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Medical Staff
Benjamin Silverman, MD
Benjamin Silverman, M.D., is a practicing psychiatrist and serves as a Chair of the Partners Human Research Committee, building up on his previous position as Chair of the McLean Hospital Institutional Review Board. He is an Instructor in Psychiatry, part-time, at Harvard Medical School and is board-certified in psychiatry and addiction psychiatry.
Dr. Silverman graduated from college and medical school at the Johns Hopkins University and subsequently completed his psychiatry residency at the Massachusetts General Hospital and McLean Hospital Adult Psychiatry Residency Training program. Dr. Silverman completed sub-specialty fellowship training in addiction psychiatry through the Partners HealthCare System (McLean Hospital/Massachusetts General Hospital/Brigham and Women’s Hospital). He additionally completed fellowship training with the Center for Bioethics at Harvard Medical School, where he remains on the faculty and teaches ethics to first year medical students.
Dr. Silverman’s clinical interests include implementing innovative, evidence-based techniques to help people make behavioral changes, especially in the areas of compulsive behaviors, such as pathological Internet and computer use, as well as co-occurring psychiatric and addictive disorders. Dr. Silverman’s interests in medical ethics center on the ethical dilemmas that emerging information technologies, such as the Internet and social media, present to clinicians.
Shanthi Mogali, MD
Shanthi Mogali, MD is the Director of Psychiatry at the Center for Motivation and Change Berkshires as well as an Instructor of Clinical Psychiatry in the Division on Substance Abuse at Columbia University/NYSPI. She completed her Addiction Psychiatry fellowship at Columbia University in 2011 after completing her general psychiatry residency at Emory University, Atlanta, GA. She is board certified in both General and Addiction Psychiatry and licensed to practice in NY, CT, and MA.
Her experience in substance abuse is vast. She is has a specific interest in opioid pharmacology and medication development for opioid use disorders. As an instructor, Dr. Mogali has experience in assessing the abuse liability of various opioid preparations in a human laboratory setting. In addition to research, Dr. Mogali is also experienced in the clinical trials setting. She received approval for pilot funding from Columbia’s Division Center grant to examine microglial inhibitors effect on physiological, cognitive and subjective effects of opioids. These data analyses are complete and the manuscript is in preparation for publication in 2015. She also completed a chart review of treatment seeking opioid abusers to determine if there were demographic, psychiatric, and/or psychosocial factors that predicted successful induction onto depot naltrexone after a rapid inpatient detoxification. The manuscript has been accepted and will be published in late 2014.
In addition to Dr. Mogali’s interest in research, her primary focus remains in patient care. She continues to practice her skills in the residential facility of CMC Berkshires in Massachusetts as well as in the private setting in NYC and New Haven, CT. She enjoys the challenge of treating the diverse field of mental and behavioral health.
Ed Bevan, PsyD
Lori Reamer
Lori Reamer is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin. She has over 25 years of experience in the field of nutrition in a variety of settings ranging from public health to spas. She was the Director of Nutrition at Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Massachusetts and currently provides nutritional expertise at CMC Berkshires in addition to counseling in public health and consulting for corporate wellness. Lori has worked extensively with counseling individuals and lecturing to groups across the nation. Her work blends science and sensitivity with a goal of providing personalized and compassionate care.
Andrea Lein, PhD
Andrea Lein, Ph.D., earned a dual degree in Clinical and School Psychology from the University of Virginia. She completed her pre-doctoral clinical internship in a community mental health center where she gained certification in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Since 2007, Dr. Lein has worked in residential treatment focused on helping adolescents, young adults, and their families overcome a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues, including substance abuse.
Jeffrey Foote, PhD
Jeff Foote, PhD, is Co-Founder of the Center for Motivation and Change (CMC). Dr. Foote is a nationally recognized clinical research scientist who has received federal grant funding for his work on motivational treatment approaches and substance abuse treatment research, focused on the implementation of evidence-based treatments. Dr. Foote was also Psychologist for the NY Mets for 11 years, and continues in sports psychology as an independent performance consultant to professional athletes. Before co-founding CMC in 2003, Dr. Foote was the Deputy Director of the Division of Alcohol Treatment and Research at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in NYC, as well as Senior Research Associate at The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA) in NYC. Dr. Foote also served as Chief of the Smithers Addiction Treatment and Research Center as well as Director of Evaluation and Research between 1994 and 2001.
He is co-author of the award-winning book Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change, a practical guide for families dealing with addiction and substance problems in a loved one, based on principles of Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT). He is also co-author of two workbooks combining strategies from CRAFT and Motivational Interviewing: The Parent’s 20 Minute Guide and The Partner’s 20 Minute Guide, which offer specific tools and practice in evidence-based strategies for helping a loved one change.
Carrie Wilkens, PhD
Carrie Wilkens, PhD, is the Co-Founder and Clinical Director of the Center for Motivation and Change. She co-authored an award-winning book, Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change with Drs. Foote and Kosanke. Together they also co-wrote a user-friendly workbook for parents: The 20 Minute Guide: A Guide for Parents about How to Help their Child Change their Substance Use. In collaboration with the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, Dr. Wilkens and the CMC team is developing a national parent training program (the Parent Support Network) to provide parent coaches to families in need of support through a free hotline. Prior to these ventures, Dr. Wilkens was the Project Director on a large federally-funded Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grant examining the effectiveness of motivational interventions in addressing the problems associated with binge drinking among college students. She is regularly sought out by the media to discuss issues related to substance use disorders and has been on the CBS Morning Show, Katie Couric Show, and Fox News as well as a variety of radio shows including frequent NPR segments such as the People’s Pharmacy and The Diane Rehm Show.
Emily DeBruicker, LCSW
Emily DeBruicker is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, with specialized training in intensive family therapy. Prior to joining the CMC:B staff, Emily worked at the Austen Riggs Center in Stockbridge, MA, where she provided intensive psychodynamic family therapy to adults struggling with a wide range of complex psychiatric challenges. She became a licensed clinician in 2004 after earning her MSW from the University of Southern Maine in Portland. Since then, she has worked in a variety of roles with children, adolescents, adults and families in inpatient, outpatient and home based settings.
David Lane, PsyD
Dr. Lane is a psychologist who has worked with Drs. Foote and Wilkens in the field of addiction treatment since 2006, treating adults of all ages, working with family members of a substance misusing loved one, and providing clinical supervision. Dr. Lane is a past president of the New York State Psychological Association’s Division on Addictions and served as a member of the division’s executive committee for several years. Previously, Dr. Lane completed a fellowship in college mental health at the New York University Counseling Center and subsequently stayed on to develop and implement age-appropriate interventions for college and graduate students struggling with substance use and compulsive behaviors. Dr. Lane has specialized training in motivational treatment interventions and has written about the integration of mindfulness and psychotherapy.
Sarah Feldman, PhD
Dr. Feldman is a clinical psychologist with specialized training in relational psychodynamic therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy with a focus on treating trauma, personality disorders, sleep disorders, and substance abuse. She is also certified in Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) for use with trauma. Dr. Feldman completed her pre-doctoral internship at CMC before becoming a staff member. Prior to CMC, she trained at Bellevue Hospital and the New York State Psychiatric Institute.
- “DBT: Treating Clients with Borderline Personality Disorder and Substance Abuse”, Linda Dimeff, Ph.D., sponsored by Behavioral Tech., LLC, December 8-9th, 2010
- “Beyond the Basics: DBT Skills Essentials in Action,” Charles Swenson, M.D. and Elizabeth Dexter-Mazza, Psy.D., Sponsored by Behavioral Tech, LLC, September 20th-21, 2009
- “Authority, Leadership, and Participation in Groups and Organizational Systems,” Barbara B. Winderman, RN, JD, Sponsored by Teachers College, Columbia University, November 13-15th 2009
- “Treating Addictive Behaviors: Chemical and Non-Chemical,” Daniel Araoz, Ed.D., David A. Lane, Pys.D., Karen S. Frieder, Ph.D., Sponsored by the New York State Psychological Association, October 18th 2009
- “Updating to the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, 4th Edition (WAIS-IV),” Jordan Wright, Ph.D., Sponsored by Teachers College, Columbia University, September 19th 2008
- “Treating Anger: A Cognitive Behavioral Approach,” Linda Sapadin, Ph.D., Sponsored by Saint John’s University, February 4th 200
- “Dialectical Behavioral Therapy: The Essentials,” Shelley McMain, Ph.D., Sponsored by Teachers College, Columbia University, October 26-27th 2007
Elisabeth Fonseca, PhD
Dr. Fonseca is a multilingual psychologist with a specialty in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, having experience in both group and individual modalities. She has worked extensively with adults and couples struggling with substance use issues, both at the Smithers Alcohol Treatment and Training Center, as well as at CMC. Dr Fonseca also worked for a number of years with HIV positive clients and their extended families, in particular a network of Latina grandmothers caretaking their grandchildren.
Melanie Podsiadlo, PhD
Melanie Podsiadlo graduated with a doctorate in organizational psychology from Rutgers University. Initially she worked as a consultant providing a range of services including selection, executive coaching, team development, and change management with a focus on senior levels in predominantly Fortune 100 organizations. During her time as a consultant she also served on the Executive Board of Directors at a large Community Mental Health organization. Melanie returned to school at Adelphi University to obtain a second specialization in clinical psychology. She has worked in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings with a focus on group, and short-term individual therapy.
Tanya Beecher
Tanya Beecher is a licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years of experience working with adolescents, adults and families affected by substance use disorders. Following her training at Smith College School for Social Work, she completed a post-graduate fellowship at Harvard University in young adult development and college mental health. She specializes in treating substance abuse disorders and trauma, and has been a clinical supervisor in the field of addictions since 2005. Additionally, Ms. Beecher is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy for use with trauma.
Lillian Lennox, LMHC
Lillian Lennox has MA Counseling Psychology with specialized training in CBT and mind/body approaches. She is a certified Level II EMDR practitioner and Level II Integrative Restoration (iRest) Teacher-in-Training. Lillian worked extensively in Community Mental Health as Brien Center Program Coordinator for the Seeking Safety Trauma & Substance Abuse Program and a clinician on the Acute/Urgent Care Team, She is and currently a member of the Berkshire County First Responder Team. A Graduate of the International Trauma Studies Program (ISTP) Columbia University, she is trained in intervention and preventions that promote the resilience, mental health and social integration of individuals, families and communities who have endured catastrophic psychosocial trauma. Lillian has a research interest in the philosophical and spiritual implications of recent developments in neurobiology, and is deeply committed to an integrative, collaborative and interdisciplinary practice.
Karolina Kowarz, PsyD
Karolina Kowarz, Psy.D., is a clinical psychologist with specialized training in utilizing acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance abuse. Prior to joining the treatment team at CMC, Dr. Kowarz interned at the Brattleboro Retreat in VT where she provided mindfulness and acceptance-based group and individual therapy to military veterans and first responders struggling with trauma and substance abuse related difficulties.