Faculty — Psychology and Counseling

Milena Claudius, PhD, is a clinical and counseling psychologist in the Department of Psychology and Professional Counseling. She coordinates the MA program in counseling and the University Counseling Center. She holds a doctorate from Boston College and a BA from Boston University.

Her clinical experience includes psychiatric emergency care, inpatient and outpatient programs, and community psychotherapy clinics. She completed an APA-approved clinical psychology fellowship at Cambridge Hospital/Harvard Medical School. Her research explores psychology's intersection with social justice and human rights, with expertise in health psychology. Her recent work examines risk and resilience in immigration and cultural expressions of trauma. She received the American Psychological Association Division 39 (Psychoanalysis) Scholar award in 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 leads the Psychology Department at Webster University Geneva. An adjunct professor with more than 25 years of teaching experience, he specializes in cultural and historical aspects of dreams.

A Jungian analyst, German has published extensively, including "Dreams" in The Palgrave Encyclopedia of the Possible (2022). His research explores dreams, trauma, symbolism and archetypal patterns. He has belonged to the International Association of Analytical Psychology (IAAP) since 1998.

Degrees

Psychoanalytic Diploma, Jung Institute, Kusnacht, Switzerland
MA Counseling Psychology, Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA, USA

 

Email neilgerman86@webster.edu

Patricia Demierre-Berberat is a certified psychologist and psychotherapist (FSP) and an IAAP-certified Jungian analyst (CGJIZ). She trained in Switzerland, France and Palo Alto, California, in Jungian analysis, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), EMDR and brief therapy. She practices at the University Hospitals of Geneva's TRAUMACARE Psychotraumatology Consultation and maintains a private practice. Demierre-Berberat provides individual psychotherapy and leads therapeutic groups in psychiatric hospital settings for 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 holds 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 practiced in Switzerland since 2011. In addition to teaching at Webster University Geneva, she sees clients and trainees at c2 praxis in Biel-Bienne. Her work focuses on neuroinclusivity, health care equity and social justice.

 

 

Daniel Johnston has worked with young people and their families for more than 20 years. His experience ranges from programs for at-risk youth in Chicago to social work with orphans in Honduras and advocacy for well-being-centered education in European international schools.
Johnston teaches School Counseling at Webster University Geneva while counseling adolescents and parents in Vaud. He also conducts workshops for parents and schools.

He holds an MA in pastoral theology from KU Leuven, Belgium; a counseling certificate from Barnaby Training Center, U.K.; and a bachelor's degree in liberal studies with a minor in peace studies from the University of Notre Dame.

Johnston has lived in Honduras, Belgium and Switzerland since 2015. He grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, as what he now recognizes was an American Third Culture Kid. He is the father of three wonderful children.

 

Email: danieljohnston@webster.edu

Pritha Mani is a child, adolescent and young adult counselor with 14 years' experience in mental health, practicing in India and Switzerland.
Mani works across NGOs, clinics, hospitals and schools. She holds a Master of Arts in counseling from Webster University Geneva and is licensed with the Swiss Association for Counseling. She facilitates an LGBTQ+ youth support group, leads workshops for schools and parents, develops anti-bullying and inclusion policies, and supervises counseling students and new practitioners.

A sexual violence prevention advocate, Mani authored "It's On Us!: Sexual Violence Prevention Handbook" for schools and universities. She serves on the board of Hand in Hand Switzerland and as vice president of Barefoot College and Bindi International Suisse.

 

Email: prithamani82@webster.edu

Erik Mansager is a U.S.-licensed clinical professional counselor (Illinois) with more than 35 years' experience counseling individuals, couples and families. He holds national certification in drug and alcohol prevention and treatment and the World Certificate of Psychotherapy.

Mansager earned a bachelor's degree in humanities from St. Thomas Theological Seminary in Denver, a master's in counseling from the University of Arizona and a doctorate in depth psychology from Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.

He has held faculty positions at Adler University in Chicago and St. John's Seminary College in California, where he directed psychological services. Before moving to Europe, he served as residential director of Casa de los Ninos Crisis Shelter in Tucson and directed the University Counseling Center at the University of North Dakota. Since 2008, he has worked in Switzerland, first directing counseling at Collège du Léman International School and now co-directing Family Counseling Services in Geneva.

Mansager has published more than 80 peer-reviewed works and guest-edited five special issues of The Journal of Individual Psychology on topics including spirituality, LGBTQ+ affirmation and social justice. He has given more than 250 presentations internationally.

