News at Adelphi

“I believe that Adelphi has provided me with the educational and professional opportunities that have allowed me to pursue my dream of becoming a clinical psychologist. I would not be where I am today without Adelphi.”

“Because of the amazing educational experience and support I received as an undergraduate, there was no question I would return to Adelphi to complete my master’s degree.”

Deborah Serani, PhD, psychology professor is quoted with advice on how to talk to a therapist about troubling thoughts and feelings.

Dr. Marvin Eisenstadt did research on creativity and it led to my Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 1964 from the Derner Institute, although perhaps not its name then. 

We are honored to have had Anne Alvarez, Ph.D. present in the Lindemann Lectures in Human Development series, travelling from England to share her wealth of knowledge with us.

After retiring from Adelphi University, the administration, Dr. Stricker’s colleagues, as well as a host of former students, decided to establish a Stricker Fund; alumni, faculty, and students alike have provided substantial contributions towards the fund.

Dr. Amira Simha-Alpern is the new Director of Postgradute Programs at the Derner School of Psychology. In the interview that follows she discusses her thoughts on postgraduate training and her vision for Derner’s postgraduate program. 

In June of 2018, a group of Derner Students completed a “Spartan Race.” These challenging endurance events combine running with completion of obstacles such as climbing over barriers and through mud.

In April, 2014, Dr. Carolida Steiner was invited to serve as Chairperson of our alumni organization. Doctoral students had, of course, stayed in touch for years and even decades without the help of their own organization.

When I tell others that I am training to be a psychologist, the most common response is “I could never listen to other people’s problems all day!”  Out of false modesty, I often minimize the reality of the demands we face as therapists but, if I know the person well, I’ll agree that it’s hard…

Derner alumna Dr. Valentina Stoycheva recently participated in a panel discussion for doctoral students on the topic of starting a pri-vate practice. Following this productive conversation, she and other alumni have launched a new private Facebook group called Derner Private Practice Tribe.

Many of us will start our career working at a mental health clinic, hospital, or a group private practice, yet some of us will forge ahead and open our private practice shortly after being licensed. Regardless if you are a new graduate, or you have been in the field for 15+ years, tips for starting a private practice are always helpful. 

Derner Professor Michael O’Loughlin runs a program at Adelphi, where doctoral students can train to conduct interviews and clinical examinations in order to write affidavits for asylum seekers under supervision by an Adelphi faculty member.

In her internship, postdoc training, and early career, Dr. Cassie Kaufmann (Ph.D., 2014) kept her mind open re-garding her future. She spoke with col-leagues about creating a space for col-laboration with like-minded clinicians and reflected on the need for more postdoc training opportunities (and equity in postdoc compensation).

At the beginning of the 2017-2018 academic year, doctoral students attended an open discussion meeting with Dean Barber in which students could ask questions about any aspect of the doctoral program. The meeting quickly shifted to concerns that students had about life at Derner.

African American women make up a disproportionate percentage of victims of intimate partner violence. Are they receiving the help they need? Bernadine Waller, MA ’10, associate director of experiential learning at Adelphi's Center for Career and Professional Development and a PhD candidate in social work, just received a prestigious grant for her research—and, she is searching for an answer.

This year’s Research Day on April 17 was Adelphi’s biggest yet—it grows every year. Learn what was new at our 16th annual event, and meet some of the students who presented their research.

Lauren Gonzales, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology, combines various methods of research to better understand the factors that can prevent persons with mental illnesses from integrating successfully into their communities.

Damian Stanley, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology, has developed a test that may lead to the identification of subcategories of autism and the development of new interventions and/or treatments.

Every year Adelphi honors exceptional employees and faculty members. “Our honorees are Adelphi employees who shine for a number of reasons," said President Christine M. Riordan at the awards ceremony on May 7. “You set extraordinary standards for serving the Adelphi community. We admire and thank you."

At Adelphi, students reap the benefits of personalized attention from their professors and all the opportunities nearby New York City holds. But according to Peter West, Ph.D.—the newly appointed associate provost for student success—there's always room to do better.

The possible legalization of marijuana in New York and Connecticut has sparked a conversation and psychology Professor Lauren Gonzales, Ph.D., joins the discussion with WSHU Public Radio.

Adelphi professor and award-winning author Deborah Serani, Psy.D., is featured in The Mighty discussing different kinds of depression and anxiety.

Najee Hunt is a student leader who is actively helping create a diverse and inclusive culture on campus. As president of the campus organization Black Students United (BSU), he is passionate about supporting and mentoring fellow students of color. He has also expanded the organization's mission to include support of young people from the surrounding community.

In recognition of his work, Dr. Fareri was named a Rising Star by the Association for Psychological Science (APS), an honor given to a handful of outstanding psychological scientists in the early stages of their postgraduate research careers around the world.

Jacques Barber, Ph.D., professor and dean of the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology, is the winner of this year's Division 39 (Society for Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychology) Research Award.

The collaboration of Damien Stanley, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology, with the California Institute of Technology on autism theory of mind is featured in Pasadena Now.