Jonathan H. Hoffman, Ph.D., ABPP

Licensed Psychologist, Clinical Director

Jonathan H. Hoffman, Ph.D., ABPP is a clinical psychologist, licensed in Florida and New York. He received his first Masters Degree in Psychology from The New School for Social Research. In addition to a second Masters Degree in School Psychology, he holds a Doctoral Degree in Clinical and School Psychology from Hofstra University in New York. This dual curriculum provided the educational and experiential basis for addressing the needs of patients across the lifespan. His dissertation research studied how substance abusers responded to treatment offered in therapeutic communities.  Dr. Hoffman is Board Certified in Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology and a… READ MORE ›

E. Katia Moritz, Ph.D., ABPP

Licensed Psychologist, Clinical Director

E. Katia Moritz, Ph.D., ABPP, received her first degree as a psychologist at the Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Dr. Moritz was one of the founders of the first behavioral therapy association in Brazil (ABPMC). In 1991, she became a visiting professional at the Albert Ellis Institute, where she received her training in cognitive therapy. Pursuing her interest in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), she later joined the Institute for Bio-Behavioral Therapy and Research in New York where she participated in many research studies and published nationally and internationally. She also worked extensively in both inpatient and outpatient treatment… READ MORE ›

Jason R. Spielman, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist, Director of Program Services

Jason R. Spielman, Psy.D. is a Florida Licensed Clinical Psychologist. He received his bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of South Florida. He received his Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology at the Miami Institute of Psychology. He received his Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology from Carlos Albizu University in Miami. This program focused on a multi-cultural therapeutic practical treatment approach.  Dr. Spielman completed his pre-doctoral training at the Bradley Center of St. Francis, in Columbus, Georgia, working in the inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities of the hospital.  Dr. Spielman completed his post-doctorate training with the Florida Department of Corrections… READ MORE ›

Ketty Patiño González, Ph.D.

Licensed Psychologist, Director of Development & Psychological Evaluations

Dr. Ketty Patiño González is a clinical psychologist licensed in the state of Florida since 1998. She is a graduate of the University of Miami’s clinical psychology program, Child and Family Track. Dr. Patiño González worked in various faculty positions at the University of Miami from 1995 until June 2007, when she decided to dedicate all her time to private practice. At the University of Miami she taught graduate courses in psychological assessments and for twelve years supervised all the clinical psychology doctoral students in their assessment practica. During her stay at UM, she started an assessment clinic that established… READ MORE ›

Marilyn L. Cugnetto, Ph.D.

Licensed Psychologist, Associate Director of Clinical Research

Marilyn L. Cugnetto received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Health Psychology from the University of Miami. Dr. Cugnetto is licensed as a psychologist in the state of Florida. She is the Associate Director of Clinical Research at NeuroBehavioral Institute in Weston, FL. Dr. Cugnetto provides clinical services to individuals who are diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, working memory deficits, and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Along with her colleagues at NBI, she also facilitates support groups for children and adults with OCD and Tourette’s Disorder. She has attended the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation’s Behavior Therapy Training Institute… READ MORE ›

Tricia D. Cassel, Ph.D.

Licensed Psychologist, Developmental and Psychological Evaluations

Dr. Tricia D. Cassel received her Ph.D. from the University of Miami’s clinical psychology program, Child and Family Track, in August 2008 and joined us as a psychology resident in September 2008. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Franciscan Hospital for Children in Boston, the largest pediatric rehabilitative facility in the northeast. Dr. Cassel was born in Pennsylvania and has lived in Miami with her husband since 2002. Dr. Cassel worked closely under the supervision of Dr. Patiño González at the University of Miami. In her five years at UM she worked in the Autism Spectrum Assessment Clinic (ASAC) evaluating… READ MORE ›

Jill Rickel, M.S.

Transitional and Placement Program Director

Jill Rickel has been working with students with learning disabilities for 23 years as a tutor, mental health counselor, college admissions coordinator, national director of college admissions, and educational consultant. She has extensive experience in placing students with learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and special needs into appropriate college and post-secondary settings. Jill graduated from the University of Miami, Phi Beta Kappa, Summa Cum Laude, with a BA in Psychology and from Nova Southeastern University with a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology. After working as a mental health counselor, Jill began a career as a private math and statistics… READ MORE ›

M. Whitney Ward, Ph.D.

Licensed Eligible Psychologist, Psychological Evaluations

Dr. M. Whitney Ward received a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Miami. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario, one of the world’s largest and most respected pediatric academic health science centers. While at the University of Miami, Dr. Ward worked closely under the supervision of Dr. Patiño González. She also worked at the Mailman Center for Child Development at the Miller School of Medicine for six years.  At the Mailman Center, she conducted research involving the neurodevelopment of children with chronic illnesses and associated academic accommodations. Dr. Ward has… READ MORE ›

Audrey Baumeister, Ph.D.

Provisionally Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Audrey Baumeister attended the University of Florida for her undergraduate studies where she participated in research and authored publications under the Department of Psychiatry, which has specialized in the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder for over twenty years.  As a doctoral student at Louisiana State University her specializations included parent training, assessment and treatment related to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Learning Disabilities, as well as group counseling for teens. Dr. Baumeister’s graduate research, master’s thesis and dissertation were funded by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health, and examined the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder on children… READ MORE ›

Rebecca Sachs, Ph.D.

Provisionally Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Sachs graduated from Hofstra University in New York with her PhD in Clinical and School Psychology. As a doctoral student at Hofstra University Dr. Sachs worked in various clinical and educational settings, serving as therapist, evaluator, coordinator, and team member. Her research and clinical interests included cognitive and behavioral treatments for individuals with social skills deficits, anxiety disorders and mood disorders, as well as understanding coping mechanisms in aging adults, patients, and their caregivers.  Her dissertation focused on Anxiety Management Training utilizing competency imagery for dating anxiety. As a graduate student, Dr. Sachs completed her predoctoral internship at Peninsula… READ MORE ›