Find a CBT Therapist
Search through our directory of local clinicians.
The Laboratory for Clinical and Developmental Studies, located in the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University, is directed by Christine Cha, Ph.D.
Trainee Lab Members
Kay Shin, Ph.D.
Eleonora Guzmán, M.Phil
Katherine Tezanos, B.A.
Kelly Wilson, M.A.
Ilana Gratch, B.A.
Page Spears, B.S.
Kerri-Anne Bell, M.A.
Neha Parvez, M.A.
Sara Fernandez, M.A.
Zareen Mir, M.A.
Emily Mueller, M.A.
Justin Yin, B.A.
Karen Welder, M.A.
Serena Muniz, M.A.
Curreen Luongo, M.A.
Maura Beaton, M.Sc.
Shenyun Chen, M.A.
Sarah Sullivan, M.S.
Daniella Ekstein, B.A.
Dina Al Ghabra, M.A.
Emily O’Connor, B.S.
Patience Ojionuka, B.A.
Shayne Snyder, B.S.
Juno Pinder, B.S.
Danielle Reyes, B.S.
Emily Hubbard, B.A.
Jen Koide, M.A.
Ji Yoon Park, M.A.
Lilit DerKevorkian, B.S.
Tanya Mehdizadeh, B.S.
Rachel Velasquez, M.S.
Mike LeDuc, M.A.
Jamie Kim, B.A.
Morgan Morrison, M.A.
Supriya Kumble, B.A.
Shivangi Sharma, B.S.
Hannah Knott, B.A
Sarah Kelly, B.A.
Chana Fisch, B.A.
Canfer Akbulut, B.A.
Angelique Simeone
Jayanth Mammen
We asked each of the LCDS’s ABCT members:
- What is your area of research interest?
- How has ABCT been helpful to you?
- If a student were thinking about joining ABCT, what activities would you recommend they get involved in?
Ki Eun (Kay) Shin, Ph.D.
- My research interests include using technology-based intensive longitudinal assessments to examine cognitive and emotional processes in internalizing disorders and suicidality.
- ABCT has been one of my professional homes throughout my training and career. ABCT conventions are where I get to share my most recent work and connect with other researchers and clinicians who share my interests, as well as learn about the most cutting-edge and innovative endeavors in the field. Many influential thinkers and researchers also attend the conventions, and I always find it inspiring to listen to their vision and passion for the field. I also appreciate the various workshops and training opportunities offered by ABCT. Being a part of the ABCT community has been a core aspect of my professional identity, and my intention is to stay engaged and contribute to the ABCT community.
- In particular, I would like to encourage trainees to chair and present at convention symposia. It is a great opportunity to network with other researchers as well as learn and showcase cutting-edge work in the areas of your interest. Joining a SIG is also a great idea. Many SIGs offer career resources such as mentor-mentee match programs, grant writing tips, and they also offer ample opportunities to connect with potential collaborators. Last, but not least, there are several ABCT awards for which trainees are eligible to apply (e.g., dissertation awards).
Katherine Tezanos, B.A.
- My primary focus of research includes studying risk factors for suicide through a developmental lens, and the use of novel methodological approaches to assessing suicide risk.
- Given the breadth of research presented at ABCT, and given the transdiagnostic nature of suicide risk, attending symposia and research poster presentations outside of the scope of suicide has helped broaden my understanding and piqued my interest in how multiple units of analyses may be implicated in risk. Additionally, the social nature of ABCT conventions has helped me maintain contact with former colleagues and create new research collaborations.
- My advice would be to look for research presentations that may be outside of your field of research, and don’t be afraid to ask questions and try to meet with that researcher whose work you have always admired!
Kerri-Anne Bell, M.A.
- My primary goal is to understand the sociocultural underpinnings of Black youth self-injurious thoughts and behaviors; specifically understanding the relationship between cultural minority stressors (e.g., health care discrimination, stigma) and disclosure patterns among Black youth who self-harm and have a history of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
- ABCT has afforded me the opportunity to learn from researchers in the field through convention symposia and poster presentations. The vast nature of interests among members and presenters makes for an enriching and engaging convention experience year after year. ABCT has also allowed me to build connections with fellow diverse researchers through SIGs – a tremendously valuable aspect of membership for an early career researcher like myself.
- I would advise a new member to take advantage of the diverse areas of research that are highlighted at conventions that feature innovative research methods, underrepresented samples, and influential researchers in your field of interest. I would also encourage new members to join a SIG they believe they would benefit from in terms of support, opportunities for collaboration, and mentorship.
Christine Cha, Ph.D.
Dr. Christine Cha is an Assistant Professor in the Clinical Psychology Program at Teachers College, Columbia University, where she directs the Laboratory for Clinical and Developmental Studies (LCDS). Dr. Cha received her PhD in Clinical Psychology at Harvard University and completed her clinical training at Brown. Dr. Cha’s research has been funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology and Journal of Abnormal Psychology, and recently received the Rising Star Award from the Association for Psychological Science.
LCDS addresses practical questions about suicide and self-injury among youth. How can we more objectively assess suicide risk? Do certain patterns of thought place individuals at greater risk of self-harm? To answer these questions, we conduct research through laboratory experiments, hospital-based data collection, and systematic reviews. Ultimately, we want to better understand why people hurt or kill themselves. We also seek ways to precisely and responsibly assess suicide risk.
How long have you been a member of ABCT?
I have been a member since 2008.
How often and why do you attend the ABCT convention?
I have attended every year for the past 14 years. I consider ABCT to be my professional and academic home and love the chance each November to discover advances in research and evidence-based treatments, support my own trainees and their exciting initiatives, and connect with old friends.
How do you stay current with developments in the field, both research and practice?
I feel lucky that much of my job involves learning from those around me. I attend different workshops and conventions (e.g., ABCT, APS, JCCAP Forum, Youth Suicide Research Consortium), regularly review grants and articles, revise my syllabi to incorporate new research/practice, and stay open to new papers highlighted by my trainees, my colleagues, and academic Twitter.
How has ABCT helped you/your lab professionally?
ABCT provides a supportive, essential professional community. ABCT helps me stay plugged into advances in clinical psychology research and practice, and to be thoughtful about my professional development. I have connected with many eventual mentors, colleagues, and friends at ABCT conventions, and enjoyed introducing ABCT to my trainees.
Does your lab have any traditions or do anything together for fun?
At the end of every semester/summer, our lab hosts a series of brief talks (“LCDS Talks”) where members are welcome to introduce new research ideas/findings. LCDS Talks offer an intellectual safe space and excuse to review those half-baked ideas we have considered further developing (but haven’t gotten the chance to). This is usually followed by a thank-you gathering for RAs that takes place along the Hudson River. These traditions have continued throughout the pandemic, thanks to Zoom and lab members’ creative ways to stay connected (e.g., video montages, virtual group games).
What advice would you give prospective trainees?
No matter where you are in your training or career, stay curious. When you are at a convention, challenge yourself to attend a symposium that has nothing to do with your prior experience or suspected interests. You never know what you might learn or be inspired by.