API TEAM

The API team provides the most diagnostically accurate and prognostically successful assessments within the field. We set a standard of best practice with highly trained, credentialed evaluators who have extensive expertise in brain development, child psychology, and education. 

Vivian Mougios, PhD ~ Founder/Director

In 25 years, Dr. Mougios has accumulated over 15,000 hours of neuropsychological administration experience, bringing an unparalleled depth to the evaluation process. Highly sought for her diagnostic precision, Dr. Mougios’ expertise in brain development, child psychology, and education provide a level of knowledge that uniquely serves the needs of families and their children.

Dr. Mougios received her undergraduate degree at Columbia University where she was awarded Academic All-Ivy for her academic and athletic achievements.  She was offered a teaching assistant position prior to graduation and remained part of Columbia University teaching staff until 2006. Dr. Mougios has also served as an adjunct professor at the College of New Rochelle and a testing supervisor for doctoral students at Adelphi University.

Dr. Mougios received her masters and doctorate at Long Island University-Brooklyn where she was awarded a fellowship at the Glass Institute is Psychoanalytic Studies. Upon graduation, she was given the Dissertation of Excellence award for her research on the psychophysiology of emotion. 

Dr. Mougios has completed extensive training throughout her tenure including Jamaica Hospital’s Brady Institute for Brain Injury and Coma Recovery and New York University Hospital’s Rusk institute of Pediatric Rehabilitation. She has worked among a diverse clinical population including adult and pediatric brain injury, learning disabilities, and developmental disorders.

She has served as a panel speaker and presenter for multiple organizations and associations. She has also co-authored many peer reviewed papers and recently authored Action Potential-The Secrets of Superlearners.  In addition to evaluations, Dr. Mougios provides educational consultations to schools in New York and the Tri-state area with particular emphasis on individualized learning plans and optimal teaching methodologies. 
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Katherine Eiges, PhD ~ Clinical Psychologist/Supervisor

Dr. Eiges specializes in psychological, educational, and neuropsychological assessment of children, adolescents, and young adults. Dr. Eiges graduated from NYU Magna Cum Laude with Highest Honors in Psychology. In 2015, she received her doctorate in clinical psychology from CUNY Graduate Center, where she acquired extensive experience in comprehensive assessments and psychotherapy in multiple settings, including hospital-based inpatient and outpatient clinics, universities, community mental health centers. Her combined interest in neuropsychological assessment and clinical psychology culminated in her dissertation on the relationship between learning disabilities and social-emotional functioning in children.

Dr. Eiges joined Dr. Mougios’s practice in 2016, after completing post-doctoral training in pediatric neuropsychology at Brooklyn Learning Center. Utilizing an integrative, holistic approach to assessment, Dr. Eiges aims to acquire an in-depth understanding of the ‘whole’ person, uncovering nuances within students’ cognitive, learning, and social-emotional profile to inform specific strategies and supports that will optimize students’ potential. Dr. Eiges works closely with the students, families, schools, and professionals to ensure their understanding of the evaluation results and how they can be utilized effectively to maximize students’ success. 

In addition to her work within API, Dr. Eiges has been an Adjunct Professor and Clinical Testing Supervisor for doctoral students. She has also given several workshops on time management and learning strategies.

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Meredith Bernfeld, PhD ~ Clinical Psychologist/ Evaluator

Dr. Bernfeld is a seasoned clinician with comprehensive experience in neuropsychological assessments. She holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Adelphi University and a BFA in Film Directing from Purchase College.  Dr. Bernfeld has an exceptional ability to connect with clients and their families, to think outside the box, and to instill a sense of trust and comfort.  She  is often called upon to assess some of the most challenging diagnostic circumstances. 

Dr. Bernfeld’s interest in neuropsychological assessments began as a result of her former career in television and film production.  Her ability to direct children in television commercials caught the attention of The Knowledge Project, a non-profit organization, where she served as a writing mentor to students in underserved areas of NYC. Working with these youngsters, she realized that far too many children who were identified with behavioral problems were in fact struggling with undiagnosed learning disabilities. Motivated to do more, Dr. Bernfeld helped design a program that incorporated psycho-social awareness to help K-12 students process the impact of 9/11. 

Since her initial foray into mental health and wellness, Dr. Bernfeld’s training has involved a broad range of clinical populations.  At the Brooklyn VA, she received extensive diagnostic training in discerning trauma-based cognitive issues from organic ones while also conducting bedside assessments to determine the decision-making capacity of veterans on the oncology floor.  Concurrently, while at the VA, Dr. Bernfeld also received additional training in neuropsychological assessment under Dr. Vivian Mougios.  During that time, she conducted a wide variety of assessments within the pediatric population.   

Dr. Bernfeld’s business and creative talents combined with her clinical and scientific acumen provide clients with a unique and engaging approach to the diagnostic process.  She maintains a particular passion of working with children/adolescents and adults who have endured trauma, struggled with addiction, and/or who have endured undiagnosed learning disabilities and cognitive challenges. 

Since 2019, Dr. Bernfeld has maintained a private practice in Brooklyn and is thrilled to join API’s exceptional team.

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Christina Galese, PsyD, NCSP ~ Clinical Psychologist/Evaluator

Dr. Christina Galese is a postdoctoral fellow from the School & Clinical Psychology program at Kean University. She received her undergraduate degree in neuroscience from Trinity College, earning academic honors as a scholar athlete. Her continued interest in education and child development led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Neuroscience & Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, a program tailored at linking educational theory and cognitive neuroscience research. During her tenure, Dr. Galese worked as a graduate assistant on many research projects at both the Learning Lab within Columbia’s Psychology Department and the New York State Psychiatric Institute. Projects included understanding the mechanisms of learning in populations experiencing neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease. She also maintains a Master's degree in Educational Psychology from Kean University.

More recently, Dr. Galese was employed as a clinical testing coordinator for a neuropsychologist in New York City, acquiring in-depth knowledge regarding child development and learning challenges. Throughout her doctoral training, she obtained extensive evaluation experience in multiple settings, including hospital-based outpatient clinics, community mental health centers, and public school systems both in New York and New Jersey. Given her interest in teaching pedagogy and neuropsychological assessment, Dr. Galese's dissertation examined the relationship between executive functioning and reading comprehension skills in a sample of students with learning challenges. Further, she has presented research at national professional conferences, and she has published on impression management in student athletes as well as best practices for supporting students with special needs.

In addition to her work, Dr. Galese is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) and teaches graduate level courses on cognitive assessment. Outside of the classroom and office, Dr. Galese has served as a student mentor for elementary school, high school, and college-age students. Additionally, for eight seasons she has also enjoyed being a high school volleyball and softball coach with a goal of empowering young females through sport using a growth-minded approach.

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