A message from our EXECUTIVE Director

Sony Khemlani-Patel, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive related, anxiety, and mood disorders. In addition to providing direct clinical care, Dr. Khemlani supervises the clinical staff and participates in various research projects. She is intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and has co-lead weekly Skills Groups. She is also trained in CBIT for tics and Tourette Disorder. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical/School Psychology from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York where her dissertation on Body Dysmorphic Disorder was nominated for the Robinson Award for Dissertation Excellence. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Dr. Khemlani is on the Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board of the International Obsessive Compulsive Foundation (IOCDF) and Faculty on  their Behavioral Therapy Training Institute (BTTI)). She is also a Board Member and Vice President of OCD New York, which is the NY Affiliate of the non-profit international OCD Foundation. She has presented at numerous local agencies and national conferences for 25 years. Dr. Khemlani has appeared  on radio shows, including the Psychiatry show on Dr. Radio SiriusXM. She has published many scientific articles and book chapters on OC related disorders . Dr. Khemlani has co-authored three  books, “When Your Child Is Cutting” and “Overcoming Body Dysmorphic Disorder and in 2022, co-authored her third book with Fugen Neziroglu "Body Dysmorphic Disorder" in the  Advances in Psychotherapy Series from Hogrefe Press. 

Matthew Jacofsky, PsyD. is a licensed psychologist specializing in the treatment of obsessive compulsive related disorders in children, adolescents, and adults. He received his Psy.D. from St. John University, located in Jamaica, N.Y. In addition, to extensive cognitive-behavioral experience, Dr. Jacofsky’s clinical approach incorporates positive psychology interventions in order to not only relieve suffering, but enhance individuals’ overall well-being and quality of life. He has presented and published various papers and book chapters on a range of topics including body dysmorphic disorder, refractory obsessive compulsive disorder, and self-injurious skin picking. In addition, to his clinical duties he is also the Bio-Behavioral Externship & Internship Coordinator where he supervises and instructs students providing psychological services to various clinical populations. 

Jessica Bedziner, Psy.D. earned her doctorate in School and Community Psychology from Hofstra University; there, she received training in Dialectical-Behavior Therapy. Dr. Bednizer is a certified school psychologist, and she completed her internships in the Long Beach, Valley Stream, and North Shore school districts. During her time in the school setting, she provided individual and group counseling using CBT, to a wide array of children and adolescents, including those with social, attentional, oppositional, and anxiety and mood regulation difficulties. While pursuing her doctorate degree, Dr. Bedziner worked in the Child and Family Trauma Institute and the Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinic, where she provided parent training, goal oriented CBT sessions, and incorporated exposure exercises. Additionally, Dr. Bedziner completed her clinical internship at South Nassau, Mount Sinai's Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic where she ran weekly individual DBT skills training sessions for individuals with mood dysregulation difficulties. Dr. Bedziner also conducted community based and clinic-based support groups, as well as Emotion Processing and Art Therapy groups in the Partial Hospitalization Program. Dr. Bedziner has worked with a wide range of individuals, while utilizing CBT and incorporating mindfulness and DBT techniques to help meet the needs of each client.

Susan Leshen, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 29 years of experience providing psychotherapy to a varied population of adults, children, adolescents, couples, and families. Susan received her master’s degree in social work and a post-graduate degree in Clinical Therapy from Adelphi University. She has been the director of social work services in agencies such as JASA, Visiting Nurse, and non-profit foundations where she created supportive programs to enrich the quality of the lives of the participants. She was a professor of social work for 12 years at Touro College. She has also supervised social work students in their clinical studies for 20 years. These experiences allowed Susan the opportunity to contribute to the future growth of the social work profession. Susan has received advanced training in a range of modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure Response Prevention, Play Therapy, Mindfulness, and family therapy. Based on her many years of experience and extensive training, she has an evidence-based practice approach and specializes in treatment for OCD, Panic Disorder, Hoarding, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, and other related disorders. Susan’s central focus in all of her work is to help others improve the quality of their life. She believes in empowering people to live their best life.

Angelo Mancini, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker with experience providing psychotherapy to individuals, families, and couples. Angelo received his Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from Adelphi University. Previous to joining the Bio Behavioral Institute, Angelo was a therapist and a clinical supervisor at The Pride of Judea in Queens, NY. Additionally, Angelo worked at the North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center as a family therapist providing treatment to children, adolescents, and young adults. Angelo has experience working with anxiety, OCD, depression, family conflict, and relationship struggles. He believes in a person centered approach and utilizes CBT, DBT, and Brief Strategic Therapy.

