METRO NY DBT CENTER - Key Persons
Alex received her Master's Degree from the Columbia School of Social Work, where she was trained in the Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Intensive Training Program and Lab under the supervision of Dr. Andre Ivanoff, PhD and interned at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in Queens, NY. Her previous experience includes working at University of Michigan's Food and Addiction Science and Treatment Lab and the Beacon Program in New York, where she gained extensive experience providing DBT for adolescents and adults struggling with eating disorders and addictions. Alex is also passionate about helping her clients work through issues around perfectionism, shame, anxiety, and codependency with a curious, non-judgmental approach. In her free time, Alex loves being in nature with her dogs, thrifting, and creating home improvement DIY projects.
April has had a long and varied career as a psychotherapist. Licensed in both NY and NJ, she received her DBT education while at the NJ Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, where for 10 years she held a federally mandated position as the Military Sexual Trauma Coordinator. Her clinical background has primarily focused on treating post-traumatic-stress disorder (PTSD), particularly as a result of sexual trauma, and addictions, including behavioral, as well as mood disorders. Her range of practice extends to adults, adolescents, couples, and families. Prior to joining Metro NY DBT Center she was the Clinical Director of Freedom Institute in Manhattan, which is renowned for being the only model-adherent DBT IOP addressing substance use issues in the country. April is trained in DBT PE in addition to other evidence-based modalities, such as CBT, standard PE, CPT, ACT, and EMDR.
Beth Watson, PhD was trained at Teachers College, Columbia University, receiving a doctorate in clinical psychology. She has advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and also is a graduate of Behavioral Tech's intensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy training. Beth is currently a Clinical Supervisor at Teachers College, where she supervises both individual and group DBT cases for doctoral level students. Beth is a compassionate therapist who firmly believes in doing whatever she can to help her clients improve their lives.
Nataleigh has been a therapist with Metro NY DBT Center since August 2019, in that time working individually with clients of various ages and backgrounds, as well as co-leading several weekly skills groups for both adolescents and adults. Prior to her time at Metro, Nataleigh received her Master's Degree in Social Work (LMSW) from Columbia University in May 2019. There, she specialized in Advanced Clinical Practice, and went on to complete DBT Intensive Training under Dr. Alec Miller, PsyD at Cognitive Behavioral Consultants in White Plains. Nataleigh has also been trained in motivational interviewing, CBT, TF-CBT, and suicide risk assessment. In addition to her work with Metro NY DBT Center, she has also worked in an agency setting as well as in a school, providing weekly individual and family therapy for clients ranging in age from 6 to 26. For her internships while obtaining her MSW, Nataleigh worked at the Dean Hope Center for Educational and Psychological Services (DHCEPS) at Teachers College, where she provided weekly individual therapy to children and adults, as well as with Henry Street Settlement, providing weekly therapy for high school students in Brooklyn.
Job Titles:
- Supervisor and Program Coordinator of Training for Social Work Internships
Ting began her career in social work at Columbia University and refined her skills working in non-for-profit settings in NYC, particularly those advancing social justice for the LGBTQIA+ population. She currently focuses her practice on managing adjustment, anxiety, depressive, impulsive-control, mood, personality, and substance use disorders. She has trained in cognitive-behavioral therapy protocols, including mood disorders, insomnia, and PTSD. She has also trained in every evidence-based variation of dialectical behavior therapy. She works with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families.
Ting was born in the U.K., raised in Taiwan, and moved to the U.S. while in high school. She applies her experience across cultures to inform her work with patients struggling with major life transitions, including those related to immigration/acculturation, sexuality, health, education, and professional development. In addition to her work at Columbia, Ting received a B.A. from Duke University and an MSt from Oxford University. She is fluent in English and Mandarin.