Program Overview

What is Unique about Academics West’s Approach to Intervention?

Clinically Informed Academics® (CIA), is a model created by Jeffrey Kassinove, Ph.D. and Evan Flamenbaum, D.S.W. This approach considers the whole student to formulate effective individualized learning strategies. It combines clinical knowledge with academic interventions to help students improve beyond what traditional methods can achieve. Our CIA platform prepares students to compensate for their learning differences and/or social emotional stress.

Who is the program for?

The program is typically for students that have/seek:

  • A Therapeutic Environment
  • Emotional Difficulties
  • School Refusal / Avoidance
  • Credit Recovery
  • Repeated Academic Struggles
  • Taken a Leave of Absence
  • Comprehensive Academic Enrichment
  • Discrete One-on-One Education
  • A Post-Graduate “Gap Year” Program

Program Details

We create a unique academic support plan that enables a student to learn while learning study skills, which are based on Clinically Informed Academics® approach. We want each student to have the ability to continue as a confident and independent learner at the end of their tenure at Academics West.

Our curricula meet the objectives of the New York State Common Core Standards but is tailored to fit the unique profile of the student. Our program provides small group instruction, as well as a variety of therapeutic supports.

  • Speech-Language Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Individual and Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Individual and Group Physical Education
  • College Guidance
  • Expressive Arts Program
  • Standardized Test Preparation
  • Yoga & Mindfulness
  • Executive functioning remediation

Student Profile

Students who thrive at Academics West often have mild to moderate learning weaknesses and / or emotional challenges.

Cognitive Profile:

  • Low average to high average
  • Cognitive battery can be used as determinant

Emotional Challenges:

  • Anxiety
  • Oppositional Defiance
  • School Refusal/Avoidance
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
  • High Functioning Autism
  • Gender Dysphoria
  • Mild Substance Use
  • Depression
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Trauma and Related Disorders

Learning Challenges:

  • Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
  • Non-verbal learning disability
  • Learning disability in Math, Reading, or Written Expression
  • Dyslexia

Each student’s program is designed to fit their unique learning and therapeutic needs.

Meet Our Staff

Co-Founders

Jeffrey Kassinove, Ph.D.

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CEO

Dr. Kassinove is an expert in the treatment of child, adolescent and young adult problems. He specializes in the use of cognitive behavioral treatments (CBT) and behavior modification to improve functioning and help families achieve positive goals. He is actively involved in research and the dissemination of psychological knowledge to students. During the early part of his career, he was a full-time faculty member, where he taught and conducted research. At present, he serves on the faculty at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine where he teaches cognitive behavioral therapy to psychiatry residents. Dr. Kassinove holds a license in the State of New York as a psychologist, marriage and family therapist, and mental health counselor. In addition, he is certified as a school psychologist in New York State. He spends the majority of his time collaborating with parents, families and other professionals to improve the lives of his patients. He is well-known for handling challenging cases and creating positive changes in the individual’s life.

Evan Flamenbaum, MA, D.S.W.

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Head of School

Dr. Flamenbaum is an advocate for children, adolescents and young adults who experience mental health and academic issues. He holds a doctorate in clinical social work as well as a MA in school counseling. As a former Dean of Students at a prestigious private school he used his clinical knowledge to help students stay in school during periods of difficult psychological adjustment. As the current Head of School of Academics West and co-founder of Therapy West, Dr. Flamenbaum continues to integrate his clinical knowledge and background in education to train and guide professionals and parents. He is a nationally recognized lecturer and considered an expert on the treatment of learning issues and ADHD. Dr. Flamenbaum also co-created Clinically Informed Academics® (CIA), a research-based model that provides a framework to improve the overall functioning of students socially, emotionally, and educationally.

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Scott A. Apgar, BS

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Director of Community Relations

Scott Apgar is a born facilitator. He left a long-standing career in the fashion industry to be of service to children and teens in need of education and therapeutic options. As Director of Community Relations, he draws on his experience as a father to understand the needs and concerns of families pursuing satisfaction of the individual needs of their children. His enthusiasm and “make it happen” approach to the mission of Academics West help assure that our students will be understood, respected and elevated by their experience as a part of our family.

Jessica Pickett-Coleman ​M.S.Ed

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Academic Advisor for Lower School

Jessica Pickett Coleman is the Academic Advisor for the Lower School at Academics West. She graduated with a Masters in Special Education (Birth through Grade 6) from Plattsburgh State University.  Since graduating, she has taught in many different areas across Long Island, Queens and Manhattan; concentrating on different aspects of the special education world.  Jessica co-taught in an integrated kindergarten classroom, worked under a BCBA as a Behavior Interventionist and finally joined the Academics West family in 2019.  This was an amazing opportunity for Jessica since she is now able to combine her love for serving students with customized academics that fits their learning and emotional needs. Jessica is applauded by her colleagues for being a caring and dynamic teacher with a strong expertise in curricula development.

Kiara Vidal

Jasmin Solis

EDUCATIONAL Clinicians 

Sloan Strike, Ph.D

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Director of Externship Program

Dr. Strike is a clinical psychologist who specializes in evidenced-based therapies with children, adolescents, and young adults. She obtained her B.A. from Harvard University and received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from St. John’s University. Dr. Strike has worked in a range of settings to provide supportive treatment for children and adolescents and their families. She has extensive experience with individual and family therapy in outpatient facilities and has also provided treatment for adolescents in the acute inpatient hospital setting. Dr. Strike specializes in cognitive-behavioral strategies and has received training in the treatment of a wide range of social, emotional, and behavioral issues. In addition, she is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Her research interests include strategies to promote growth and recovery following exposure to trauma in adolescence and young adulthood.

David Friedlander

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Post-Doctoral Fellow

David Friedlander received his Doctorate of Clinical Psychology (Psy.D) from the University of Hartford in September, 2019. He completed his pre-doctoral internship at The Guidance Center in Leavenworth, Kansas. He worked primarily as an individual and group therapist with emphases on cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based interventions.
David has provided community outreach for schools, prisons, and other community support organizations. His research and publications have centered primarily on cultural competency topics including the mental health needs of ethnic minorities. In his free time, David enjoys playing video and board games, learning the guitar and bass, and writing music. He is thrilled to be back in the city where he grew up, and excited to complete his postdoctoral fellowship at Therapy West and Academics West.

Shoshanna 

Jessica Callegari, LCSW

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UPPER/MIDDLE SCHOOL CLINICAL ADVISOR

Jessica Callegari is a New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker and former special educator. She received her MSW from Fordham University and her MA in the field of education from New York University. Jessica has over ten years of experience working with students with a variety of challenges in specialized Manhattan private school settings. Supporting these students and helping them reach their academic and social-emotional potential is the primary reward of her profession.
Jessica assists students with their executive functioning and emotion regulation skills, by addressing the cognitive and emotional processes that interfere with their learning and social relations. In her clinical meetings, she helps students’ access and implement strategies to more effectively cope and manage academic and social demands. Jessica values an individualized approach that fosters student resilience and independence. As a school-based clinician, she is accustomed to collaborating with parents, teachers, and other professionals to ensure student success.

Sarah Mosteller, ATR-P, LCAT-LP

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Art Therapist

Sarah Mosteller is a compassionate art therapist dedicated to providing psychological and emotional support to individuals through the powerful means of art-making and creative expression.
She has experience working with a wide range of populations, including, eating disorders, autism spectrum disorder, children, adolescents, and adults. Sarah has worked in both school and outpatient treatment settings, which has given her the opportunity to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and learn about a variety of therapeutic modalities. Her experience with individual and group work involves client centered approaches valuing curiosity, openness and imaginative storytelling.
Sarah earned a B.A. in Studio Art and Art History from the College of Charleston and a M.A. in Art Therapy from NYU. As a professional artist and clinically trained art therapist, Sarah encourages the individuals she works with to nurture their own artist identities as they discover new ways to express themselves. Sarah’s work combines her training in art therapy along with evidence-based interventions, like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and mindfulness practices.

Samantha Nish

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Sara Dobosh

Harneet Sahni

Julia Margolis

Sara Fruchter

Tamanna Chhabra

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Taylor Walls

RELATED SERVICE PROVIDERS

Ashley Kinni

Demetria Rizzo

Kenny Pena

LouLou Gaget

TEACHING STAFF 

Candace Grant

Matt Herman

Mike LoSchiavo

TEACHING STAFF – HEAD TEACHERS

Eric Schuster

Josh Pruiksma

Matt Boynton

Samantha Turrisi

TEACHING STAFF – FOCUS TEACHERS

Phylicia Abrams

Ali Serling

Angela Sepulveda

Brea Glosson

Kat Skaris

Marissa Kent

The Mission at Academic West

Our mission is to teach children to be successful, strategic learners by utilizing our unique metacognitive strategies. We embrace innovative tools and methods to help children with emotional and learning differences blossom into productive, self-valuing adults.

Educational Philosophy

We believe that understanding the mind is essential to teaching children how to learn effectively. Thus, all students receive the support of an educational psychologist, who is trained in neuropsychology. These psychologists are actively involved in the development of our academic programming, ensuring that our work is informed by scientific practice. Our educational staff is trained intensively in our Clinically Informed Academics® model.