Darius Muller, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 20 years of experience providing psychotherapy to a diverse population of children, adolescents, adults, and families.  Darius received his Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from New York University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in biopsychology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.  He received additional supervisory certification at Columbia University and advanced training in psychotherapy at the Martha K. Selig Advanced Institute and has provided extensive training and supervision to other clinicians.  Darius began his career as a psychotherapist at the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services in New York City at its renowned Madeleine Borg Outpatient Clinic, where he worked for 12 years.  Upon returning to his native Long Island, Darius was selected to join the founding team of clinicians at the Northwell Health Wellness Center of Manhasset, a hospital-affiliated group practice providing co-located psychotherapy and psychiatric services to the community.  Trained in a variety of modalities, Darius embraces an integrative approach focused on understanding what makes individuals unique in facing common struggles with living, relationships, work and personal growth.  He believes that treatment is most effective when coupled with a deep appreciation of the forces that shape one’s personal experiences, and that meaningful change stems from new ways of experiencing ourselves, others and the world around us.

Michael Upston, LCSW, has been working in the field of clinical social work since 1997.  He received his Master’s Degree in Social Work from The Catholic University of America and his Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy from the University of Maryland.  Before coming to the Bio Behavioral Institute, he was the Director of the Community Advisory Program for the Elderly (CAPE), a mental health clinic serving older adults in Queens.  Prior to that he was the Assistant Director of the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services Pelham Madeleine Borg Mental Health Clinic.  In addition, he had a private practice for 13 years.  Mr. Upston has extensive experience providing individual, family and group psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and adults. He has received advanced training in a range of modalities including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention, and family therapy.   His approach to treatment is integrative and evidence-based. He also has many years experience providing clinical supervision, as well as running training seminars on a range of topics related to mental health treatment.

Richard Belz, PhD is a licensed psychologist who received his PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of North Dakota. He has previously worked in a variety of inpatient and outpatient locations conducting therapy and assessments on individuals across the lifespan both in person and via telehealth. He has worked with patients in the individual and group setting who present with various mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and OCD. Dr. Belz has experience in various modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive processing therapy, exposure and response prevention, and acceptance and commitment therapy. Dr. Belz completed an APA-accredited internship at the Southeast Human Service Center in Fargo, ND. In addition to providing therapy and assessment services for clients and conducting mental health seminars for members of the community, he has engaged in various training and consultation experiences through the Center's training affiliation with other mental health services in the region including the University of North Dakota Medical School at the Fargo VA. Based on his diverse training experiences in the Midwest and in New York, Dr. Belz provides personalized mental health services incorporating each individual's unique history and circumstances throughout the treatment process.

Darla DiLorenzo, BCBA, PsyD. has worked as a New York-certified school psychologist and board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) for over 15 years. Before beginning her training at the Biobehavioral Institute, Mrs. DiLorenzo worked as St. Mary's Children's Hospital's Early Education School Psychologist, Behavior Analyst, and staff trainer. Currently, Mrs. DiLorenzo is a school psychology doctoral candidate at St. John's University. She has developed a consultation method based on Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) for her dissertation. Her consultation method was shown to be effective in increasing self-efficacy for teachers working with children who suffer from Emotional Behavior Disorder (EBD). Mrs. DiLorenzo has extensive experience with a wide range of disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Hoarding Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Selective Mutism, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Depression, Personality Disorders, and medically fragile children. She is known for her down-to-earth and pragmatic approach. Her varied training and experience allow her to individualize the treatment plan for each client. Mrs. DiLorenzo specializes in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Exposure Therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and parent training. She is excited to be a psychology intern at BioBehavioral Institute. 

Lauren Pucci, Psy.D., is a full time Post-Doctoral Fellow. She earned her doctorate in School Psychology from St. John’s University in Queens, New York. She was previously an Extern at Bio Behavioral Institute providing direct clinical care to patients, conducting research, and psychological assessments. Dr. Pucci has experience in cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention, and dialectal behavior therapy, both in person and via telehealth. She previously worked as a school psychologist in in a school for young children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Delays, and Other Health Impairments in Lewes, Delaware. There Dr. Pucci provided consultation and individual assessments to students. While pursuing her doctorate degree, she completed her internship in the Great Neck school district on Long Island. Dr. Pucci also co-developed and facilitated a virtual clinical group therapy for children with emotion regulation difficulties. Through her previous experiences, Dr. Pucci has become proficient in administering different types of treatment within an inclusive environment which is sensitive to everyone’s unique needs and circumstances. Dr. Pucci strives to cultivate such an environment that allows for children, adolescents, and adults to achieve optimal growth. 

