About Dr. Constance Salhany
Constance Salhany, LMHC, Ph.D., A-CBT, Diplomate and Fellow, Cognitive Therapy, Certified Trainer and Consultant, Academy of Cognitive Therapy is the Founder and Clinical Director of Cognitive Therapy of Staten Island, PSLMHC, PLLC.
Dr. Constance Salhany
Dr. Salhany is a licensed psychologist and has been treating individuals with a broad range of anxiety and depressive disorders for more than 25 years. She received a Master’s of Science in School & Community Counseling from CUNY, the College of Staten Island and her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Walden University. Dr. Salhany is a licensed Psychologist in New York and New Jersey as well a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York and Licensed Professional Counselor in New Jersey.
Dr. Salhany completed an Extramural Program from the prestigious Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy and Research. She was personally supervised by Judith Beck, Ph.D., a best-selling author, researcher and expert in cognitive therapy. Dr. Beck’s father is the Aaron T. Beck, M.D., the internationally known scientist who created Cognitive Behavior Therapy and was recently recognized as one of the most influential therapists of all time. From this specialized training, Dr. Salhany received certification from the distinctive Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies (A-CBT). It is important to note that while many identify themselves as cognitive therapists, The Academy of Cognitive Therapy is the only certifying organization for cognitive therapists that actually evaluates applicants’ knowledge and ability before granting certification. Dr. Salhany remains the only A-CBT Certified Psychologist on Staten Island and one of the select few in the New York Area. She is one of only 130 people in the world to hold advanced certification as consultant and trainer in Cognitive Therapy.
In terms of OCD treatment, Dr. Salhany has an expertise in this area. She is proficient in using interventions such as Exposure and Response Prevention, cognitive strategies, behavioral experiments, Reid Wilson's Cognitive (strategic) Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Strategies. In OC Related Disorders, she uses Stimulus Control and Habit- Reversal. Dr. Salhany's experience of over 25 years’ training and experience in OCD treatment includes Reid Wilson's 2 day intensive treatment group, and completion of the Behavior Therapy Training Institute, sponsored by Mass. General Hospital and taught by leading experts in North America.
As a Certified Trail Based Cognitive Therapist, Dr. Salhany mastered new techniques for working on more deeply embedded beliefs, called core beliefs. She has the honor to have training and individualized consultation with Christine Padesky. Other training include; Compassion Focused Treatment with Paul Gilbert, Kristin Neff, and Dennis Tirch; Dialectical Behavior Therapy with Marsha Linehan; Transformational Chair work with Scott Kellog; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with such people as Steve Hayes and Russ Harris.
In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Salhany remains an active educator with various teaching credentials. She is currently a Clinical Instructor for the Psychiatric Residents at Richmond University Medical Center and Northwell, Staten Island University Hospital. She is also an Adjunct Professor at the College of Staten Island and Wagner College for the Department of Psychology. She formerly served as faculty at St. Paul’s School of Nursing and St. Vincent’s School of Nursing and was Acting Administrator for the new Mental Health Counselors Program at the College of Staten Island, Graduate Division. Dr. Salhany enjoys mentoring psychologists and other mental health professionals.
Dr. Salhany is well known to the community of Staten Island and is a Board Member with the non-profit patient advocacy organization, Freedom From Fear, and spent many years at Clinical Management Consultants. She has given lectures and presentations to various local entities, at professional conferences, and has appeared on local television. She has been recognized for her contributions to the community with a Borough President's Certificate for her outreach efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Visiting Nurse Association, Smith Stanley Award, Caregivers Award from Freedom From Fear, Louis Capporicci Community Service Award, Faculty Appreciation Award from The C.S.I. Dolphins, and has obtained Lifetime Membership in the Psi Chi , The National Honor Society in Psychology. Dr. Salhany also is co-founder of Staten Island Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Association and founder of Catholic Mental Health Professionals.