I am the founder of Serene Psychotherapy (and NeurodiverseCity - coming soon!), specializing in precise assessments tailored for neurodiverse individuals (AD/HD, LD, ASD, OCD, CPTSD). The evaluation process fascinates me as it provides intricate puzzle pieces that elucidate clients' lives: their strengths, weaknesses, and what they should prioritize next, including necessary accommodations at home, work, or school. This aspect of my work resonates with my initial attraction to psychiatric research, minus the lengthy waits for data analysis or funding challenges. Assessments offer validation, instill hope, and pave a clear path forward for individuals and families, a journey I am passionate about guiding. While reactions to findings can sometimes be fraught with frustration, I strive to strike a delicate balance, offering support, empathy, and motivation. Though a lifelong diagnosis can be daunting, there are strategies to mitigate challenges, recognizing the brain's compensatory mechanisms. In my experience, every cognitive weakness uncovers an undiscovered strength.

I balance evaluations with therapy for a curated group of patients. My focus extends beyond AD/HD and LDs to include addressing phobias, panic attacks, relationship dynamics, and recovery from emotionally immature or narcissistic parenting. I integrate psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and dialectical behavioral therapies to tailor treatments. I value coordinated care, consultation, and ongoing research. Many of my patients opt for long-term therapy, although I emphasize flexibility and encourage progression or reduction in sessions as needed. Certain treatments, such as exposure therapy for phobias and panic attacks, typically follow a structured, time-limited approach, aligning with my therapeutic philosophy of promoting efficient and effective outcomes. My patients would describe me as optimistic, warm, insightful and collaborative.

Dana Serino, PhD

Education and Training

  • Clinical Fellowship in Women’s Mental Health - Cognitive Therapy for Women

  • Postdoctoral Fellowship in Neuropsychology - Brooklyn Learning Center

  • PhD in Clinical Psychology, with Distinction - Fairleigh Dickinson University

  • MA in Clinical Psychology - Teachers College, Columbia University

    Publications

  • Peterson, B.S., Rosen, T.S., Dingman, S., Toth, Z., Swardekar, S., Hao, X., Liu, F., Xu, D., Zhengchao, D., Peterson, J.B., Ryu, J.H., Serino, D., Branch, C., Bansal, R. (2020). Associations of maternal prenatal drug abuse with measures on newborn brain structure, tissue organization, and metabolite concentrations. JAMA Pediatrics, 174(9), 831-842.

  • Serino, D., Peterson, B. S., & Rosen, T. S. (2018). Psychological functioning of women taking illicit drugs during pregnancy and the growth and development of their offspring in early childhood. Journal of Dual Diagnosis, 14(3), 158-170.

  • M. N., Serino, D., Bansal, R., Hao, X., Nati, G., Toth, Z., … Peterson, B.S. (2015). Morphological features of the neonatal brain following exposure to regional anesthesia during labor and delivery. Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 33(2), 213-221.

Dr. Clark earned her PsyD. from Georgian Court University. She has extensive experience counseling adolescents and their patents as a school psychologist. She has vast experience working with adolescents on a wide range of issues that are impacting them at home, school, and socially. Her experience includes working with children with diagnoses of AD/HD, depression, anxiety, trauma, and school/social related fears. She is adept at connecting with adolescents and meeting them where they are. She has a particular drive to support the parents providing them the care they need while coaching them as they help their child. She has addressed local chapters of NAMI and parent groups and lead research on the topic of supporting parents of children with mental health disorders. In addition, she works as an adjunct professor at Georgian Court University teaching courses on Cognition, Biology of the Brain, Psychology of Learning, and undergraduate research. Her approach to therapy is one of empathy, non-judgment and affirming the client. She utilizes a combined approach of mindfulness, person centered and cognitive-behavioral therapies.

Christine Clark, PsyD

Education and Training

  • Psy.D. in School Psychology, Georgian Court University

  • Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study, School Psychology at Georgian Court University

  • MA in School Psychology, Georgian Court University

    Publications

  • Clark, C. L. (2022). Parent Experiences of Grief when Caring for a Child with a Diagnosed Mental Health Disorder (Order No. 29390304). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (2718154886).

  • Brown, T.J. & Clark, C. (2017). Employed parent of children with disabilities and work life family balance: A literature review. Child Youth Care Forum. doi:10.1007/s10566-017-9407-0

  • Ponton, R., Brown, T., McDonnell, B., Clark, C., Pepe, J., & Deykerhoff, M. (2014). Vocational perception: A mixed-method investigation of calling. The Psychologist-Manager Journal, 17(3), 182-204.

Angela Candrilli is a 3rd year doctoral student at Fairleigh Dickinson's Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program. She has clinical experience and interest in working with individuals with autism. She has a background in neuropsychological evaluations for children and adults with diagnoses ranging from genetic disorders and concussions to neurodevelopmental disorders, including AD/HD, learning disorders, and intellectual disabilities. At Serene Psychotherapy, she works as a psychology technician, performing neuropsychological and psychoeducational evaluations in our Westchester and Manhattan offices.

Angela Candrilli

Education and Training

  • Clinical Psychology Ph.D (in progress), Fairleigh Dickinson University

  • B.A. in Psychology (Applied Behavioral Analysis Track), SUNY Binghamton University

  • Psychology Extern at Cohen Children’s Medical Center, Dept of Pediatric Neurology

    Publications

  • Grosso, M., Morton, H., Candrilli, A., Romanczyk, R., & Mattson, JG (2022). Factors influencing age of diagnosis with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Implications for equity in the diagnostic process. 

Alyssa Cangemi is a 4th-year doctoral student in Fairleigh Dickinson's Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program. She has clinical experience and an interest in working with individuals with mood disorders and trauma-related disorders. She has a background in neuropsychological evaluations for children and adults with diagnoses ranging from AD/HD and learning disabilities to neurocognitive disorders, such as dementia. At Serene Psychotherapy, she works as a psychology technician, performing neuropsychological and psychoeducational evaluations at our Manhattan office. 

Alyssa Cangemi

Education and Training

  • Clinical Psychology Ph.D. (in progress), Fairleigh Dickinson University  

  • B.S. in Psychology and Biology, University of Massachusetts – Amherst 

  • Psychology Extern at OMHNY South Beach Psychiatric Center’s Power Center 

  • Psychology Extern at VA New York Harbor Healthcare