CONFIRMED SPEAKERS
Robert D. Friedberg
Palo Alto University
Full professor and head of the children's specialty area at Palo Alto University. He is recognized as a leading expert in the application of Aaron T. Beck's model of cognitive therapy to children. He directed the CBT clinic for children and adolescents and the psychology residency program at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. He is a former Extramural Scholar at the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and is a member of the American Psychological Association (Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology) and the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. He is author of several works on Clinical Practice and Cognitive Therapy with Children and Adolescents. He is also working on a new book on creative applications of CBT with Dr. Erica Rozmid and on a major research project studying intolerance to uncertainty and COVID-related thoughts in children and parents. His newest project is the use of narrative and storytelling to disseminate CBT to professionals in the community.
Sandra Russ
Case Western Reserve University- Cleveland- Ohio
Clinical child psychologist. She earned a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and specialized in child psychology during her internship at the Pittsburgh Child Guidance Center. She spent a year in Denver as a counselor in schools and then spent four years at the University of Washington, where she saw many children in play therapy, and it was there that her interest in play developed. She developed the Affect in Play Scale to measure play abilities in a standardized way, now considered a gold standard in the field of clinical psychology. Dr. Russ made this scale to measure play in a standardized way by examining imagination and the expression of emotional experience in play, something that had never yet been done.
Didem Altay
London, UK
Bachelor's degree in psychology from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada. Then, she earned a master's degree in clinical psychology with highest honors and is currently pursuing a PhD in counseling psychology at Marmara University, focusing her research on early childhood trauma, particularly medical trauma/chronic illness and its relationship to anxiety and depression in later life. Didem Altay also works with children and adolescents, where she uses play therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy as her main therapeutic approach. She completed 200 hours of theoretical and supervised training in play therapy and child psychotherapy at the Canadian Association of Play Therapy (CACPT) in Toronto, Canada. In addition to her certificate in child psychotherapy and play therapy, she received further training and was certified in Child Centered Play Therapy and Filial Therapy, which promotes the improvement of child-family relationships, at the Family Enhancement and Play Therapy Center of founder Dr. Rise Van Fleet in Boiling Springs, PA, USA.
Liana Lowenstein
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Liana Lowenstein, MSW, RSW, CPT-S, is a Registered Social Worker, Certified Play Therapist-Supervisor, and Certified TF-CBT Therapist who has been working with children and their families in Toronto since 1988. Her 14 books are used by mental health professionals all over the world. She is a dynamic speaker who has provided trainings throughout North America and abroad, including China, South Africa, Israel, England, New Zealand, Australia, and Slovenia. She is winner of the Monica Herbert award for outstanding contribution to play therapy in Canada.
Elizabeth J Short
Case Western Reserve University- Cleveland- Ohio
Director of the Master's Program of Early Development and Intervention. She is currently principal investigator of the ALERT (Attention, Learning, and Emotion Regulation Team) laboratory. Her research has focused primarily on understanding the processes underlying the cognitive, social, and emotional development of preschool and school-age children
Meena Dasari
New York, New York
Reached a specialization in the practical applications of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to effectively treat anxiety symptoms, especially in complex cases. Dr. Dasari's professional background has led her to develop a solid foundation of evidence-based cognitive-behavioral treatments. For more than 10 years, she worked as an assistant professor at NYU School of Medicine and Bellevue Hospital Center. She supervised psychiatry residents in the Department of Psychiatry. She also was a therapist in the Department of Pediatrics, and collaborated on the research projects in several departments. Prior to this position, Dr. Dasari began her career in New York City with a postdoctoral fellowship at the NYU Child Study Center. She received her PhD in clinical psychology from Case Western Reserve University, where she specialized in pediatric psychology. Dr. Dasari has published numerous articles, presented lectures and participated in interviews on current topics related to mental health.
Karla Fehr
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
Associate professor in the counseling psychology program in Education, Health, & Behavior Studies and works as part of UND's Behavioral Health Strategic Initiative. She is a clinical psychologist with expertise in pediatric psychology and pediatric integrated behavioral health. Her research examines pediatric integrated behavioral health in rural settings and psychological outcomes for pediatric populations, including behavioral sleep difficulties. She is particularly interested in the delivery of brief, targeted interventions for youth and increasing access to care for populations less assisted.
Jacqueline B. Toner
Baltimore, USA
Retired clinical psychologist and award-winning author of books for children and adolescents. She has practiced clinical psychology for more than 30 years in the Baltimore area. In her practice she has provided individual therapy and psychoeducational assessments to children, adolescents and young adults, as well as family and couple- therapy. She earned a PhD from the University of Virginia, followed by an internship in pediatric psychology and a fellowship in adolescent medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He served as facilitator and principal consultant in a multi-year multi-specialty community engagement project with the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and Carnegie Mellon University.
