Offering the Full Range of Comprehensive Psychological Services with a Specialty in Eating Disorders, DBT, & Child Services

Experience is the Key

Psychological or emotional problems are as complex as each person who comes through our doors. We have therefore assembled a highly specialized and experienced team of professionals.  We have brought together this vast expertise to create a dynamic center that represents the best the field has to offer including psychologists, psychiatrists, nutritionists, clinical social workers, child psychologists, family, adolescent and group psychotherapists. 

Dr. Cyndi Koch, founder and director of The Koch Center, has been working in private practice and in the field of eating disorders for the past 25 years.  Dr. Koch is a nationally recognized clinician, lecturer, trainer, and supervisor in the field.  She has brought her innovative approach and 25 years experience to The Koch Center and has created the area’s premier center for the treatment of psychological and emotional issues with a specialty in eating disorders. 

Clinical Staff & Phone Directory

Staff Bios

Linda Centeno, Ph.D. is the Assistant Director of The Koch Center and is a Licensed Psychologist in New York and New Jersey.  She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University and has had extensive training at the prestigious Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center/New York Presbyterian Hospital, where she completed her internship and postdoctoral fellowship in clinical psychology. She works with adolescents and adults, with expertise in clinical assessment and psychotherapy.

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Sofia Kondrashin, MD received her medical degree from Moscow Academy of Medicine (Russia), Adult Psychiatry training: Mount Sinai-North General Hospital, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship: NY Presbyterian-Cornell Westchester Division. Long experience in working with adolescents and adults with eating disorders and emotion dysregulation problems. Board Certified in Adult and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry.

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Nancy Feldman, RD, MS, is an experienced registered dietitian specializing in the treatment of eating disorders and eating issues. She provides individualized nutrition counseling for adults, children and adolescents. She holds a masters degree from New York University and has many years of experience working at hospitals and outpatient health/medical facilities. She frequently collaborates with psychotherapists, physicians, and psychiatrists.

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Heather Watson-Perez, Ph.D. obtained her undergraduate degree at The University of Massachusetts at Amherst, her MA from Teachers College, Columbia University, and her Ph.D. from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Dr. Watson-Perez completed her pre-doctoral internship at Nassau University Medical Center. She specializes in the treatment of children and adolescents.

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Erica Ban, RD, MS, is an experienced Registered Dietitian with 10+ years experience, specializing in the nutritional counseling of eating disorders. Through highly individualized treatment, Erica helps clients develop a healthy relationship with food and their body. Founded on a non-diet approach, her work incorporates mindful/ intuitive eating while also using meal plans when desired and/or necessary. She work with a team approach to treatment and collaborate regularly with therapists, psychiatrists and physicians to offer the most comprehensive care.

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Miriam Burt, Psy.D. received her undergraduate education from Boston University, completed two years of graduate psychology courses at NYU, then received her doctoral degree from GSAPP at Rutgers University. Dr. Burt has undergone the Intensive Training for DBT and has experience with the individual/group components of this treatment. She is experienced in working with adolescents/adults with mood disorders, eating disorders, and emotion regulation difficulties.

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Danna Markson, LCSW, is a psychotherapist with over 17 years of clinical experience. She has a post-graduate certificate in Family Therapy and is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Danna's approach to therapy is goal-directed, aimed at teaching clients skills to manage their thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

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Elaine DiMola, Ph.D. is a Licensed Psychologist in New York and New Jersey. Dr. DiMola graduated with a doctoral degree in Psychology from Fordham University and has a Masters Degree in group process psychology. She is the Supervising Senior Psychologist at Rockland Psychiatric Hospital and serves as a member of the Hospital Forensic Committee. She completed certification in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and serves as a DBT staff consultant and trainer at the hospital. At the Koch Center, Dr. DiMola runs DBT skills groups and provides individual DBT therapy. Additionally, she is interested in trauma treatment, cognitive behavioral treatments and coping behavior.

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Sheri Sussman, LCSW, is a psychotherapist with over 20 years clinical experience. She graduated from Cornell University and obtained a Masters degree from Columbia University. She has had post graduate training in Self Psychology.

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Angela Ziskis, Ph.D. obtained her Ph.D. from Rutgers University and completed her internship at the Central Texas VA Hospital. Dr. Ziskis’ clinical work has focused on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), specializing in the treatment of anxiety disorders and trauma related issues.

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Eric Eigenbrot, LCSW, has 23 years of direct clinical practice experience using individual, couples, family and group modalities. Eric’s areas of expertise include mood and anxiety disorders, PTSD/trauma, DBT, Family Therapy and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

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Kristin Sharma, Ph.D. is a clinical neuropsychologist whose clinical training has included work with pediatric and adult clients with developmental and learning disabilities as well as acquired brain injury. Dr. Sharma has conducted research and is a published author in the areas of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, normative memory development in children and geriatric depression.

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Martine Rizzo Levine, LCSW is a psychotherapist with over 25 years if clinical experience. She has worked extensively in both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings and has held clinical director/supervisory positions at other eating disorder facilities. She works with adults, adolescents and children, with expertise in Individual and Family Psychotherapy. Her particular interests include working with individuals with anxiety and depression, as well as children, adolescents and families struggling with ADHD and other learning, behavioral and developmental issues.

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Amanda Martin Starling, Psy.D. obtained her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from GSAPP, Rutgers University where her main focus was women's issues, and completed an APA-accredited internship at the Manhattan VA Hospital. She has extensive training in the assessment and treatment of eating disorders, having completed a post-doctoral fellowship at NYU on the eating disorders team. She also has worked as a primary therapist at an eating disorder day treatment program.

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Jen-Mai Wong, Psy.D. obtained her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from GSAPP, Rutgers University where she received specialized training in the cognitive-behavioral treatment of eating disorders/body image disturbance. She completed an APA-approved internship at the Calgary Consortium in Clinical Psychology. Dr. Wong’s clinical work continues to focus on the treatment of eating and mood disorders among adolescents and adults. Dr. Wong is a licensed psychologist is both New Jersey and New York.

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Eva Lazar-Sultanik, PhD. received her undergraduate education from Rutgers University, obtained a MS Ed in preschool psychology and PhD in school psychology from Fordham University. Dr. Lazar has a background in working with schools, and is a strong advocate for meeting the academic, social, and emotional needs of all students. Her interests include developing social skills in preschool-aged children, as well as children and early adolescents dealing with social, family, and learning challenges. She has conducted research in the areas of religiosity, self-esteem, and early adolescent girls. Dr. Lazar works clinically with children, adolescents, and parents at The Koch Center.

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Rachel Mahoney Rengifo, Ph.D. received her doctorate in clinical psychology from Adelphi University. She completed an APA-accredited internship at North Central Bronx Hospital, as well as clinical trainings at Bellevue Hospital and Jersey City Medical Center's Child and Adolescent Outpatient Clinic. She is experienced in working with children, adolescent, and adult patients in both individual and group psychotherapy, as well as couples and family therapy.

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Beth McGovern, LCSW is a psychotherapist with over 18 years of clinical experience with individuals, families and groups. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Boston University, graduate degree from Fordham University and has had additional training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and DBT. She has worked extensively in the treatment of eating disorders in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She currently works with adolescents and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, eating disorders and emotion regulation issues.

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