Dr. Lucene Wisniewski, Ph.D., FAED
Practice Leader
Dr. Wisniewski (she/her) is an internationally recognized leader in eating disorder treatment and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, with more than 25 years of clinical and training experience. She has taught hundreds of workshops and continuing education seminars around the globe and has authored numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and invited book chapters. Dr. Wisniewski has also provided consultation and training to eating disorder clinics around the globe.
In addition, she has earned some of the highest awards and accreditations in the industry. In 2013, she received the Outstanding Clinician Award from the Academy for Eating Disorders, demonstrating her leadership in the field and her commitment to providing the best solutions for those with eating disorders.
- View Dr. Wisniewski's Curriculum Vitae
Amy Kalasunas, LPCC-S, CCMHC
Chief Operating Officer and Director of DBT Services
Amy Kalasunas (she/her), LPCC-S, CCMHC, is a behaviorist with over 20 years of experience working within evidence-based treatment models. She has extensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and its sub-specialty area of DBT for Eating Disorders, as well as DBT- Prolonged Exposure, and supervision and consultation team adherence practices.
Kalasunas is a DBT-Linehan Board of Certification Certified Clinician, functions as co-chair of the DBT LBC Publications Committee and serves on the DBT-LBC Communications Committee. A sought-after presenter, she consistently achieves the highest evaluation scores when presenting two- and three-day workshops on the topics of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, DBT and Complex Eating Disorders, and DBT-Prolonged Exposure and Eating Disorders. Amy has also developed and piloted interventions for parents of multi-diagnostic adult children using an adaptation of the SPACE protocol (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) and DBT.
Her clinical work has included developing, implementing, and evaluating program outcomes across the spectrum of clinical milieus, including inpatient psychiatric hospitals, Partial Hospitalization Programs, Intensive Outpatient Programs, community mental health agencies, specialty practice clinics, and private practice offices.
Dean Malec, Ph.D.
Therapist, Director of Training
Dean Malec, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and Director of Training for CEBTOhio. He completed his doctorate in counseling psychology from Cleveland State University in August 2020.
Dr. Malec (he/him) has received intensive training in Dialectical Behavior and Cognitive Behavioral therapies, and has worked with clients in settings such as university counseling centers, community based mental health, and eating disorder specialty clinics. He treats adolescents and adults with a variety of presenting problems, including eating disorders, anxiety and mood disorders, and difficulties with emotion regulation. Valuing evidence-based practices within the context of cultural humility, Dr. Malec welcomes working with people of all identities and life experiences.
As the Director of Training, Dr. Malec oversees CEBTOhio’s practicum/internship program and provides clinical supervision to trainees. Dr. Malec has several years of experience collaborating and training with members of the CEBTOhio leadership team. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends and watching (and quoting) episodes of "The Golden Girls."
Cindy Pikus, Ph.D., CEDS-S
Senior Clinical Advisor
For more than 25 years, Dr. Cindy Pikus has worked with children, adolescents and adults with eating disorders at all levels of care, as well as teens and adults with mood or anxiety disorders. She also has extensive experience in program development, leading interdisciplinary treatment teams and providing clinical supervision.
Dr. Pikus received her B.A. and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from UCLA and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Hospital. She joined the UCLA hospital staff as a therapist in the UCLA Eating Disorder Program and later served as Associate Director of that program. From 2013 to 2018, Dr. Pikus was the Senior Clinical Director of an adult inpatient and residential eating disorder unit in Colorado. She moved to New Jersey in 2018 to help design and open the first residential eating disorder program in the state and served as Executive Clinical Director of that program. She has received the Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Supervisor designation from the International Association of Eating DisordersProfessionals (iaedp) and is a member of iaedp, the American Psychological Association and the Academy for Eating Disorders.
Dr. Pikus currently offers virtual sessions for individuals and families living in New Jersey, California or Ohio.