Giandomenico Bagatin
Trieste, Italy
Psychologist, psychotherapist, writer and lecturer at psychotherapy institutes and schools in Italy, Spain, Portugal, the United States, Switzerland, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria and Georgia. He provides psychotherapy, personal growth and coaching for adults, couples and children in Trieste and online through individual sessions, single-topic courses and group paths. He is a Gestalt FISIG Didactic Supervisor, Gestalt FEIG Didactic Supervisor, Contributing Member, Trainer and Supervisor of the Violet Oaklander Foundation, California, NLP International Coach, EMDR Practitioner, A.A.E. certified emotus analyst, Gestalt psychotherapist and psychologist specializing in developmental psychology. He founded and coordinated Zerododici - Trieste Gestalt Institute for Children.
Francesco Montecchi
Rome, Italy
Neuropsychiatrist, former head of Neuropsychiatry-Children's Hospital Bambino Gesù in Rome. Francesco Montecchi uses the sand game in his work as a therapist; he learned this method directly from its originator, Jung's student Dora Kalff. Lecturer a.c. at La Sapienza. and "Tor Vergata" universities. Jungian analyst, teaching member of AIPA, AISPT, ITRI schools. Author of several scientific volumes at the national level.
Gianluca Biggio
Rome, Italy
Psychologist and Psychotherapist. Member of E.F.P.P., European Federation of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Ordinary Member with Training Functions and former Scientific Secretary of SIPP (Italian Society of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy), Professor of Psychology University of Tuscia in Viterbo, has coordinated and coordinates as scientific head several European Erasmus Projects on psychosocial issues. He is in charge of the Counseling Service at the University of Tuscia in Viterbo. He has published books and scientific articles both nationally and internationally.
Martina Paola Zanaboni
Pavia, Italy
Dr. Zanaboni is a professional psychologist and cognitive rehabilitator according to the Feuerstein method. She is a trainer of the Benso integrated cognitive method. She holds a master's degree in "neuropsychological assessment and treatment of DSA" inter-university from the University of the Republic of San Marino, the University of Urbino Carlo Bo, the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Scientific Director Prof.G.Stella. She deals with psychological support, specialized rehabilitation and school support, study method enhancement in students with DSA, cognitive enhancement and rehabilitation of children (adhd, mental retardation, school difficulties), adults and the elderly.
Martina Manzoni
Lecco, Italy
Martina Manzoni, psychologist, cognitive-relational psychotherapist and EMDR practitioner. Researcher at IRCCS E. Medea - La Nostra Famiglia, she coordinates the studies of the psychopharmacology outpatient clinic. Since 2017 she has worked for EMDR Italy and is part of the association's Psychological Emergency Task Force. She deals with developmental and adult psychotherapy.
Sandra S. Pimentel
New York, New York
Sandra S. Pimentel, PhD, is chief of child and adolescent psychology, associate director of psychology training and associate professor of clinical psychology in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She is founder and director of the Anxiety and Mood Program, a specialty training program in the Division of Child Psychiatry. Pimentel specializes in cognitive-behavioral treatment for youth and young adults.
Adriana Lis
University of Padua, Italy
Adriana Lis is Full Professor of Theories and Techniques of Psychological Interviewing, with teaching load on Clinical Psychology at the University of Padua. She has taught Personality Investigation Techniques and Theories and Techniques of Psychological Interviewing. He directed the Advanced Training Course "The Developmental Case Approach: dynamic theory and clinical consultation." Since 1998-99, he has directed the School of Specialization in Life Cycle Psychology. Since 1996-97, he has been a lecturer at the Graduate School of Clinical Psychology. He is a lecturer at the Doctoral School in Developmental Psychology and Socialization Processes. He is Director of the Second Level University Master's Course in "Psychological Interventions and Counseling with Couples and Families" He is Director of the Second Level University Master's Course in "Psychodiagnostics: Theories, techniques and tools of assessment in the psychodynamic field" She is President of the three-year degree course in Psychological Sciences of Personality and Family Relations at the Faculty of Psychology of the University of Padua She is President of the master's degree course in Clinical-Dynamic Psychology at the Faculty of Psychology of the University of Padua She is Co-Director and Founder (until last year) of the Journal "Clinical Developmental Psychology" She is Series Editor for the Raffaello Cortina Publishing House (Milan). She is Founder and President of SIRC - Italian Society for Rorschach C.S.
Eva Fiendler
New York, New York
Eva Fiendler is Clinical Psychology and current academic and research interests include family processes, affirmative care for LGBTQ populations, and clinical supervision. She received her Ph.D. from West Virginia University in 1979 and her Certification in Psychology from New York State in 1981. He has been a member of the New York State Board of Psychology and the State Department of Education since 1989. She has worked as a consultant with the Adolescent Anger Control Project at the Sagamore Children's Center, Melville, New York, the APA Task Force on Violence and Family and the New York City Public Schools, District 75. He has presented papers and conducted workshops in both the United States, Europe and Canada, as well as on national TV. He is a founding board member of ICART: International Center for Aggression Replacement training.
