dr. Ziegler 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.
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, adults, and families. Her specialties include:
- Childhood and Adult Anxiety
- Panic Attacks / Agoraphobia
- Generalized Anxiety (Excessive Worry)
- Social Anxiety
- Phobias
- Childhood and Adult Depression and Mood Disorders
- Developmental Disabilities (e.g., Autism, Asperger Syndrome,
Pervasive Developmental Disorder) - Childhood Adjustment Disorders (e.g., school, divorce)
- Childhood Behavioral Problems
- Childhood Trauma
- Sexual Abuse
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Impulse Control Problems
- Anger Management
- Academic/Learning Difficulties
- Perfectionism
- Behavior Modification
- Family Therapy
- Parent Training and Coaching
- Grieving and Loss
As well as receiving specialized training in Cognitive Therapy, Dr. Brown has significant experience in neuropsychological/psychological assessment 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.
In 2008, 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.
Yoav Cohen, Ph.D.
Dr. Cohen received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University and has received extensive specialized training in Cognitive Therapy. He completed a two-year post-doctoral fellowship in Cognitive Therapy for mood, anxiety, and personality disorders at New York Presbyterian Hospital / Weil Cornell Medical College, an internship at the Cornell Cognitive Therapy Clinic, and an advanced training program at the renowned Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy and Research. He holds a faculty appointment at Yeshiva University and the Albert Einstein School of Medicine and is a certified member of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, an organization that certifies those who have demonstrated an advanced level of expertise in Cognitive Therapy. Dr. Cohen works with adults, children, adolescents, couples, and families, and specializes in the following areas:
- Anxiety
- Panic Attacks / Agoraphobia
- Social Anxiety
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Phobias
- Generalized Anxiety (Excessive Worry)
- Trichotillomania (Compulsive Hair Pulling, Skin Picking)
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
- Depression
- Postpartum Depression
- Eating Disorders / Weight Management
- Insomnia and Sleep-Related Difficulties
- Chronic Pain
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Anger Management
- Marital / Couples Therapy
- Interpersonal Difficulties
- Parent Training
- Group Therapy
- Schema-focused Cognitive Therapy
Dr. Cohen is licensed in both New York and Israel and speaks fluent Hebrew. He has published several research articles and has been an invited speaker at a number of prestigious national and international conferences on the treatment of anxiety.
Robyn Connuck Jacobson, Psy.D.
Dr. Connuck Jacobson earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Yeshiva University and completed her pre-doctoral internship at the VA Hudson Valley Healthcare System. She works with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Her specialties include:
- Childhood, Adolescent, and Adult Trauma
- Childhood and Adult Depression and Mood Disorders
- Childhood and Adult Anxiety
- Panic Attacks / Agoraphobia
- Generalized Anxiety (Excessive Worry)
- Social Anxiety
- Phobias
- Childhood and Adolescent Adjustment Problems (e.g., school, divorce)
- Childhood Behavioral and Emotional Problems
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Separation Anxiety
- Issues Related to Foster Care and Adoption
- Weight Management
- Anger Management
- Family Therapy
- Parenting Skills
- Behavior Modification
Dr. Connuck Jacobson also has extensive experience in formalized testing and is available to perform psychological assessments for adults, children, and adolescents. Areas of assessment include intelligence, developmental disabilities, and personality and emotional issues.
In 2004, Dr. Connuck Jacobson 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.
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 experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with medical/mental health and developmental disabilities. Her specialties include:
- Asperger Syndrome
- Autism
- Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)
- Mental Retardation
- Childhood and Adult Depression and Mood Disorders
- Childhood and Adult Anxiety
- Childhood Adjustment Disorders (e.g., divorce, school)
- Childhood Trauma
- Sexual Abuse
- Preventing and Managing Bullying
- School Violence
- Social Skills Training
- Assertiveness Training
- Childhood Behavioral Problems (e.g., Oppositional Defiant Disorder)
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Impulse Control Problems
- Anger Management
- Academic/Learning Difficulties
- Behavior Modification/Constructing Behavioral Plans for Home and School Settings
- Issues Related to Foster Care and Adoption
- Family Therapy
- Parent Training and Coaching
- Weight Management
- Insomnia and Sleep-Related Difficulties
- 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 undergraduate level 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 the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Bradley Hospital. She has also served as Clinical Director of the Children's Residential and Family Treatment Program, as a supervisor of pre-doctoral training at Bradley Hospital, and an adjunct faculty member at the University of Rhode Island.
Dr. Hebert has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. Her specialties include:
- Childhood and Adult Depression and Mood Disorders
- Childhood and Adult Anxiety
- Panic Attacks / Agoraphobia
- Generalized Anxiety (Excessive Worry)
- Social Anxiety
- Phobias
- Childhood and Adult Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Trichotillomania (Compulsive Hair Pulling, Skin Picking)
- Health Anxiety
- Childhood Adjustment Disorders (e.g., school, divorce)
- School Refusal
- Childhood Behavioral Problems
- Trauma/Abuse/Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Health Psychology
- Weight Management
- Insomnia
- Stress-Related Medical Conditions
(e.g., headaches, irritable bowel syndrome) - Pain Management
- Adjustment and Coping with Medical Illness
(e.g., cancer, diabetes, fibromyalgia, cardiac conditions) - Anger Management
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Impulse Control Problems
- Perfectionism
- Behavior Modification
- Marital / Couples Counseling
- Family Therapy
- Parent Training and Coaching
- Grieving and Loss
Dr. Hebert has also participated in research projects that investigated a wide range of topics, including the role of psychoeducation on the treatment of ADHD, social anxiety and the development of romantic relationships, 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. In addition to her clinical work at the HVCCT, Dr. Hebert serves as an Adjunct Professor at Barnard College/Columbia University.
Jonathan Levinson, Psy.D.
Dr. Levinson earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Yeshiva University and applied his training during his pre-doctoral internship at Woodhull Hospital and his post-doctoral work at the Goldsmith Center for Adolescent Treatment. Dr. Levinson has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families.
Dr. Levinson has undergone intensive training in Cognitive Therapy. He completed an advanced training program at the renowned Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy and Research. He is also a certified member of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, an organization that certifies those who have demonstrated an advanced level of expertise in Cognitive Therapy. His specialties include:
- Childhood and Adult Depression
- Childhood and Adult Anxiety
- Panic Attacks / Agoraphobia
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Generalized Anxiety (Excessive Worry)
- Phobias
- Separation Anxiety
- Social Anxiety
- Childhood, Adolescent, and Adult Trauma/ Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Sexual Abuse
- Childhood and Adolescent Adjustment Problems (e.g., school, divorce)
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Anger Management
- Low Self-esteem
- Developmental Disabilities
(e.g., Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder) - Work-Related Issues/Workplace Stress
- Family Therapy
- Schema-focused Cognitive Therapy
Prior to becoming a psychologist, Dr. Levinson earned an M.B.A. from New York University's Stern School of Business and pursued a career in business. This unique background allows him to assist others with challenges they face in the workplace (e.g., downsizing, motivational difficulties, balancing one's professional and personal life) and with sharpening job-related skills including interviewing and negotiating.
In addition, Dr. Levinson is experienced working with schools in our area. He is often called upon to assist the professional staff in working with students having issues including aggression, distractibility, shyness, and interpersonal and behavioral issues.
Jordana Muhlmeister, Psy.D.
Dr. Muhlmeister earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University and completed her pre-doctoral internship at Montefiore Medical Center's Child and Adolescent Outpatient Program. She has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Her specialties include:
- Childhood and Adult Depression and Mood Disorders
- Childhood and Adult Anxiety
- Panic Attacks / Agoraphobia
- Generalized Anxiety (Excessive Worry)
- Social Anxiety
- Phobias
- Developmental Disabilities
- Childhood Adjustment Disorders (e.g., school, divorce)
- Childhood Behavioral Problems
- Childhood Trauma
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Developmental Disabilities
(e.g., Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome) - Foster Care and Adoption Related Issues
- Family Therapy
- Parenting Skills
- Behavior Modification
- Impulse Control Problems
- Issues Related to Health Problems and/or Reproductive Difficulties
Dr. Muhlmeister has been invited to speak on several occasions at schools and treatment centers in our area, as well as at professional conferences. She has conducted workshops for teachers and parents on how to deal with adolescents who are depressed and exhibit self-destructive behaviors.
In 2004, Dr. Muhlmeister 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.
Heather Carpenter-Sarmiento, Psy.D.
Dr. Carpenter-Sarmiento earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Long Island University and completed her pre-doctoral internship at Nassau University Medical Center. She completed a post-doctoral fellowship at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center specializing in the treatment of trauma, mood, anxiety, and substance disorders.
Dr. Carpenter-Sarmiento has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. Her specialties include:
- Childhood and Adult Depression and Mood Disorders
- Childhood and Adult Anxiety
- Panic Attacks / Agoraphobia
- Generalized Anxiety (Excessive Worry)
- Social Anxiety
- Phobias
- Childhood and Adult Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Childhood Behavioral Problems
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Trauma
- Stress Reduction
- Anger Management
- Social Skills Training
- Adoption and Adoption Related Issues
(e.g., adoption process, adoption stigma, identity, adoptee self-esteem, searching) - Infertility/Reproductive Difficulties
- Medical/Health Psychology
(e.g., helping individuals adapt to medical conditions and physical impairments,
including strokes and brain injuries) - Study Skills Training
- Parent Training
- Relationship Issues
- Behavior Modification
- Assessment (e.g., Intelligence, Personality)
- Grieving and Loss
Dr. Carpenter-Sarmiento also has participated in research projects that investigated a wide range of topics, including the prenatal effects of alcohol, cognitive processes and development in children, and adenoviral gene therapy in the treatment of pulmonary and cardiothoracic disease. She has co-authored a number of professional articles and book chapters related to these topics and has been invited to speak on several occasions on issues pertaining to adoption.