William Sanderson earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from Hofstra University. Throughout his education he received extensive training in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. Dr. Sanderson completed externships at Mount Sinai’s Eating and Weight Disorders program and here, at Bio Behavioral Institute.While completing his externship at Mt. Sinai, he was trained in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders and the Maudsley Method (FBT) and he focused on providing individual care to both children and adults with a wide range of eating disorders. During his time completing his second externship here, at the Bio Behavioral Institute, he focused on the treatment of individuals diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorders utilizing CBT and exposure-response prevention. Dr. Sanderson completed his education with an internship at Hofstra University’s Counseling Center. During his internship, he provided cognitive behavioral based treatment to students with a wide range of diagnoses, engaged in student outreach for mental health awareness, and led group therapy focused on the behavioral treatment of Social Anxiety. Throughout Dr. Sanderson’s education he took primary interest in thetreatment of anxiety and mood disorders and has a commitment to utilizing evidence based approaches, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Exposure Therapy, to assist in the recovery of the individuals he works with. He is well versed in OCD and Related Disorders, such as Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Hoarding, Trichotillomania and Skin Picking. He also is well versed in Eating Disorders and Mood Disorders.

Maria is a fifth-year doctoral candidate in Yeshiva University's School Clinical PsyD program. She earned her BA in Psychology from St. John's University. Before joining Bio Behavioral Institute, she completed externships at NYU's Child Study Center, the Behavioral Health College Partnership Program at LIJ, and Great Neck North High School. Maria has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, young adults, and their families, providing treatment for a wide range of disorders including anxiety, depression, and personality disorders. She takes a compassionate, validating approach to therapy, specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and acceptance-based strategies. Her doctoral research focuses on fostering resilience in young children to help buffer psychological distress.

Sam is currently completing his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at St. John's University. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Cincinnati. Prior to joining the Bio Behavioral Institute, Sam received training at the Hallowell Center and NYU Langone Child Study Center. He has extensive experience in providing cognitive behavioral therapy with children, adolescents, and adults with a variety of concerns. Sam has particular expertise in working with parents and families to learn strategies for managing children's disruptive behaviors and anxiety. Further, he has significant experience in treating people of all ages with anxiety disorders and OCD. Sam believes in taking a collaborative approach with patients to identify goals and develop treatment plans, and he is committed to providing a warm, supportive environment for patients to overcome their challenges. 

Devora Perlow, M.S., is a fifth-year doctoral student currently pursuing her PsyD in School Psychology at St. John's University. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Yeshiva University and has earned a M.S. in School Psychology from St. John's University. Devora has extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), exposure/response prevention, mindfulness-based approaches, and parent training. She has experience providing therapy for children, adolescents, and adults, addressing a wide range of concerns, including OCD, BDD, ADHD, anxiety disorders, and mood disorders in both clinical and school settings. Devora's doctoral research at St. John's is focused on identifying effective strategies for collaborative family-school interventions that benefit children and adolescents. She is deeply committed to fostering a collaborative environment characterized by warmth, humor, and acceptance, with a strong emphasis on evidence-based treatments aimed at achieving therapeutic goals and enhancing overall well-being.

Justine Mahler, M.S., is a fourth-year doctoral candidate in the School-Community Psy.D. program at Hofstra University. Through her doctoral training, Justine has served as a therapist within the Institute for Family Forensic Psychology (IFFP) and Positive Psychology Institute for Emerging Adults (PPIEA). She was also involved in Hofstra’s Psychological Evaluation Research and Counseling Clinic (PERCC), conducting various assessments spanning cognitive, psychological, and behavioral domains. In addition to her clinical roles, Justine has served in various leadership roles at Hofstra, including Clinic Court Liaison and later Clinic Coordinator of the IFFP, as well as President of the Student PsyD Association at Hofstra (SPAH). Since 2021, Justine has worked as an intern school psychologist, providing counseling and assessments for elementary, middle, and high school students across multiple districts. As a clinician, she has experience treating depression, anxiety, personality disorders, ADHD, PTSD, and OCD. Justine incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Positive Psychology approaches in various therapeutic contexts, including individual therapy, family therapy, parent training, and couples’ therapy. Her therapeutic style is empathetic, integrative, and tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment for personal growth and healing.

Jennifer is currently completing her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Adelphi University. She earned her B.A. in Psychology and History from Barnard College. Prior to joining the Bio Behavioral Institute team, Jennifer received training at Mt. Sinai's Behavioral Health Clinic’s Addictions Institute. Jennifer has previous experience working with children with selective mutism, anxiety, school refusal, and other emotional difficulties. She has experience  from an integrative framework to treat children, adolescents, and adults with a variety of concerns including cognitive behavioral therapy approaches. Jennifer is deeply committed to creating a warm and supportive environment and working collaboratively with her patients and families o tailor treatment plans and goals.