Christopher M. Bogart, PhD, is the Executive Director of the Southfield Center for Development. He is a licensed clinical psychologist who has worked in both the private and public sectors for the past twenty years. Dr. Bogart works with children, adolescents and parents, conducting comprehensive psychoeducational and AD/HD evaluations as well as therapy services. He also provides program consultations to local schools, as well as supervision to doctoral students in psychology. In addition, Dr. Bogart serves as the School Psychologist at the New Canaan Country School.

Prior to founding The Southfield Center, Dr. Bogart held various clinical positions including staff psychologist at the Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City and Director of Psychology at the Rockland Children's Psychiatric Center in Orangeburg, New York. While serving as director, Dr. Bogart organized and administered an American Psychological Association approved externship training program for clinical psychology and social work graduate students. He supervised staff psychologists on children's and adolescent inpatient units and he devised a hospital-wide behavior modification program for the children. Dr. Bogart has provided numerous classes, lectures and training programs on various topics such as parent education, executive functions assessment and coaching, psychological testing, and stress management. He has also conducted research studies in various areas including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Social Skills Training, and depression in children.

Dr. Bogart received his undergraduate training at Georgetown University and received his doctoral degree from The American University in 1986.

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Gina Bria is the Business Manager at the Southfield Center for Development, and is responsible for financial planning, accounting, and operations management efforts. She brings over 25 years of experience working in the financial industry, and has held positions at DaimlerChrysler Capital Services, Barclays Capital Incorporated, Manufacturers Hanover Leasing, and Mastercard International. She received her MBA in Finance from Iona College, and her Bachelor of Science in Finance from Central Connecticut State University.

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Jeffrey DeTeso, PhD, is the Clinical Director of Therapeutic Services at the Southfield Center for Development. He is a Certified School Psychologist with extensive experience in both school settings and private practice. Dr. DeTeso provides psychoeducational evaluations as well as therapy/counseling for children and their families.

In addition, Dr. DeTeso currently serves as a School Psychologist for Greenwich High School. There, his responsibilities include psychoeducational evaluations, counseling, staff consultation, and developing and monitoring Functional Behavior Assessments, Behavioral Intervention Plans, Individualized Education Plans, and Response to Intervention programs. He has been trained in, and practices, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Interpersonal Therapy. Dr. DeTeso has guest lectured at Long Island University's school psychology and counseling graduate programs. In addition, he teaches Columbia University Teachers College Ph.D. candidates how to administer, score, and interpret the Rorschach, a social-emotional projective test.

Prior to getting his School Psychology Certificate, Dr. DeTeso worked for nine years as an elementary teacher at the Greenwich Country Day School. He received his B.A. from Williams College, and his Ed.M. and Ph.D. degrees from Columbia University, Teachers College.

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Dr. Timothy Heitzman is the Clinical Director of Diagnostic Services at the Southfield Center for Development. He is a neuropsychologist with expertise in concussions/brain injury, developmental neuropsychology and neurodevelopmental disorders, including AD/HD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, developmental delay, learning disorders, and children with generally challenging social and behavioral concerns.

Dr. Heitzman's educational background includes a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from Loyola University in Baltimore, MD and a doctorate in School Psychology from the University of Rhode Island, where he specialized in the neuropsychology of development and attention disorders.

In addition to his doctoral work, he received training and clinical supervision in neuropsychology, rehabilitation and pediatric psychology at major institutions, including Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore; Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, NYC; and Boston Children's Hospital-Harvard Medical School. Following his postdoctoral fellowship training he continued to work professionally at Boston Children's Hospital, supervising pediatricians and psychologists, and providing outpatient neuropsychological services to families and schools. Prior to joining the Southfield Center, Dr. Heitzman was a full-time professor of Psychology at Fairfield University for seven years, teaching courses in Human Neuropsychology, Developmental Psychology and Tests and Measurements, and conducting clinical research on the diagnosis of concussions in young adult populations. He continues to be an active lecturer in communities, presenting to parents and teachers on topics related to child development, developmental disorders and the neuropsychology of learning.

Dr. Heitzman and his wife have four young children.

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In her role as Managing Director, Ann McCarthy is responsible for the Southfield Center's strategic and business planning efforts. She holds an MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University, and worked for over a decade in marketing and public relations prior to entering the field of special education advocacy. Ann is the also the founder of Advocacy for Kids, which became the education advocacy arm of The Southfield Center in October 2009. She has provided advocacy services to over 200 Connecticut families, and supervises the Center's advocacy team.

In addition to her direct work with schools and parents, Ann has completed hundreds of hours of training related to special education advocacy. She has presented to a number of groups regarding effective advocacy strategies, including the Association of School Nurses in Connecticut, SPED*NET Wilton, Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities, and at the 2011 School Health Conference of the Connecticut Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Ann is a member of the Council of Parent Attorneys
and Advocates and the Council of Exceptional Children.
She resides in Fairfield, Connecticut, with her husband
and two children.

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Virginia Ayres is a psychotherapist who works with
children and adults, both individually and in group
therapy. She has experience in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and self esteem issues. In addition, she is a
licensed addiction counselor, and also has experience in stress/anger management.

Ginny's approach to therapy is collaborative and eclectic. She practices Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and other evidence-based treatments. Ginny also incorporates mindfulness and other select practices from Imago Therapy into her treatment approach. She earned her undergraduate degree at Dickinson College, and her Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling at Fordham University's Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education. Ginny is the mother of four teenage children.

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Mary Beth Buckwald, MS, CCC/SLP is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist, who has over 20 years of experience working with clients diagnosed with a variety of speech and language disorders. Prior to her private practice, she was employed by Fairfield Public Schools. She has built an array of professional experiences from Honey Hill Care Center (Norwalk Hospital Affiliate), New Medico Rehabilitation Center, Little Village School for Developmentally Disabled Children (NY), and Southern Connecticut State University (adjunct faculty). She received a Bachelor of Science degree at Ithaca College and earned her Master's degree at Southern Connecticut State University. Mary Beth has expertise in autism and related spectrum disorders, apraxia, language delays/disorders, learning disabilities, social and executive function difficulties.

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Paige Barbour Davis is an Executive Functions Coach. She has completed extensive training in executive function remediation, has done coursework at the Windward School, and has attended numerous workshops on special education instruction and advocacy. She is extensively involved in the Greenwich Public Schools as a parent leader, volunteer and participant in many vital District Task Forces.

For the past 14 years, Paige has been a member of the Special Education Support Committee of the Greenwich PTA Council, four of those years as Co-Chair. She is the parent of a daughter with learning disabilities and has first hand knowledge of the struggles of students and parents of children with special needs. Paige is a graduate of Colgate University.

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Stephen Dulski, PsyD, provides psychoeducational evaluations and therapy services to children and adolescents. He received his doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University in Washington, DC. In 2010, Dr. Dulski completed an APA accredited internship program at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, New York. He served as a psychology associate at a neuropsychological assessment facility named William R. Stixrud, PhD and Associates, as a neuropsychology extern at Children's National Medical Center in the Pediatric Neuropsychology Department, and as a therapy extern at DC Superior Court in the Child Guidance Clinic. Dr. Dulski was previously employed as a psychiatric technician at Stamford Hospital and as a clinician at Creative Therapies in Stamford, Connecticut. Prior to obtaining his doctoral degree, he received a Masters of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology from Columbia University, Teachers College, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of Connecticut.

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Heather is a certified occupational therapist who has over a decade of experience. She received her Bachelor of Science, Health Sciences from the University of New England in 2001, and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of New England in 2002. She has extensive training in sensory integration, oral motor/feeding, and fine motor/handwriting. Heather has provided occupational therapy in numerous settings including Birth to Three / Early Intervention, elementary and middle school, and out-patient pediatric services. She has experience with a variety of diagnoses including but not limited to, Traumatic Brain Injury, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Rett Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Dyspraxia, seizure disorders and a variety of genetic syndromes. Currently, she contracts with Angelfish Therapy and has her own private practice providing pediatric therapy and running groups at The Pilot House, in homes, at schools and other natural environments.

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Abby is a Registered Dietitian with more than 15 years experience helping adults and children prevent disease, improve their health and lose weight through good nutrition. She provides nutrition counseling to a wide variety of clients, and specializes in medical nutrition therapy and weight management.

Abby's nutrition career began in New York City as a Clinical and Ambulatory Care Nutritionist at Hospital For Special Surgery. She was later the nutritionist for the ALS Center at Beth Israel Medical Center, and she also provided nutrition counseling for members of New York Sports Club. As a result of Abby's passion for improving the health of children, she served four years as a member of the Food Service Advisory Committee for the Westport School district. She received undergraduate degree from Clark University, and her M.S. in Nutrition from Hunter College.

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Laura Jeffries is a Certified School Psychologist who conducts psychoeducational evaluations for children and adolescents.
She has worked in the field of education for over twenty years, and currently provides services to Darien Public Schools (CT) at the elementary level. Laura has worked at all grade levels including post secondary, and within both the public and private sector. She has extensive experience in special education identification and placement. Laura earned her MS degree at the University of Bridgeport and completed sixth year studies at Fairfield University.

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Laura Katz, DO, is a developmental behavioral pediatrician with Children's and Women's Physicians of Westchester who is starting her second year as an attending in the department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at Westchester Medical Center/Maria Fareri Children's Hospital in Valhalla, New York. In this office, she performs evaluations of children with issues including developmental delays, language delays/disorders, autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disability, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and anxiety. Dr. Katz also plays a role in resident and medical student education with the trainees who rotate through the division every month. She is excited to be part of the multi-disciplinary team at the Southfield Center as a consultant.

Dr. Katz completed medical school at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford, NJ. She completed her pediatrics residency at Long Island Jewish/Schneider Children's Hospital in New Hyde Park, Long Island and then her fellowship in developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Rhode Island Hospital/Hasbro Children's Hospital (Brown University) in Providence, Rhode Island. During her fellowship, Dr. Katz's research project was a study looking at the types of teaching approaches used in Rhode Island schools for children with autism spectrum disorders, in addition to the relationship and degree of communication between the educational and medical fields.

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David Kucher, MA, is an accomplished executive functions coach who has worked as a teacher and learning coach in the New Jersey / New York / Connecticut schools for the past ten years. He is currently the Upper School Learning Resource Teacher at New Canaan Country School (CT). With degrees in teaching and writing, as well as advanced certifications in executive function tutoring, AD/HD coaching, and exercise, David offers a unique set of skills to clients in need of organization support and executive function remediation.

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MaryJean MacDonald, PsyD is a licensed psychologist with over sixteen years experience working with adults, families and children in hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, and private practice. She conducts in depth psychological testing, parent training, and individual therapy for children, adolescents, and adults. Dr. MacDonald specializes in anxiety disorders and has worked as a staff psychologist at the Anxiety Treatment Group in Somers NY. As a staff psychologist at Harlem Valley Psychiatric Center she worked on the mobile crisis team. Dr. MacDonald has also worked at Rockland Children's Psychiatric Center where she helped pioneer a short-term intensive outpatient treatment program for elementary age students designed to integrate mental health and school services. In addition, she has consulted and assisted in the design and implementation of intensive mental health services in school districts throughout New York State. Dr. MacDonald graduated Yeshiva University with her doctorate in clinical psychology in 1992.

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Laurie B. Markus is a special education advocate who works with parents and families in securing educational rights for their children with disabilities. In addition to her varied work with schools and parents, Laurie has received extensive training on proven advocacy strategies and effective programming for children with disabilities.

She is a member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, the Council of Exceptional Children, Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation, and the Fairfield Special Education Parent Teacher Association. Laurie graduated with a BA from Brandeis University, and has a JD from Emory University School of Law. Prior to entering the field of advocacy, she worked as an attorney in various areas of the law. Laurie resides with her husband, son and daughter in Fairfield, Connecticut.

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Melissa McFadden, MA, is an experienced teacher and Executive Functions coach. Currently, she is a special education teacher in the Darien Public Schools as well as a substitute teacher in New Canaan. Melissa has also worked as a fourth grade apprentice at the New Canaan Country School and as a teacher at The Greenwich Education Group. Her education includes an undergraduate degree from Houghton College in Inclusive Childhood Education with a concentration in English Language Arts, and a Master's Degree from the University of Connecticut in Gifted and Talented Education.

 

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Marykate (MK) Oakley is the Coordinator of Learning Services at the Southfield Center, and has extensive and diverse professional experience in the world of education. MK was a fourth grade apprentice at New Canaan Country School, and it was here that she found a passion for teaching and coaching. She also worked as the Academic Coordinator at the Greenwich Education Group before contributing to the founding and development of The Spire School, an innovative, health and wellness school for students in grades 8-12. As the Assistant Academic Director and Program Coordinator at The Spire School, MK created individualized student programs and advised students and teachers. Currently, MK is finishing her M.A. at Columbia University, and she hopes to continue pursuing postgraduate studies in the field of clinical psychology. MK graduated from Princeton University in 2008 with a B.A. in psychology and a certificate in Spanish.

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Courtney O'Brien-Ernest, MSEd is a certified school psychologist and educational specialist who conducts psychoeducational evaluations and targeted educational evaluations for children and adolescents. Her previous experience in the Bedford Central school district (NY) has provided extensive knowledge of Response to Intervention, Individualized Educational Plans, Functional Behavior Assessments and the implementation of evidence based interventions, counseling, and staff consultation. Courtney has worked with a variety of children in mainstream, collaborative and self contained environments. She earned her Bachelor of Science in psychology at James Madison University and her Masters of Education from Long Island University. Courtney is currently working towards her doctoral degree in school psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

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Maryellen M. Page, PsyD, is a member of the Child Development Team and provides psychological evaluations targeted towards the diagnosis of autism and developmental delays in young children. She received her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Neuropsychology from the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University in Washington, DC. Dr. Page has extensive experience in both private and public settings. She has previously worked within the District of Columbia Public School system, in residential and day treatment programs, and at private group practices completing comprehensive assessments for a wide range of populations. Prior to completing her doctorate, Dr. Page received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from St. Joseph's College and a Master of Arts Degree in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

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Mike Panoli, MA Ed is an Executive Functions Coach and certified teacher. Prior to joining the Southfield Center, Mike worked for Greenwich Education Group's Beacon and Spire Schools as a social studies, English, art, and culinary teacher. In addition, he also worked at New Canaan Country School as an apprentice teacher in the fourth grade. Mike completed his Masters in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, with a focus in adolescent Social Studies and literacy, and received his B.A. from Connecticut College with a focus in German Cultural Studies and History.

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Amy Polacko, MS, is a tutor and an Executive Functions coach. Her education includes an undergraduate degree from The College of the Holy Cross, a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University, years of experience as a writing tutor, and ongoing Executive Functions training. She is the former Editorial Director at Vassar College and has over a decade of experience as an award-winning newspaper and television journalist. She has also tutored students in college essay writing. Amy enjoys establishing a strong connection with each child and honing in on the specific learning strategy that will work best for him or her. She resides in Ridgefield, Connecticut with her husband and young son.

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Lauren M. Pote, PsyD is a clinical psychologist who divides her time between conducting psychoeducational evaluations at the Southfield Center for Development and conducting psychotherapy in her Stamford-based private practice. She has worked in inpatient, partial hospital, and outpatient settings, with children, adolescents, and adults.

Dr. Pote completed her pre- and postdoctoral training at the Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut, where she was later the Clinical Administrator of the agency's office that serves the communities of Darien and New Canaan. She has presented to local communities on a variety of topics related to mental health of children and adolescents, including parenting skills, stress management, family communication, and teen dating violence. In addition, Dr. Pote has provided training and supervision to psychology graduate students on externship and internship. She earned her undergraduate degree at Vassar College and her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the Graduate Institute of Professional Psychology at the University of Hartford.

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Kadria Sadik-Khan, MFT, is a Marriage and Family Therapist with over 14 years experience working with adults, adolescents, children and families in hospital, inpatient, outpatient and school settings. At the Southfield Center, she brings her passion in family systems to her work in individuals, couples and families. Kadria also provides Animal Assisted Therapy, with her chocolate Labrador Retriever, Boom Boom Merryweather.

Kadria's prior professional experiences are diverse, and include her work as director of an Old Greenwich-based nonprofit organization titled G.O.A.L.D (Greater Opportunities for Adults with Learning Disabilities), her work as Family and Child Advocate in a San Francisco transitional housing program, and her therapeutic work at Hall Brooke Behavioral Center's Intensive outpatient program with a dual diagnosis population. She received her undergraduate degree from Trinity College, and has a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT.

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Mary Elizabeth Scholtz is an intern who is currently completing her final year of the School Psychology Ph.D. program at Fordham University. Mary Elizabeth has a variety of experiences working with children and adolescents. After graduating from college, she was a second grade apprentice teacher at New Canaan Country School. She later worked as a behavior therapist at the Institute of Professional Practice, Inc., where she designed and implemented Behavior Intervention Plans, completed Functional Behavior Assessments, and provided consultation services in numerous public schools in Connecticut. As part of her doctoral work, she completed psychoeducational evaluations at the Rosa A. Hagin School Consultation and Early Childhood Centers of Fordham University. Mary Elizabeth holds a Master of Arts degree in Developmental Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University, and she completed her undergraduate work at Georgetown University.

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Rene Steffann, MA, is an experienced teacher, tutor, and Executive Functions coach. Her education includes a Master's degree in Education, certification as a secondary school teacher, as well as ongoing Executive Functions training.

Rene's unique Executive Function skills approach focuses on improving children's academic and personal success by introducing customized learning strategies to improve organization, confidence, expectations, and content comprehension. She works to identify each individual child's strengths and creates strategies to scaffold and support these.

A cornerstone of her practice is an initial focus on establishing strong rapport with each child, and the customization of best instructional practices, strategies, and methods to each child and their distinctive needs.

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Bill Stowell-Alonso is an Executive Functions Coach at the Southfield Center for Development. He coaches people of all ages using an individualized, evidence-based set of approaches which lead to rapid development and goal attainment. Bill has worked as a public school Special Education teacher in Boston, Hawaii, and Greenwich, and volunteers in the community as a basketball coach for children with special needs, and with community organizations servicing people with special needs. He speaks fluent Spanish. Bill has a Master's Degree in Special Education from Fairfield University.

 

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Pamela Tinoco, LMFT is a licensed Marital and Family therapist practicing for the past thirteen years helping children, adolescents, adults, and families. While earning her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut, she worked at Four Winds Hospital in Westchester, NY in their dual-diagnosis adolescent unit, where she specialized in group and family therapy, and later extended her work with the elderly and assisting families through loss. Pam has served as Director of Darien Family and Youth Options providing prevention, intervention, and treatment for children, adolescents, and families. She also worked in the Greenwich, CT office of the American Red Cross as their Director of Youth Services. Here she led a comprehensive department, serving 2,500 youth annually. Pam has a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marital and Family therapy from Pepperdine University.

 

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Liz is a certified Connecticut Physical Therapist and
Liz is a certified physical therapist and Children's Yoga Facilitator. She received her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Boston University in 2000, and her Master's
of Science in Physical Therapy from Boston University in 2002. She has extensive training in sensory integration and manual therapy techniques. Liz worked as a staff physical therapist in the hospital setting, in both acute care and acute rehabilitation settings. She is experienced in treating patients with diagnoses including, but not limited to, Multiple Sclerosis, Traumatic
Brain Injury, Williams Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Rett Syndrome.
Liz also served as Pediatric Physical Therapy Supervisor where she was responsible for school-based physical therapy staff in the public schools, program development and continuing program facilitation. In 2004, she opened her own practice. Currently, she contracts with Angelfish Therapy and has her own private practice providing therapy and running groups at The Pilot House, in homes, at schools and other natural environments.

 

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A chocolate Labrador Retriever who works with therapist Kadria Sadik-Kahn, Boom Boom Merryweather is an American Kennel Club Good Citizen, a certified Delta Society therapy dog and enthusiastic participant in any animal-assisted therapy session. She helps clients to accomplish a variety of goals including decreasing anxiety levels, and increasing assertiveness and attention.

 

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