OUR TEAM
DR. NORMAN MILLER
Dr. Norman Miller has been teaching and supervising doctoral students and practicing psychotherapy and counseling with emerging adults, adults, couples and families for over 40 years. Dr. Miller has a Ph.D. with specializations in Clinical, School and Community Psychology and is a postdoctoral fellow of the Albert Ellis Institute. He also earned a Diplomate in Couple and Family Psychology. Dr. Miller is currently the Clinical Director of the Positive Psychology Institute for Emerging Adults. As an expert in his field, Dr. Miller supervises doctoral students in the clinic and is able to train them in the integration of Clinical Positive Psychology with Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).
ALLISON BAUER, M.S.
Allison Bauer is a third-year doctoral student of Hofstra’s School-Community Psy.D. program and the current clinic coordinator of the Positive Psychology Institute for Emerging Adults. She graduated from The University of Michigan with a B.A. in Psychology. Since graduation, Allison has been exploring the mind-body connection; she spent two years training alongside a holistic chef to create healing protocols for clients experiencing food allergies, sensitivities, and autoimmune diseases. Allison is certified in nutritional therapy through The Nutritional Therapy Association. She has also been studying Somatic Experiencing: a body-based trauma therapy. Allison is excited to be a part of the Positive Psychology Institute for Emerging Adults in order to support her client’s individual journeys through the utilization of positive psychology practices.
MATT QUINTERNO, M.S.
Matt grew up in Nassau County and at a young age had an interest in the outdoors. This led him to West Virginia University where he completed his Bachelors and Masters in Forest Resources Management. Professionally, Matt has worked as an Arborist for the past ten years taking care of people’s trees here in Nassau County.
Over the years, he has had a shift an interest to Psychology. Through his own experiences in therapy, Matt has developed an interest in Psychology. He has an interest in helping individuals bear the blows life has to offer and to rise from them so that they can rise to be a more efficient, kinder, and aware individual that may fulfill their hopes and goals.
JUSTINE MAHLER, M.S.
Justine is a third-year Doctoral Student in Hofstra University’s Psy.D program in School-Community Psychology. She graduated from SUNY Oswego with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and minors in Human Development and Cognitive Science. Following graduation, Justine began assisting an attorney/psychologist on writing forensic evaluations for high-conflict custody situations. While in this position, she began working for another company during the COVID-19 pandemic in which she assisted in creating an evidence-based curriculum focused on building resilient employees and individuals. Her experiences here are what motivated her to help young adults gain courage and clarity in their chosen life paths. In addition to being a part of Dr. Paul Meller’s Institute for Forensic Psychology at Hofstra University, Justine additionally sought to join the Positive Psychology Institute for Emerging Adults because of her passion for helping young adults create meaningful, resilient, and fulfilling lives. Justine is excited to utilize positive psychology to help others enhance their strengths and maximize their resiliency.
KATELYN REESE, M.S.
Katelyn is a second-year Doctoral Student in Hofstra’s School-Community Psy.D. program. She graduated from Yale University in 2021 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. While there, Katelyn worked as a research assistant in the Yale University Department of Psychology and went on to discover her love for positive psychology, writing her thesis about the determining role that it plays in one’s overall happiness. After graduating Katelyn spent a year working on Wall Street as a research analyst for an investment bank. Returning to her true passion in psychology, Katelyn is thrilled to be a part of the Positive Psychology Institute for Emerging Adults and being able to help others live their most fulfilling and joyful lives.
KATARINA VATTES, M.S.
Katarina is a second-year Doctoral Student in Hofstra's School-Commmunity Psy.D. Program. She graduated from Binghamton University in 2022 with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Political Science. Katarina is eager to explore her love for helping young adults learn how to live their best lives by contributing to the growth of the Positive Psychology Institute for Emerging Adults. She is also a member of Hofstra's Family Forensic Psychology clinic where she is able to explore her interests of psychology that interact with various aspects of the law. Katarina is thrilled to help support young adults in their journey to reaching their goals and learning how to successfully thrive!
CHRISTINA LEVI, M.S.
Christina is a second-year student at Hofstra University's School-Community Doctoral program. Graduating from Marist College in 2022 with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and minor in cognitive science, Christina is passionate about many subjects in the field. Her research included the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on families with special needs, as well as gender differences in the pursuit of mental health services. She is looking forward to contributing to the clinic, and is excited about the progression and growth of Positive Psychology. Her own interest in the field is a product of many factors, including her own experiences in therapeutic settings, witnessing inequity and hardship throughout prior community internships, and especially social issues that became apparent throughout the pandemic. She hopes to use her knowledge and skills to help clients capitalize on their many strengths and flourish in all facets of life! When she's not in the clinic, Christina loves to create art, play guitar, and crochet.
