Leadership Team
Our leadership directs a staff of four prescribers and over 40 clinicians including psychologists, social workers and other mental health professionals
Rudolf Karvay
Executive Director
With an impressive three decades under his belt in the legal world, coupled with his extensive leadership experience in non-profit organizations, Rudolf brings a wealth of expertise and a deep dedication to his community as he steps into the role of Executive Director and CEO at Bleuler Psychotherapy Center. Despite his background in law, Rudolf’s career has spanned various roles that showcase his unyielding passion for advocacy, education, and humanitarian efforts.
After honing his expertise for over 30 years as a lawyer, Rudolf mastered the art of mediation, strategic planning, and ethical leadership. When he took on the role of President of the Board of Trustees for Bleuler, he seamlessly leveraged these skills with remarkable success. His tenure was characterized by his ability to spearhead initiatives that boosted community involvement, fostered organizational growth, and provided unsurpassed support for those in need.
Rudolf is not just a highly experienced lawyer, but his contributions to Bleuler are also enriched by a multitude of diverse experiences. From his volunteer work with the New York Aquarium, he has cultivated a profound appreciation for the wonders of the natural world. Similarly, his involvement in educating Long Islanders about marine biology has broadened his outlook. As a volunteer firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician, he has provided crucial assistance, and as an Art Appraiser, he has honed his expertise in evaluating fine art. Each of these roles has played a pivotal role in shaping Rudolf’s comprehensive understanding of the importance of community and human connections.
Throughout his diverse and dynamic career, Rudolf has continuously showcased a steadfast commitment to volunteering and promoting social responsibility. Leveraging his considerable breadth of knowledge and skills, he is currently channeling all his efforts towards propelling the Bleuler Psychotherapy Center to the forefront of the mental health advocacy landscape. His aim is to pave the way for a future where mental health services are not only readily available, but also characterized by empathy, innovation, and adaptability in meeting the evolving needs of society.
A seasoned lawyer and skilled leader on the non-profit board, Rudolf has taken the helm at Bleuler Psychotherapy Center. With a long-standing dedication to service, he is leading the charge in the center’s evolution towards a new era of mental health care. Utilizing his strategic vision and unwavering commitment, Rudolf is paving the way for a future marked by compassion, excellence, and an all-inclusive approach for individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Lora Shapiro
Chief Administrative Officer
Ms. Shapiro joined BPC in July 2015 in the midst of remarkable changes and accelerated initiatives. She has served in an administrative capacity as Executive Assistant for the better part of her tenure at BPC. Ms. Shapiro is responsible for sensitive personnel, legal, financial, and contractual information, and has been a valued thought partner with much involvement in our behind the scenes strategy and decision making. Ms. Shapiro oversees our Human Resources, Front Office Staff, Health Information, and Safety / Maintenance divisions as well as all professional and vendor contracts. Ms. Shapiro champions the coordination of the above to improve the customer and staff experiences as well as assuring that the above services are the most efficient and risk reduced.
Sasha Soon, Ph.D.
Director of Community Integration / Compliance Officer
Dr. Sasha Soon holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a history of working in education and behavioral health for almost 20 years. Before attaining her doctorate, Dr. Soon completed a master’s degree in Forensic Psychology and worked with the mental health needs of the criminal justice population in Brooklyn and Queens. In her early career as a psychologist, Dr. Soon worked at Queensborough Community College as a counselor and an adjunct professor where she was introduced to formal psychotherapy that set the stage for her current position. Dr. Soon has been employed at the Bleuler Psychotherapy Center for 15 years beginning with a position as a clinician and for the last nine years in administrative roles including the Director of Intake and Community Relations and supervisor of the OMH grant funded program Community Mental Health Promotion & Support (COMHPS). Dr. Soon is focused on connecting Bleuler to other community-based organizations in an effort to bring vital services to the agency’s clients as well as promote the reputation of the center. Her team at Bleuler is responsible for promoting open access and rapid engagement to care as well as providing a warm handoff to clinical staff when treatment begins. Dr. Soon has also been successful at bringing mental health awareness to several schools in Queens and is an active member of the Queens County Re-Entry Task force that assists with the reintegration of citizens returning home from incarceration. Most recently, she took on the role of the agency’s Compliance Officer with the goal of ensuring that the organization is aligned with standards set forth by the Office of Mental Health, the Office of Addiction Services & Support and the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General.
Elena Chertina, MA
Director of Billing & Contracts
Ms. Elena Chertina is currently the Director of Billing & Contracts at Bleuler. Having been in the healthcare industry for 15 years, Ms. Chertina serves as a great asset to the agency, with her vast knowledge in billing, credentialing, contracting, insurance plans, and health care networks. During the past 3 years at Bleuler Psychotherapy center, Ms. Chertina has been managing the agency’s medical billing and accounts, assisting clients through the billing process, streamlining billing, collections, and the process of reimbursement for practices. Her department serves as a resource for billing related questions or concerns that clients may have. Furthermore, for more than 15 years she has held supervisory positions in the healthcare industry, to include: Phoenix House Foundation, Allen Healthcare and Visiting Services of NY. Ms. Chertina earned a Bachelors of Business Administration (B.B.A.) with a concentration in management from Kaplan University and a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) from the University of Phoenix.
Clinical Management Team
As an added value to our clients and staff, we provide confidential clinical supervision to all clinicians employed at BPC. Our Clinical Management has advanced credentials and experience and provide guidance and their expertise to clinical staff that foster optimal care and an invaluable learning experience.
Sara Wool
LCSW Clinical Supervisor
Debra Uffer
LCSW Clinical Supervisor
Psychiatrists
Psychiatric services to include, evaluation, medication management, and medical assistance with smoking cessation is offered to our patients in coordination with their psychotherapeutic care. Bleuler is staffed with four psychiatrists who work with both children and adults.
Mihai Iordache, MD
Medical Director
Front Office Supervisory Staff
Customer Service has been a key area of attention and focus in 2018. With a fully staffed front office team, BPC is open to consumer feedback and strives to create an environment that is comfortable and welcoming to our patients. Our front office staff is led by:
Leody Ann Carino
Office Manager
Aparna Dam
Office Supervisor
Derrick Husbands
Office Supervisor
Our Partners
Great partnerships provide the foundation for building successful treatment models and effective advancements through collaboration
Member, Federation of Mental Health Services Since 1962
Bleuler Psychotherapy Center is a proud member of the Federation of Mental Health Services (https://www.federationmhs.org/). Founded in 1962, the Federation of Mental Health Services is a trade association of outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse clinics that advocates for the continuation and preservation of the community-based behavioral health out-patient clinic treatment model.
BPC’s own CEO /Executive Director, Dr. Steven Helfand, currently holds the role of Federation Vice President.
Bleuler Psychotherapy Center is a member of the Queens Chamber of Commerce which fosters the connection of local businesses, develops and implements programs, and advocates for the community’s interests.
We are pleased to work collaboratively with the following agencies for service needs beyond those provided at BPC:
