Our Therapists
Kristina Wong, PsyD
Psychologist
Dr. Wong is a school and clinical psychologist specializing in the integration of education, neuropsychology, and the emotional health of children, adolescents, and young adults. After receiving her undergraduate degree from Boston University with National Honors in Psychology, she was a teacher for children with special needs in Boston, MA. Interested in combining her experience in schools with more clinical work, she attended Pace University and received her Masters in School Psychology as well as her Doctorate in School-Clinical Psychology. Dr. Wong also currently serves as an Adjunct Clinical Supervisor for therapists in training at Pace University.
Dr. Wong believes that "one size does not fit all" and finds that the best method for engaging one in therapy is by utilizing an integrative approach combining psychodynamic therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialetical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
Outside of the therapy room, Dr. Wong practices yoga and mindfulness, and stays active through snowboarding, rock climbing, and hiking with her husband and children. She also enjoys learning about different cultures and perspectives through travel and her experiences living abroad.
Learn more about Dr. Wong here: Psychology Today | Linkedin
Jeremy Thies, PsyD
Psychologist
Dr. Thies is a clinical psychologist who supports individuals across the lifespan by helping them enhance their emotional well-being. Originally from Long Island, Dr. Thies graduated Lehigh University with a B.A. in psychology and a minor in Business. He then attended Pace University to earn his Doctorate in Psychology. With an interest in developing stronger clinical skills to help both individuals and couples more effectively navigate relationship conflicts, Dr. Thies completed a post-doctoral fellowship in relational psychotherapy from the National Institute for the Psychotherapies.
Currently, Dr. Thies works with adolescents and adults using an integrative treatment model by identifying each individual's strengths and challenges and creating a safe and nurturing environment for self-exploration and growth.
Personally, as an avid sports fan and athlete, Dr. Thies enjoys outdoor sports and activities such as baseball, basketball, football, tennis, and skiing. He also practices yoga and relaxation techniques to create a mindful balance in his own life.
Learn more about Dr. Thies here: Psychology Today | Linkedin
Sophie (Uyen) Nguyen, MA
Doctoral Candidate Therapist
Sophie (Uyen) Nguyen is a Ph.D. candidate on the Bilingual Psychology track at Fordham University's School Psychology Doctoral Program. After earning her Master's in Education and Social Policy at New York University, Sophie joined the National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP). As a Senior Research Associate, she works on various projects related to early childhood education and mental health. Her work at NCCP has inspired her to pursue a career in psychology. Sophie aspires to provide culturally sensitive, healing-focused therapy for children and families, especially those who have been underserved in the health care and school systems. During her training at Fordham so far, she has worked with a diverse group of clients in a wide range of settings, including an NYC public school, Kennedy Children’s Center, Hagin School Consultation Center, and Westchester Institute for Human Development.
Sophie speaks Vietnamese and is studying đàn tranh (Vietnamese zither). She practices meditation and enjoys attending retreats. She also loves to spend time with her family and friends and explore new places and cuisines.
Jenna McCutchen, EdS
Therapist
Jenna McCutchen is a licensed school psychologist. Jenna received her undergraduate training at Virginia Tech where she participated in research of prosocial behaviors and resiliency building among school-aged children. Her participation in this research led her to pursue a degree in school psychology at Radford University. As a school psychologist, Jenna has had the opportunity to train other clinicians and educators on crisis-prevention strategies, trauma-informed teaching, and threat-assessment awareness.
Jenna continues to develop and implement social-emotional curriculum and lessons within communities at all levels, creating a toolbox of practical and realistic strategies to support children with a diverse range of needs. The dynamic and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach Jenna provides allows for children to learn effective means of navigating difficult situations, strengthening their own self-motivation and confidence, and learning healthy coping strategies.
Jenna is also available for Executive Functioning (EF) and ADHD coaching, and Individualized Education Plan (IEP) consultations for public as well as specialized private schools.
In Jenna’s free time she enjoys running with her run club, yoga to help strengthen and ground her mind, and reading light beach reads.
Victor DeBianchi, LMSW
Licensed Social Worker
Victor is a social worker supporting children, adolescents, families, and young adults. Following his undergraduate studies in film production at New York University, Victor pursued artistic endeavors, discovering that creativity and mental health are interrelated through their emphasis on humanism and empathy.
While pursuing his Master of Social Work, Victor received valuable training as a social worker within schools as well as a nonprofit for low-income young adults utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and creative arts therapy.
Victor has specialized experience with LGBTQ+ adolescents, engaging them with tools to find acceptance for themselves and their families. He also works with clients experiencing grief and bereavement, trauma, learning differences, anxiety, and depression.
In his personal time, Victor enjoys reading novels, going to the movies, and spending time with his dog and his partner.
Learn more about Victor here: Psychology Today
Yifan Wang, MA
Psychotherapist
Yifan is a Ph.D. candidate at Fordham University’s School Psychology Doctoral Program with an emphasis on Bilingual Psychology. During her Master’s in Clinical Psychology at Columbia University, Yifan was a member of Spirituality Mind Body Institute, conducting research related to the education and mental health of children and adolescents from diverse backgrounds. After graduating from her Masters program, Yifan was selected to be the global mentor of Harvard CES and Teach for China. Providing mental health services in the underserved district presented a tremendous opportunity for her to increase access to quality evidence-based psychological services for children and families, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Additionally, Yifan has worked with diverse populations throughout the NYC public schools and within the Hagin School Consultation Center.
Yifan is also fluent in Mandarin. She loves nature and enjoys traveling, cooking, meditation, art, ballet, and spending time with her friends.
Karen Clay, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Karen Clay is a licensed clinical social worker with over 20 years of experience supporting her clients in a variety of settings. Karen received her master’s in social work degree from Columbia University. Throughout her career, she has worked with families and children involved in several settings including the foster care system and schools. Karen was also previously a Mental Health Consultant for the early childhood division of the NYC Department of Education (DOE).
Karen believes in the power of the therapeutic relationship to enable change and advance progress in therapy. She employs a person-centered, eclectic approach utilizing CBT and DBT strategies, psychodynamic therapy, and motivational interviewing to facilitate efforts toward change. She has studied somatic therapy, including tapping, and is a certified grief counselor. Karen is also highly experienced and knowledgeable in trauma-informed care and child directed play therapy.
In her spare time, Karen loves to read, explore NYC and spend time with her husband, her daughter and their crazy cat.
Consultants
Sarah DeSoye, PsyD
Consulting Psychologist
Dr. Sarah DeSoye is a licensed clinical psychologist in New York and Connecticut and a certified school psychologist. She provides psychoeducational evaluations and psychotherapy for children, adolescents and their families in private practice and in the school setting. She also supervises professionals and graduate students in testing and assessments. Dr. DeSoye has extensive experience providing consultation to teachers and families regarding various learning disabilities including ADHD.
Dr. DeSoye holds a doctorate degree in school-clinical psychology, a masters degree in special education and completed her studies at Boston College and Pace University. She has worked at Mt. Sinai Hospital, Lincoln Hospital and in schools in Westchester, NY. In her free time Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, playing tennis and skiing.
Kara Weiss, MSEd
Educational Consultant &
Reading Specialist
Kara, a Certified Elementary, Special Education Teacher and Dyslexia Practitioner has been working in the school setting for the past 8 years. She holds a Masters of Science in Education with a speciality in learning and behavior disorders from CUNY Hunter College. Kara is also certified in the Wilson Reading Program and other multi-sensory programs that specifically work to target language based learning disabilities like dyslexia.
Kara is currently a special education teacher in Westchester, NY working with students with learning disabilities, executive functioning difficulties, ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Prior to working in Westchester, Kara taught 1-5th grade as well as served as the IEP compliance monitor in Fairfield, CT.
Kara also uses standardized assessments to help diagnose learning disabilities and evaluate students’ learning needs. Likewise, she helps families navigate the complexities of special education, including the IEP / 504 process, SRBI practices, current IEP’s, 504’s and overall compliance through parent consultation.
When not teaching, consulting or tutoring, Kara enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 year old daughter, Avery.
Rebecca Ditkoff, MPH RD CDN
Registered Dietician
Rebecca is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist and a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor with over 10 years of experience. Rebecca is licensed in both New York and Connecticut and provides nutrition counseling to individuals in the Tri-state area. Rebecca specializes in eating disorders, disordered eating and digestive issues. Her nutrition philosophy is based on a mind-body approach, rooted in self-care, curiosity and behavior change. She is a proud anti-diet dietitian and utilizes a Health At Every Size® and Intuitive Eating framework. She works collaboratively with each of her clients to help them listen, learn and trust their body’s internal cues and become the expert of their own body, rather than rely on external diet rules. She believes everyone has a right to body respect and autonomy and also believes that food should be enjoyable. She loves sharing exciting and easy meal ideas to help her clients secure their own tools to fuel and satisfy their taste buds, body and mind. She is a native New Yorker and currently lives in Connecticut with her husband, toddler and dog. She enjoys experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, reading on her kindle, listening to podcasts, exploring NYC (as well as other cities) and checking out new local restaurants or cafes.