Meet Our Staff

Furman Counseling Staff 2022 - 2023
The Furman Counseling Center staff is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and interns in these fields. As a group, we represent a wide variety of professional interests and specializations, including multicultural issues, wellness, sexual identity, women's issues, eating disorders, and social justice. All of us are committed to providing services in ways that recognize, respect, and value the diversity of Barnard students.
Mary Commerford, Ph.D., Director, Furman Counseling
mcommerf@barnard.edu
Education History:
- Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, Fordham University
- M.Div. Ministry, Yale University Divinity School
- A.B. Theology, Philosophy, University of Notre Dame
Professional Interest and Specialties:
- Eating Disorders
- Psychoanalysis
- Spirituality/Religion
- Women and Young Adult concerns
- LGBTQ
Kathleen Niegocki, Ph.D., Associate and Training Director
Education History:
- Postdoctoral Fellowship, Counseling and Psychological Services, Princeton University
- Pre doctoral Fellowship, Counseling and Psychological Services, University of Pennsylvania
- Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, Ball State University
- M.A., Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Social Psychology, Ball State University
- B.A., Psychology, Earlham College
Professional and Research Interests:
- Eating Disorder Specialist
- Eating and body image concerns
- Trauma recovery
- Concerns related to relationships, adjustment, and life transitions
- Cultural and identity concerns
- Positive psychology, mindfulness, and self-care
Christy Dabreo-Otero, Ph.D., Associate Director and Outreach Coordinator
Education History:
- Predoctoral Internship, Kings County Hospital Center
- Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, St. John’s University
- M.A., Clinical Psychology, St. John’s University
- B.A., General Psychology, Baruch College- City University of New York (CUNY)
Professional Interest and Specialties:
- Women’s concerns and issues
- Identity development
- Emotion regulation and coping with anxiety
- Establishing connections and managing relationships
- Emerging adulthood
Julien A. Almonte, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist and BIPOC Liaison
Education History:
- Postdoctoral Fellowship, Counseling and Psychological Services, University of Pennsylvania
- Predoctoral Internship. Counseling and Psychological Services, University of Pennsylvania
- Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York
- M.A., Counseling Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University
- B.A., Psychology, Dartmouth College
Professional and Research Interests:
- Eating and body image concerns
- Body liberation, dismantling weight stigma, and combating fatphobia
- Chronic health conditions
- Grief and loss and existential concerns
- Cultural and identity concerns
- Career and Life Transitions
- Self-esteem development and self-compassion
Elizabeth Mc Innes, LCSW, Staff Psychotherapist & Crisis/Trauma Specialist
Education History:
- MSW, Silberman School of Social Work, CUNY Hunter College
- BA, Anthropology & Latin American Studies, Fordham University
Professional Interests and Specialties:
- Trauma & Crisis Recovery
- LGBTQ+ mental health
- CBT and DBT interventions
- Immigrant and Refugee/Asylum seeker mental health
Christina Liddy, LMSW, Case Manager and Staff Psychotherapist
Education History:
- MSW, School of Social Work, Columbia University
- B.A., Psychology, New York University
Professional and Research Interests:
- Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
- The impact of childhood trauma on adult attachment
- Emerging Adulthood and Life Transitions
Drew Bianchi, M.D., Staff Psychiatrist
Education History:
- Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University
- Residency in Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
- M.D. University at Buffalo School of Medicine
- B.A. Psychology, University at Albany
Professional Specialties:
- Evaluation and treatment of psychiatric illness in adolescents and young adults
- Mindfulness and meditation
- Spirituality
Research Interests:
Clinical applications of mindfulness and spirituality in psychiatry
Kayla Wong Ph.D., Post Doctoral Fellow
Education History:
- Pre Doctoral Internship, Fordham University Counseling and Psychological Services
- Ph.D, School Psychology, Fordham University
- M.S.Ed, Therapeutic Intervention, Fordham University
- B.A., Psychology, Pennsylvania State University
Professional Interests and Specialties:
- Psychodynamic and Liberation Psychotherapy
- BIPOC identity development, wellness and healing
- Racial / Ethnic Microaggressions
- Navigating privilege and systems of oppression
- Emerging Adulthood
Doctoral Externs:
- Brianna A. Baker, Doctoral Candidate
- Tyner Gordon, M.Ed, Doctoral Candidate
- Gideon Nachman, Doctoral Candidate
Administrative Staff:
- Norinda Del Fierro, Department Manager
- Cachaundra Tarvin, Receptionist
Social Work Interns: none this academic year