He served as president of the North American Society of Adlerian Psychology (2004-2006) and holds its diplomate certification (2000). He directs the Alfred Adler Institute in Suisse Romande and is certified as a Classical Adlerian Depth Psychotherapist (2012) and Training Analyst (2017) by the Adlerian Institute of Northwestern Washington.

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

Canadian-born Olivia Marcz has lived in southern Africa, Southeast Asia and Europe. She holds a Master of Arts in counseling from Webster University Geneva, studied cross-cultural trauma at Harvard University in Italy and earned a postgraduate diploma in cognitive behavioral therapy from the University of Oxford.

Marcz maintains a private practice counseling adolescents and adults and has served as a school counselor in Switzerland and Cuba. She is an international psychology educator specializing in diverse curricula and neurodivergent education.

Degrees

MA Counseling Psychology, Webster Geneva, Switzerland

Afilliations

OCTC (Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre) https://www.octc.co.uk/

 

 

Agnese Mariotti holds a doctorate in genetics from the University of Pavia, Italy. She conducted postdoctoral research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and served as principal scientist at the University of Lausanne. Mariotti has authored numerous scientific articles and two books on psychophysical stress and health. Her research focuses on biological mechanisms linking physical and psychological responses.

Degrees

Ph.D. in genetics, University of Pavia, Italy

 

Email: agnesemariotti74@webster.edu

Eric Ménétré, PhD, is a University of Geneva psychologist specializing in executive functioning and word production through neuroimaging. He holds advanced degrees in clinical neuropsychology and psychology. At the University Hospitals of Geneva, he applies artificial intelligence to epilepsy diagnosis. Ménétré leads development of a medical device for detecting seizure biomarkers and coordinates research across seven epilepsy centers. His work bridges academic research with clinical neurology through statistical analysis.

Degrees
Phd in Psychology, University of Geneva, Switzerland

 

Email: ericmenetre@webster.edu

Julia Sader, PhD, integrates psychology and medical education in her research. She holds a doctorate in biomedical sciences, focusing on medical education, from the University of Geneva; a master's in developmental psychology from University College London; and a bachelor's in psychology with a minor in philosophy from Webster University Geneva, graduating magna cum laude. Sader studies psychological principles in medical education and cognitive development across the life span.

Degrees

Phd in Medical Education, University of Geneva, Switzerland
MS in Psychoanalytic Developmental Psychology, UCL, London, UK

PhD publications (thesis by article plus 323-page document available upon request)

Letter to the editor: “Clinical reasoning and COVID-19 pandemic: current influencing factors – Let us take a step back!” (Audétat, M-C; Sader. J. & Coen, M. 2021) Intern Emerg Med. 2021 Jun;16(4):1109-1111. doi: 10.1007/s11739-020-02516-8. Epub 2020 Oct 12. PMID: 33044737; PMCID: PMC7549420.

Opinion paper: “Clinical reasoning in dire times. Analysis of cognitive biases in clinical cases during the COVID19 pandemic.” (Coen & Sader et al, 2021)

Research article 1: Coen M., Sader J. (Both authors equally contributed to the paper). Junod-Perron N., Audétat MC., Nendaz M.. Clinical reasoning in dire times. Analysis of cognitive biases in clinical cases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Intern Emerg Med. 2022 Jun;17(4):979-988. doi: 10.1007/s11739-021-02884-9. Epub 2022 Jan 8. PMID: 34997906; PMCID: PMC8742156 (Coen & Julia et al, 2023) Journal of emergency medicine IF 3.2 (2023)

Position paper 1 “Serious game training in medical education: potential to mitigatecognitive biases of healthcare professionals.” (Sader et al, 2021; Diagnosis – SIDM – Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine – member since 2019).

Position paper 2 “Design Bioethics, not only as a Research Tool but also a Pedagogical Tool (Sader et al, 2021; American Journal of Bioethics I.F. 7.647 (2019).

Scoping review research article 2 “Theoretical models, interventions, and tools to mitigate cognitive biases: can other fields bring a new perspective to medical education?” (Sader, Nendaz & Audétat, 2024)- Submitted to medical education IF 3.2

Randomized control trial: (RCT) research article 3 “Impact of a single training intervention on the mitigation of susceptibility to cognitive biases in medical residents: a multi-centric randomized controlled trial on serious game vs. instructional video” (Sader, Cerutti, Audétat & Nendaz, 2024) -Submitted to BMJ quality and safety IF 2.7

Correlational study research article 4: “What role does critical thinking play in medical residents' susceptibility to cognitive biases?” Therefore, a (Sader, Cerutti, Nendaz & Audétat, 2024) -Submitted to Advances in health sciences education: theory and practice.