Ayanna Bates, LSW, LMSW
Therapist
Ayanna Bates, LSW/LMSW is a therapist at CEBT. She received her Master's in Social Work at Columbia University School of Social Work where she participated in the intensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) training program and lab under the supervision of Dr. Andre Ivanoff, Ph.D. Prior to completing her graduate work, she graduated Cum Laude from Queens College with a B.A. in psychology. Additionally, Bates completed training in the DBT Prolonged Exposure Protocol for PTSD with trainer Melanie Harnad, PhD, ABPP.
Bates has experience providing clinical services that are anti-oppressive, trauma informed, and strengths-based. She has supported clients experiencing eating disorders, suicidal ideation, self-harm, depression, anxiety, grief, and trauma. Bates also has experience working with children and adolescents with Autism in behavior reduction and skill acquisition.
During her free time, Bates volunteers with Project HEAL and the National Alliance on Mental Illness, two organizations dedicated to supporting people with eating disorders, mood disorders, and suicidal ideation. She also enjoys watering her growing indoor plant collection and rewatching her favorite sitcoms."
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Denise Ben-Porath, Ph.D.
Therapist
Dr. Denise Ben-Porath earned her doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Kent State University. In addition to her role as a treating clinician at CEBTOhio, she is a professor in the Department of Psychology at John Carroll University.
Dr. Ben-Porath has over 20 years of experience as a DBT practicing clinician with difficult-to-treat multi-diagnostic individuals, including but not limited to those diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety/depression, eating disorders and personality disorders.
As a seasoned clinician and researcher, her experience of applying DBT to various treatment settings extends to residential settings, day treatment programs, inpatient units, VA hospitals, correctional facilities, community mental health centers, and private practice settings. She has provided hundreds of trainings, both national and internationally; and is a DBT trainer for Behavioral Technology (B-Tech), which was founded by Marsha Linehan, the developer of Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Dr. Ben-Porath is the author of over 30 publications, including recent publications Dialectical Behavioral Therapy: An Update and Review of the Existing Treatment Models Adapted for Adults With Eating Disorders, and Physical Health-Related Counseling Issues: Eating Disorders, Elimination Disorders, and Chronic Illness/Disability Counseling.
Amanda Bruening, Ph.D.
Therapist
Amanda Bruening, Ph.D. specializes in assessing and treating eating and weight-related disorders. She has worked with children, adolescents and young adults with eating pathology, both at inpatient and outpatient levels of care.
Bruening has received extensive training in evidence-based treatments, including Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Family-Based Treatment (FBT), and is working toward advanced certification in FBT through the Institute of Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders. She also has advanced training in comprehensive Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.
Much of her published work has focused on the unique intersection of disordered eating and substance abuse - and understanding the motivators, such as using substances to achieve weight-related goals - for the sake of informing intervention efforts.
Her approach to treatment focuses on fostering open communication and connection to create a collaborative therapeutic environment. The ultimate goal is to assist individuals and their families in getting back to life as they once knew it. Viewing parents as the experts on their child and family culture, Bruening works collaboratively to implement a culturally-responsive treatment plan that addresses each family's unique needs.
In her spare time, she balances her love for traveling and exploring the outdoors with quiet days at home with family.
Jennifer Campbell, LISW
Therapist
Jennifer Campbell, LISW, comes to CEBTOhio with her Masters in Social Work from Rutgers University. She is a DBT LBC Certified Clinician and has several years of experience delivering evidence based treatments, including comprehensive DBT, CBT-E, ACT, and DBT-PE for clients across various levels of care.
Her specialties include treating teenagers and young adults struggling with eating disorders, chronic emotion dysregulation, trauma, and concerns with rigid cognitions and fixed thinking.
In addition, Campbell serves as co-chair of the Residential & Inpatient Special Interest Group for the Academy of Eating Disorders and serves on the Academy's SIG Oversight Committee. She has also served as team leader for the Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy & Action (EDC) for the state of New Jersey.