LAUREN BOTTER, M.S.
Lauren is a second-year Doctoral Student in Hofstra’s School-Community Psy.D. program. She graduated from The George Washington University in 2022 with a B.A. in Psychology, with a minor in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. During her time in DC, Lauren engaged in many different experiences related to psychology and research. Her interests in serving vulnerable communities stem from an internship with the Jewish Federations of North America’s Center for Advancing Holocaust Survivor Care, specifically during the outbreak of COVID-19, analyzing the success of national programming aimed towards improving the lives of Holocaust survivors in the United States. At GW, she also worked as an undergraduate research assistant for Team Represent on their DMV HIV History Project, collecting qualitative data to highlight the history of important people and places related to ending the HIV Epidemic in the DC-Maryland-Virginia area. These experiences have fostered a passion for helping others and providing them with the tools to lead successful lives. Lauren has a wide range of interests within the field of psychology and is also part of the Child and Family Trauma Institute here at Hofstra University. She looks forward to engaging with individuals in the Positive Psychology Institute for Emerging Adults to help them blossom through the use of positive psychology.
CALI DAVIS, M.S.
Cali Davis is a second-year doctoral student of Hofstra’s School Community PsyD program. She graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with a B.A in Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice. Since graduation, Cali has worked at Developmental Disabilities Institute with children on the autism spectrum. She was also a research coordinator at Stony Brook University, where she oversaw studies on bipolar disorder over a 10-year period, schizophrenia in a 27.5-year longitudinal study, and the HiTOP study, which examined a novel approach to patient diagnosis. Cali has many interests in the field of psychology and is also a part of Hofstra’s Institute for Family Forensic Psychology. She is eager to support others in thriving and leading meaningful lives by joining the Positive Psychology Institute for Emerging Adults.
ANNA MOY, M.S.
Anna is a second-year student in Hofstra University’s School-Community Psychology Doctoral Program. She graduated Queens College in 2022 with a B.A. in Psychology and History. While pursuing her Bachelor’s degree, Anna conducted a study on the relation between the COVID-19 lockdown and an increase in depression symptoms in young adults. She also provided academic support for students conducting psychology research at Queens College. Anna also has experience working with diverse populations in hospital and clinical settings and providing support during difficult life transitions. She looks forward to working in the Positive Psychology Institute for Emerging Adults to continue supporting individuals through challenging times in their lives.
JULIANA SIKORSKI
Juliana is a first-year student at Hofstra University's School-Community Doctoral Program. She graduated from Lafayette College with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Anthropology and Sociology. Since graduation, Juliana has worked as a Patient Care Manager at the Center For Anxiety where she attended weekly Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) groups for adolescents. She also conducted research on the effectiveness of telehealth therapy vs. in-person therapy in adults. She is excited to join the Positive Psychology Institute for Emerging Adults as she wants to help children, adolescents, and young adults create a life worth living.
ALEXANDRA FRYMAN
Alexandra is a first-year Doctoral Student in Hofstra’s School-Community Psy.D. program. She graduated from Northeastern University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies. During her undergraduate career, Alexandra worked as a clinical assistant at the Center for Effective Therapy, solidifying a passion for outpatient youth services. After graduation, Alexandra spent a year working in higher education, community engagement and career services as well as museum education. Returning for a graduate degree, Alexandra is looking forward to being part of the Positive Psychology Institute for Emerging Adults and being able to help others identify and reach their goals.
MARNIE WEINGARTEN
Marnie is a first-year Doctoral Student in Hofstra's School-Commmunity Psy.D. Program. She graduated from Yeshiva University in 2022 with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, writing her senior thesis on Mindfulness. Following graduation, Marnie worked at a communal healthcare clinic, taught Advanced Placement psychology, and served as a volunteer crisis counselor. Marnie is excited to have the opportunity to be a part of the Positive Psychology Institute for Emerging Adults and looks forward to investing in her passion for self growth by helping young adults in their journey to live happy and fulfilling lives.
AMBERLEIGH VERHAGEN
Amberleigh Verhagen is a first year doctoral student of Hofstra’s Psy.D program. She graduated from SUNY Old Westbury with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. In her undergraduate studies, Amberleigh interned at the SUNY Old Westbury Office of Disabilities, conducting research and compiling resources for students struggling with substance abuse disorders. Combined with her experiences at the Hofstra’s Institute for Forensic Psychology, Amberleigh Verhagen strives to translate her passion for psychology into helping young adults practice resiliency in day to day life while still protecting and maintaining their inner child.
AYANNA SPURLOCK-SHACKELTON, M.S.
Coming soon!