About Us
Dr. Tyson Furr - Director
The son of an Experimental and School Psychologist, Dr. Furr grew up in an
environment that encouraged curiosity about and the application of knowledge and the humanities to help individuals attain their goals in life. Dr. Furr has worked in a diverse set of clinical settings, from virtually all parts of society and has taught classes in Mindfulness, Relationships and Social Psychology.
Dr. Furr has helped men and women of all sexual orientation with eating disorders, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, psychotic disorders, marital difficulties and sexual trauma. Dr. Furr has also helped combat veterans overcome Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and remains committed to helping veterans recover and adjust to life after military service.
Dr. Furr graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from the University of California at Santa Cruz, where he participated in conducting research in Social Psychology and studied under the noted Social Psychologist Elliot Aronson. There, Dr. Furr learned the factors of attraction in relationships, the danger of distorted self-justifying when one does not live according to one's values, the powerful influence of environment on individuals behavior, and the importance of awareness of one's bias in social situations...READ MORE
environment that encouraged curiosity about and the application of knowledge and the humanities to help individuals attain their goals in life. Dr. Furr has worked in a diverse set of clinical settings, from virtually all parts of society and has taught classes in Mindfulness, Relationships and Social Psychology.
Dr. Furr has helped men and women of all sexual orientation with eating disorders, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, psychotic disorders, marital difficulties and sexual trauma. Dr. Furr has also helped combat veterans overcome Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and remains committed to helping veterans recover and adjust to life after military service.
Dr. Furr graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from the University of California at Santa Cruz, where he participated in conducting research in Social Psychology and studied under the noted Social Psychologist Elliot Aronson. There, Dr. Furr learned the factors of attraction in relationships, the danger of distorted self-justifying when one does not live according to one's values, the powerful influence of environment on individuals behavior, and the importance of awareness of one's bias in social situations...READ MORE
Dr. Magamet Borlakov
Magamet R. Borlakov, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and supervisor at Herald Square Psychology. Dr. Borlakov understands that therapeutic needs are shaped by a person’s unique cultural worldview and experiences. He considers race, ethnicity, culture, religion, sex, gender,sexual orientation, and class when working to tailor treatment for adult clients. Dr. Borlakov has been trained in psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), humanistic therapy, and motivational interviewing. He has received specialized training in LGBTQ mental health counseling.
Dr. Borlakov earned his B.A. in Psychology and Women’s/Gender Studies from Rutgers University and continued his studies at the New School for Social Research where he earned his M.A. in general psychology. Dr. Borlakov sought out a culturally informed doctoral program and completed his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology in San Francisco. Dr. Borlakov completed his doctoral internship at the James J. Peters Veterans Administration Medical Center in the Bronx, NY. He completed his postdoctoral hours as a psychology fellow in the Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic at the Bellevue Hospital Center in NYC. Dr. Borlakov’s training experiences have included residential substance abuse treatment, neuropsychological assessment, cognitive remediation, individual/group therapies, and community mental health.
Dr. Borlakov’s diverse training experiences and culturally informed clinical approach allow him to provide a therapeutic experience that is empathic, non-judgmental, and safe.
Dr. Borlakov earned his B.A. in Psychology and Women’s/Gender Studies from Rutgers University and continued his studies at the New School for Social Research where he earned his M.A. in general psychology. Dr. Borlakov sought out a culturally informed doctoral program and completed his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology in San Francisco. Dr. Borlakov completed his doctoral internship at the James J. Peters Veterans Administration Medical Center in the Bronx, NY. He completed his postdoctoral hours as a psychology fellow in the Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic at the Bellevue Hospital Center in NYC. Dr. Borlakov’s training experiences have included residential substance abuse treatment, neuropsychological assessment, cognitive remediation, individual/group therapies, and community mental health.
Dr. Borlakov’s diverse training experiences and culturally informed clinical approach allow him to provide a therapeutic experience that is empathic, non-judgmental, and safe.
Dr. Yishai Barkhordari
My clients are met first and foremost with understanding of their needs and who they are. Open-minded curiosity and unconditional caring form the foundation of our work to clearly formulate and best address their needs together.
Sometimes we simply need a few strategies to cope with life's challenges. Other times, something deeper may feel like it is missing, or aspects of our past and present relationships, feelings, and thoughts are at play. Making connections between the past and present in a safe, therapeutic space often reduces the hold that our past may have on us.
For couples, aspects of each partner interact with one another and may at times result in frustrating or challenging interactions, patterns, and experiences. Learning to skillfully identify and address your own and your partner's complex wants, needs, emotions, and reactions is the key to lasting joy and love.
As a licensed psychologist at Herald Square Psychology, I bring years of clinical experience working with children, college students, and adults from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds on issues ranging from anxiety, depression, and substance use to sexual orientation, intimacy, and parenting. I earned my B.A. from Yeshiva University, and my M.S. and PhD. degrees from Fordham University.
Sometimes we simply need a few strategies to cope with life's challenges. Other times, something deeper may feel like it is missing, or aspects of our past and present relationships, feelings, and thoughts are at play. Making connections between the past and present in a safe, therapeutic space often reduces the hold that our past may have on us.
For couples, aspects of each partner interact with one another and may at times result in frustrating or challenging interactions, patterns, and experiences. Learning to skillfully identify and address your own and your partner's complex wants, needs, emotions, and reactions is the key to lasting joy and love.
As a licensed psychologist at Herald Square Psychology, I bring years of clinical experience working with children, college students, and adults from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds on issues ranging from anxiety, depression, and substance use to sexual orientation, intimacy, and parenting. I earned my B.A. from Yeshiva University, and my M.S. and PhD. degrees from Fordham University.
Dr. Tara Brennan
Tara Brennan, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist at Herald Square Psychology. Her approach to psychotherapy is integrated – dependent on each client’s goals and presenting problems. She has an active, collaborative approach to treatment. Dr. Brennan incorporates treatment interventions from multiple modalities, relying most heavily on Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Psychodynamic approaches. She specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, interpersonal difficulties, adult survivors of early trauma, adult ADHD, multicultural issues, life transitions, and sleep difficulties... READ MORE
Dr. Christina Gille
Dr. Gille is a post-doctoral psychology resident at Herald Square Psychology. Dr. Gille completed her undergraduate studies in New York, earning an A.S. in Criminal Justice from Nassau Community College and her B.A. in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Dr. Gille continued on to graduate studies, earning her M.A. and PsyD. in Clinical Forensic Psychology from Alliant International University in San Diego, California...READ MORE
Dr. Vena Budhan
Vena Budhan, Ph.D., earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from Palo Alto University with a concentration in clinical neuroscience and women's health through a consortium program with Stanford University School of Medicine. Prior to pursuing her doctoral studies in the San Francisco Bay Area, Dr. Budhan received her B.A. in psychology from Hofstra University on Long Island and her M.A. in general psychology from The New School for Social Research in New York City. Dr. Budhan’s approach to treatment is integrated and individually tailored to meet the specific immediate and long-term goals of each patient. She incorporates treatment modalities from numerous evidence-based approaches in order to provide the highest quality care... READ MORE
Dr. Michael Zwirblia
Sometimes we encounter challenging moments in our lives that bring us to therapy so that we can find a way to cope or think about the challenge differently. Most importantly, we need a place to feel safe and accepted while we talk through these challenges. The therapeutic relationship is one that supports change, encourages growth and new perspectives, and is a testing ground for new ways of managing and expressing feelings. The change begins in therapy and spreads to other areas of your relationships such that you have the potential to feel more in control, valued, and genuine in your life’s pursuits.
My years of experience that led up to a post-doctoral residency at Herald Square Psychology include helping a wide variety of people in a number of different settings from private practice and a psychiatric unit to community mental health. I have treated children, parents, couples, adults, and clients of many ethnic and racial, gender, and sexual identities with challenges of being in crisis, fearing abandonment and rejection, relationship distress, anxiety, and depression. I earned a bachelor of arts degree from American International College, and a master of science degree and a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Carlos Albizu University in Miami, FL.
Dr. Olivia Wu
Dr. Wu has had a long-time interest in psychology in both research and clinical areas. Dr. Wu graduated from Carnegie Mellon University, studying psychology and biology, and the clinical psychology PhD program at Long Island University, Brooklyn campus. She has also worked at the National Institute of Mental Health in a neuroscience lab. In these experiences, Dr. Wu has learned to combine biology and neuroscience intertwined with object relational theory to help her patients with coping skills in depression and anxiety, attachment issues, and relationship problems. Dr. Wu is integrative in that she thinks of her clients in a psychodynamic way and uses both insight oriented therapy as well as CBT skills to help alleviate her clients’ symptoms. She also uses Buddhist psychology in her practice. Dr. Wu finds that in many clients, regardless of the symptoms, nonacceptance of the true self can feel particularly distressing in contexts that trigger these feelings. The idea is to help the client “let go” of the anxiety and build an observing ego. From there, therapy can then start to help the client grow and change... READ MORE
Carol Pauls
Whether you are looking to therapy for help in overcoming difficult challenges and symptoms in your life or simply for self-exploration, therapy can be life changing. I am a hands-on active therapist who is not afraid to roll up my sleeves and get to work. I will seek to give you real, concrete takeaways in order to help jumpstart meaningful change. I work from a collaborative approach to build a unique relationship with each individual in an environment of safety and trust. Whether it is focusing on painful feelings, relationships, difficult life transitions, creative blocks, stress, or healing from challenging life experiences, my goal is to help you discover the obstacles that block positive growth while building on your strengths within a healing relationship... READ MORE
Mary Mercandetti
Helping others learn about themselves by exploring underlying aspects is an important part in achieving a sense of fulfillment and freedom from emotional suffering. Helping others discover themselves and grow into the best version of themselves is something I am very passionate about. I provide a nonjudgmental, safe, and empathic atmosphere that allows each person to explore and overcome their inner struggles.
I have worked with people who have a diverse range of issues, including those related to sexual orientation, gender identity, relationship struggles, family problems, substance abuse, and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. I have worked with children as young as 5, adolescents, adults, and families. Couples and Family Therapy is something that I am particularly interested in.
I have worked with people who have a diverse range of issues, including those related to sexual orientation, gender identity, relationship struggles, family problems, substance abuse, and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. I have worked with children as young as 5, adolescents, adults, and families. Couples and Family Therapy is something that I am particularly interested in.
K.C. Maloney
K.C. Maloney, LMSW is a social worker at Herald Square Psychology. She believes that therapy should be client-centered and rooted in a biopsychosocial understanding of an individual, including that individual’s culture and identities. To achieve this, K.C. integrates techniques from evidence-based treatments such as Psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavioral therapies, as well as Motivational Interviewing techniques, to assist clients in reaching their self-identified goals. K.C. works with clients to establish a strong therapeutic relationship that is validating, supportive, and nonjudgmental.
K.C. received her MSW from Columbia University School of Social Work and is a Licensed Master Social Worker in New York State. As a social worker, K.C. has practiced crisis stabilization with children and adolescents, provided psychotherapy for adults managing mental illness and life stressors, and served as a medical social worker assisting patients and their families in navigating medical illness as well as psychosocial challenges.
K.C. received her MSW from Columbia University School of Social Work and is a Licensed Master Social Worker in New York State. As a social worker, K.C. has practiced crisis stabilization with children and adolescents, provided psychotherapy for adults managing mental illness and life stressors, and served as a medical social worker assisting patients and their families in navigating medical illness as well as psychosocial challenges.
Jennifer Brick
Therapy can be a place to find meaning, overcome a challenge, or gain emotional support. Regardless your reason for seeking counseling, I applaud your courage. Choosing to enter therapy can be difficult but I am here to show you that you are not alone in your healing process. Using relationship-based, strength-focused psychotherapy, I create a safe and supportive environment to allow my patients to feel comfort and ease as they find the power to overcome adversities.
I earned my B.A. in sociology at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA and continued my education at Erikson Institute in Chicago, IL where I obtained my Masters in Social Work with a Children and Families Concentration. I have experience working with men, women, and children from diverse backgrounds, sexual orientations, socioeconomic statuses and physical abilities. I have assisted individuals faced with grief, interpersonal difficulties, depression, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, severe medical diagnoses and parental stress. I use Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing to help guide you toward your goals.
I earned my B.A. in sociology at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA and continued my education at Erikson Institute in Chicago, IL where I obtained my Masters in Social Work with a Children and Families Concentration. I have experience working with men, women, and children from diverse backgrounds, sexual orientations, socioeconomic statuses and physical abilities. I have assisted individuals faced with grief, interpersonal difficulties, depression, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, severe medical diagnoses and parental stress. I use Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing to help guide you toward your goals.
Abigail Ruth
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York State. I have worked in various settings and capacities helping individuals from diverse backgrounds with depression, anxiety, stress, addictions, low self-esteem, relationship challenges, career concerns, and life transitions. In my work I find it useful to draw on a variety of clinical perspectives as each client brings to the process a unique set of needs, strengths, and goals. I love helping clients get unstuck from the patterns they live and relive over and over, whether it be in their jobs, families, relationships, or even inside their own heads. READ MORE...
Thomas Fleming
I believe in the innate regenerative capacity of every individual. With an empathetic, understanding and highly skilled therapist positive change and growth can occur. The therapeutic alliance is crucial for a client to feel trust in the process. My goal is to assist clients to find what might be holding them back and provide interventions to cultivate growth. Every client brings a unique and deeply complex self into therapy. An effective therapist should be able to assess a client’s needs and respond with culturally sensitive, evidenced based and timely interventions to facilitate the client in meeting his/her goals.
Xiao Ling
Xiao believes there’s no single approach fits in everyone’s needs. Rather, she emphasizes the incorporation of different approaches including psychodynamic, relational, and CBT depending on the presenting problems, treatment goals, and cultural backgrounds of the individuals. She values the therapeutic alliance in treatment and approaches her clients in a warm, accepting, and supportive way. In addition, Xiao believes it is the therapeutic relationship itself facilitates the changing process of the individual. Given her training in both Taiwan and the US as well as her own experience as a minority in the US, Xiao has brought the unique experience of working with individuals from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. She understands that seeking psychotherapy can be challenging for many people, but she would love to accompany her clients throughout the whole journey. READ MORE...
Dr. Joshua Haag
Dr. Haag works with adults experiencing a variety of difficulties. These include relationship problems, anxiety, depression, difficulties adjusting to life transitions, loss, and trauma. He provides compassionate care, fostering a safe and supportive environment. This lends itself to a collaborative therapeutic process by which clients become enabled to work through their difficulties and engage in life in more fulfilling and satisfying ways.
Dr. Haag is committed to helping clients achieve lasting change and meaningful personal growth using a therapeutic approach that integrates a relational foundation with process-based cognitive behavioral therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness/compassion focussed paradigms. This involves helping clients process past experiences, gain increased self-awareness, develop increased self-compassion, shed unhelpful habits, and confidently move forward in positive life directions. READ MORE...
Dr. Haag is committed to helping clients achieve lasting change and meaningful personal growth using a therapeutic approach that integrates a relational foundation with process-based cognitive behavioral therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness/compassion focussed paradigms. This involves helping clients process past experiences, gain increased self-awareness, develop increased self-compassion, shed unhelpful habits, and confidently move forward in positive life directions. READ MORE...
Dr. Clare Campbell
Clare Campbell, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral psychology resident at Herald Square Psychology. Dr. Campbell’s approach to therapy is client-centered and integrative, adapting to the individual needs of each client within the context of a safe and responsive therapeutic relationship. She specializes in working with adults seeking help with interpersonal difficulties, life transitions, depression, anxiety, childhood trauma, and chronic pain. Dr. Campbell utilizes interventions informed by Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy, as well as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. This means that treatment emphasizes here-and-now experiences to help clients identify, face, and change long-standing emotional and behavioral patterns.
Dr. Campbell obtained her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Syracuse University. She completed an APA-accredited internship at the Albany Psychology Internship Consortium, which included training in community mental health, a VA medical center, and an inpatient psychiatric hospital. Training across a variety of settings has fostered Dr. Campbell’s ability to meet each client with understanding and acceptance, while also challenging them to work toward a healthier, more authentic version of themselves.
Dr. Campbell obtained her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Syracuse University. She completed an APA-accredited internship at the Albany Psychology Internship Consortium, which included training in community mental health, a VA medical center, and an inpatient psychiatric hospital. Training across a variety of settings has fostered Dr. Campbell’s ability to meet each client with understanding and acceptance, while also challenging them to work toward a healthier, more authentic version of themselves.
Jie Zhao, MA, EdM, MHC-LP
Born and raised in China, Jie has always been interested in how people become who they are in relationship to other people and their environment. Jie completed her Bachelor of Arts and Science degree in Honours Cognitive Science at McGill University in Canada. She then moved to New York to continue her studies at Columbia University and received her Master of Arts and Master of Education degrees in Mental Health Counseling. Jie had past clinical experiences at Hamilton-Madison House and Fordham University Counseling and Psychological Services.
Jie has been trained in several modalities including ACT Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Rational-Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) and Multicultural Counseling. Jie utilizes techniques from various approaches and incorporates both Western and Eastern philosophies to better understand her clients. Besides psychotherapy, Jie is also an actor at New York Mandarin Playback, where she integrates psychology and acting to provide a different perspective for emotion expression and body movements. Jie provides psychotherapy in both English and Mandarin. Areas of clinical experiences include anxiety, depression, identity issues, relationship difficulties, self-esteem and family distress.
Jie has been trained in several modalities including ACT Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Rational-Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) and Multicultural Counseling. Jie utilizes techniques from various approaches and incorporates both Western and Eastern philosophies to better understand her clients. Besides psychotherapy, Jie is also an actor at New York Mandarin Playback, where she integrates psychology and acting to provide a different perspective for emotion expression and body movements. Jie provides psychotherapy in both English and Mandarin. Areas of clinical experiences include anxiety, depression, identity issues, relationship difficulties, self-esteem and family distress.
Jenna Schleien, PhD
I am a postdoctoral psychology resident who provides therapy for adults and adolescents. I’m glad that you’ve come to a place where you’re acknowledging where you are and are thinking about making a change. Like so many people, you may feel stuck in your life or unfulfilled in the realms of love or work. You may find yourself feeling exasperated in dating or relationships, repeating the same old patterns, or struggling to overcome something from your past. You may feel emotionally off balance, whether that’s anxious, lonely, insecure, angry, depressed, or all of the above. You may feel like you haven’t been able to live up to your potential, or you may just want to get to know yourself better. I can help. Together, we will navigate the challenging and exciting process of becoming more self-aware, which will open up your possibilities for thinking, feeling, and behaving in new ways. READ MORE...
Tomasz Skiba, PhD
Tomasz Skiba is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in providing empowering therapy for adults of all ages and backgrounds. Dr. Skiba values diversity, individuality, authenticity, acceptance, and compassion. Dr. Skiba builds professional relationship with clients by establishing safety, trust and openness. Dr. Skiba sees clients with a broad range of difficulties such as personal growth struggles, work stress, stress, health & wellness, anxiety, depression, men's sexual dysfunction, and many others. Dr. Skiba utilizes a client-centered approach to create an individual plan consisting of a variety of therapeutic modalities to promote change, growth, awareness, and empowerment. READ MORE...
Shani Grunsfeld, PhD
Shani Grunsfeld, PhD, is a postdoctoral psychology resident at Herald Square Psychology. Dr. Grunsfeld’s approach to therapy is integrative, drawing on elements of object relations to help a client understand their context, cognitive behavioral therapy to allow the client to develop meaningful coping strategies, and humanistic therapy to reset a client’s expectations about him or herself as well as the world at large, all within a warm, unconditional and empathic setting.
Shani specializes in working with adults seeking help with interpersonal difficulties, dating and significant-other conflict and resolution, depression, anxiety, family conflict, particularly for recent immigrant families and their offspring.
Dr. Grunsfeld obtained her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Fielding Graduate University. She completed an APA-accredited internship at Yeshiva University, which included running anxiety and stress reduction group therapy for law school students. Having gained experience working across a variety of business and legal settings, Dr. Grunsfeld is uniquely attuned to the demands and elevated stress levels prevalent within the real estate and investment banking sectors.
Dr Grunsfeld is an associate professor at Touro College in NYC, as well as a Post-Doc fellow in Research at Fielding Graduate University, where she has several studies in various stages of publication in the areas of parent-infant attachment, intergenerational transmission of child-sexual abuse, and EBT for borderline personality disorder.
Shani specializes in working with adults seeking help with interpersonal difficulties, dating and significant-other conflict and resolution, depression, anxiety, family conflict, particularly for recent immigrant families and their offspring.
Dr. Grunsfeld obtained her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Fielding Graduate University. She completed an APA-accredited internship at Yeshiva University, which included running anxiety and stress reduction group therapy for law school students. Having gained experience working across a variety of business and legal settings, Dr. Grunsfeld is uniquely attuned to the demands and elevated stress levels prevalent within the real estate and investment banking sectors.
Dr Grunsfeld is an associate professor at Touro College in NYC, as well as a Post-Doc fellow in Research at Fielding Graduate University, where she has several studies in various stages of publication in the areas of parent-infant attachment, intergenerational transmission of child-sexual abuse, and EBT for borderline personality disorder.