Psychology Clinicians

Lauren Riordan, Ph.D

I am a Clinical Psychologist and one of the co-founders of The Waverly Group. I received my doctoral degree in clinical psychology from NYU. Throughout my career, I have had numerous training opportunities that have given me tremendous experience in assessment, utilizing a wide array of different testing instruments, and insight into how different parts of our brains process information. I have taken courses on many topics related to developmental and learning disorders, ADHD and executive dysfunction. My passion lies within piecing together the clues found during psycho-educational testing in order to tell the story of how a child thinks and what can help him or her learn best. More than anything else, I am committed to making sure that the family of every child I see feels that they have been heard and understood.

Emily Pomerantz Altman, Psy.D

I am a Clinical Psychologist licensed in the state of CT and NY. I work with all ages of children from preschoolers all the way up through teens in high school. I have extensive training in play therapy, talk therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and parenting support. I love working with the entire family (parents, siblings, and even caregivers) to help make changes and get the family functioning happily. I am a Stamford-native and I love where I live and what I do everyday. 

Andrea DelGaudio, LCSW

I am the clinical director of the Behavior Connections Clinic at Waverly. I am a clinical social worker licensed to practice in New York and Connecticut. Following my undergraduate studies in Psychology at Fairfield University, I continued on to earn my masters at New York University’s Silver School of Social Work. Prior to becoming a psychotherapist, I worked as an ABA therapist. I specialize in working with children with anxiety, ADHD, and other emotional and behavioral challenges. My approach incorporates both play and behavior therapy. I’ve seen firsthand the incredible power of play. Whether it’s non-directive play, directive play, projects, or board games, the play possibilities are endless and the impact is profound. I believe that a combination of play therapy with behavior-based treatments is incredibly effective and the best work happens when I meet each client where they are, as each child serves as a guide to which modality fits them best. I have training in applied behavior analysis, CBT, ACT, OCD in children and adolescents, Theraplay and trauma informed therapeutic work with children and families. I’ve been passionate about this work for as long as I can remember and I am dedicated to making a lasting impact on all of my clients at The Waverly Group.

Jeff DeTeso, Ph.D

I am a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist. I graduated from Williams College with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and then moved to Greenwich, CT where I worked as an elementary school teacher at the Greenwich Country Day School for 9 years. I completed my Masters in Education (Ed.M.) and my Doctorate (Ph.D.) at Teachers College, Columbia University. I work at Greenwich Country Day School and at the Waverly Group where I provide Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Habit Reversal Therapy, Problem-Solving Therapy (PST), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT). 

Robert Schechter, Psy.D

I am a School-Clinical Child Psychologist with over 25 years of experience in working with adolescents and young adults. I specialize in treating anxiety, ADHD, emotional regulation disorders, adjustment disorders, learning disabilities, executive function disorders, and social skills. Since 1994 I have been a psychologist in a Westchester high school; in addition to working directly with many students, I am exploring ways for our district to reduce stress and create a more supportive learning environment for all students.

Chelsea Ackerman, MA, CAS, NCSP

I am a Certified School Psychologist, and am currently pursuing my license as a Professional Counselor (LPC). Upon completion of my undergraduate degree in psychology, I received my graduate degree from Fairfield University’s School Psychology program. My work as a school psychologist has provided me specific practice in individual and group counseling for children of all ages, as well as in conducting psycho-educational evaluations. As an evaluator, my passion lies in supporting families in understanding their child’s unique thinking and learning abilities, and applying the implications of testing to support their child’s functioning across the home, school, and community settings. As a psychotherapist, I specialize in working with children with anxiety concerns, as well as other emotional and behavioral challenges. For each child, I provide an individualized approach to counseling, incorporating cognitive-behavioral techniques, play therapy, social skills instruction, and emotional regulation strategies. My practice is aimed at ensuring that each child develops a healthy sense of who they are as an individual and feels equipped to handle everyday life.

Fun fact

in my spare time

Angela Wilson, MS, MA, CNS

I am a licensed psychotherapist psychiatric nurse practitioner with over 25 years of experience working with all age groups and using different modalities such as play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and problem solving talk therapy to address most mental health issues. I believe in developing a partnership with the children and families I work with to collaboratively develop a plan of care that leads to healing and optimal health. I have been trained to work with families to improve communication and resolve conflicts using a Bowen Family Systems model that I was trained in during my time at the University of Pennsylvania. I later pursued a master's degree in Elementary Education at the University of San Francisco to complement my experiences in mental health. I have training in OCD with children and CBTI treatment for adults for sleep. I am also certified as a Child/Adolescent Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist by ANCC. 

Timothy Drummond, MS, SYC

I am a certified school psychologist and most recently worked at Eastern Middle School in Greenwich, CT. I completed my undergraduate degree at the College of William and Mary, double majoring in psychology and religious studies, while competing on the track and field team. I continued my education at Southern Connecticut State University where I completed my MS and SYC in School Psychology, as well as a post master's program in Applied Behavior Analysis. Throughout my time in education, I’ve worked with preschoolers up through age 21, and nearly every age between. I believe in building authentic relationships with children-- meeting them where they are, as they are. I typically implement a wraparound approach, both developing skills for the child to empower them directly and also building a supportive and growth focused environment with those that most directly influence them (e.g. parents, teachers, coaches).

Fun Fact

I was Connecticut’s high school assistant coach of the year and coached a national champion in the pole vault! (ABA really is useful!)

In my spare time

When I’m not hanging out with my wife I like to: read books, build my own computers, play computer games, paint miniatures, work on projects in my 115 year old home, and root for the Giants!

Arman Dostmohamed, Ed.S

I am a school psychologist and educator with over a decade of experience working with children of various ages. I am passionate about supporting the individual differences of all learners as well as collaborating with their families and schools. I began my career in a school setting, where I taught as both a special education and homeroom teacher, before pursuing an Education Specialist (EdS) degree in School Psychology. I also hold a BSc in Experimental Psychology and a MEd in Inclusion and Special Education Needs.

My goal is to meet each individual wherever they are in their journey and use a strengths-based approach to understand and support both their academic and mental health needs. To achieve this, I provide a range of direct services, including conducting comprehensive psychoeducational assessments and psychotherapy, grounded in an eclectic therapeutic approach that aims to discover and implement the most effective treatment for each individual. I also provide support through various indirect services such as intervention planning and consultation with families and schools. I am passionate about systemic initiatives to promote positive change within families, schools and communities.

Fun Fact

I am from Nairobi, Kenya!

in my spare time

I love to try different work out classes, eat good food and travel.

Lisa Mendler, MAT, LMSW

I am a licensed social worker and school social worker in Connecticut and New York.  I have been the eighth-grade dean and PALS (Providing Alternative Learning Strategies) coordinator at The Leffell School since 2020.  Prior to my time at Leffell, I worked as the school social worker at Carmel Academy, where I created and implemented school-wide social-emotional programming, coached teachers around classroom and behavior management, and supported the overall mental health needs of students. At the start of my career, I spent six years in New York City public elementary schools in Brownsville, Brooklyn, and in the South Bronx, as both a social worker and special education teacher. I also have experience working in a variety of therapeutic settings, including hospital-based inpatient psychiatric units, and juvenile detention centers.  I hold a Master’s degree in Social Work from Hunter College, as well as a master's degree in teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education.

Fun fact

I met my husband in our college a capella group!

in my spare time

I love to play with my two kids, cook (and eat!) delicious food, play mahjongg, go to Broadway shows, and read good books!

Kimberly Sheehan, MA, SYC, NCSP, LPC

I am a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and Licensed Professional Counselor who is passionate about helping children and adolescents to recognize and build upon their strengths. I specialize in grief, learning differences, ADHD, student-athletes, and psychological assessment. I completed my Masters and Six Year Certificate in School Psychology at Fairfield University. Before entering private practice, I worked as a teacher, lacrosse coach, and school psychologist in both public and private schools. I obtained my BA at Skidmore College, where I competed as a four-year member of the women’s lacrosse team. I am committed to lifelong learning and self-reflection and regularly engage in both professional development and collaborative consultation. I draw from a variety of evidence-based modalities in my practice, including DBT and CBT.

fun fact

I can ride a unicycle!

in my spare time

I am a Fairfield County native and live in Norwalk with my husband, son, and Rhodesian Ridgeback. In addition to spending time with family, I love to root for the Knicks, bake banana bread, play pickleball, listen to podcasts, read, and travel.

Laura Pellerzi, Ph.D

I am a licensed psychologist with experience providing comprehensive evaluations and psychotherapy in both schools and clinical settings. I enjoy working collaboratively with families, educators, and treatment teams to meet each person where they are, engage their areas of strength, and facilitate skill development. I utilize a variety of evidence-based techniques in my therapy practice (i.e., CBT and DBT), as well as incorporating insight, systems, and play elements to build trust, confidence, understanding, and growth. In testing, I use psychological, educational, and neuropsychological instruments to thoroughly examine an individual's cognitive profile, social-emotional functioning, and learning needs; diagnose psychological, learning, or neurodevelopmental disorders; and develop educational and treatment recommendations to support the needs and growth of students and their families.

Fun Fact

I am a third degree black belt in taekwondo.

In my spare time

I love spending time with my family, baking (and eating) tasty treats, and going running or swimming.

I am a licensed social worker and the Associate Director of Group Programming at Waverly. Prior to receiving my Master of Science in Social Work at Columbia University, I graduated from Bucknell University with my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Education with a concentration in Support Services, and Spanish. Throughout my undergraduate and graduate studies, I worked as an ABA therapist implementing behavior therapeutic services in a variety of settings. As a psychotherapist, my goal is to create a fun and positive environment to meet each child where they are using an integrative approach and multiple therapeutic modalities. My approach emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive environment where each child feels empowered in their own therapeutic journey and collaborating with families and schools to best support each child and their developmental & emotional growth!

I am an Irish citizen and grew up Irish dancing, but I have never been to Ireland.

I enjoy traveling, going to the beach, skiing, dancing, and spending time with my family, friends, and dog Huckleberry!