Master of Social Work

Adam Schachar is the founder of Campus DBT, a dialectical behavior therapy program geared towards college
students and young adults. Prior to founding Campus DBT, he ran the young adult program at an adherent
DBT practice on Long Island and worked as a clinician for OHEL in the Far Rockaway Clinic. He also maintains
a private practice in Cedarhurst, NY. Adam has been intensively trained and supervised in wide-ranging aspects ofDBT,
CBT and Coping Cat by renowned figures like Dr. Charles Swenson, Dr. Melanie Harned, Dr. Lorie Ritschel, Dr. Alec Miller,
Dr. Jill Rathus Dr. Elissa Brown, Dr. Phillip Kendall, and Dr. Judith Beck. Adam graduated cum laude with his BA from Yeshiva
University, went on to earn his MSW from Long Island University and was awarded the Dean’s Scholar Award for Academic
Excellence. He is currently earning his PhD in social work at Adelphi University, with DBT as his research focus.

Akiva Perlman, PhD., is a professor, lecturer on topics of abuse, addiction, and trauma, and fellow traveler for
those suffering in silence. He has educated more than a thousand frum social workers from our community and
is currently serving as professor at Wurzweiler School of Social work. Dr. Perlman is the clinical director of ODA’s
Wellness Center, a clinic which serves the chasideshe community in Williamsburg. He maintains a practice on Long Island
where he resides with his wife Tamar and children.

Alexander Rand is a licensed clinical social worker and addiction therapist. He received his master’s degree
from Fordham University. He currently maintains a private practice in Brooklyn, NY, where he specializes in
trauma, addiction and couples. In addition, he serves as an assistant professor at Wurzweiler School of Social
Work and as an adjunct professor at Brooklyn College.

Dr. Aviva Biberfeld is a clinical psychologist in practice for over thirty years treating children, adolescents and adults. She has specialties in the areas of developmental trauma and parenting. She has been supervising students, licensed clinicians, and educators for over twenty years in a variety of settings and modalities and is an adjunct professor at Wurzweiler school of Social Work. Dr. Biberfeld lectures widely to professional and lay audiences on a variety of clinical subjects, as well as giving shiurim. Dr. Biberfeld is a former board member of Nefesh International and has presented at international Nefesh conferences for many years on a wide variety of topics, including attachment theory, dialectical behavior therapy, transference and countertransference, and others. Dr. Biberfeld is a columnist for the Yated Ne’eman newspaper, writing for the publication’s mental health column, “The Couch.” Additionally, Dr. Biberfeld is a supervisor for Torah Umesorah’s mental health training program for teachers and principals."

Batya Pekar, PhD is an Adjunct Instructor at Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University, specializing in
Research Methodology. Additionally, she teaches Mental Health and Spirituality at The Maharal Institute in Prague,
Czechia and has developed and delivered resiliency courses for Airmen and Marines stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Dr.
Pekar’s primary research focuses on the intersection of social work and military service members. She explores the challenges
faced by individuals accustomed to a life dedicated to regimented service and potential approaches to prevent post-military
struggles, including PTSD, homelessness, depression, and suicide.

Chaim Neuhoff is a clinical psychologist based in Brooklyn, NY, who specializes in working with behavioral
issues of children, adolescents, and young adults. He has extensive training in treating clients presenting with
challenges in anxiety, disruptive behavior, and social skills-related challenges (particularly those associated with
individuals on the ASD spectrum). Aside from his work as adjunct professor at the Sara Schenirer/ Wurzweiler School of Social
Work, Dr. Neuhoff consults for Gesher Yehuda special education school; is director of Nachas Consulting, which provides toplevel evidence based trainings; and writes a weekly mental health column for the Yated Ne’eman newspaper.