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Suffolk DBT Staff
 Dr. Kim L. Lehnert, Director, is experienced in applying Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to issues of depression and anxiety, recovery from trauma, substance abuse, the impact of familial substance abuse, eating disorders, borderline personality disorder, and self-injury and suicidal behaviors. As the Director of Suffolk DBT Psychological Services, Dr. Lehnert works with both adolescents and adults providing individual therapy, leading several weekly DBT skills groups and teaching monthly DBT Family Skills workshops. Dr. Lehnert also serves as a national trainer for Behavioral Tech, LLC, teaching clinicians how to apply DBT in their own practice. Dr. Lehnert has dedicated her career to her passion and enthusiasm for helping patients develop effective coping skills for dealing with extremely painful emotions and behaviors while helping them realize their important life goals.
Dr. Lehnert received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She completed a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) postdoctoral clinical research fellowship at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she received extensive training in the assessment and treatment of personality disorders, trauma, substance abuse and eating disorders. From 1998 to 2003, Dr. Lehnert developed and directed the Zucker Hillside Hospital DBT and DBT-Substance Abuse Programs of the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Healthcare System as the Chief of DBT Services. Dr. Lehnert has also served as the Director of Gampro at the Pederson-Krag Center, applying DBT to develop a comprehensive behavioral treatment approach for gambling addiction. She has been the Director of DBT services at Family Psychology of Long Island and now leads the DBT clinical team at Suffolk DBT Psychological Services. She has
co-authored several research articles in the area of adolescent suicidal behavior.
Dr. Lehnert emphasizes a team-oriented approach to treatment with her primary goal being collaborative, compassionate therapy that helps patients find balance and happiness in their lives. Dr. Lehnert is recognized for her empathy, her ability to connect with patients and her warm sense of humor. Through her non-judgmental nature she encourages patients to open up with the assurance of being heard and respected. When not working, Kim can be found in neighborhood parks chasing after her two little boys. From them, she has come to appreciate the intense joy and challenges of being a parent.
To schedule an appointment, call 631-328-5930
:: Click to view Dr. Lehnert’s Curriculum Vitae
 Jeanette Lorandini, LCSW, Assistant Director, has gained and maintained a reputation for leading her patients towards a more skillful and productive life. For more than 15 years, she has been using her expertise and education to work with adolescents and adults in the treatment of various mood disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders and trauma. She has advanced her focus to specializing in treating Personality Disorders, self-harm and suicidal behaviors.
Jeanette is a 1992 graduate of the State University of New York at Stony Brook. She has worked extensively in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Jeanette served as a Lead Clinician and Supervisor at Mather Hospital Partial Hospital Eating Disorder program. She also worked as a Clinician at Brentwood Mental Health Clinic in addition to serving as North Shore Youth Council Clinical Social Worker. In support of her training, Jeanette has received supervision and training from Dr. Kim Lehnert, a national trainer for Behavioral Tech. She worked under the direction of Dr. Lehnert at Family Psychology, in Oakdale, NY. In May of 2009, Dr. Lehnert and Jeanette Lorandini opened their current practice in Setauket, New York. She attended multiple sessions in regards to Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and received advanced training attending the following conferences; “Adolescents with Multiple Problems”, “Five Day Foundational Training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy”, “Emotion Regulation” and “Crisis Survival in DBT”.
Jeanette is the Assistant Director at Suffolk DBT Psychological Services. Jeanette currently works with adults and adolescents as a Clinical Social Worker applying the DBT method. However, the majority of her caseload are adolescents or young adults. She helps patients balance both acceptance and change in handling emotions that interfere with goals related to work, school and relationships. Jeanette’s fun loving spirit puts people at ease immediately and her sense of warmth quickly draws people out. With a passion for her patient’s well being, and a strong gift for promoting change in her work by supplying a positive attitude, she helps individuals build the life they have always wanted, but didn't know was possible.
To schedule an appointment, call 631-328-5930
 Dr. Jennifer May for the last 10+ years has specialized in working with clients that have personality disorders (including borderline personality disorder), emotional dysregulation, abuse and trauma histories, impulsivity, aggression, self-injury, suicidal behaviors, eating disorders, and substance abuse. She is passionate about helping people use Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to live happier and more skillful lives.
Dr. May was introduced to DBT in 2001 as a psychology extern at Schneider's Children Hospital, where she co-led DBT groups for adolescents and their parents. During her psychology internship in 2002-2003, she served as a member of the DBT team at Queens Village Outpatient Department, a clinic for severely persistently mentally ill adults. After graduating from St. John's University's Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology in 2003, she returned to Schneider's Children's Hospital and the Zucker Hillside Hospital as a DBT Postdoctoral Fellow where she was supervised by Dr. Kim Lehnert (current Director of Suffolk DBT) and Dr. Adam Payne in applying DBT with adults and adolescents. In 2004, she joined the DBT team at Pilgrim Psychiatric Center and in 2009, she took over as Coordinator of their DBT program. In this challenging inpatient setting, she co-leads several DBT and DBT-S (for substance abuse) groups. She is excited to now be a member of the Suffolk DBT team and is looking forward to working with you!
As you get to know Dr. May you will find that she is down-to-earth and easy-going in her approach to treatment but gives "tough love" when necessary. She uses flexibility, creativity, psychoeducation, and a gentle sense of humor in therapy and believes that "there are many ways to skin a cat" when it comes to working through problems. She helps to instill in her clients and enthusiasm about learning DBT, a greater sense of self-efficacy, and most of all, hope about their future.
To schedule an appointment, call 631-328-5930
 Marie Bances, LCSW, Clinical Social Worker, has garnered experience in applying Dialectical Behavior Therapy in a variety of issues to our treatment population. She works with adolescents and adults providing individual therapy and leads a weekly DBT skills group. She has been providing clinical services since 1994 using her expertise of different modalities of treatment for conducting assessments, providing crisis intervention, and treating various mood and anxiety disorders. Currently, she has expanded her focus to the treatment of Personality Disorders, self-injurious and suicidal behaviors. Marie is dedicated to the journey of her patients for developing the skills of mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness.
Marie received her MSW in Social Work in 1994 and her Post-Master's Certificate in Advanced Clinical Practice in 1996 from Adelphi University. She has worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings, providing services in both medical and mental health facilities. From 1994 - 1999 she worked at Elmhurst Hospital Center counseling patients and families regarding the medical impact of their illnesses, and then as a supervisor in the Medical Emergency Department providing crisis intervention and counseling to help patients and families cope with the stress of acute illness, trauma and death. She has worked at Saint Vincent's Hospital & Medical Center as a supervisor in the HIV Medical Practice Center, responsible for overseeing the provision of comprehensive case management, continuing care services, clinical social work services, crisis intervention and education to patients, families and the community. She also worked as the lead clinician and supervisor at Woodside Mental Health Clinic, providing diagnosis and treatment for individuals and groups using cognitive behavioral techniques. In 2001 she established a private practice on Long Island providing clinical services to individuals and couples using various modalities of treatment including psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral and insight-oriented therapies.
Marie is a Clinical Social Worker at Suffolk DBT providing DBT Psychological services since 2011. She currently works with adolescents and adults in applying the DBT method. Marie has received supervision and training from Dr. Kim Lehnert, and has had the support of her team for developing her knowledge and application of DBT. She has attended multiple conferences in support of her training including, "Treatment Interfering Behaviors", a 3-month series of in-person and on-line "Core Principles and Strategies", "Dialectics of Validation", and a 6-month series of in-person and on-line "Core Clinical Training." Marie is committed to help patients develop a balance of acceptance and change for creating happiness in their lives. Her warmth and empathy allows for patients to feel connected throughout the therapeutic process. With her passion for providing non-judgemental, sensitive and compassionate therapy, she continues to help patients develop effective skills for enhancing their capabilities and enriching their lives.
Marie is the mother of two vivacious and wonderful children who keep her busy and appreciative for the special moments that every day has to offer.
To schedule an appointment, call 631-328-5930
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