The Health Psychology Center of New York, founded in 2021 by Dr. Kate L. Herts, PhD, was established with the mission of delivering specialized, evidence-based psychotherapy for individuals living with chronic medical and mental health conditions. Located at 26 Court Street, Suite 409 in Brooklyn, the center combines academic rigor with compassionate care, drawing upon Dr. Herts’ role as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine. The practice focuses on treating a wide range of challenges including chronic illness, depression, anxiety, trauma, women’s mental health concerns, and LGBTQIA+ mental health issues. Treatments are rooted in scientifically validated methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), ensuring clients receive care that is both research-backed and tailored to their unique needs. The center also offers biannual Virtual Coping with Chronic Illness Groups for both children and adults, helping individuals build resilience, manage symptoms, and foster social connection in the face of long-term health challenges such as cancer, Crohn’s disease, Lupus, endometriosis, and Long COVID.
At the heart of this work is Dr. Herts’ personal and professional dedication to advancing health psychology. Her early experiences with the Adolescent Leadership Council of Hasbro Children’s Hospital introduced her to the complexities of psychological adaptation in teens with chronic illnesses. During her doctoral training under Dr. Annette Stanton, a distinguished health psychologist, she examined coping mechanisms in patients with conditions like cancer and cystic fibrosis. Her dissertation, which developed and tested a CBT-based group program for college students with chronic illness, demonstrated measurable improvements in both mental health outcomes and social integration. This research provided the foundation for the HPC-NY Virtual Coping Groups that continue to benefit young adults today. Through ongoing collaboration with patients, colleagues, and advisors, Dr. Herts has expanded the center’s scope beyond therapy into fostering a global wellness community, offering a safe and supportive space where patients, families, and clinicians can share resources and build stronger coping systems. The Health Psychology Center of New York stands as a progressive practice blending clinical excellence, academic expertise, and a deeply human approach to care.
…