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, California, and her predoctoral internship at Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Her clinical training has focused on the treatment of substance use disorders and behavioral addictions using evidence-based interventions. Most recently, she 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 University, which is accredited by the Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence. Nicole is of Middle Eastern and European origin and is fluent in Arabic, French and German. She uses a collaborative approach to therapy and strives to meet clients wherever they are in their journey toward recovery and improved mental health.
Eating Disorders Program at Montefiore Einstein (EDPME) / Adolescent Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT-A)
Elizabeth S. Lax, PhD
Graduate of Hofstra University
Elizabeth S. Lax, PhD, earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from Hofstra University. She specializes in treating eating, mood and anxiety disorders. Her primary therapeutic modalities are dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). During her predoctoral internship at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, Dr. Lax expanded her family therapy, consultation-liaison and neuropsychological assessment skills. Her theoretical orientation is grounded in learning principles, allowing 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. Dr. Lax’s research interests also include the development of a mentorship program for therapists from all backgrounds and exploring mind-body treatments as complements to care. She enjoys singing, hiking with her dog and practicing yoga outside her professional pursuits.
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. Dr. Cabán-Aponte has experience working with diverse populations such as oncology, hospice, spinal cord injury/disorders, substance use, transplant and bariatric, among others. She has trained in various settings, including United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers, hospitals and specialized clinics. Her research has focused on chronic disease populations and substance use. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys traveling, 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 PhD in clinical psychology from Stony Brook University and completed her predoctoral internship at Montefiore Einstein. Dr. Vilkin’s interests include responsive treatment in the areas of sexuality, gender, relationships and sexual/reproductive health. Clinically, Dr. Vilkin integrates cognitive-behavioral, emotion-focused, relational and feminist multicultural approaches in individual and couples/relationship therapy. As a postdoctoral fellow, she looks forward to specialized training in reproductive/perinatal mental health and developing sex therapy services for patients.
Trauma Healing & 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 cognitive processing therapy (CPT) certification 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. Dr. Shankar is passionate about providing equitable mental health services through her clinical and research work to populations who 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.