Every person is different and I take a nonjudgemental and accepting approach to understanding you. Once I understand what is going on for you, I take a focused and collaborative approach. My goal is to get you feeling better as quickly as possible.

Why See Me?

With all the therapists out there, why see me?

1) I have trained and supervised hundreds of mental health professionals, so you can be sure you are getting a high level of expertise when you see me.

2) I have a PhD in Clinical Psychology and am a tenured psychology professor at Long Island University with 20 years of clinical experience.

3) I am a cognitive-behavioral (CBT) psychologist with a wide range of specialized training.

4) I only accept a limited number of clients at any one time. This means that unlike many other overcommitted psychologists, I will give you my full attention.

5) I am a recognized expert in the treatment of adults and children, having appeared on MSNBC, the Washington Post, The NY Times, Psychology Today, Parents Magazine, and other outlets.

Have a look at my chapter on the Treatment of Pediatric Enuresis and Encopresis!

Here's a scientific journal article I co-authored on Time-Out!

If you'd like even more information, here is my full curriculum vitae. It is written for academia, but it might be helpful to see what my academic work has consisted of.

Training

I am a New York State licensed psychologist (license number 017589, valid until 12/31/2025) and have received extensive training at the following institutions. I am also licensed to provide teletherapy in the state of Florida (FLA telehealth provider registration number TPPY2106).

My Team

Matthew Fastman, M.S.

Matthew Fastman has a master’s degree in clinical psychology and is obtaining his doctorate from Long Island University-Post.

I have treated children, adolescents, and families faced with a wide range of problems using cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). I am currently an extern at NYU Langone's Child Study Center, where I am honing my expertise in treating anxiety and mood disorders. Previously, I gained extensive and varied clinical experience at the NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health Center, where I was involved in the treatment of adults and children in need of intensive care. Prior to this position, I was a unit manager at Four Winds Psychiatric Hospital. In this role, I directed the nursing staff on an inpatient adolescent unit. Each of these experiences involved unique approaches to mental health treatment that I readily apply and tailor to meet the individual needs of new clients. I employ a nonjudgmental, client-centered approach; my aim is to understand and be mindful of clients' perspectives, goals, and values while helping them change the aspects of their lives that they wish to change.

I also have research experience that underscores my commitment to continuous learning and responsible treatment. I won the Phillips Award for Exceptional Research in Medicine and Health at the Westchester Science and Engineering Fair for my work in a molecular modeling laboratory that developed novel treatments for individuals with HIV. I completed an internship at Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine, where I performed behavioral tests in an attempt to isolate and evaluate the effects of a gene believed to be a cause of autism spectrum disorder. I recently completed a study on prosocial behavior for Oregon State University, and I am currently working with Dr. Ortiz on a dissertation geared towards evaluating a novel treatment technique for child and parental anxiety.

morgan Weinstein, M.S.

I attended Emory University where I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy. I currently attend LIU-Post and hold a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology and am obtaining a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. At LIU Post, I have trained as a graduate student therapist at the LIU-Psychological Services Center as well as the Center for Healthy Living. At both sites, I operated under the supervision of Dr. Ortiz, where I worked with a diverse range of clients and effectively delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to address various difficulties. I have treated children, adolescents, and families facing various difficulties, such as elimination disorders, phobias, struggles with parenting oppositional children, insomnia, bullying, depression, and anxiety disorders.

Prior to this position, I served as a summer extern at Northwell Health Lenox Hill Hospital’s Center for Attention and Learning (CAL). At CAL, I received didactic training in psychologically guided remediation in various neurodivergent profiles, such as patients with language-based learning disabilities, reading impairments, math disabilities, attention deficit disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and generalized anxiety disorder. Additionally, I completed training workshops focusing on speech and language mechanisms, suicide risk assessment, the Wilson Reading System, and building cultural competency in the field of neuropsychology. This year, I will be working as an extern at Mount Sinai Hospital’s Icahn School of Medicine, where I will develop expertise in neuropsychological assessment and psychotherapy for patients with psychiatric disorders.

My approach to treatment is nonjudgmental and collaborative - we will work together to understand the problems at hand, while supporting your perspectives, goals, and values. My aim is to help you achieve the change that you wish to see in yourself and develop your therapeutic toolbox for long-term use.

BEATRICE SCANSANI, M.S.

I was born and raised in Milan, Italy, where I earned my bachelor's and master's degrees (M.A.) in psychology at San Raffaele University. I spent a year in London studying for my Master's degree (MSc) in Mental Health Studies at King's College London. In Italy, I am a licensed psychologist. I worked as an assistant psychologist at the IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital in both the outpatient and inpatient unit for personality disorders, where I primarily treated patients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and co-occurring comorbidities. I am pursuing a doctorate (Psy.D.) in clinical psychology at LIU-Post.

