Faculty — Psychology and Counseling

Milena Claudius, PhD, is a Clinical and Counseling Psychologist and faculty in the Department of Psychology and Professional Counseling. She coordinates the MA program in Counseling as well as the services of the University Counseling Center. She earned a PhD from Boston College and a BA from Boston University. Her clinical experiences range from psychiatric emergency care settings, inpatient and adult outpatient programs, to community psychotherapy clinics. She completed her APA-approved clinical psychology fellowship at Cambridge Hospital/ Harvard Medical School. Her research interests focus on topics at the intersection of psychology, social justice and human rights. She also has a specialization in health psychology. Her most recent published work explored risk and resilience in immigration, as well as cultural idioms of distress related to traumatic experiences. She was previously recognized as an American Psychological Association, Division 39 (Psychoanalysis) Scholar, Multicultural Concerns.

Thalmayer, A.G., Iurino, K., Job, S., Claudius, M. (under review). The Good, the better, and the admirable: Lay perceptions of ethical virtues across cultures. Journal of Personality.

Claudius, M., Shino, E. N., Job, S., Hofmann, D., & Thalmayer, A. G. (2022). Still standing inside: a local idiom related to trauma among Namibian speakers of Khoekhoegowab. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(21), 14323.

Tummala-Narra, P., & Claudius, M. (2022). Immigrant mothers. In “Parenthood and Immigration in Psychoanalysis” (pp. 78-96). Routledge.

Tummala-Narra, P., Claudius, M., Letendre, P.J., Sabu, E., Terran, V., & Villalba, W. (2018). Psychoanalytic psychologists and cultural competence. Psychoanalytic Psychology, 35, 1, 46- 59.

Email: milenaclaudius@webster.edu

Neil German started teaching as a graduate assistant in 1985 in the U.S. and moved to Switzerland in 1992 to train as a psychoanalyst at the Jung Institute in Zurich. He has taught at Webster since March 2000 in the Psychology department. He holds a Psychoanalytic Diploma from the Jung Institute in Zurich and a MA in Counseling Psychology from Kutztown University in Pennsylvania.

 

Email neilgerman86@webster.edu

Patricia Demierre-Berberat is a certified psychologist and psychotherapist (FSP), accredited and recognized at the federal level, and an IAAP-certified Jungian analyst (CGJIZ), trained in Switzerland, France, and the United States (Palo Alto, California) in Jungian analytical approaches, CBT, EMDR and Brief Therapy. She is currently practicing at the TRAUMACARE Psychotraumatology Consultation of the University Hospitals of Geneva (#HUG) as well as in her private practice. Mrs. Demierre-Berberat has extensive experience working in psychiatric hospital settings, providing individual psychotherapy and leading discussion and therapeutic groups for both inpatients and outpatients.

Demierre-Berberat, P. (2023). Dealing with Transitions thanks to Janus. Mental Health and Human Resilience International Journal. 7(1). DOI: 10.23880/mhrij-16000205

Demierre-Berberat, P. (2023). The Benefits of Grounding Strategies in Emotion and Arousal Regulation. Mental Health and Human Resilience International Journal. 7(2). DOI: 10.23880/mhrij-16000233

Email: patriciad36@webster.edu

Elizabeth Frei is an American psychologist and Swiss-recognized psychotherapist. She has a doctorate in psychology from the University of Central Florida and completed her postdoctoral residency at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health. She has been living and practicing in Switzerland since 2011. In addition to teaching at Webster, she sees clients and trainees through the c2 praxis in Biel-Bienne. She is passionate about neuroinclusivity, equity in healthcare and social justice.

 

 

Daniel Johnston has worked with young people and their families in a variety of contexts over the past 20 years. From running programs for at-risk boys in inner-city Chicago, to supporting orphans and their house parents as a social worker in Honduras, to leading in the push for holistic and wellbeing centered education in international schools around Europe, Johnston is passionate about building authentic human relationships and communities — families, schools, societies, etc. — directed towards a more healthy and peaceful world.

Currently, in addition to teaching the School Counseling course at Webster, Johnston counsels adolescents and parents in the Vaud area and offers workshops and trainings for parents and schools.

Johnston received an MA in Pastoral Theology from K.U. Leuven in Belgium, completed a certificate in Counselling from Barnaby Training Center in the U.K., and did his undergraduate studies at the University of Notre Dame in the U.S. where he majored in the Program of Liberal Studies and minored in Peace Studies.

As an adult expat in Europe, he has come to realize that he grew up as a fully American Third Culture Kid in Montgomery, Alabama. He has lived in Honduras, Belgium, and now Switzerland since 2015. He is the father of three wonderful children.