Gina Scharoun, Ph.D.
Dr. Scharoun earned her Bachelor's degree at Brown University and her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Vermont. She completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Child and Family Therapy at the Pederson-Krag Center.
Dr. Scharoun has expertise in working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. Her specialties include:
- Childhood and Adult Anxiety
- Panic Attacks / Agoraphobia
- Generalized Anxiety (Excessive Worry)
- Social Anxiety
- Phobias
- Separation Anxiety, School Refusal
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Social Anxiety
- Child / Adolescent Social Difficulties
- Childhood Behavioral Problems
- Phobias
- Childhood and Adult Depression and Mood Disorders
- Childhood Adjustment Disorders (e.g., school, divorce)
- Trauma (e.g., Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
- Perfectionism
- Parent Training and Coaching
- Grieving and Loss
- Low Self-esteem
- Health Psychology/Behavioral Medicine
- Insomnia, Sleep Difficulties
- Coping with chronic medical conditions
(including stroke, cancer, MS, diabetes)
Dr. Scharoun has been invited to speak at a number of colleges and professional conferences on such topics as assessment and treatment of child and adolescent depression, the treatment of phobias and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and racism. She has also participated in a number of research projects that investigated AIDS prevention, sleep, and smoking cessation.
Staff Publications
Newman, C. F. & Ratto, C. L. (2003). Cognitive therapy for narcissistic personality disorder. In M. Reinecke and D. Clark (Eds.), Cognitive Therapy across the life span. New York: Cambridge.
Ratto, C. L. & Capitano, D. L. (1999). New directions in cognitive therapy: A schema-focused approach. Cognitive-Behavioral Practice, 6, 68-73.
Newman, C. F. & Ratto, C. L. (1999). Cognitive therapy for substance abuse. In E. T. Dowd & L. Rugle (Eds.), Comparative treatments of substance abuse (pp. 96-126). New York: Springer.
Ratto, C. L. (1994). Gender differences in the relationship between academic self-esteem and academic achievement. Der Zeitgeist, 1, 109-118.
Cohen, Y., Lachenmeyer, J.R., & Springer, C. (2003). Anxiety and selective attention in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 41, 1311-1323.
Glickson, J. & Cohen, Y. (2000). Can music alleviate cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia? Psychopathology, 33, 43-47.
Carmody, D.P., Kaplan, M., & Gaydos, A.M. (2001). 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. (1996). Postural orientation modifications in autism in response to ambient lenses. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 27 (2), 81-91.
Kane, J. & Carpenter, H. (2003). Imagination and the growth of the human mind. In S. Olfman (Ed.), All work and no play: How educational reforms are harming our preschoolers. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers.
Mack, C.A., Song, W., & Carpenter, H. (1997). Circumvention of anti-adenovirus neutralizing immunity by administration of an adenoviral vector of an alternate serotype. Human Gene Therapy, 8, 99-109.
Song, W., Kong, H., & Carpenter, H. (1997). Dendritic cells genetically modified with an adenovirus vector encoding the cDNA for a model antigen induce protective and therapeutic antitumor immunity. Journal of Experimental Medicine, 8, 1-10.
Chotro, M.G. & Carpenter, H. (1995). Prenatal alcohol exposure changes responses to alcohol taste in the rat fetus. Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research, 19, (2), 102A.
Solomon, L.J., Scharoun, G.M., Flynn, B., Secker-Walker, R.H., Sepinwall, D. (2000). Free Nicotine Patches Plus Proactive Telephone Peer Support to Help Low Income Women Stop Smoking. Preventative Medicine, 31, 68-74.
Grover, R.L., Nangle, D.W., Serwik, A. & Hebert, K.R. (2008). Girl friend, boy friend, girlfriend, boyfriend: Broadening our views of adolescent heterosocial competence. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 36, 491- 502.
Barreto, S., Hebert, K.R., Boekamp, J., & Paccione, M. (2007). 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., & Hebert, K.R. (2005). The measure of adolescent heterosocial competence: Development and initial construct validation. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 34, 282-291.
Nangle, D.W., Hebert, K.R., & Rivera, M. (2005). 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., Hebert, K.R., Stanchfield, L.L., & Gold, J.A. (2004). 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.
Hebert, K.R., Barreto, S., Paccione, M., & Hollander, B. (in preparation). The role of curiosity in the relationship between psychopathology and fire-setting: A mediational model.
Hebert, K.R., Nangle, D.W., and Briggs, B. (in preparation). The role of social anxiety on the development of romantic relationships in adolescence: A developmental psychopathology approach.
Erdley, C.A., Nangle, D.W., & Hebert, K.R. (in preparation). Attributions, legitimacy beliefs, race, and gender as predictors of children's aggressive behavior.