Cecily Portillo (She/Her/Hers)

I'm a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice helping children, teens, and adults navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, and emotion dysregulation. But more than that—I’m here to help you (or your child) feel like you can breathe again. The weight you’re carrying doesn’t have to be permanent.

I know that no two people are the same. That’s why my therapy is flexible, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based practices. I draw from: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Prolonged Exposure (PE).

I’m a DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified Clinician™—specializing in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a gold-standard treatment for: intense emotions, suicidal thoughts, self-injury, impulsive and high-risk behaviors. I currently offer adherent and comprehensive DBT to a select few individuals.

Before opening my private practice, I served as an Assistant Professor of Medical Psychology in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC). There, I led a DBT team of clinicians delivering DBT—providing training, supervision, and direct care to help families and adolescents navigate complex emotional and behavioral challenges.

As a Latina psychologist, I bring a strong commitment to creating spaces where people from all backgrounds feel safe, seen, and respected. I mentor emerging psychologists through Hofstra University’s Equity, Social Justice, and Inclusion Initiative, and I co-chair the Diversity and Inclusion Committee for the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification.

When I’m out of the office, I’m usually chasing after my toddler twins or walking my feisty miniature schnauzer. On weekends, you’ll find me exploring community festivals, discovering new foods, and relaxing with a good movie. These moments remind me how important balance is—both in life and in the work I do.