Peter J Economou

Peter J. Economou, Ph.D., ABPP earned a Ph.D. in counseling psychology and is Board Certified in Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Dr. Pete completed his internship training to earn his Ph.D. in 2011 and completed post-doctorate clinical training in neuropsychology and sports psychology while joining the faculty at Felician University. Dr. Pete joined the esteemed faculty at Rutgers University- Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP) as the Director of the MAP program and Associate Professor. Dr. Pete has completed various international relief projects, which included working with children and adults with developmental disabilities in the Caribbean, and individuals with HIV and AIDS throughout Africa. Studying at Seton Hall University, Dr. Pete was conferred a B.S. in Biology, studied Neuroscience at the graduate level, and was conferred a M.A. and an Ed.S. in counseling and psychological studies and mental health counseling.

Dr. Pete is licensed by the state of New Jersey to practice psychology and as a Professional Counselor (LPC), and in New York as a psychologist. He approaches therapy from a cognitive orientation, primarily of Beckian Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). He creates an open dialogue about treatment techniques and goals are set and evaluated monthly. It is his belief that many of our concerns are routed in learned experiences and we can train our minds to function at the optimal envisioned level. Dr. Pete has also studied eastern philosophy including Buddhism and Yoga which lead to his interest in the third wave cognitive and behavioral therapies. There are several techniques including advanced training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).

Dr. Pete has trained at a variety of mental health settings treating individuals across the life span, and has always focused on cognitive and behavioral therapies. His training included working with elite (e.g., university) and professional (e.g., NFL, MLS and NHL) athletes, methadone and other substance abuse clinics, family treatment centers, university counseling and disability support services, hospital settings including neuropsychology assessment and intensive outpatient services, assisted living facilities, private practice, and a summer camp for students with developmental disabilities. Dr. Pete offers interdisciplinary treatment including referrals to psychiatrists, physicians, nutritionists, physical trainers, nurses, social workers, and other professionals that can assist an individual to achieve the stated goals. Lastly, Dr. Pete has completed myriad of research projects where he has presented at national and international conferences. His research interests vary including studies investigating the impact of stress and trauma on learning, memory, and executive functioning, the varying romantic relationship models and differences between the heterosexual and homosexual populations, gender, and the affects of heterosexism and stress on sexual minorities. Dr. Pete is an active member of several professional organizations.

Katherine Fackina

Dr. Fackina earned both a Ph.D. and Educational Specialist Degree in Marriage and Family Psychology from Seton Hall University. Dr. Fackina is licensed by the state of New Jersey to practice psychology and as a Professional Counselor (LPC), and in New York as a psychologist. Previously, she achieved a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the College of St. Elizabeth. In addition to her own educational endeavors, she is currently an adjunct professor in the Department of Professional Psychology at Seton Hall University, teaching at the graduate level across psychology programs.

Dr. Fackina has a wealth of clinical experience stemming from her work with individuals, couples, and families in a variety of diverse environments including hospital, community, legal, and private-based clinical settings. She approaches therapy from strength-based and person-centered perspective and believes that effective treatment involves a collaborative process respective of differences based on culture, ethnicity, religion, gender, and sexual orientation. Her practice incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) and focuses on the resolution of emotional and behavioral problems in order to empower people to lead happier, more fulfilling lives. In her specialized work with couples, Dr. Fackina utilizes Emotion Focused Therapy, which is highly integrative with CBT and REBT. Her approach is grounded in the fundamental belief that emotions tell us what is important to us and guide our behavior towards what we need or want. This process is highly influenced by the thoughts that occur within a given experience or interaction and often develop into habitual ways of behaving and relating to others. By expanding upon and making productive use of rational thought patterns while transforming irrational patterns, the therapist can assist an individual in regulating their emotional responses and incorporating alternative ways of behaving and interacting. Change is fostered when an individual can experience a situation or relational event in a new, healthy way. Within a relational context, this also translates to the development of deeper levels of connection and secure relational foundation.

The clinical foundation from which Dr. Fackina works is enhanced through specialized training in traumatic stress management through the University of Maryland, as well as advanced training in psychological assessment, play therapy, dual diagnosis treatment, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. She is actively involved in scholarly research currently with a focus on Post Traumatic Growth. She is also a member of several professional organizations and continually seeks to remain informed of the advancements of her profession. Dr. Fackina prides herself on balancing her practice through a holistic viewpoint and attention to wellness rooted in compassionate care and implemented through a personalized approach.

Nikki Rubin

View Website Nikki Rubin, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist (CA PSY30047; NY 019595) specializing in evidence-based therapies. She received her Bachelor of Arts from UCSD in Literature/Writing, where she also completed Minors in Human Development and Spanish Literature. Dr. Rubin earned both a Master of Arts in Psychology and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University's APA accredited Graduate School of Education and Psychology. During this time she began her training in 3rd wave CBT at Harbor-UCLA under the supervision and mentorship of Lynn McFarr, Ph.D. She completed an APA accredited internship at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (now Rutgers University) in Newark where she provided 3rd wave CBT to patients in the university hospital as well as to inmates in Northern State Prison. She then completed a postdoctoral fellowship in CBT at the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy in New York under the direction of Robert Leahy, Ph.D. where she was subsequently hired as a senior staff psychologist, and served as the Co-Director of Clinical Training. Dr. Rubin began her own private practice in Manhattan in 2014 as part of a small community of clinicians in New York who specialize in 3rd wave CBT. She returned to her hometown of Los Angeles in 2018 to continue her work in providing high quality evidence-based psychological treatments for adolescents and adults.

Dr. Rubin is a full member of the American Psychological Association (APA), the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), and the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS). Dr. Rubin currently serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor within UCLA's clinical psychology Ph.D. program. She previously served as an Adjunct Professor of Psychology and Clinical Supervisor/Visiting Scholar at Columbia University’s Teachers College where she helped lead a shift towards training and supervision in 3rd wave CBT in the historically psychoanalytically focused clinical doctoral program. She also previously worked as an Adjunct Professor of Psychology providing instruction in 3rd wave CBT in the Psy.D. program at Yeshiva University's Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. For more information, please view her Psychology Today profile here.