Institute Therapists and Department Directors

Kristene A. Doyle, Ph.D., Sc.D. is the Director of the Albert Ellis Institute (AEI). Dr. Doyle is also Director of Clinical Services, founding Director of the Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Center (EDTRC), and a licensed psychologist at AEI. During her 20-year tenure at AEI, Dr. Doyle has held various leadership roles including Associate Executive Director, Training and Development Coordinator, and Director of Child and Family Services. She is also a Diplomate in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) and serves on the Diplomate Board. > Full bio

Raymond DiGiuseppe, Ph.D., Sc.D. is Director of Professional Education and licensed staff psychologist at the Albert Ellis Institute (AEI). After earning a B.S. degree from Villanova University, Dr. DiGiuseppe received his Ph.D. from Hofstra University in 1975. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at AEI in 1977. In 1980 he became the Institute’s Director of Professional Education, a position he has held since then. He has trained hundreds of therapists in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) throughout the world. He received the Jack Krasner Early Career Contribution award from APA’s Division of Psychotherapy (29) > Full bio

Michael Hickey, Ph.D. is the founding Director of the Center for Psychological Evaluation and the Center for Treatment and Research of Obsessive-Compulsive & Related Disorders at the Albert Ellis Institute (AEI). In addition, he is a licensed psychologist and coordinator/quality assurance person for Cogmed Working Memory Training at AEI. A graduate of Western New England University, Dr. Hickey earned his B.A. in Psychology, Summa Cum Laude, and received the University’s prestigious Alumni Award for graduating with the highest cumulative grade point average. He went on to earn his M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical and School Psychology at Hofstra University and completed a pre-doctoral internship and fellowship at AEI. > Full bio

F. Michler Bishop, Ph.D. is the Director of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services at the Albert Ellis Institute (AEI), where he worked closely with Dr. Ellis, running groups and workshops. He is the author of Managing Addictions: Cognitive, Emotive and Behavioral Techniques and, more recently, a chapter on alcohol abuse in the Handbook of Assessment, Conceptualization, and Treatment. In both, he advocates for an integrative, goal-focused approach, incorporating a variety of research-based treatment options. Dr. Bishop is past president of the Division of Addictions of the New York State Psychological Association and the Addictive Behaviors Special Interest Group of the Association for Behavior and Cognitive Therapies. > Full bio

Staff Therapists

Ashley Oliver, Psy.D. is a staff therapist at the Albert Ellis Institute (AEI). She received her B.S. in human development from Cornell University and M.S. and Psy.D. in school psychology from St. John’s University. Dr. Oliver has experience treating adults and children presenting with various internalizing and externalizing disorders, such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. She also has experience providing school-based behavioral consultation, psychological assessments, and intervention services to children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and various anxiety-related difficulties. Dr. Oliver’s research interests are focused on the application of empirically validated treatments for underserved populations.

Rachel Waxman, Ph.D., is a licensed staff psychologist at the Albert Ellis Institute (AEI). Dr. Waxman holds a B.A. in psychology and English from Columbia University and an M.A. in clinical psychology from St. John’s University. Her doctoral dissertation discussed negative self-image as an underlying factor in personality and emotional disturbance. Dr. Waxman has conducted therapy and testing with adults, children, and families in Queens and the Bronx, and has worked in outpatient, inpatient, and research settings. She has clinical and research interests in self-concept, personality disorders, childhood emotional development, and prediction and prevention of psychopathology.

Pre-Doctoral Externs

Alexandra Allam, M.A. is a pre-doctoral extern at the Albert Ellis Institute (AEI). She received her B.A. in psychology with a clinical concentration and a minor in English from Boston College. Ms. Allam is currently working towards her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at St. John’s University. She has treated and evaluated individuals with a range of psychological problems in outpatient and research settings. Ms. Allam’s research interests include comorbid psychological conditions, the link between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and eating disorders, and transactional risk factors associated with adverse psychological outcomes.

Aimee Baez, M.S. is a pre-doctoral extern at the Albert Ellis Institute (AEI). She received her B.A.in psychology from Bard College and M.S. in general and special education from Bank Street College of Education. Mrs. Baez is currently working towards her Psy.D in school psychology at St. John’s University.  She has trained in outpatient settings and school settings treating children, adolescents, and adults with various internalizing and externalizing disorders. She also has experience providing school-based behavioral consultation, conducting psychological assessments, and leading intervention services for children, adolescents, and families. Mrs. Baez’s research interests include examining the link between treatment outcomes and therapeutic alliance.