 

Email: danieljohnston@webster.edu

Pritha Mani is a child, adolescent and young adult counselor from Switzerland. She has extensive training and 14 years of experience working in the mental health field and has practiced in India and in Switzerland.

Mani has a history of working in a variety of settings which include NGOs, clinics, hospitals and schools. Mani graduated from Webster University (Geneva) where she obtained her Master of Arts in Counseling and is a licensed counselor with the Swiss Association for Counseling. In addition to her counseling services, she facilitates a support group for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, non-binary) youth; led workshops for schools, universities and parents; has developed policies on bullying and inclusion for schools; and regularly supervises MA in Counseling students and first-year practitioners.

In addition to counseling, Mani is a sexual violence prevention advocate. She has written a book entitled “It's On Us!: Sexual Violence Prevention Handbook” aimed at schools and universities and is currently writing her second book.

Finally, she is on the board of Hand in Hand Switzerland and the vice president of Barefoot College and Bindi International Suisse.

 

Email: prithamani82@webster.edu

Erik Mansager is a U.S.-licensed clinical professional counselor (Illinois) and has over 35 years of direct counseling and psychotherapy experience with individuals, couples and families. He carries national certification in drug and alcohol prevention and treatment and holds the World Certificate of Psychotherapy from the World Council for Psychotherapy.

Mansager obtained his bachelor’s degree in Humanities from St. Thomas Theological Seminary in Denver, Colorado, his master’s degree in Counseling and Guidance from the University of Arizona, and his doctorate in Depth (Clinical) Psychology, at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.

He formerly held faculty positions in the U.S. at Adler University in Chicago, Illinois and St. John’s Seminary College in Camarillo, California — where he also served as director of psychological services. Prior to moving to Europe, he worked as residential director of Casa de los Ninos Crisis Shelter, Tucson, and director of the University Counseling Center at the University of North Dakota. Arriving in Switzerland (2008), he directed the Counselling Department at Collège du Léman International School in Versoix. He is currently co-directing Family-Counselling Services in Geneva.

Mansager has over 80 peer-reviewed publications which include journal articles, books, book chapters and monographs. He guest edited five special issues of The Journal of Individual Psychology (spirituality, LGBT affirmation, social justice, CADP and the varieties of Adlerian practices) and has given over 250 presentations at international, national and local venues.
His specialization in Adlerian psychotherapy includes service as president of the North American Society of Adlerian Psychology (2004-2006) and being a NASAP Diplomate of Adlerian Psychology (2000). Currently he directs the Alfred Adler Institute in Suisse Romande. He earned his certificate as a Classical Adlerian Depth Psychotherapist (CADP 2012) from the Adlerian Institute of Northwestern Washington which also certified him as a CADP Training Analyst (2017).

Publications

Mansager, E., McDonald, B., and Williams, H. M., Sr. (2015). Internet and faith. The Journal of Individual Psychology, 71(2), pp. 214-220.

Mansager, E. (2014). Editors’ Notes: Classical Adlerian Depth Psychotherapy: The Congruence of a Theory. The Journal of Individual Psychology, 70(4), pp. 269-272.

Mansager, E. (2014). A narrative survey of classical Adlerian depth psychotherapists. The Journal of Individual Psychology, 70(4), pp. 323-331.

Pfefferlé, J. and Mansager, E. (2014). Applying the classical Adlerian family diagnostic process. The Journal of Individual Psychology, 70(4), pp. 332-378.

Chapters in Edited Volumes

Borboa, R. and Mansager, E. (2016). Historical Note: Erik Blumenthal’s Contribution to Individual Psychology in Switzerland, in Prina, C., Shelley, C., K. John K., and Millar A. (Eds.), “Adlerian Year Book,” pp. 180-184 (London: UK Adlerian Society and Institute for Individual Psychology).

Raff, D., Mertz, L., and Mansager, E. (2016). Historical note: Friedrich Liebling’s Contribution to Individual Psychology in Switzerland, in Prina, P., Shelley, C., John, K. and Millar A. (Eds.), “Adlerian Year Book,” pp. 174-179 (London: UK Adlerian Society and Institute for Individual Psychology).

Mansager, E. (2015). Constructs or conflicts? in Prina, P., Shelley, C., John, K. and Millar A. (Eds.), “Adlerian Year Book,” pp. 37-50 (London: UK Adlerian Society and Institute for Individual Psychology).

Mansager, E. and Borboa, R. (2014). Individual psychology in Switzerland: A brief history and overview, in Prina, P., Shelley, C., John, K. and Millar A. (Eds.), “Adlerian Year Book,” pp. 173-195 (London: UK Adlerian Society and Institute for Individual Psychology).