Other Selected Publications

Lavallard V, Cerutti B, Audetat Voirol M-C, Broers B, Sader J, Galetto-Lacour A, Hausmann S, Savoldelli GL, Nendaz M, Escher M. Formative assessments during COVID-19 pandemic: an observational study on performance and experiences of medical students. MedEdPublish. 2023; 13:7.

Bajwa NM, Sader J, Kim S, Park YS, Nendaz M, Bochatay N. Development and validity evidence for the intraprofessional conflict exercise: An assessment tool to support collaboration. PloS one. 2023; 18(2):e0280564.

Cleverley-Leblanc H, Chemin C, Sader J, Junod Perron NA, Zamberg I, Schiffer E, Nendaz M, Audetat Voirol M-C. Favoriser le développement du raisonnement clinique des étudiants en médecine : une démarche d'amélioration. Pédagogie médicale. 2023; 23(4):225-33.

Sader J, Cerutti B, Meynard L, Geoffroy F, Meister V, Paignon A, Junod Perron NA. The pedagogical value of near-peer feedback in online OSCEs. BMC medical education. 2022; 22(1):572.

Sader J, Diana A, Coen M, Nendaz M, Audetat Voirol M-C. A GP's clinical reasoning in the context of multimorbidity: beyond the perception of an intuitive approach. Family practice. 2022;cmac076.

Sader J, Cairo Notari S, Coen M, Ritz C, Bajwa NM, Nendaz M, Audetat Voirol M-C. Métaphores : une porte d'entrée pour accéder à la richesse du raisonnement clinique des médecins généralistes. Pédagogie médicale. 2022; 23(1):17-26.

Coen M, Sader J, Junod Perron NA, Audetat Voirol M-C, Nendaz M. Clinical reasoning in dire times. Analysis of cognitive biases in clinical cases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Internal and emergency medicine. 2022.

Email: juliasader37@webster.edu

Deborah Schneider holds a doctorate in special education from the University of Arizona. She teaches at Webster University Geneva while working as a postdoctoral research scientist at the University of Connecticut's Hoeft BrainLENS Neuroscience Laboratory. She previously taught at the University of Arizona and served as an external evaluator for behavioral intervention and reading remediation programs.

Schneider belongs to the American Psychological Association, International Dyslexia Association and Learning Disabilities Association of America. Her research appears in academic journals, textbooks and professional manuals. She has contributed to educational software programs including 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

Shannon Shibata-Germanos, PhD, combines expertise in neuroscience, global health, strategic investment and conflict management. She earned her doctorate in neuroscience from University College London, specializing in molecular biology, neuroimmunology and policy analysis. She has facilitated conflict resolution in the Middle East through negotiations and policy development, while pioneering public-private partnerships in sub-Saharan Africa, including United Nations collaborations. As a global health investor and adviser, she connects science, healthcare and policy to advance sustainable development. Her work appears in leading publications and case studies.

Degrees

Phd in Neuroscience, UCL, London, UK

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.

 

Chitra Subrahmanian, PhD, has taught at Webster University Geneva since 2001, specializing in child development, family studies and marriage and family therapy. She teaches in the graduate counseling and undergraduate psychology programs. A licensed psychotherapist, she provides systems-based therapy to individuals, couples and families. Subrahmanian's multilingual background informs her cross-cultural approach to education and therapy. She leads professional development workshops and presents internationally.

Degrees

Phd in Child Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, Indiana, USA

 

Email: csubrahmanian97@webster.edu

Catalina Woldarsky Meneses is an FSP-certified psychotherapist in private practice in Lausanne, Switzerland, working with individuals and couples. She teaches in Webster University Geneva's Graduate Counseling program, focusing on psychotherapy processes and emotional intelligence. She holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from York University in Toronto, where she studied under Les Greenberg, developer of emotion-focused therapy (EFT).

Woldarsky Meneses trains therapists in EFT through the Swiss EFT Institute and psychotherapy institutes across Europe and Latin America. Originally from Chile, she studied in Canada before moving to Switzerland in 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 maintains a counseling practice in Nyon and Vaud, working with couples and adults.
Born in Zambia and raised in the Netherlands, Zevenbergen studied political science at Vrije Universiteit and Universiteit van Amsterdam before becoming a journalist. He covered African affairs from Kenya and South Africa starting in 1997, where his reporting on masculinity led to his book "Spots of a Leopard" about 21st-century African manhood.

This work inspired his transition to counseling. He earned a Master of Arts in counseling psychology from a Nairobi university and established his Swiss practice after moving to Geneva in 2016.

Zevenbergen specializes in helping men and couples navigate contemporary gender roles, focusing on developing compassionate relationships.

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

Email: azevenbergen@webster.edu