• Robert H. Phillips, Ph.D.

        Dr. Robert H. Phillips, founder and director of the Center for Coping, is a licensed psychologist who has been in private practice since 1975 and who has, throughout his career, published and spoken widely on coping with physical ailments and other psychological topics. Dr. Phillips, the published author of more than 30 books [list of books], has presented over four hundred papers and talks at seminars, conventions, and meetings throughout the United States and internationally. He has served on the Board of Directors of the national Lupus Foundation of America and the Nassau Chapter of the American Heart Association. Dr. Phillips also serves on medical advisory boards of, and is the psychologist for, a number of major local and national organizations.

        The Center for Coping and Dr. Phillips’ work has been the focus of many articles and stories in numerous professional journals and magazines such as Medical Times and Prevention. The Ladies Home Journal, Vogue, and Essence magazines have also featured his work. Coverage in national and local daily newspapers includes the New York Times, Newsday, and the New York Post. Dr. Phillips has appeared on dozens of television and radio programs, and currently is the host of "Coping Conversations", a weekly radio talk show [radio show], on WLIE (540 AM) on Long Island.

About Some of Our Professional Staff Members

• David Ferrin, Psy.D.

        David Ferrin, Psy.D., is a New York state licensed psychologist providing specialized therapeutic services to individuals at the Center for Coping. Drawing on his experience as a cardiac patient himself (having undergone two triple bypass surgeries), and as a spouse of an organ donor recipient who experiences other chronic health issues, Dr. Ferrin brings to the individuals he works with a unique perspective of the impact of chronic illness on both patient and family members. He previously served for eight years as President of the Long Island Chapter of the American Liver Foundation. In addition to his work at the Center for Coping, Dr. Ferrin lectures extensively to parent and teacher groups on issues of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, with a focus on home and school management.

• Karen Gitlin-Weiner, Psy.D.

        Dr. Gitlin-Weiner is a licensed psychologist who has worked as a special educator, consultant, and therapist for the past 25 years. She has conducted many seminars on topics related to the treatment of children and is the author of numerous professional articles as well as the co-editor of Play Diagnosis and Assessment (John Wiley & Sons, 1991). Specializing in the treatment of children and adolescents and their families, Dr. Gitlin-Weiner currently works as a staff psychologist at the Center for Coping as well as at the Harmony Heights Program for emotionally troubled adolescent girls. Additionally, she maintains a private practice. A great deal of Dr. Gitlin-Weiner’s professional work involves the use of play therapy to address emotional, behavioral and learning difficulties in children and adolescents.

• Paula Goldstein, CSW

        Paula Goldstein, CSW, is the Center for Coping’s Groups Coordinator. A practicing social worker, she is also the Director of Patient Services for the Long Island/Queens chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America. Ms. Goldstein, herself a person with lupus, specializes in working with people with chronic medical conditions. She is a frequent guest speaker for many organizations including the Arthritis Foundation, American Diabetes Association, national Lupus Foundation of America, and the American Lung Association, and is also the co-author of "Coping With Breast Cancer" (Avery Publishing Group, 1999).

        Ms. Goldstein received her Master of Social Work degree from Adelphi University and is affiliated with a number of professional organizations including the National Association of Social Workers and the New York State Society for Clinical Social Work, Inc.

• Karen S. Miller, Ph.D.

        Dr. Karen S. Miller is a New York state licensed psychologist who has been counseling individuals dealing with life's problems since 1990. She has presented papers and workshops on coping with stress and/or physical ailments at many corporations, universities, hospitals, and non-profit organizations throughout the New York metropolitan area. Her research on health counseling and coping with heart attacks has been presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine and the American Psychological Association.

        Dr. Miller is an adjunct assistant professor at Fordham University and a career counseling consultant to various corporations. In the past she has been affiliated with Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the Young Adult Institute, and The College of Staten Island. She received her Ph.D. from Fordham University and is a member of several major professional organizations including the New York State Psychological Association, the American Psychological Association, the Society of Behavioral Medicine, and the American Counseling Association.

• ToniAnn Cocchi, M.S.

        ToniAnn Cocchi, M.S., is a community therapist working in various school districts throughout Long Island, New York, and is a practicing biofeedback therapist at the Center for Coping. Her expertise as a certified biofeedback therapist focuses on the mind-body connection, and produces great improvement in the well-being of individuals with a variety of psychological or medical problems.

• Michele White, M.S.

        Michele White is a certified hypnotherapist and clinical counselor who brings extensive experience in helping people with hypnotherapy to the Center for Coping. She specializes in weight control, pain relief, anxiety reduction, and has expertise in a number of other areas.  

• Michael S. Phillips, EMT-CC

        Health specialist Michael S. Phillips, EMT-CC, is the director of the Center for Coping Wellness Division. A certified instructor for American Red Cross and American Heart Association programs, and an expert in safety and wellness, he has presented programs to youth and adult groups and organizations throughout the New York metropolitan area. 

To contact us:

• By phone: (516) 822-3131

• By e-mail: information@coping.com