“My experience at Madison Park Psychological Services has been quite rewarding. I did not know what to expect, having worked in community-based clinics, schools, and hospitals in the past, but I feel I have found a great match in MPPS. I feel incredibly supported by Dr. Yasmine Saad; I feel comfortable being my authentic self during supervision and I feel that she has found a way to brighten and enhance my clinical skills while allowing me to stay true to the clinician I am.”
“Her wisdom in the area of western psychology is profound, and the addition of traditional eastern perspective breathes new life into the work. I appreciate the varying supervisor perspectives between Dr. Saad, Dr. Khadivi, and my post-doc mentor; I have ample time to reflect on patient dynamics as well as dive into my own countertransference, which has been vital. I felt accepted by the team of psychologists and post-docs who make up MPPS from the moment I began at the practice, which was a tall order given that I joined during the pandemic and all introductions and team meetings thereafter have been virtual. Nevertheless, this special group of people welcomed me with open and curious arms. Clinically, I feel like I have pushed myself more than I have in awhile and grown exponentially. Working with a high functioning private practice population required a learning curve initially, which altered my practice in a way I could not have expected. I am grateful that I wound up at MPPS. It feels like the perfect fit.” Marni Russo, Psy.D.
“I completed my postdoc training at Madison Park Psychological Services (MPPS). MPPS was the perfect transition from a psychology trainee to feeling competent as a psychologist in private practice. The practice is run by Dr. Saad who provides an excellent postdoc experience. Dr. Saad has a unique approach to psychology and psychotherapy and shares her knowledge graciously. Perhaps what is most unique about MPPS is the practice itself.”
“The patients treated at MPPS are widely diverse in their cultural background, professions, and psychopathologies. Additionally, I also had the opportunity to become competent in treating couples. The feel at MPPS is one of a private practice. The patients expect competency. As postdocs, we are pushed, while being supported, to provide the best treatment possible. We are also trained to become comfortable navigating the complex world of insurance companies and develop an appreciation of the financial side of being a clinician. When I started at MPPS, I was a newbie and an anxious clinician. Seeing many patients, being supported, and the collegial atmosphere, helped me become a more capable and confident clinician. After two years at MPPS, it feels quite different. I feel confident as a clinician and confident to practice independently as a psychologist in private practice.” -Shia Bochner, Ph.D.
“I was drawn to MPPS by the promise of an experience in a thriving private practice, excellent supervision under Dr.’s Saad and Khadivi, and interaction with a diverse group of patients and colleagues. This has been exactly what I have had the opportunity to enjoy during my postdoc over the last year and a half. I have had a volume of patients greater than at any other point in my training, and have felt that each patient and case has moved my development forward as a therapist.”
“I have benefitted from regular supervision from Dr. Saad and Dr. Khadivi and have found them to be helpful, available and containing, at the same time that they have each given me the freedom to help me develop my own voice and identity as a therapist. I have also really appreciated being a part of a group of colleagues with different therapeutic approaches and backgrounds. At the same time, I have had the flexibility I was looking for in a postdoc in order to keep various aspects of my life in balance. In my experience, MPPS provides a unique and meaningful balance of structure and independence, comfort and challenge, and is thus maximally conducive to growth as a therapist.”
-Kira Boesch, Ph.D.
“One of the greatest strengths of this training program is how it helps you to trust your clinical intuition as you continue to grow and strengthen your own voice as a therapist. The rewards and challenges of working with a very different patient population than that typically seen during the predoctoral training years leads to significant and rapid growth as a therapist. You get a real sense of what it’s like working within a group private practice, as you learn to deal with insurance and financial aspects of private practice, and its interaction with clinical work and your own professional development.”
“You are also exposed to different clinical theoretical perspectives as well as the Eastern medicine approach to improving mental health and well-being.” -Erica Gardner-Schuster, Ph.D.
“The post doc at MPPS is a great fellowship to gain experience in a private practice setting. At MPPS, you will be working with high functioning, high SES patients with diverse psychopathology. What makes this a unique fellowship is the eastern medicine approach that is a large part of the practice, providing wholistic treatment to patients. Additionally, working with supervisors and colleagues of different orientations and backgrounds who can provide different views and perspectives (including an eastern medicine perspective), allows for a special experience.”
“Both supervisors at MPPS are very knowledgeable and talented psychologists. I have learned a great deal from both Drs. Saad and Khadivi who have been helpful in providing invaluable supervision to hone my skills. They have helped me become a more well rounded clinician, resulting in being able to provide the best service to my patients.” -Jasmine Dayan, Psy.D.
“My time as a postdoc at MPPS has been unlike any other training experience that I’ve encountered. I always knew I wanted to continue to grow and learn as an early career psychologist and, after 6 months, I can truly say I’m doing just that. My time so far has allowed me to work with a high-functioning patient population which has helped me develop trust within myself and my own clinical intuition. In addition, Dr. Saad and Dr. Khadivi’s supervision has been rich with knowledge and extremely insightful.”
“It has shown me different perspectives, enabled me to experiment with different types of interventions as well as take important risks which have fostered confidence in myself. Furthermore, and most importantly, their supervision has helped the treatment of my patients. All clinicians at MPPS provide a unique perspective to presenting problems and being able to consult and feel supported while working in a private practice setting has been extremely helpful. While I did feel anxious jumping into this type of setting, it has allowed me to grow into the psychologist I have always wanted to become. Something I’ve sincerely appreciated about this postdoc is the emphasis on developing inner growth both personally and professionally. This helps you become the best version of yourself so you can model that and help patients on the same path. I feel supported and challenged in the best possible way and am so glad I made the decision to come to MPPS for my postdoctoral training.” -Remi Appel, Psy.D.
“The post-doctoral training I have received thus far at Madison Park Psychological Services has easily exceeded my expectations. One of the things that I have enjoyed most about the training are the weekly team meetings where we often present cases to each other and are given the opportunity to get insight from brilliant clinicians with a variety of backgrounds. As a therapist who specializes in cognitive-behavioral therapy this has challenged me to integrate other perspectives into my practice.”
“Although I am only eight months into my training I believe that my work has grown in both breadth and depth. Another aspect of the training that I’m thoroughly benefited from is the generous amount of supervision with Dr. Saad, Dr. Khadivi, and Dr. Sapoff. All three have provided me with valuing training and psychotherapy skills that have enriched my own work. I look forward to seeing what the rest of my post-doctoral experience at MPPS will bring me!” –Thomas Whitfield, Ph.D.
“The post doctoral fellowship at Madison Park Psychological Services provides a unique clinical experience developed to meet the needs, skills and varying approaches of individual trainees. Trainees are not only thoroughly trained and supervised but one’s own therapeutic orientation is enhanced and integrated with new ways of thinking about the therapeutic process, the therapeutic relationship, and oneself. Trainees are gradually exposed based on readiness and interest to increased independence, such as that of an experience of running one’s own private practice.”
“Dr. Saad and Dr. Khadivi have varying styles and ways of conceptualizing and developing interventions that through supervision lead trainees to become more self aware and efficient in working effectively with patients from diverse populations and ages. The post doc experience at MPPS ultimately leads to both personal and professional growth, an increased understanding of the effectiveness of incorporating eastern medicine with psychotherapy; while providing a supportive yet flexible structure within a knowledgeable and collaborative community of clinicians.” -Mallory Sapoff, Ph.D.
“Working at Madison Park Psychological Services has been both an enriching and challenging experience. Dr. Saad’s emphasis on here-and-now psychology has encouraged me to integrate a refreshing Eastern perspective with my contemporary, psychodynamic training. This has deepened my clinical thinking while also providing me with a new framework to approach each session. I have been able to schedule patients in a way that fits my unique lifestyle, providing me with ample opportunity for work-life balance. There are several opportunities to grow in the practice, and I am excited to see what the next few years will bring!”
“When I think about my experience at MPPS many adjectives come to mind (overwhelmingly positive), and yet one more than the others: balance. Balancing multiple therapeutic approaches, eastern and western models, intuition and scholarly (evidence-based) knowledge, freedom and structure, support and independence. My post-doc experience at MPPS has been truly wonderful. It has helped me grow as a clinician, and an individual. One of the greatest parts has been the feeling of freedom to grow without fear of negative judgment.”
“That everything we process through both professionally and personally are simply opportunities for growth and learning. To be encouraged to trust in your own intuition, your own knowledge, and your own process, while also being guided towards ways of improving, or simply increasing awareness around other equally valid and useful ways of looking at case conceptualization and treatment. Further, for those thinking about going into private practice, I could not imagine, nor have I experienced, a better opportunity to investigate that path. Simply put, at MPPS you are encouraged to be yourself, to trust in your own judgment and expertise, while also being supported to think, feel, and behave differently and expand who you are, and what you have to offer in a supportive, loving, and intellectually stimulating environment. Importantly, self-care is not just a phrase or fantasy here, you’re actually encouraged to balance work with life as well, and find the path that works best for you at any given time in your life. I highly recommend embracing the opportunity to train and practice at MPPS.” -Martin Fagin, Ph.D.
“I was initially drawn to Madison Park because of the opportunity it offered to gain experience with the private practice model, and since joining I have been consistently impressed by the richness of the clinical community, and the diversity of voices and perspectives present here. Each therapist on staff has their own expertise to offer, and immersing myself in the thoughtful, collaborative, and earnestly clinical MPPS environment has helped me to grow as a person and as a psychologist.”
“I have felt both appropriately challenged and continually supported throughout my postdoctoral training, and have in particular appreciated the quality of the supervision from Dr. Saad, Dr. Khadivi, and my peer supervisor Dr. Schwartz. I’ve also never had a better work-life balance in my life. Dr. Saad is insistent on the importance of each clinician building and maintaining a balanced life that attends to their individual needs, which has given me ample space to experiment with what I want in terms of both work schedule and caseload, before deciding on what works best for me. I’m so appreciative of her trust and support in that process. In addition, there are always new opportunities to grow available to those who want them, including taking on supervisory roles, conducting initial consultations, diving deeper into Qigong and eastern medicine, conducting case conferences, and consolidating an individual clinical specialty. Overall I highly recommend MPPS to anyone interested in pursuing private practice. It’s the ideal place to learn the ropes, gain experience, and grow into the next phase of your career.”
-Kate Foley, Ph.D.
“I was drawn to MPPS because of my good fortune in being a student of Dr. Khadivi during my doctoral training. I deeply admire his keen assessment skills, the integrity of his clinical approach, his capacity to think critically and analytically about interventions, his precision in use of language, and his emphasis on suffering as an active process which the patient generates and participates in. I tend to be an intuitive person and therefore impressionistic in my approach and felt that I would benefit from working with someone who is highly phenomenological in his approach. In short, I sought both balance and challenge – two of the core values of MPPS.”
“What I was surprised to discover in my initial interview at MPPS was the immediacy and intensity of my rapport with Dr. Saad. In supervisory spaces, I am compelled to be deeply self-reflective and vulnerable. I believe that self-work overlaps with patient work and that some of my most important growth has taken place at the sometimes uncomfortable intersection of my role as therapist, supervisee, and patient. I entered MPPS at a time in my life and career when I was increasingly interested in experiences of the uncanny, and was grappling with the distinction between intuition and responsibility/control. Dr. Saad has been a patient companion and enthusiastic mentor in helping me navigate the sometimes turbulent waters of personal and professional growth. For that, I am deeply grateful.
I would recommend MPPS to mature, early-career psychologists who are seeking a private practice setting in which they can learn the business/admin side of the field, while challenging themselves to be vulnerable in supervision, in the service of growing personally and professionally.” -Andrea Singer, Ph.D.
“Working at MPPS has provided me the unique opportunity to explore working in a private practice setting while still having the support of this special community. Dr. Saad and Dr. Khadivi bring distinctive and complementary perspectives to supervision and team meetings.Patients here are very engaged in therapy and low risk which has allowed me to fine tune technique and my therapeutic style all while having a flexible schedule that allows me to balance work and my personal life. ”
“My post-doc experience at Madison Park was transformative. I chose Madison Park because I came from clinical neuroscience and was interested in Dr. Saad’s Eastern, more spiritual/energetic approach to mental health. I was also thrilled to be able to continue working with Dr. Khadivi, a world class assessment psychologist. It turned out to be exactly what I needed. Dr. Saad emphasizes flow, authenticity, and playfulness.
“She creates a space of acceptance and ease such that I felt free, perhaps for the first time in my training, to be exactly who I am without fear of judgement, retribution or evaluation. Dr. Saad was the first ‘boss’ that was perhaps more excited about my vacation plans than I was! I came to the practice with extensive experience in testing and I laughed to myself after doing my first assessment with Dr. Khadivi because after all these years of training, his expertise still offered so much in the way of conceptualization and putting the assessment pieces together, arguably the most difficult part of a psychological assessment. As I enter my second year at the practice as a licensed psychologist, I am excited to collaborate with such a lovely, smart, creative group of people. MPPS is a special place to work.”
–Nicole Brennan, Ph.D.
“My post-doc training, thus far, at MPPS has been an enriching and transformative experience, shaping both my professional development and personal growth in profound ways. One of the most unique and valuable treasures of this training has been the opportunity to learn how to integrate Western and Eastern approaches to the treatment of psychological conditions, a skill that has deepened my understanding and appreciation for holistic healing.”
“Attending Dr. Saad’s didactics and training in the Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective on well-being and healing, including the Five Element Framework and Qigong practices, has enabled me to understand another way to help patients get unstuck. I have been able to see how this mind-body-spirit lens of TCM, particularly its emphasis on interrelatedness, balance, and unity, is very compatible with psychodynamic thinking, the broad umbrella of cognitive behavioral interventions, solution-focused approaches, and skills-based practices. I look forward to continuing to deepen my understanding of TCM’s application to psychological treatment.
The meetings and training sessions are intellectually stimulating and supportive. I have also enjoyed sharing ideas and experiences and learning from other post-docs who have such keen minds and open hearts. Both Dr. Saad and Dr. Khadivi are relatable, welcoming, and supportive. Dr. Saad’s style is warm and fluid, with a particular eye towards beauty and resilience. Dr. Khadivi’s style is direct and emphasizes staying very close to the psychology of patients. Both are not only interested in showing us how to draw out the patients’ “zone of genius” in order that they thrive, but they are also interested in doing the same for all the trainees while respecting our unique styles, backgrounds, and personalities. MPPS is a great community to learn how to continue sharpening your skills.”
–Maria Poston, Ph.D.
“During my postdoctoral experience at MPPS, I have been so fortunate to learn from and connect with such a diverse, talented, and thoughtful group of peers and clinicians. This collaborative environment has not only enriched my professional growth but also added a sense of community to my work. The postdoc at MPPS is a great opportunity to gain firsthand insight into the intricacies of working in a private practice setting.”
“The administrative support provided by the practice has been exceptional, allowing me to channel my energies into what I’m truly passionate about – clinical work with patients. The patient population at MPPS is engaged and motivated in their treatment, which has provided rich opportunities to further deepen my own skill set. Overall, I am appreciative of the opportunities for personal and professional development that this practice has afforded me.” –Kelly Goss, Ph.D.
“I sought out a postdoctoral experience that would foster independence and agency, so I could refine my clinical voice now that the crunch of training and internship was in the rearview mirror. To that end, MPPS has been a wonderful transition space from graduate school to professional life. It has confirmed the enriching atmosphere of a group practice setting and further confirmed where I see myself as I build my professional life and navigate what feels like a sustainable work-life balance.”
“To that end, I have felt appropriately held and challenged by Dr. Saad and the rest of the team, and appreciate the encouragement to develop my own voice and skills. Especially helpful has been what feels like the careful consideration of patient-therapist match that Dr. Saad holds in high esteem, which has allowed me to grow into my sense of skillfulness and fostered a wonderful sense of clinical confidence.” –Scott Mimnaugh, Ph.D.
“I felt compelled to join MPPS after learning I would become intimately acquainted with the private practice model. I have since not been disappointed, as MPPS is a flourishing private practice that I feel lucky to be a part of. I have learned how to navigate insurance companies as well as value myself at the out of pocket fee we offer, which is no small feat. The New York clientele is high functioning, diverse, and intellectually stimulating. I have the fortune of benefitting clinically from treating four of my patients twice-weekly.”
“Consequently, the depth and expansion I have experienced has been rapid and unparalleled to other types of settings. I’ve appreciated the unique perspectives of Dr. Saad and Dr. Khadivi, both of whom model a refined skill set and an authentic passion for the field. I have appreciated the versatility provided through their respective supervision styles. I also look forward to weekly team meetings, where I prosper from sharing ideas with a diverse group of psychologists. Dr. Saad cares deeply about the happiness of her clinicians and continually integrates feedback from the team. MPPS has been conducive to my appreciation for independence, support, and challenge. I am grateful I chose to do my postdoc at MPPS, as it has undoubtedly fostered my professional and personal growth.”
-Eve Schwartz, Psy.D.
“To work at Madison Park is unlike any setting I’ve ever worked. Dr. Saad is warm and supportive and Dr. Khadivi is wise and pragmatic. Together they manage a team of wonderful psychologists. We meet once a week as a full team to discuss cases and I am regularly humbled by the amount of genuineness, interest, and sheer care that these therapists have for their clients and their work. The clientele are most often quite high functioning and come from a place of privilege, so it has been a unique experience to work with this population as I did not get exposure like this in grad school.”
“One of the most notable aspects of the training here at Madison Park is Dr. Saad’s speciality in Eastern Medicine, particularly Qi Gong. She often conceptualizes cases using a blend of eastern medicine and western psychotherapy and encourages the postdocs to think more holistically. With Dr. Saad, you will learn to tap into your intuition and adopt a more free-flowing lens to communication and treatment. On the other hand, Dr. Khadivi will provide balance with scientific knowledge and rational thinking. You will also have the opportunity to participate in a six-week long Dragon’s Way Qi Gong course.”
-Ariana Moran, Psy.D.
“My time at MPPS has stretched my understanding of working with a diverse clientele, some of whom are dipping their toes into insight-oriented work. The challenge and supervision has supported me to develop a new lens of understanding of how to meet people where they are at. With this challenge, I have learned to work with individuals and couples while honing on developing my skills as a clinician. I have appreciated supervision that both supports my intuition while also challenging me to conceptualize things from different points of view.”
“Additionally, the opportunity to incorporate Eastern thought has been a breath of fresh air that has supported me in better tending to myself so I might better tend to those I work with.”
-Melissa Kate McIntosh, Ph.D.
“I was initially drawn to Madison Park because of the integrative/holistic view the practice embodied. Upon my first interaction with Dr. Saad and Dr. Khadivi, I felt immediately welcomed and at ease. They were both very transparent with how the practice operated and what my growth trajectory would look like at Madison Park. Flash forward to my second year of my post doc, Madison Park has been a wonderful learning experience. I have felt continuously supported by Dr. Saad and Dr. Khadivi along with my colleagues.”
“I am always amazed by everyone’s different clinical perspectives and areas of expertise. The administrative team at Madison Park is extremely organized and will be with you every step of the way. Everyone has been extremely supportive and patient in so many ways and I am never afraid to ask questions. Madison Park is a wonderful introduction into the private practice world and working at MPPS has allowed me to balance my work life with my personal life which I am incredibly appreciative of. I have grown so much and look forward to continuing to grow as a clinician”
–Nan Yang, Psy.D.
“I decided to do my postdoctoral training at MPPS because I believed it would fulfill everything I was looking for in a postdoc; and within the year I have been here thus far, I can certainly say it has. I was searching for a warm, supportive environment filled with clinicians of all different theoretical and practical orientations where I would have the opportunity to constantly learn and grow from everyone around me, while also maintaining a sustainable work-life balance. This is exactly what I have found in MPPS. Over the last year, I have personally developed more as a well-rounded, integrative clinician than I ever thought I could in a year, while still having time for the other meaningful aspects of my life.”
“At MPPS, I have been consistently challenged in all the right ways with a diverse caseload that has required trying out multiple different conceptualizations and techniques- from cognitive to psychodynamic to couples therapy frameworks- which has pushed me to not only become a better therapist, but a better student, as we are constantly learning in this field. Having this caseload, combined with and made possible by the wide array of training and supervision MPPS has at the forefront of its postdoc years (including the opportunity for psychological assessment), has helped shape me into the well-rounded, comprehensive clinician I want to continue to become.”
–Nicole King, Psy.D.
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