Our Philosophy and Our Team

We provide a safe, supportive, connected, and compassionate environment.

“The psyche knows how to heal itself, the challenge is to create the environment where this can happen.”
— Marion Woodman

Our Philosophy

We always believe in taking a collaborative and introspective approach when working with adults, couples, families, or children. We believe this kind of approach to treatment helps patients have a deeper sense of their own wisdom and healing potential.

Because of deep emotional pain, wounds, and burdens that we each carry on a daily basis, we can often become disillusioned with ourselves or others. For most of us, our natural way of coping with these struggles is by avoiding or turning away from it. But despite the temporary relief it brings, this style of coping often maintains extreme beliefs, negative feelings, and unproductive behaviors.

We also believe that the relationship between the therapist and the patient is vital to any effective treatment.

By providing a safe, supportive, connected, and compassionate environment, people can find the strength to personally explore their struggles without being pushed, pathologized, or retraumatized. That is mainly why we empower and support our patients to turn towards these areas of difficulty and explore them in a manner that often leads to lasting change and new ways of relating to themselves, others and the larger world.

Ari Kellner, Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Kellner holds a BA in Psychology from Rutgers University and a Doctor of Psychology from Pace University. He is a member of the American Psychological Association, a licensed clinical psychologist in New York State, and is a Fellow at the Institute of Coaching, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School. He serves on the Faculty at Westchester Center for the Study of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. He is also certified to interpret and apply Hogan Assessments.

Robyn Bellinson, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years experience as a psychotherapist, with a strong focus on child, adolescent and family therapy.

In collaboration with parents, we develop a more complex understanding of their child’s emotional needs. I help families provide support and balance for one another, to adapt to more challenging phases of development. I have post master’s advanced training from psychotherapy institutes in New York City and Westchester County.

I started my practice in Union Square, NY where I primarily worked with college students on living separately from their parents, establishing their own identities, building relationships and reducing stress. Upon moving my practice to Westchester county, I began speaking with parents who express great difficulty in making parenting decisions when their children develop symptoms of sadness and anxiety. Sometimes, strategies that were working during one phase of development are no longer effective. Very often, the environmental or internal demands are overwhelming children and their families, and that is when we see an overflow of behaviors and emotions. In response to the pressure that many families experience, we discuss options which include family systems therapy in the initial consultation.

Family systems therapy recognizes the family as an emotional unit in which each member’s behavior influences the others. Within every family system, negative behavioral patterns develop and there is often emotional reactivity that is not helpful. Family therapy, when appropriate, relieves a particular child/teen as being the source of the problem and each member takes part in considering their own role in this system. Families work together at discussing their roles and sometimes switch roles. They collaborate on solving problems. Sometimes, we work on one parent and child interaction at a time and sometimes I help parents recognize how they might be projecting some of their own worry or frustration onto their children.
Parents immediately start identifying behavior patterns and often report that they learn to anticipate, make adjustments and carry some tools in their back pockets, to deal with their children’s intense emotions. This helps them become more responsive than reactive to their children’s periods of dysregulation. Also, the family overall becomes more flexible and individuals can shift more easily as their children grow and change.

I often hear that children/teens feel like they develop their own voice and opinions and learn how to communicate their needs more effectively. Some say that they feel more understood, encouraged and accepted in their own lives. This greater sense of security and connection in their relationships, allows them the ability to be more confident in academics, peer relationships and pursuing areas of interest. Most importantly, as they mature, they develop the ability to ask for help when needed but also how to self regulate.

I have a BA in Liberal Arts from the University of Maryland. A Master’s Degree in Social Work from Adelphi University. Post Master’s Training at Ackerman Family Therapy Institute. Adult Psychotherapy Training at New York School for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. Child Psychotherapy Training at Westchester Center for the Study of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy.

Additional Training at:

  • Theracare Early Intervention and Preschool Family Training
  • Division Mt. Sinai Crisis Intervention Center
  • Jewish Family and Children Services
  • Youth Counseling League
  • Counseling Center at Humanities and Legacy NYC Public High
  • Schools Psychiatric institute of Washington Admissions Unit
  • Jewish Social Service Agency of Maryland Mental Health Clinic

Amanda Schwartz, Licensed Psychologist

I am a licensed psychologist who sees private practice patients in Mt. Kisco, NY. I believe in the power of a strong therapeutic partnership in supporting personal growth.

I strive to provide a warm, non-judgmental, and safe space, where you can understand and work through your emotions and the stressors that you face in your life. While therapy can be hard work, I aim to work collaboratively with you, to respectfully challenge you, and to assist you on a path toward personal growth and positive change. In therapy, I also integrate mindfulness practice, and utilize a cognitive behavioral (CBT) approach with a focus on relationship building, skill instruction, and goal-directed behavioral change.

I am passionate about working with adolescents and young adults. In my practice, I regularly support individuals struggling with anxiety and depression. Other common issues include social, relationship, academic and family challenges. I also enjoy working with parents as they navigate the complexity of parenting in our world today. When working with children or adolescents, I regularly involve parents in the therapy process, providing parent training and support as needed. I also have extensive experience collaborating with other professionals to address children’s and adolescent’s emotional and learning issues.

I am a trained SPACE provider (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions). More information is available on the SPACE website. Please reach out if you would like to discuss if SPACE might be an appropriate treatment for your child or teen’s anxiety. https://www.spacetreatment.net

In addition, I have pursued training in perinatal mental health through Postpartum Support International, and I enjoy supporting women on the often-challenging journey of transitioning to motherhood.

I graduated with Highest Honors from Emory University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. I then went on to Fordham University, where I received my master’s degree (M.S.E.) in Therapeutic Interventions, and my doctorate degree (Ph.D.) in School Psychology.

Mark Hrastar, Licensed Psychotherapist

My therapeutic approach is informed by a foundation in Jungian theory and depth psychology, complemented by specialized training in Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). I am also a certified practitioner in Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Integration. Drawing on these diverse methodologies, I tailor my treatment to meet the unique needs of each client, offering a personalized and holistic approach to healing.

With 20 years of experience, my primary goal in psychotherapy is to help individuals transcend the limitations they face, guiding them toward meaningful change through increased self-awareness, compassion, acceptance, and empathy—both for themselves and others. I believe that the therapeutic relationship is the core of healing, and I strive to create a compassionate, non-judgmental space where clients can begin to heal and grow. In this process, I work transparently, honestly, and professionally to support my clients in their journey.

I hold a Master of Arts and a Master of Education in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Columbia University, which have further equipped me to approach each client’s needs with expertise and sensitivity.

Aissa Tacbas, Office Manager

I hope my resourcefulness and comfort with being the go-to person for all things related to running the office, allows our clinicians to better help all our clients.

I graduated from Ateneo Xavier University with a B.S. in Communication. I have over a decade of experience in the fields of customer and technology support, training, and program management. Personally, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, reading a good book, and having thoughtful conversations over coffee and tea lattes. Please feel free to contact me with big or small requests, I enjoy making your experience as positive and seamless as possible.

Leslie Cohen, Psychedelic Guide

I am a lifelong educator who realizes the power of mindfulness and intuitive journey work. Over years, I have honed my skills of fostering a space in which people can learn and discover from within. As a member and graduate of the credentialing program at The Center for Medicinal Mindfulness in Boulder, Colorado, as well as a Ketamine Guide trainee at Polaris Insight Center and the Ketamine Training Center, I have continued to broaden and deepen my guiding practice.

I believe in the power of trust and connection as a foundation for growth and self actualization. When given the support and safety of the container I help provide, clients have the ability to witness the patterns that do not serve them and be open to a level of compassion and acceptance that allows for profound healing.

Galya S. Lodish, Internist

Galya S. Lodish, MD, MPH is a board-certified Internist who did her residency at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, MA, and has practiced general medicine for over twenty years. She received her undergraduate degree from Princeton University, her medical degree from the University of Texas-Houston and her master’s degree in public health from Harvard School of Public Health. She expanded her practice from general medicine to include research on aging and longevity in 2020, when she joined the Institute for Aging Research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Lodish received her ketamine training at the Ketamine Training Center in 2022. In 2025, she was accepted into an intensive psychotherapy training program at the William Alanson White Institute. Her medical practice is now entirely focused on psychedelic medicine.

Rebecca Victor, Licensed Psychoanalyst

I am a Licensed Psychoanalyst and Nationally Certified Psychoanalyst (NCPsyA) with over 15 years of experience practicing psychoanalysis and psychodynamic psychotherapy with individuals and couples. I believe that understanding our relational patterns (formed in our earliest family experiences) is key to transforming how we connect with others and see ourselves.

My approach centers on helping clients cultivate empathy for themselves while gaining a broader perspective on their relationships. I am an empathetic listener who is both supportive and challenging, creating space for you to step back and examine patterns that may be so ingrained you’ve never questioned them.


Psychoanalysis and psychodynamic psychotherapy foster deep understanding of how we function in relationships. Our relational patterns are vital to how we see ourselves and navigate the world, yet they’re often unconscious. Therapy presents an opportunity to act consciously with others rather than react in ways that lower self esteem and create isolation.

One key benefit of psychodynamic work is receiving supportive, empathetic feedback about your impact on others. This is insight that friends, family, and coworkers may not feel free to share. This knowledge is transformative because it reveals the cause and effect of your interactions, helping you understand what you can control in relationships and how to set boundaries when things feel overwhelming.

My clients report experiencing significant benefit from this holistic view of themselves. With improved understanding of relational dynamics, many feel more connected with family, friends, and coworkers, while others approach interpersonal situations with less anxiety and more ease. They often find that all their relationships improve, not just those they sought help for, because they’re acting more authentically.

In couples work, I provide a safe, neutral environment for partners to explore their relationship, especially during inevitable challenges. I view the partnership as my client, creating space for each individual to examine what they’re contributing to and receiving from the relationship. Together, we work toward reconnection and moving forward, or when appropriate, creating an alliance for more amicable separation.

I hold a Bachelor of Science from the University of Virginia, an MBA from New York University Stern School of Business, and a post master’s certificate in Psychoanalysis and Comprehensive Psychotherapy from the National Institute of the Psychotherapies. I am a training analyst at the National Institute for the Psychotherapies and teach in the Foundations of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Training Program at the Westchester Center for Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy.

Contact Us