• HOME
  • SERVICES
    • Treatment for Anorexia and Bulimia
    • Treatment for Binge Eating Disorder
    • TREATMENT GROUPS
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
    • EMDR / TRAUMA
    • Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
    • Orthodox Needs
    • Eating Disorders Treatment
  • HAES
  • OUR TEAM
  • IOP
  • RESOURCES
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT US
Email
Print
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Click on a name to learn more.

Jennie J. Kramer, MSW, LCSW-R

Founder and Executive Director

Jennie J. Kramer is the Founder and Executive Director of Metro Behavioral Health Associates Eating Disorders Centers located in Scarsdale and in NYC. MBHA offers comprehensive outpatient treatment for all forms of eating disorders, addictions and mood disorders including individualized Intensive Outpatient Programs for Adolescents and Adults.

Jennie serves as Chairperson for the Board of Directors of the Binge Eating Disorders Association (BEDA).

Jennie served as a Director of the Renfrew Centers for Eating Disorders for 5 years and has been treating all forms of eating disorders for over a dozen years. Prior to entering this field, she also served as Chief Operating Officer for Dr. Robert Atkins and was a management consultant to the healthcare industry for many years. Jennie lectures and has been interviewed in the media extensively and has co-authored “Overcoming Binge Eating for DUMMIES” for the popular series and is soon releasing her new book “Food, Money, Time and Love”.

Jennie enjoys affiliation with many related organizations such as:

  • Chair, Board of Directors, Binge Eating Disorders Association (BEDA) until June, 2018
  • Association For Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH)
  • Westchester County Psychological Association (WCPA)
  • American Psychoanalytic Association Psychotherapist Associate (APsaA)
  • International Network of Integrative Mental Health (INIMH)
  • National Eating Disorders Assoc. (NEDA)
  • Int’l Academy of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP)
  • The Academy for Eating Disorders (AED)
  • Eating Disorders Coalition (EDC)
  • Eastern Group Psychotherapy Society (EGPS)
  • Westchester Group Psychotherapy Society (WGPS), Board Member
  • American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA)
  • National Association of Social Work (NASW)
  • American College Health Association (ACHA)
  • NY State Society for Clinical Social Work (NYSSCSW)
  • New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS)
  • Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society (PKP)


Carol Afonso

Administrative Team Leader

Carol has just received her MSW from Fordham University and has experience working with children, the elderly and all ages. She is passionate about helping people and is of great support to both patients and staff. Her fierce attention to detail keeps everything humming at MBHA. We are delighted to have not only her administrative expertise but now also her social work background, as well.


Landis Bejar, LMHC

Individual, Group, Couples Therapy

Landis Bejar earned her BS in Family and Child Sciences with a Minor in Psychology from Florida State University and Masters degrees in Counseling Psychology and Mental Health Counseling from Teachers College at Columbia University. She is a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor and has worked with individuals, couples and families of all ages for some time in a variety of settings. Landis has a passion for working with adults who are coping with anxiety, depression, relationship stress, and rough life transitions. thus also those with concerns both related to and heightened by body image issues.

Landis’s style is warm, nonjudgmental, client-centered, and goal-oriented. Her approach to therapy starts by building a trusting, working relationship, rooted in the client’s strengths. From there, she integrates techniques of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), emotionally focused therapy (EFT) and psychodynamic therapy, et. al. based on one’s unique needs.


Erin Cohen, MSW, LCSW-R

Individual, Family and Group Therapist

Erin Cohen utilizes an empathic, supportive, interactive, collaborative, and non-judgmental approach to individual, group and family treatment. She received her BSW from SUNY Stony Brook and her MSW from New York University’s Advanced Standing Program. She specializes in the treatment of eating disorders and also has a passion for helping those who are struggling with infertility and maternal mental health issues.

Erin worked and trained at Peninsula Counseling Center, Leavitt Mind & Body, Inc and The Renfrew Center as a psychotherapist before establishing a private practice. She is currently a member of the National Association of Social Workers, the Golden Key National Honor Society and The National Eating Disorders Association.


Aaron Deri, MS, LMFT

Individual, Group, Family, Couples

Aaron Deri is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist licensed in both California and New York and is a published researcher. Aaron’s clinical experience includes private practice, outpatient community clinics, and residential psychiatric treatment. Aaron has worked extensively with clients struggling with compulsive behaviors including those which are food and body-related. He has successfully used a variety of therapy tools and methods to help clients understand what drives their harmful but habitual behaviors and to implement step-by-step changes so that their insight matches new behaviors to which they aspire.

Aaron has also led traumatic grief bereavement groups for adult survivors of violent loss, anger management for teens, crisis intervention for domestic violence and sexual assault victims, is certified in child and adolescent crisis intervention and has completed an externship in couples Emotionally Focused Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.


Megan Fahey, MS, RD, CDN

Registered Dietitian

Megan is a Registered Dietitian and Functional Medicine Nutritionist specializing in eating disorders. She earned her M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics at Bastyr University in Seattle, WA. Megan returned to the east coast as a Clinical Dietitian Specialist at Western Connecticut Health Network and has since worked with Monte Nido & Affiliates in residential and intensive outpatient eating disorder treatment programs in New York and Miami.

