Joanna Ball, Ph.D.

Joanna Ball, Ph.D. is the director and founder of Joanna Ball, Ph.D., Independent Psychology Practice, P.C. Dr. Ball achieved her undergraduate degree at Tufts University, followed by her M.A. and Ph.D. at Georgia State University. She completed her Internship at New York University Medical Center – Bellevue Hospital Center, and her Postdoctoral Fellowship at Emory University. Since completing her training, she has specialized in child/adolescent, adult, and family psychotherapy in both medical center and private practice settings, and has substantial experience as a clinical supervisor of psychology, social work, and psychiatry trainees in these specialty areas. Dr. Ball has expertise in treating mood disorders, anxiety disorders, externalizing/behavioral difficulties, trauma, co-morbid substance use difficulties, and also working with complicated family dynamics and co-parenting challenges. Dr. Ball has a great deal of experiencing working with diverse populations, including LGBTQ+. Dr. Ball relies on a combination of clinical approaches including but not limited to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT), psychodynamic psychotherapy, and family systems interventions. Her clinical style is warm, direct, and interpersonally engaging, and she consults regularly with schools, educational consultants, psychiatrists, and outside medical and mental health providers to ensure the most collaborative, comprehensive outpatient mental health care possible. Dr. Ball also works a great deal with couples/parents and adults who are coping with children with challenging mental health needs.

Rachel Deyong, Ph.D.

Dr. Deyong achieved her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Binghamton University, her M.S.Ed in School Psychology at Queens College, and her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, specializing in School Psychology, at the CUNY Graduate Center. Dr. Deyong completed her pre-doctoral internship at a school for twice-exceptional children (i.e., children with gifted intellect and unique needs such as ADHD, Autism, anxiety, and learning disabilities) in grades K through high school; she went on to become the school’s Director for School Psychology. Dr. Deyong completed her post-doctoral training at the Southfield Center for Development in Darien, CT. There she worked with a variety of children, adolescents, young adults, and families in a private practice setting. Afterwards, she worked at the Gillen Brewer School in NYC, a school for children with profound language-based learning disabilities. Dr. Deyong has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and families. She has expertise in treating ADHD, Autism, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, externalizing and behavioral challenges with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), play therapy techniques, and family systems interventions (including behavioral parent training). Her clinical style is warm, compassionate, and non-judgmental. She treats individuals from a “whole person” approach and works collaboratively with outside providers and schools to provide the most comprehensive treatment possible. 

Bonnie Behan, L.C.S.W.

Bonnie Behan, LCSW was born and raised in New York. She obtained her B.A. from New York University (NYU), with a major in psychology and a minor in studio art. Ms. Behan subsequently graduated from NYU School of Social Work with dual concentrations in child and adult psychotherapy. She has worked with pediatric populations in a variety of settings and positions, including a NYC hospital as assistant art therapist, an inner city elementary school as a school based support therapist, an inner city high school as a teacher, and various NYC clinics as a psychotherapist with teens and adults. She is trained in individual, group and family therapy.  Ms. Behan uses an eclectic approach when working with children, teens, and families, including play therapy with young children, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), family systems therapy (including behavioral parent training), and psychodynamic therapy. Ms. Behan has expertise working with a range of psychiatric difficulties, including mood and anxiety disorders, externalizing disorders such as ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder, Autism, and psychotic disorders. Ms. Behan works collaboratively with treatment teams and schools.

Julie Peter, L.M.S.W.

Julie Peter LMSW, earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology at Binghamton University and a Master’s degree from Hunter College in elementary education. She worked with children and their families in schools in New York City, Westchester, and private international schools in India and China. She obtained her certification in Gifted Education, as many of her students had unique educational and mental health needs, including ADHD, autism, anxiety, learning disabilities, and gifted intellect. Recognizing the growing need for clinical care outside of the purview of the educational setting, Ms. Peter pursued and earned a Master’s degree in Social Work from Fordham University. She began her clinical work at Green Chimneys, providing individual and group therapy for adolescents coping with a variety of social-emotional, and behavioral challenges related to: anxiety, ADHD, autism, mood disorders, impulse control, PTSD, LGBTQ+ issues, and school phobia and refusal. Her commitment to supporting individuals and families continued at Andrus Children and Family Services, where she provided individual and family therapy for children, adolescents, and adults, coping with trauma, emotional dysregulation, developmental disorders, grief processing, parenting struggles, and various mood and anxiety issues. Ms. Peter works closely and collaboratively with families, schools, and treatment teams. Her approach is genuine and non-judgmental, as her values are grounded in positive regard and building on individuals’ strengths. Ms. Peter embraces an eclectic therapeutic approach, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and family systems therapy techniques, tailoring her treatment to effectively address the unique challenges presented by each individual. She cultivates a safe environment, conducive to supporting and empowering individuals as they navigate their path towards mental health and well-being. 

Jennifer Annunziata, LMHC

Jennifer Annunziata attended Iona College and spent her early career as an Advertising Executive in NYC. After 12 years spent in the advertising industry, Ms. Annunziata went back to school to change careers. She earned a Masters Degree in School Counseling from Lehman College, which led her to work as an Education Advocate for at risk youth at a social service agency in Bronx, NY. Ms. Annunziata later went on to earn an advanced degree from Alfred University in Mental Health Counseling. During her internship for an Advanced Degree in Mental Health Counseling, Ms. Annunziata was trained by Dr. Elisa Brown of Queens College, a leading specialist in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT). Ms. Annunziata later earned a Capstone in CBT and TF-CBT. Currently Ms. Annunziata works with Dr. Ball’s practice and also serves as the Director of Education and Advocacy at a social service agency in New York where she supports the educational and clinical needs of her clients. Ms. Annunziata is also an Adjunct Professor at Lehman College, teaching future School Counselors and assisting with the development of a Master’s Program in Mental Health Counseling. At our practice, Ms. Annunziata brings a diverse background to her psychotherapy work with children, teens, adults, and families. She works from a cognitive-behavioral framework and approaches children and families through a broad lens where educational, clinical, and familial needs intersect. Ms. Annunziata serves children, adolescents, and adults struggling with a variety of internalizing and externalizing disorders as well as difficulties caused by trauma. Children and adolescents who require a combination of educational advocacy and treatment for mental health difficulties benefit a great deal from Ms. Annunziata's diverse expertise.