PROVIDERS
Alice Zafiris, Psy.D.
Clinical Director
Licensed Clinical PsychologistL
​
Dr. Zafiris provides evidence-based therapeutic services to children, adolescents, and adults addressing a wide range of issues related to psychological health and well-being. She specializes in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and body-focused repetitive behaviors. Dr. Zafiris has been intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) by Behavioral Tech/Linehan Institute and is a graduate of the Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) through the International OCD Foundation where she obtained intensive training and certification in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).
In her clinical work, Dr. Zafiris utilizes an integrative therapeutic approach which is primarily grounded in cognitive behavioral theory and guided by empirically supported interventions. She takes pride in her ability to personalize treatment to best meet each individual’s unique needs and values a collaborative therapeutic relationship with each client. Balancing acceptance based approaches with solution-focused strategies, Dr. Zafiris strives to create a warm and supportive environment from which to provide relief from clients’ suffering, as well as to foster personal growth and increase one’s sense of satisfaction and experience of happiness in life. ​
​
Professional Affiliations
​
American Psychological Association
International OCD Foundation
Association for Contextual Behavioral Science
TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors
​
Paulina Menendez, M.S.
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Extern
​
Paulina Menendez is a doctoral student at the Chicago School located in Washington, DC. As she pursues her journey of achieving a Psy.D., Paulina will be offering therapeutic services under the supervision and guidance of Dr. Alice Zafiris, Licensed Clinical Psychologist. She graduated with distinction from Mercy College where she obtained a Masters degree in Psychology. With prior experience as a psychometrician working under neuropsychologists, Paulina has conducted comprehensive neuropsychological and cognitive assessments for children, adolescents, and adults.
Paulina’s unwavering passion for psychology has fueled her ambition to serve individuals of diverse populations. Her particular areas of specialty encompass a range of concerns, including anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and bipolar disorder. Within clinical practice, she employs an integrative approach and draws from a wealth of evidence-based practices, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Given her innate desire to empower individuals, Paulina tailors each treatment to the unique needs of her clients, while providing them with the necessary tools and insights required to navigate life's challenges. She strives to establish a comfortable and supportive environment in which her clients can feel encouraged to create long-lasting positive change and become the healthiest versions of themselves. In essence, her therapeutic approach is built upon a foundation of trust, empathy, and collaboration.
​
Caroline Kay, M.S.
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Extern
​
Caroline Kay is a doctoral student clinician under Dr. Zafiris’ supervision. She provides evidence-based therapeutic services to a range of individuals, primarily adolescents, college-aged students, and young adults. Caroline’s therapeutic and clinical interests include working with individuals who are experiencing anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, and those going through transitionary life phases (i.e., high school to college, college to post-grad). Caroline’s approach to treatment is integrative and tailored to each client, using techniques from cognitive-behavioral, dialectical-behavioral, humanistic, and interpersonal theories. Caroline is a motivated extern dedicated to providing empathic, empirically supported, and culturally relevant treatment to all of her clients.
Caroline is currently working towards her PsyD in Clinical Psychology at The Chicago School at Washington D.C., where she recently received her MA. Caroline earned a BS from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she majored in Psychology with a Clinical Concentration and double minors in Behavioral Neuroscience and Classical Studies. Beyond academia, Caroline has worked as a research assistant in the Behavioral Neuroscience and Health and Emotion research labs at Saint Joseph’s University. She was a teacher’s assistant for several doctoral courses, including Clinical and Diagnostic Interviewing, Adult Psychopathology, and Advanced Assessment. After graduating with her bachelor’s degree, Caroline worked as a residential counselor with adults who had at least two clinical diagnoses, including schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and depression. Caroline also has thorough experience conducting neuropsychological assessments with children aged 5–21 years in both hospital and private practice settings.