Megan regularly contributes to articles published on MindBodyGreen and is also a Registered Yoga Teacher. She is an active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), the Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy (IFNA), and the International Federation of Eating Disorder Dietitians (IFEDD). As a certified Health at Every Size® (HAES) Facilitator, Megan believes that one’s relationship to food and body can be transformed into a nourishing expression of self-care.


Marjorie Livingston, MS, RD, CDN, ACSM-CPT

Nutritionist

Marjorie Livingston is a Registered Dietitian, and Certified Functional Nutritionist. She works with individual patients, conducts health coaching sessions for corporations, and analyzes recipes for celebrity authors such as Giada DiLauentis, Melissa D’Arabian, and Jillian Michaels. Marjorie specializes in the area of eating disorders and Integrative and Functional Medical Nutrition Therapy to help clients achieve optimal health. Her professional background includes working with the Renfrew Centers for Eating Disorders, holding the position of Associate Professor at the Culinary Institute of America for several years where she was awarded Faculty Member of the Year, and being a member of the team that opened the food Addiction Unit at Glenbeigh Hospital in Florida. In addition, she consults with the City of Norwalk and surrounding areas to evaluate and modify recipes for restaurants wanting to provide healthful menu options.

Maddie Mihalich, MSW

Intake Coordinator

Maddie received her MSW from Fordham University where she interned and trained at Montefiore ACT Team in Mount Vernon as well as at Metro Behavioral Health Associates. Specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, she also has a passion for working with those experiencing life transitions, trauma, anxiety and depression. Because of Maddie’s knowledge and experience with CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and the use of a creative, mindful approach, she is ideally suited to help those inquiring about our services see if there is a likely clinical fit.


Sara Oppenheim-Somerville, CHt

Hypnotist

Sara Oppenheim-Somerville, CHt, Consulting Hypnotist is a member of the National Guild of Hypnotists and the International Association of Counselors & Therapists. She uses traditional hypnosis along with Parts Therapy and Interactive Guided Imagery to help people who want to resolve specific issues or overcome fears or addictions. Sara has Medical Hypnosis experience. She is also a frequent speaker and workshop leader for hospitals, corporations and groups.


Renée Pastolove, MS, ATR-BC, LCAT

Creative Arts Therapist

Renée received her Masters of Science in Art Therapy and Counseling from The College of New Rochelle and is licensed by the state of New York. She has also received post-masters certification in Creative Arts Therapies for Trauma Treatment from the KINT Institute and has received certification in Resource-Oriented Music and Imagery from the Institute of Music and Consciousness.

In her role as a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, Renée encourages and facilitates expressive activities for children, teenagers, and adults to explore the grip of distorted body images that can have a hold on so many lives. She is also expert at processing traumatic life events, providing tools of resilience to help support and balance their lives.

Art therapy sessions include many types of modalities (clay, watercolor, pastel, painting and more) and Renée often uses journaling and other written imagery as well. In a gentle and relaxed atmosphere, clients find venues for authentic self-expression. Art making produces powerful images and symbols that offer a lens into the uniqueness of our own lives. Through the creative process clients discover freedom in self-expression and find release from anxiety and fear. Renée’s gentle and sensitive nature consistently provides comfort and relief from the immediate harshness of the experiences, and she is dedicated to helping her clients discover their own seeds of resilience along such a personal journey.


Tamra Rosenfeld, MS, RDN, CDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Tamra Rosenfeld is a dietitian with The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Tamra received her Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York at Albany, and her Master of Science Degree from Herbert H. Lehman College of the City University of New York.

Tamra’s professional background includes her dietitian consulting practice, adjunct lecturer for a nutrition master’s degree program, and working in several hospital settings specializing in bariatrics, behavioral health, and substance abuse. Tamra has been a guest speaker at corporate wellness events as well as on themed radio and television programs.

Tamra integrates medical, lifestyle, and therapeutic information into her counseling to formalize more individual goals that are attainable. She uses a mindful, non-diet approach incorporating all foods into a healthy lifestyle plan.


ashley seruya

Ashley M. Seruya

Social Work Intern

Ashley is an MSW candidate at Fordham University working with MBHA to complete her advanced year field work. Her specific areas of clinical interest and expertise include weight stigma, Health at Every Size (H.A.E.S.) interventions and the impact of cultural and individual trauma on self-perception. Her practice is guided by compassion, validation, and reducing shame. Ashley has a BA in Narrative Studies and Creative Writing from the University of Southern California with a minor in Nutrition Studies. She believes strongly in the power of telling our stories, and brings much of her literary background into her clinical work.


Thamirys Tonioli

Administrative Support

Tammy comes from Brazil where she earned her law degree. With a passion for helping people, she creates a friendly office environment, greeting all our visitors and staff with kindness and compassion. Her intelligence, warmth and commitment to both staff and patients alike is invaluable


Stay connected to MBHA

You Tube Twitter RSS

media event

Overcoming Binge Eating For Dummies

© 2021 · All Rights Reserved by MBHANY

  • HOME
  • CONTACT US