Mansager, E. (2014). A biographical sketch of Leo Gold: 1924-2011, in Prina, P., Shelley, C., John, K. and Millar A. (Eds.), “Adlerian Year Book,” pp. 24-33 (London: UK Adlerian Society and Institute for Individual Psychology).

Rosin, M. and Mansager, E. (2012). Striving to understand religion and spirituality: An Individual Psychology perspective, in Prina, P., Shelley, C., Millar A., and John, K. (Eds.), “Adlerian Year Book” (London: UK Adlerian Society and Institute for Individual Psychology), pp. 235-258.

Email: erikmansager11@webster.edu

Though Canadian by birth, Olivia Marcz has spent most of her life abroad in Southern Africa, Southeast Asia and Europe.

She works in private practice with adolescent and adult clients. After completing her Master of Arts in Counseling at Webster University, Geneva, she went on to study cross-cultural trauma at Harvard University in Italy and completed her Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy at the University of Oxford.

Marcz has worked as a school counselor for both primary and secondary school students in international schools in Switzerland and Cuba. She is a qualified international psychology educator with experience teaching various psychology curricula, specializing in neurodivergent education.

 

 

Agnese Mariotti earned a PhD in Genetics from the University of Pavia, Italy. After her postdoctoral research studies at Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, she worked as a principal scientist at the University of Lausanne. She is the author of various scientific articles and of two books for the general public on the effects of psychophysical stress on health (Gestire lo stress, Il Punto di Incontro, 2017, and Stress, les solutions sont dans nos mains, Rosso Editions, 2018). She is particularly interested in the biological mechanisms that coordinate the interactions between our physical and psychological responses.

 

Email: agnesemariotti74@webster.edu

Eric Ménétré is a dedicated researcher with a PhD in Psychology from the University of Geneva, where he focused on the involvement of executive functioning in word production using neuroimaging methods. His academic journey also includes a Master of Advanced Studies in Clinical Neuropsychology and a Master of Science in Psychology, both from the University of Geneva.

In his current role as a postdoctoral researcher at the EEG and Epilepsy Unit in the Division of Neurology at the University Hospitals of Geneva, Ménétré is at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence with clinical data to enhance the diagnosis of epilepsy. He is spearheading the development of a medical device designed to identify novel biomarkers at the first seizure, aiming to redefine early detection and intervention. Ménétré's work also involves the coordination of multicentric research projects, ensuring data quality and consistency across seven epilepsy centers. His dedication to methodological rigor and advanced statistical knowledge has been instrumental in advancing both academic research and clinical applications in the field of neurology.

 

Email: ericmenetre@webster.edu

Deborah Schneider holds a PhD in Special Education from the University of Arizona (U.S.). She is an expert in learning disorders, a dedicated academic and a mother of three children. In addition to her appointment as instructional faculty at Webster University, Schneider works remotely as a post-doctoral research scientist at the Hoeft BrainLENS Neuroscience Laboratory at the University of Connecticut and has served as instructional faculty at the University of Arizona and as an external evaluator and research associate in the areas of behavioral intervention and reading remediation. She is a full member of the American Psychological Association, the International Dyslexia Association and the Learning Disabilities Association of America.

Schneider has been privileged to present her academic work and research at several international conferences, and her work in the fields of special education and educational psychology appears in various academic journals, textbooks and professional manuals. She has also contributed to award-winning educational software programs, such as MindPlay Virtual Reading Coach and MindPlay Comprehensive Reading Program.

Schneider, D., Richter, C. G., Li, C., Kinnie, B., Moore, K., Sawtelle, K., Chen, D., Tollett, B., Prachiben, P., O’Hagan, E., & Hoeft, F. (2024, September). A Systematic review of the effects of intervention on the brain and behaviour in individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Poster presented at the 2024 Flux Congress, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Schneider, D., Bouhali, F., Richter, C. G., Costache, R., Costache, C., Kirchhoffer, K., Sheth, V., MacDonald, I., & Hoeft, F. (2024). Perinatal influences on academic achievement and the developing brain: A scoping systematic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 15. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1352241

Schneider, D., Mather., N., Wendling, B. (2024). The Brain. In N. Mather and B. Wendling. “Essentials of Dyslexia Assessment and Intervention.” Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Schneider, Wendling, B., Mather, N. (2024). Genetics and the Environment. In N. Mather and B. Wendling. “Essentials of Dyslexia Assessment and Intervention.” Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Email: dschneider@webster.edu

Dr. Shannon Shibata-Germanos is a multidisciplinary leader at the intersection of neuroscience, global health, strategic investment and conflict management. She holds a PhD in Neuroscience from the University College London. With expertise in molecular biology, neuroimmunology and policy analysis, she drives innovation in health systems, personalized medicine and health-tech. Over more than a decade, Shibata-Germanos played a significant role in Middle East conflict management, leading cross-border multi-party negotiations and formulating high-level policy recommendations. Her work in sub-Saharan Africa has established novel public-private partnerships and secured contracts with global institutions like the United Nations. As a global health-focused investor and advisor, she leverages her distinguished global network to bridge scientific, health care and policy gaps and foster sustainable growth. Her efforts, featured in academic publications and high-profile case studies, showcase her unique blend of science, business and policy expertise.

Shibata-Germanos, S., Ferenchick, E. K., Varallo, J. E., Semrau, K. E. A., & HachachHaram, N. (2024). Leveraging technology for health. In “Resilient Health.” Elsevier Inc. DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-443-18529-8.00021-4

Shibata-Germanos, S., et al. (2019). Structural and functional conservation of nonlumenized lymphatic endothelial cells in the mammalian leptomeninges. Acta Neuropathologica.

van Lessen, M., et al. (2017). Intracellular uptake of macromolecules by brain lymphatic endothelial cells during zebrafish embryonic development. eLife 6, pp. 1–24.

Tian, K., Shibata-Germanos, S., Pahlitzsch, M., & Cordeiro, M. F. (2015). Current perspective of neuroprotection and glaucoma. Clin Ophthalmol 9, 2109–1218.

 

Dr. Chitra Subrahmanian holds a PhD in Child Development and Family Studies from Purdue University, U.S., with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy and a MSEd in Counselor Education from Duquesne University, U.S. Since 2001, she has been a faculty member at Webster University Geneva, where she develops and teaches graduate-level courses in the Master's Counseling program as well as in the undergraduate Psychology program.

Subrahmanian is also a licensed psychotherapist, providing systems-based psychotherapy to individuals, couples and families. Her academic expertise and clinical practice are informed by a strong foundation in both theory and research. She has been an active contributor to professional development through workshops and presentations at conferences worldwide.

Fluent in English, Tamil, Hindi and conversant in German and French, Subrahmanian brings a global perspective to her teaching and clinical work, leveraging her international experience to foster cross-cultural understanding and support for diverse student populations.

 

Email: csubrahmanian97@webster.edu

Catalina Woldarsky Meneses is a psychotherapist FSP in private practice in Lausanne, Switzerland working with individuals and couples. She is also as an adjunct professor at Webster University’s Graduate Counseling program, Geneva campus, interested in understanding the process of change in psychotherapy, and also in the world of emotions. She completed her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology at York University in Toronto, Canada, under the guidance and mentorship of Les Greenberg, a world renown psychologist and researcher best known for his contribution to the development of emotion-focused therapy (EFT). Woldarsky Meneses is involved in supervising and training therapists learning EFT through the Swiss EFT institute, as well as through various psychotherapy training instituyes in Europe and Latin America. Originally from Chile, Woldarsky Meneses grew up and studied in Canada and has been living in Switzerland with her family since 2012.

Publications

Woldarsky Meneses, C., & Gibb, S. (2024). Navigating the complexity and challenges of dual-career, highly mobile couples using emotion-focused therapy for couples. Person-Centered and Experiential Psychotherapies, 1–16. DOI: 10.1080/14779757.2024.2366955

Woldarsky C. (2017). Emotion-focused couples therapy, Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies, (forthcoming).

Email: catalinaw62@webster.edu

Aernout Zevenbergen is a counselor in private practice in Nyon and Vaud, working with couples and adult individuals.

Born in Zambia and raised in the Netherlands, Zevenbergen originally studied Political Science at the Vrije Universiteit and the Universiteit van Amsterdam to become a journalist. In 1997 he moved to Kenya and later South Africa to cover African current events. While reporting on news and undercurrents, Zevenbergen become interested in the theme of “modern masculinities,” and set out to write a book on “what it means to be a man, in Africa, in the 21st century.”

It was because of the geographical, intellectual and emotional journey Zevenbergen had to make to gather the materials for his book “Spots of a Leopard" that he decided to make a career shift from writing to counseling. He went back to university in Nairobi to complete a Master in Arts program in Counselling Psychology. Zevenbergen moved to Geneva in July 2016 as a trailing spouse, and opened his private practice shortly after arriving in Switzerland.

In his private practice, Zevenbergen integrates his understanding of the benefits and trappings of contemporary patriarchy in his work with male clients and couples. Helping clients move towards a more compassionate and relational stance is at the heart of his practice.

Zevenbergen, A. 2009. “Spots of a Leopard: On Being a Man.” Cape Town: Laughing Leopard.

Email: azevenbergen@webster.edu