Current Postdocs: 2024-25 Academic Year

Addiction Psychology

Nicole Khauli, PhD, MPH

Graduate of: Palo Alto University

Nicole Khauli, PhD, MPH, completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Palo Alto University, CA and pre-doctoral internship at Rutgers University Behavioral Healthcare in New Brunswick, NJ. Her clinical training has focused on the treatment of substance use disorders and behavioral addictions using evidence-based interventions. She has primarily worked in community-based clinics and hospitals with low-income, under-resourced, and unhoused communities as well as racial and ethic minority populations. Most recently, she has worked alongside pioneers in the research of mindfulness-oriented interventions for the treatment of substance use disorders and chronic pain, including Dr. Eric Garland and Dr. Nina Cooperman. She also completed her Certified Tobacco Treatment Provider Training at Rutgers, accredited by the Association for the Treatment of Tobacco use and Dependence. Nicole is of Middle Eastern and European origin and is also fluent in Arabic, French, and German. She uses a collaborative approach to therapy and strives to meet clients wherever they are in their journey towards recovery and improved mental health.

Eating Disorders Program at Montefiore (EDPM) / Adolescent Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT-A)

Elizabeth S. Lax, PhD

Graduate of: Hofstra University

Elizabeth S. Lax, Ph.D., earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Hofstra University. She is committed to serving under-resourced youth and families, and specializes in treating eating, mood, and anxiety disorders. Her primary therapeutic modalities are Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. During her predoctoral internship at New York Presbyterian / Columbia University Medical Center, Elizabeth expanded her skills in family therapy, consultation liaison, and neuropsychological assessment, among others. Her theoretical orientation is grounded in learning principles, and this allows her to tailor her treatment approach to each patient, incorporating mindfulness, values clarification, exposure techniques, validation, and family systems work as appropriate. Her dissertation focused on a novel, virtually delivered self-care intervention for mothers of young children, emphasizing accessibility. Elizabeth’s research interests also include development of a mentorship program for therapists from underrepresented backgrounds and exploring mind-body treatments as complements to care. Outside of her professional pursuits, Elizabeth enjoys singing, hiking with her dog, and practicing yoga.

Psychosomatic Medicine

Claudia S. Cabán-Aponte, PhD

Graduate of: Albizu University

Claudia S. Cabán-Aponte, PhD earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Albizu University in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Fluent in Spanish and English, Claudia specializes in behavioral medicine, focusing on providing consultation, comprehensive assessments, short-term psychotherapy, and behavioral health interventions. She utilizes a biopsychosocial approach, emphasizing integrated patient-centered care. She has experience working with diverse populations such as oncology, hospice, spinal cord injury/disorders, substance use, transplant, bariatric, among others. She has trained in various settings, including VA medical centers, hospitals, and specialized clinics. Her research has focused on chronic diseases populations and substance use. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys exploring new cultures through travel, going to the beach, spending time with family and friends, and practicing mindfulness to maintain a balanced lifestyle.

Reproductive Psychology

Ellora Vilkin, PhD

Graduate of: Stony Brook University

Ellora Vilkin received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Stony Brook University and completed her pre-doctoral internship at Montefiore Medical Center. Ellora’s interests center on improving public and scientific understanding and bolstering culturally-responsive treatment in the areas of sexuality, gender, relationships, and sexual/reproductive health. Ellora’s research investigates wellbeing among LGBTQ+ people and others with marginalized sexual or relationship practices (i.e. consensual non-monogamy, kink). Clinically, Ellora integrates cognitive behavioral, emotion focused, relational, and feminist multicultural approaches in individual and couples/relationship therapy. As a Postdoctoral Fellow, Ellora looks forward to specialized training in reproductive/perinatal mental health, developing sex therapy services for patients in the Bronx, and strengthening programs related to LGBTQ+ wellbeing.

Trauma Healing and Resilience in Vulnerable Environments (THRIVE)

Sneha Shankar, PhD

Graduate of: Eastern Michigan University

Sneha Shankar (she/her) received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Eastern Michigan University. She has a certification in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) from Strong Star Training Institute and a certificate of Intensive Training in Motivational Interviewing (MI) from the Center for Integrated Primary Care through UMass Chan Medical School. During her predoctoral internship within the Trauma, Recovery, and Justice track at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, her training focused on the intersection of trauma, substance use, and involvement in the justice system where she provided individual and group therapy services to individuals in inpatient settings, jails and prisons, and outpatient substance use clinics. Sneha is passionate about providing equitable mental health services through her clinical and research work to populations who are typically stigmatized and has expertise working with trauma, personality disorders, and substance use. In service of this, she utilizes a trauma-informed, person-centered, multicultural approach in her clinical work.

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences