Brittany Kugler, M.S.W., Ph.D.
Dr. Brittany Kugler is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders. Dr. Kugler received her B.A. in psychology from Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT. She then went on to get her M.S.W from New York University. After working in the field of social work, Dr. Kugler returned to school at the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL where she completed both her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. During her doctoral program, Dr. Kugler completed several years of intensive specialized training in CBT for anxiety and related disorders. Dr. Kugler completed a pre-doctoral internship at Westchester Jewish Community Services where she provided individual therapy to children, adolescents and adults with varying emotional and behavioral problems including anxiety disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression. She received specialized training in CBT, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and trauma focused CBT.
Dr. Brittany Kugler then completed a one-year post-doctoral fellowship at Westchester Anxiety Treatment under the supervision of Dr. Joanna Robin. Following her fellowship, Dr. Kugler remained at Westchester Anxiety Treatment for two years as a licensed clinician. During her time at Westchester Anxiety Treatment, Dr. Kugler continued to develop and solidify her expertise as a cognitive-behavioral therapist specializing in anxiety and related disorders.
Dr. Kugler’s approach towards intervention is largely cognitive-behavioral. More broadly, however, Dr. Kugler uses an integrated approach incorporating the most appropriate evidence-based treatments in order to reach the best therapeutic results for that individual. Dr. Kugler views each patient as a complex individual with unique thoughts, behaviors and circumstances. Therefore, Dr. Kugler’s practice relies equally on her understanding of scientifically based interventions and her recognition and careful attention to human heterogeneity.
PUBLICATIONS:
Johnco, C., Kugler, B. B., Murphy, T. M. & Storch, E. A. (2018). Obsessive-compulsive
symptoms in adults with Lyme Disease. General Hospital Psychiatry, 51, 85-89. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2018.01.009
Smith, L.B., Kugler, B.B., Lewin, A.B., Duke, D.C., Storch, E.A., & Gefken, G.R. (2014).
Executive functioning, parenting stress, and family factors as predictors of diabetes management in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes using intensive regimens. Children’s Health Care. doi: 10.1080/02739615.2013.839383
Kugler. B.B., Burke, N.L., Bloom, M., Truax, T.V., Kaercher, L.B., & Storch, E.A. (2013).
Caregiver-teacher agreement on emotional and behavioral problems in traumatized youth in residential treatment. Residential Treatment for Children and Youth. doi:10.1080/0886571X.2013.813343
Kugler, B.B., Bloom, M., Kaercher, L.B., Nagy, S.L., Truax, T.V., Kugler, K.M., McGuire, J.F., &
Storch E.A. (2013). Predictors of differential responding on a sentence completion task in traumatized children. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 22(2), 244-252.
Kugler, B.B., Lewin, A.B., Phares, V., Geffken, G., Murphy, T.K. & Storch, E.A. (2012). Quality of
life in obsessive-compulsive disorder: The role of mediating variables. Psychiatry Research. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2012.10.006
McGuire, J.F., Kugler, B.B., Park, J.M., Horng, B., Lewin, A.B., Murphy, T.K. & Storch, E.A.
(2012). Evidence-Based Assessment of Compulsive Skin Picking, Chronic Tic Disorders and Trichotillomania in Children. Child Psychiatry & Human Development. 43 (6), 855-883.
Kugler, B.B., Bloom, M., Kaercher, L.B., Truax, T.V., & Storch E.A (2012). Somatic symptoms in
traumatized children and adolescents. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 43(5), 661-673.
Speisman, B.B., Storch E.A. & Abramowitz, J.A. (2011). Postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing, 40, 680-690.
McGuire, J.F., Speisman, B.B., & Storch, E.A. (2011). The phenomenology, assessment and treatment
of pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder. Minerva Psichiatrica, 52(1), 51-60.
Seamon, J. G., Blumenson, C. N., Karp, S. R., Perl, J. J., Rindlaub, L. A., & Speisman, B. B. (2009).
Did we see someone shake hands with a fire hydrant?: Social reminiscence affects false recollections from a campus walk. American Journal of Psychology, 122, 235-247.
Sledjeski, E.M., Speisman, B., & Dierker, L.C., (2008). Does number of lifetime traumas explain the
relationship between trauma and chronic medical conditions? Answers from the National Comorbidity Survey-Replication (NCS-R). Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 31(4), 341-349.
Alexandra B. Vangel, LCSW
Alexandra Vangel earned her Master of Social Work degree in children and families from Fordham University. Prior to joining Dr. Kugler’s practice, Alexandra worked at the Summit School and Children’s Residence Center in Nyack, New York as a school social worker as well as Rockland BOCES where she worked with children and adolescents who struggle with emotional, behavioral and learning issues. There, Alex gained expertise in providing comprehensive clinical services (e.g. assessment, crisis management and treatment) to children, adolescents and young adults with anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, behavioral disorders including oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder, as well as learning disorders and ADHD.
Alexandra has received specialized training in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, and depressive disorders and other evidence-based practices such as Habit Reversal Training (HRT) for tics, trichotillomania and skin picking. Alexandra has focused her practice on utilizing these treatments to help develop and enhance coping skills, increase distress tolerance and decrease unwanted behaviors (e.g. skin picking).
Alexandra has received specialized training in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, and depressive disorders and other evidence-based practices such as Habit Reversal Training (HRT) for tics, trichotillomania and skin picking. Alexandra has focused her practice on utilizing these treatments to help develop and enhance coping skills, increase distress tolerance and decrease unwanted behaviors (e.g. skin picking).