New York State Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez Secures Funding for The Max and Celia Parnes Family Psychological and Psychoeducational Services Clinic On Tuesday, September 4, Yeshiva University and Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez (District 80) held a press conference at the new location of The Max and Celia Parnes Family Psychological and Psychoeducational Services Clinic, the training clinic for Yeshiva University’s Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. Fernandez announced that New York State has allocated $500,000 in capital funding to support the new clinic. “The Bronx, New York State and this country as a whole is in desperate need for more affordable mental health and substance abuse care,” said Assemblywoman Fernandez. “Yeshiva University is taking that much needed step with the Parnes Clinic, and I am proud to help establish a new facility for them. By working together, we can tackle our mental health crisis.” Lawrence J. Siegel, dean of Ferkauf, agreed, saying that “it makes me immensely proud that we have a student-run clinic that rivals the services of community mental health clinics around the country.” For years, the Parnes Clinic has ensured that the local community has had access to affordable mental health services. They provide many services to the community, including cognitive behavior therapy, psychodynamic therapy, psychological assessments, family and couples counseling and more. “The clinic was set up to provide a safe space for underserved patients of the Bronx to get affordable mental health care and receive the top of the line services which they deserve,” said Dr. William Salton, adjunct assistant professor of psychology and director of the Clinic.  “Parnes houses the third largest training clinic in the country, serving over 550 patients and booking between 700 and 900 appointments per month. We are deeply indebted to Assemblywoman Fernandez for her help in continuing and expanding our mission.”

Dr. William Salton, clinic director

As a training clinic, the Parnes Clinic provides Ferkauf students with an unparalleled opportunity not only to provide services to the community but also learn how the social context of their patients influences the effectiveness of their practice.

Graduate student Michelle Joaquin

“I particularly love that I work with families from diverse backgrounds and the fact that my work helps these children understand themselves and confront their problems so that they can ultimately lead more productive and fulfilled lives,” said Michelle Joaquin, a third-year psychology doctoral student at Ferkauf. “I believe that our ability to help bridge the gap between excellent mental health services and our community’s needs helps to make it easier for my patients to grow up in a healthier and safer Bronx.” The new clinic is set to be completed in August 2019; until then, the current clinic will remain open.