Roberta Rubbino
University of Pisa, Italy
Roberta Rubbino is a Psychologist, Psychodiagnostic and Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapist. She is a lecturer at the A.T. Beck Institute and is Supervisor and Head of the developmental age area "Beck for Kids", she is also a Level II EMDR Therapist, Coping Power Trainer and Child Sleep Counselor, certified Schema Therapy therapist for children and adolescents. She is an adjunct professor at the University of Pisa, teaching the subject "Clinical Application of Mindfulness" within the Master's program "Neuroscience, Mindfulness and Contemplative Practices." In the past, she collaborated as a neuropsychologist and researcher in the field of neuroscience in hospital institutions in Italy and abroad. She deals with parenting support in the presence of behavioral disorders and emotional dysregulation in both childhood and adolescent periods. She is an ordinary member of CBT Italy, a full member of the International Society of Schema Therapy (SIST) and a founding member of the Italian Association for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (AISTED).
Andrea Manuel Meana de la Vega
Rome, Italy
Andrea Manuel Meana de la Vega is a Psychologist at the CBPT Research Center. He is coordinator of the Team "CBPT-learning, of the CBPT Research Center, accredited as an institution affiliated with the Lazio Region for the issuance of DSA Certifications. He holds a degree in Clinical Psychology of the Life Cycle from the LUMSA University of Rome . He perfected his studies by obtaining a Level II University Master's Degree in Evaluation and Treatment of Specific Learning Disorders. She is training in Play Therapy, with Level I training in Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) at the International Academy for Play Therapy in Lugano. She has been working in the field of Learning Disorders for over 5 years, both in outpatient settings, dealing with assessment, diagnosis and treatment of ASDs; and in school settings. He is in constant training with respect to programming interventions designed to promote and support the main executive functions underlying Learning through the use of play. He is involved in the Assessment and Treatment of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (ASD, ADHD, Coordination Disorders and Communication Disorders), Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in developmental age.
Rosetta Cappelluccio
Naples, Italy
Psychologist, Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapist.
Head of the Developmental Area of the A.T. Beck Institute for the Caserta office.
President foundation "I figli degli altri" prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Conductor of adult and adolescent DBT groups.
Creator of the DBT children program.
Edited the Italian edition of the book DBT®️ SKILLS IN SCHOOLS Skills Training for Emotional Regulation in Adolescents (DBT STEPS-A) (James J. Mazza, Elizabeth T. Dexter-Mazza, Alec L. Miller, Jill H. Rathus and Heather E. Murphy) Erickson Editions.
Court-appointed technical consultant for trauma neglect and abuse, member of the Technical Committee of the Guarantor Office of the Campania Region, former head of the Fatebenefratelli psychopathology outpatient clinic in Naples.
Roberta Bacchio
Italy
Psychologist, Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapist collaborates with the A.T. Beck Institute in the areas of clinical and research.
Expert in psychodiagnosis in adult and developmental age. Responsible for the assessment process in adults at the A. T. Beck.
She is a therapist in LGBTQIA+ community support and advocacy for issues related to minority stress and gender identity.
She is involved in parenting pathways (parent training specific to the child or adolescent's condition) for parents and families.
Francesca Romana D'angelo
Rome, Italy
Francesca Romana D' Angelo is a psychologist at the CBPT Research Center and coordinates the Psychology and Psychotherapy Service. She holds a degree in Clinical Life Cycle Psychology from LUMSA University in Rome and is currently a psychotherapist in integrated CBT training in childhood and adolescence. She furthered her studies by obtaining a Level II University Master's Degree in Psychodiagnostics and Psychological Assessment at LUMSA University and then a Master's Degree in Specific Learning Disorders at the Galton Institute. He is training in Play Therapy, with Level I training in Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) at the International Academy for Play Therapy in Lugano. He is a specialist in training at the Department of Clinical Psychology at the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital in Rome. He works in the Assessment and Treatment of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (ASD, ADHD, Coordination Disorders and Communication Disorders), Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in developmental age.
Francesca Pergolizzi
Italy
Francesca Pergolizzi, Psychologist and Psychotherapist, since 1980 has been particularly interested in clinical relationship management with young children, using play according to the Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy perspective and the Acceptance Commitment Therapy perspective, and in parental involvement with mindfulness pathways based on the ACT approach, Mindfulness, Polk's matrix and the DANCE model. He is a lecturer and supervisor of the ASCoC, Humanitas,Academy of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences Four-Year Schools of Psychotherapy. He is a contact person for the special group of ACT Italy (ACT for Kids & Teens).