Lisa Caren Litt

Dr. Litt is a licensed Clinical Psychologist specializing in the treatment of traumatic stress disorders and substance use. With an experienced, flexible and compassionate approach, she also strives to meet the individualized therapy needs of clients who are seeking help to manage anxiety, depression, relationship issues, birthing, postpartum and parenting concerns and other life cycle stressors.   
 
Using a relational psychodynamic approach combined with CBT and other evidence-based practices, Dr. Litt collaborates with clients to find the most effective treatment avenues.  For clients presenting with PTSD or trauma, treatment may include a variety of helpful methods including prolonged exposure, EMDR, and elements of DBT, ACT and mindfulness.  Dr. Litt approaches substance use from a harm reduction perspective, enabling clients to discuss and develop their own goals for reducing substance intake and maximizing safety.

Dr. Litt has presented nationally and internationally on clinical and supervisory considerations and outcomes related to treatment models for trauma and addiction, including Seeking Safety, COPE (Concurrent Treatment with Prolonged Exposure), and Relapse Prevention.  She conducts intensive training workshops and provides supervision for programs and professionals interested in enhancing their ability to provide integrated treatment for traumatic stress and substance misuse.

Dr. Litt is a co-author of Trauma Services for Women in Substance Abuse Treatment: An Integrated Approach.

Description of Practice/Services Offered:

• Individual consultation and psychotherapy
• Time-limited groups
• Skills workshops
• Clinical supervision
• Organizational trainings in trauma-focused treatments

Clinical Appointments/Hospital Affiliations

• Assistant Professor, The New School for Social Research, Concentration in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counseling
• Visiting Scholar, Columbia University Teachers College
• Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, 2015 - 2018
• Adjunct Faculty, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
• Adjunct Faculty, Mount Sinai Health Systems
• Assistant Clinical Professor of Medical Psychology In Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, thru 2013

Professional Affiliations

• Past-President, NY State Psychological Association (NYSPA) Division on Addictions, Executive Committee

• Co-Chair, Board of Directors, Moderation Management

• International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS)

• American Psychological Association (APA)

Media

The Melissa Harris-Perry Show on MSNBC

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Select Publications

Wupperman, P., Gintoft, Cohen, M., Haller, D., Flom, P., Litt, L., & Rounsaville, B. (2015, August 19). Mindfulness and modification therapy for behavioral dysregulation: A comparison trial focused on substance use and aggression. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 71, 964-978.

Litt, L. (2013). Clinical decision making in the treatment of complex PTSD and substance misuse. Journal of Clinical Psychology: In Session, 69 (5) 534–542.

Ruglass, L., Miele, G., Hien, D., Campbell, A., Hu, M., Caldeira, N., Jiang, H., Litt, L., Killeen, T., Hatch-Maillette, M., Najavits, L., Brown, C. (2012). Helping Alliance, Retention, and Treatment Outcomes: A secondary analysis from the NIDA Clinical Trials Network Women and Trauma Study, Journal of Substance Use and Misuse, 47.

Hien, D. A., Litt, L. C., Campbell, A. N., Cohen, L. , & Miele, G. M. (2008). Trauma Services for Women in Substance Abuse Treatment: An Integrated Approach. New York, NY: American Psychological Association Press.

Hien, D., Cohen, L., Miele, G., Litt, L., & Capstick, C. (2004). Promising treatments for women with comorbid PTSD and substance use disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry, 161, 1426-1432.

Litt, L., Hien, D., & Levin, D. (2003). Adult antisocial behavior and affect regulation among primary crack/cocaine using women, Psychology of Women Quarterly, 27, 143-152.

Litt, L. (1996). Prenatal attachment and body image in first pregnancy: Relationship to self and object representation. (Doctoral Dissertation, Adelphi University, 1996). Dissertation Abstracts International, 57-07B.

Select Presentations:

Litt, L. (2013, October) Recovery-oriented care and trauma-informed care: Our common ground. In P. Rosenfield (Chair), Expanding the reach of recovery oriented care. Paper in symposium at the American Psychiatric Association 65th Institute on Psychiatric Services, Philadelphia, PA.

Litt, L. (2013, October) Is there a place for narrative-based treatment of trauma for clients with substance use disorders? Workshop at the New York State Psychological Association (NYSPA) Division on Addictions Conference, New School for Social Research, New York, New York.

Litt, L. (2012, November). Narrative therapies in treatment of trauma and addiction. In D. Hien (Chair), Male survivors and addiction: Recent research and clinical developments for therapists. Workshop in Pre-meeting Institute at the 2012 International Male Survivor Conference, New York, New York.

Litt, L. Talley, J., Johnson, A., & Levine, R. (2012, June). Effective models for integrated treatment for trauma and addiction: A gender-based exploration using lessons from the Trauma-Focused Programs at St. Luke’s. Workshop presented at the NASW 44th Annual Addictions Institute, New York, New York.

Litt, L. (2011, November). Enhancing social connections in integrated trauma and addiction treatment. Paper presented at the ISTSS 27th Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD.

Litt, L. (2011, October). Clinical and supervisory challenges in implementing evidence based practices for PTSD and substance use disorders in community addiction treatment programs. In D. Hien (Chair), PTSD, self medication and context: functional relationships between PTSD cluster changes and alcohol and stimulant outcomes in the National Institute on Drug Abuse clinical trials network Women and Trauma study. Paper in symposium presented at the II International Congress on Dual Disorders, Barcelona, Spain.

Litt, L. (2011, April). Harm Reduction and Symptom Management in the Treatment of Traumatic Stress and Addiction. Workshop presented at conference on Harm Reduction in Addiction Treatment, The New School for Social Research, New York, New York.

Litt, L. (2010, March). Treatment of traumatic stress: Models and Techniques. In D. Hien (Chair), Effective Approaches for Treating Traumatic Stress and Addiction. Paper in Pre-meeting Institute at the 2010 International Male Survivor Conference, New York, New York.

Litt, L. (2009, November). Case examples of diagnostic issues in PTSD/Substance use symptoms for women with trauma and addictions. In Hien, D. (Chair), Treatment trajectories of substance abusing women with trauma: The problem with PTSD diagnosis. Paper in symposium presented at the conference for The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Atlanta, Georgia.

Litt, L. (2010, February). When Trauma meets addiction: The double challenges of recovery for women. Eastern Group Psychotherapy Association, Professional Discussion Group, New York, New York.

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Education

• Post-doctoral Fellowship in Group Psychotherapy: St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center.
• Clinical Psychology Internship: St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center
• Ph.D., Clinical/School Psychology: Adelphi University Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies
• M.A., Clinical Psychology: Adelphi University Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies
• B.A., University of Pennsylvania, College of Arts and Sciences
• B.S. in Economics, University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School