Campbell is independently licensed in New Jersey and Ohio. When not in practice with her certified therapy dog, she volunteers at Comfort Zone Camp for grieving children, and enjoys water sports and competing in triathlons.
Amanda Groves, LPCC-S
Therapist
Amanda Groves, LPCC, is a licensed professional clinical counselor with CEBTOhio. She completed her MA degree in clinical mental health counseling from John Carroll University in 2020, and her MA in higher education from Baldwin Wallace University in 2014.
Serving as an individual therapist and DBT skills trainer, Groves is trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and is a certified therapist in the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders. Her areas of interest include the treatment of anxiety, depression, emotional eating, adjustment and life transitions, academic and career exploration, relationship issues and bereavement.
Groves has over 10 years of experience working at various college and universities across the United States supporting the diverse needs of young adults. In addition to her experience in the collegiate setting, she has worked in the community as a mental health counselor in therapeutic foster care, supporting children and adolescents who have suffered severe neglect and trauma.
Hannah Heffner, LPCC, ATR-BC, DBT-LBC
Therapist
Hannah Heffner (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Board-Certified Art Therapist. She is intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and is a DBT-LBC Certified Clinician. She has extensive history working with adolescents, young adults and their families who have presenting concerns such as depression, suicidality/self-harm, anxiety, autism, low self-esteem and trauma.
Heffner uses evidenced based modalities such as DBT, CBT, TF-CBT, and ACT. Depending on the client's goals and preferences, she uses these modalities in combination with art making to strengthen skills and insight. In addition, she works from an anti-oppressive and social justice framework and has a passion for working with LGBTQ+ people who are exploring their identities. She holds a post master's certificate in Affirmative Therapy and values using evidenced based approaches such as the AFFIRM model which focuses on CBT tenets to improve the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ teens and their caregivers.
Heffner enjoys using humor and irreverence in sessions and believes she is forever learning from her clients. She also finds pleasure in getting messy with art and house projects, kayaking, camping and experimenting in the kitchen with her partner. She has a senior cat, an excitable dog, and will often be seen talking to her plant babies.
Sarah Hope Lincoln, Ph.D.
Therapist
Sarah Hope Lincoln, PhD. (she/her) is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in working with children, adolescents and families. She has an expertise in treating anxiety, depression, self-harm, trauma/PTSD, autism spectrum disorders, psychosis, and behavioral disorders of childhood (e.g., ADHD).
Her theoretical orientation and training experiences include both Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Harvard University and completed her internship at Bellevue Hospital and New York Langone Medical Center. She is also an assistant professor in the department of psychological sciences at Case Western Reserve University.
Jeremy Kauffman
Intake Coordinator
As the intake coordinator, Kauffman (he/him) is the front door of CEBT. All inquiring patients speak with him first to touch base about what they are looking for and to schedule initial assessments and consultations. He will answer any questions you may have about our practice and clinicians.
Kauffman graduated from Kenyon college in 2021 with a BA in molecular biology. Since then, he has been living in New York City pursuing music. He plans to apply to medical school in the summer of 2024 and hopes to become a family doctor.
In his free time, you can find him playing gigs, running, hospital volunteering, sewing, and spending time with his friends.
Michelle Lupkin, Ph.D.
Consultant
Dr. Michelle Lupkin specializes in the treatment of children and adolescents with eating disorders, including those presenting with suicidality and non-suicidal self-injury. She is the founder and former clinical director of the Eating Disorders Program at Montefiore, and has extensive experience providing supervision and training in DBT and FBT to psychology interns, psychology externs, and psychiatry and pediatrics residents and fellows.
Dr. Lupkin earned a B.A. in economics from Barnard College, Columbia University; and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology with health emphasis from Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University.
She has presented at international conferences on the integration of DBT and eating disorders, and provides ongoing consultation and supervision to hospitals and clinicians on the implementation of evidence-based treatments for eating disorders across different levels of care. Dr. Lupkin is the owner and clinical director of Lupkin Psychology PLLC, a private practice in New York City, Westchester, and New Jersey. She trains CEBTOhio clinicians and consults with CEBTOhio on Adolescent DBT as well as the integration of DBT and FBT.
Liz O'Connell, LISW, LCSW-R
Therapist
Liz O'Connell, LISW/LCSW-R, is a licensed and independent clinical social worker. She specializes in working with adults with eating disorders, mood disorders, pervasive emotion dysregulation, and a history of trauma/PTSD.
O'Connell completed her foundational training in DBT through Behavioral Tech in 2016 and is a DBT LBC Certified Clinician. She has completed multiple advanced trainings in DBT, including in DBT for Eating Disorders, DBT Prolonged Exposure, and DBT-PTSD for Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. She was previously the associate clinical director of an outpatient and IOP eating disorder treatment center in New York City, where she received ongoing consultation from Dr. Wisniewski and trained in Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E). She became interested in working with people with eating disorders during her graduate level internship at New York State Psychiatric Institute's inpatient Eating Disorder Research Clinic. She has also trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD.
In addition to her DBT training, O'Connell has trained in Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Processing (AEDP), an attachment-oriented trauma therapy. She received her MSW from NYU and her BA from Brown University. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, reading, video gaming and trying to cram as many native plants as possible into her yard.
Melanie Rista, LMSW
Therapist & Training Coordinator
Melanie Rista LMSW, graduated from Columbia University’s School of Social Work where she participated in the intensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) training program and lab under the supervision of Dr. Andre Ivanoff, Ph.D. Prior to completing her graduate work, she graduated Cum Laude from Hunter College with a B.A. in psychology.
Rista received her foundational training through Behavioral Tech in 2020 and subsequently completed several advanced trainings in DBT for eating disorders and families. Rista has received training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) from the Beck Institute for personality disorders, anxiety, and depression. Rista works to provide comprehensive DBT to adults and families in Ohio and the greater NY/NJ area. In addition to her work as a therapist, Melanie also provides training and consultation management at CEBTOhio.
In her free time Melanie enjoys long walks around NYC and spending time with friends and family!
Sandra Rublee, LCSW-C, LISW
Therapist
Sandra Rublee, LCSW-C, LISW, is a licensed clinical social worker with a master’s degree in social work from University of Maryland and a B.A. and M.Sc. in biochemistry from the University of Zürich, Switzerland. She earned a postgraduate diploma in the psychodynamics of human development from University of London, UK.
Rublee is passionate in treating children, adolescents and adults for all types of eating disorders and other psychological conditions such as anxiety, depression, postpartum depression and personality disorders. Rublee is certified by Training Institute for Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders in Family Based Treatment (FBT), which is the leading treatment for children and adolescents for eating disorders. She worked in all levels of care in the field of eating disorders, from inpatient hospitalization to outpatient level of care.
Previously, Rublee worked in different clinical settings in the U.S., Europe and Southeast Asia. She has extensive training and clinical experience in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for depression, anxiety, and substance use from the Beck Institute; Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for eating disorders (CBT-E) from CREDO; Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) from Behavioral Tech; Multi-diagnostic Eating Disorder DBT (MED-DBT); DBT Prolonged Exposure (DBT-PE); and DBT for complex PTSD. Rublee completed the perinatal mood disorders training at Postpartum Support International.
Her clinical practice is informed by research, and her style of therapy is based on inclusive care, collaboration and a focus on client’s goals and needs.
Lindsay Varkula, Ph.D.
Therapist
Lindsay Varkula, Ph.D. (she/her) is a licensed psychologist specializing in treating eating disorders, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and developmental and complex trauma.
Dr. Varkula has utilized a variety of evidence-based therapies to provide specialized eating disorder treatment to individuals in partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient care; she particularly likes to utilize Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and practices that foster mindful self-compassion. Dr. Varkula is an expert in helping heal PTSD and complex trauma from a trauma-focused perspective.
She is especially interested in treating individuals who have survived multiple aversive events and/or who have not received needed nurturing from others. She is an EMDR Certified Therapist and provides Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, an evidence-based treatment for PTSD.
As a counseling psychologist, Dr. Varkula believes in assisting clients in achieving wellness across life domains. She has provided supervision, consultation, and professional training, especially on topics related to eating disorders, diversity, and complex trauma. She is a member of the American Psychological Association and the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA).
Jessica Cusimano, Psy.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Jessica Cusimano (she/her), PsyD., is a post-doctoral fellow at CEBTOhio. She received her doctorate in clinical psychology from William James College in August 2023.
Dr. Cusimano has experience providing both individual and group therapy to clients across the lifespan in a variety of settings including residential treatment, private practice, and university counseling centers. Additionally, prior to graduate school, she worked as a Crisis Intervention Specialist at the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center. Dr. Cusimano is particularly passionate about working with survivors of sexual violence, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and neurodiverse individuals.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her fiancée and their two dogs, reading, and watching TV.
Madeline Herman, Psy.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Madeline Herman, PsyD. (she/her) earned her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Hartford’s Graduate Institute of Professional Psychology. Her clinical work has included the facilitation of individual, group and family psychotherapy across residential, inpatient, community mental health, and private practice settings.
Dr. Herman is especially passionate about working with individuals and families who are healing from experiences of trauma and adversity, using evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. She is enthusiastic about integrating mindfulness and movement into sessions, and has completed certification in Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga from the Justice Resource Institute. In her free time, Dr. Herman enjoys spending time with family and friends, paddle boarding, doing yoga and hanging out with her dog, Ruby.
Sarah Moran, Psy.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Sarah Moran, Psy.D. earned her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology. She operates from a variety of evidence-based treatment models including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Her clinical work has spanned across residential settings, intensive outpatient treatment, medical settings, and private practice offices.
Dr. Moran has a strong passion for working with individuals who experience trauma, mood disorders, suicidality, and emotion regulation difficulties. She believes that a strong and collaborative therapeutic relationship is the cornerstone for creating enduring change through therapy. When she’s not providing clinical care, she enjoys participating in book clubs, cuddling up with her cat Rhett, and spending time with her family and friends.
Psychology Trainees
Yehudis Keller, M.A.
Psychology Trainee
Yehudis Keller, M.A. (she/her) is a clinical psychology doctoral student at Case Western Reserve University. She completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s in experimental psychology at Brooklyn College, and recently her master’s in psychology at CWRU.
She has a background of working with children, adolescents, and adults non-clinically in schools, private homes, and government-sponsored facilities. More recently, Keller has conducted psychodiagnostic assessments at a college setting, and seen several young adult clients for Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in a private clinic while continuing to receive training.
Her research is focused on the process of psychological adjustment after exiting highly religious environments - some of which has been presented at national conferences and published in scientific journals. Keller is interested in implementing evidence-based treatments including CBT and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with adolescents and adults with internalizing disorders and adjustment challenges.
She enjoys cooking new dishes, hiking and traveling, and creating art in her spare time.
Christiana Silva, M.A.
Psychology Trainee
Christiana Silva, M.A., is a graduate student attending Case Western Reserve University, where she obtained her master's degree and is en route to earn her Ph.D. in clinical psychology. Her past clinical experience has taken place at a college mental health center as well as a community-based mental health center, and has ranged across diagnoses.
She previously volunteered as a crisis counselor at Crisis Text Line. As a graduate student, her current research is focused on cognitive factors that may correlate with depression and suicide within a veteran population. She also has worked with coroner's data to understand social correlates that may lead to a completed suicide.
Prior to graduate school, she worked at Columbia University on several research studies focused on biological and clinical factors related to depression and suicide. Silva believes that a strong therapeutic relationship with her clients is essential for healthy progress to unfold and is looking forward to continuing her clinical training at CEBT.
In her free time, she enjoys taking care of her guinea pigs, completing art projects, thrifting, playing video games, and spending time outside.