These experiences have enabled me to develop important skills for working with highly distressed individuals presenting with complex needs, such as working flexibly with what the client brings to the session, engaging with clients empathetically while actively listening, being present, and demonstrating authenticity in my interactions.

At my current externship at Fordham Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS), I am enhancing my clinical skills by working with a culturally diverse population of college and graduate students. Using a relational psychodynamic framework, sexual and identity affirmation, and a culturally informed perspective, I have been providing individual therapy to clients with a wide range of psychological disorders, including anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, substance abuse, and personality disorders.

I deeply recognize the importance of creating a safe, supportive, and judgment-free therapeutic space for my patients. I believe that the therapeutic alliance is the most important factor in promoting change; therefore, we will work collaboratively to identify negative and ruminating thought processes, as well as resulting unhelpful behaviors and emotions, that may function as obstacles in allowing you to live the quality of life and achieve the goals that you set for yourself. My approach is holistic and person-centered, drawing on various theoretical perspectives such as psychodynamic, relational, and cognitive-behavioral therapy to address issues such as anxiety, trauma, relationships, depression, emerging adulthood, personality and identity issues, and emotional dysregulation. I enjoy incorporating mindfulness techniques into my work as it allows patients to stay focused, relax their mind and body, and develop radical acceptance.

MIA INSERRA, M.S.

Every person has a unique experience that is worthy of support and acceptance. My approach to treatment involves an individualized, nonjudgmental, and collaborative process based in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to understand and address patterns interfering with your current goals.

I hold a master’s degree in clinical psychology, and I am obtaining my doctorate at Long Island University-Post to pursue my passion for working with children, adolescents, young adults, and families who are experiencing psychological distress. My training in community, clinic, foster care system, college counseling center, and private practice settings has enabled me to gain competence in treating a range of psychological and behavioral concerns. I provide individual therapy and parent training for oppositional behaviors, attentional difficulties, anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, and psychosocial stressors.

I have great hope that we will work together to incorporate your perspective and values into models of evidence-based treatment to achieve your goals, alleviate your distress, and make positive changes to your life.

JOSEPH BRIER, M.S.

I hold a Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology from LIU-Post and am working toward a doctorate of psychology (Psy.D.). As a therapist at the LIU-Psychological Services Center and the Center for Healthy Living under the supervision of Dr. Ortiz, I had the opportunity to learn to effectively deliver Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to clients with a wide range of difficulties. These opportunities provided me with extensive training and a love for working with parents and clients struggling with OCD, anxiety, depression, family dysfunction, behavioral issues, elimination disorders, ADHD, and time management issues.

My passion for clinical psychology was ignited by my work for seven summers in a behavioral modification program for children with anxiety, ADHD, and severe behavioral and emotional disorders, called the Diamond Summer Program. I saw firsthand the capacity of these children and families to enact powerful change in their lives when guided properly by trained and skilled professionals. This year I will be externing at NYU Langone’s Child Study Center, where I will treat and assess children and parents with ADHD, anxiety, and selective mutism.

I am confident that by collaborating, we can integrate your unique perspective and values into an evidence-based treatment model to help you achieve your goals, overcome challenges, and cultivate positive changes in your life.

EMILY RISPOLI, M.S.

I graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Science in Development/Family Science and Psychology. I hold a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from LIU-Post and am obtaining a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. This past year I worked in the Psychological Services Center under the supervision of Dr. Ortiz, seeing children, adolescents, and parents utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I have experience working with autism-spectrum disorder, depression, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, trauma, specific phobia, separation anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and encopresis. I have gained proficiency in various therapeutic techniques such as CBT, DBT, integrative therapy, and psychological assessments.

I excel in effectively connecting with my clients during therapy sessions and customizing my approach to suit their needs. As a clinician, I prioritize the therapeutic relationship and implement a holistic and empathetic approach to structure my therapy sessions.

Ryan SCHaRE, M.S.

I graduated from the University of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in human development. I currently hold a master's of science in applied psychology and am earning a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree from Long Island University, Post.

I am passionate about working with children, adolescents, young adults, and parents. I previously worked at the LIU Psychological Services Center and Center for Healthy Living. I learned how to effectively utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to address the patterns that interfere with my client’s lives. I am currently working at the Child and Family Institute, providing individual therapy and parent training for anxiety, depression, trauma, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Additionally, I have experience working with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, selective mutism, and autism spectrum disorder.

As a therapist, I provide warm, collaborative, evidence-based care to my clients to help them achieve their goals.