← All Executive Director Updates

This October brings a meaningful mix of learning, celebration, and looking ahead. The academic year is now well underway, and ICP is buzzing with activity and change.

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A Milestone Fundraiser
We are thrilled to share that ICP’s first large-scale fundraising breakfast, Rise for NYC, will take place November 13^th at the Harvard Club. This is a significant moment for ICP as we take an important step toward securing our future and strengthening our capacity to sustain and grow our programs, and to be able to provide even more treatment to our community.
At the event, we will honor two distinguished award recipients, with a special emphasis on the Phoenix Award, which will celebrate an individual’s extraordinary mental health journey. This award speaks to the transformative power of treatment and community, and we are honored to highlight their story. This inspiring morning will shine a light on ICP’s impact and the vital work we do every day.

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Community Events and Gatherings
We will come together for a Farewell Gathering for Mary Labientoat ICP on Friday, October 24, from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. Mary has been at ICP for 23 years. She is a beloved member of our community whose warmth, generosity, and steady presence have touched generations of candidates, faculty, and staff. We look forward to celebrating her and wishing her well in this next chapter.
ICP continues to offer a wide range of enriching workshops and trainings designed to deepen clinical knowledge and strengthen our community of learning. Registration is now open for our Ethics and Boundaries training, which fulfills the New York State requirement for three CE credits on professional boundaries. We also have an array of compelling programs throughout the fall, including our October 17 event from our SICP Lecture Series, along with other enriching and important ICP offerings. Explore these and more on our Events Page to see what might inspire your ongoing learning and growth.

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Welcoming New Leadership
Last quarter, we were delighted to introduce Hallie Boas, LMHC, MA, MA as a new member of ICP’s Board of Directors in our quarterly update.
We are delighted to welcome Elizabeth Amador, MBA, MA to ICP’s Board of Directors. Elizabeth is a transformational organizational development leader with deep expertise in strategy, integration, and leadership, as well as a strong interest in mental health and ICP’s mission. Her experience spans Mastercard, Citibank, and higher education, where she has consistently led initiatives that enhance systems, culture, and engagement. As President of the Tufts University Alumni Association, she advanced mentorship and mental health initiatives that connect students and alumni. Elizabeth’s expertise and leadership will be invaluable as ICP strengthens its organizational strategy and broadens its partnerships.
Board Chair Ben Maddox and I thank these recent additions, our entire board and advisory members for their support and creativity and belief in ICP’s work.
To view our full Board of Directors and Advisory Committee: https://icpnyc.org/about-icp/

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Division Transitions
ICP’s training divisions are led by clinicians who give their wisdom and expertise, commitment, and generosity of time and talent, to nurture their programs and ensure their continued excellence. This year brings several important leadership transitions.

1. FACTS Division: After many years of extraordinary leadership, Marty Babits, LCSW, BCD, and Alison Kalfus, LCSW, are moving on as co-directors of the FACTS Division. Their contributions will have a lasting impact on their respective program, whose success and reputation stand as part of their legacy. We offer them our deepest gratitude for the incredible work they have done to advance the field of couples and family training at ICP. Michael Nott, LCSW, a longtime member of the FACTS Executive Committee who teaches and supervises in the program, will step into the Director role. Michael brings deep knowledge of the program, his own impressive clinical experience, and new ideas which will enrich the program while honoring all that it is.
2. Two Year Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Division: Irna Gadd, LCSW, our dedicated division director, is moving on in her professional journey after many years of wise, steady and compassionate leadership. The program will now be run by committee, reflecting the collaborative spirit of the division. The committee includes Elisa Messore, LCSW-R, who will serve as Division Liaison, and Lauren Knapp, LCSW, LP; Mara Nellis, LCSW; Shannon Cruz Herr, LCSW; Jennifer Charney, LCSW; Heather Gay, LCSW; Amina Woods, LMSW; and Monica Cepin, LCSW, BCD. With this experienced and dedicated team, we are confident the program will continue to thrive and grow.
3. Sex Therapy Program (STP): Our remaining Founding director Ian Kerner, PhD, LMFT, is moving on after years of extraordinary contributions.Ian has been instrumental in shaping STP’s innovative training program. He also helped pioneer its equity scholarship program, which includes mentoring and has become a model for other divisions. Ian’s contributions helped put us on the map as one of the preeminent sex therapy training programs in the country. His vision and commitment have left an enduring legacy that will continue to influence the program for years to come. Stepping into the role of Co-Director along with Samantha Lutz, PhD, is Bruce Berman, PhD. Bruce is a much respected member of the ICP community, involved in our psychoanalytic program as well as our STP program, where he serves on their executive committee. Bruce instructs and supervises in the program and we are thrilled that he will bring his vision and expertise to this new role as STP’s next Co-director.
4. Trauma Studies Division: We are excited to welcome Laura Levitt, LCSW, as Associate Director, joining Director Faige Flakser, LCSW, in leadership. Laura graduated from our trauma program and has gone on to develop exceptional knowledge in trauma treatment and has been a key member of the executive committee, donating your time and talents generously. We look forward to seeing the trauma program thrive under this strong leadership team, and to Laura’s thoughtful and dynamic contributions to an already incredible program.

To all those moving on, we extend heartfelt thanks for your years of leadership and dedication. Your contributions will have a lasting impact on your respective programs and on the mental health landscape of our city, country, and the world around us. To those stepping in, we are deeply grateful for your expertise, commitment, and generosity of time and talent to your divisions and to ICP.

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Expanding Access to IFS Training Through ICP
We are proud to share that ICP was recently featured in the Internal Family Systems (IFS) Institute’s community newsletter, recognizing our participation in their Community Access Program (CAP). This recognition follows the success of our first year working together, and we endeavor to continue offering this partnership into the future. Through this initiative, 36 clinicians from our community gained priority access to an evidence-based trauma treatment model, expanding the availability of this highly effective treatment modality to those we serve. Much of the credit for this achievement goes to our Trauma Program’s Division Director, Faige Flakser, LCSW, whose persistence and determination to bring this to ICP were pivotal. We are deeply proud of this recognition.
Read the IFS Spotlight on ICP: Spotlight: Community Access Programs (CAP) | IFS Institute

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Looking Ahead
We are living in a moment when the need for accessible and inclusive mental health care is more urgent than ever. We are continuously looking for new ways to support all those in need of our services; And especially in these most difficult times, those most vulnerable, including our immigrant population, those who have Medicaid insurance, our LGBTQIA+ patients and colleagues, and others who for many reasons feel real fear at this time. We share these fears and concerns, and they strengthen our resolve to uphold ICP’s mission and we remain steadfast in our commitment to the community. We know the power of being seen, heard, and understood.
We hope our continued fundraising efforts will go a long way toward providing treatment services and training to even more people in need and reaching those who do not yet know about us. Our upcoming fundraising breakfast is an important part of sustaining this mission and ensuring that we can continue to build on our legacy while looking toward the future.
With deep gratitude for your ongoing support,

Andrea Green Lewis, LCSW-R
Executive Director