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WHO WE ARE
Meena Dasari, PhD
Founder and Clinical Director
Meena Dasari, Ph.D brings 20 years of experience helping children, families, and adults to her practice. Dr. Dasari specializes in practical applications of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to effectively treat anxiety symptoms, especially for complex cases.
Dr. Dasari's professional and educational background led her to develop an expertise in evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy. For over 10 years, she worked as a Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU School of Medicine and Bellevue Hospital Center. She supervised psychiatry residents in the Department of Psychiatry, served as a therapist in the Department of Pediatrics, and consulted on research projects in several medical departments. Prior to this position, Dr. Dasari began her career in New York City with her Post Doctoral Fellowship at NYU Child Study Center. She completed a Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Case Western Reserve University, where she obtained specialized coursework in pediatric psychology. Dr. Dasari holds a B.S. from the University of Michigan.
Dr. Dasari has a strong clinical psychology presence both nationally and internationally. She has published numerous articles, has presented at conferences, and has been featured in interviews about current mental health topics in the United States. Also, Dr. Dasari holds an Adjunct Assistant Professor position at Case Western Reserve University (her alma mater) to develop Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy (CBPT), which is a novel treatment approach for young children ages 3-8. Her CBPT work with Dr. Susan Knell is recognized internationally. In addition, Dr. Dasari contributes to child mental health globally by supporting organizations such as Doctors without Borders and International Rescue Committee.
Cara Spitalewitz, PhD
Associate
Cara Spitalewitz, Ph.D is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in evaluation and evidence-based treatment for children, adolescents, and young adults. She brings her solid expertise in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and parent management training (PMT) to the practice when treating anxiety, depression, ADHD, and trauma.
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Dr. Spitalewitz joins us with excellent CBT experience. She previously worked as a psychologist at the Child & Adolescent Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic at Bellevue Hospital Center and served as a Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU School of Medicine where Dr. Spitalewitz supervised psychology trainees as well as psychiatry fellows. Dr. Spitalewitz completed her Post Doctoral training at Bellevue Hospital Center and her internship at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She received a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Long Island University - Brooklyn. She also holds an Ed.M. in Human Development & Psychology from Harvard University, where she was an Urban Scholar, and a B.A. in English Literature from Columbia University graduating summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa.
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Dr. Spitalewitz is currently an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medical Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
Shira Kafker, PsyD
Associate
Shira Kafker, PsyD is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in helping families strengthen relationships and manage children’s difficult behaviors. She also brings her extensive experience in supporting individuals to overcome anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Dr. Kafker’s educational background and clinical training focused on integrating cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic, and parent-child therapies to provide effective treatments to individuals and families. She completed her undergraduate studies at Binghamton University, where she graduated with high honors in psychology. She earned her doctorate from Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University/Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She completed her pre-doctoral training at Northwell Health's Zucker Hillside Hospital, Jamaica Medical Center, and Maimonides Medical Center. She continued on to complete both pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship at Andrus Children's Center in Yonkers, New York.
Dr. Kakfer brings a high level of expertise in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and Parent-Child CARE (PC-CARE) to the practice. She is certified in both interventions and, given her strong knowledge base and clinical skills, has provided supervision and PCIT training to psychologists, social workers, and mental health counselors in multiple settings. Dr. Kafker currently holds an Adjunct Professor position at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology.
Rachel Matoto, Psy.D
Associate
Rachel Matoto, PsyD is a licensed clinical psychologist who brings over 15 years of experience and an international background to our practice. Dr. Matoto has worked with children, adolescents and their families to treat a diverse range of anxiety, mood, learning, and behavioral difficulties. Her treatment approach integrates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with client-centered techniques to provide individualized, comprehensive care. Dr. Matoto is fluent in both French and English and offers therapy in either language.
Dr. Matoto developed expertise in CBT in both school and clinical settings. She completed her undergraduate studies in developmental and clinical psychology at the University of Geneva, Switzerland. After moving to New York, she earned her Psy.D. in Combined School-Clinical Child Psychology from the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University/Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She completed her predoctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn where she remained to serve as a staff psychologist and clinical supervisor. For the past decade, Dr. Matoto worked as a school psychologist in New York City private schools, emphasizing a multi-system approach to maximize her students' success across various environments.
Dr. Matoto offers unique expertise in integrating child and adolescent CBT treatment into family and school systems. She currently holds a school psychologist position at United Nations International school.