Ava Bir (she/her)

Ava is trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) across the lifespan. During her two-year internship at Behavioral Psych Studio, she completed extensive training in standard DBT and DBT for Adolescents (DBT-A), and later completed DBT for Children (DBT-C) intensive training facilitated by treatment developer Dr. Francheska Perepletchikova. She has also completed training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety and depression. Ava is committed to helping individuals of all ages—children, teens, families, and adults—navigate the complexities of their emotions and embrace vulnerability as a strength.

Before entering the clinical field, Ava was involved in a range of research initiatives focused on child development and mental health. Her early work exposed her to evidence-based treatment approaches like DBT and helped shape her interest in neuroscience-informed care. Ava draws from this background to bring accessible psychoeducation into the therapy space, helping clients feel empowered by understanding how their brains and bodies respond to stress, emotions, and change.

She also has several years of experience working with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and is passionate about promoting disability awareness and acceptance. Her clinical interests include bridging the gap between neuroscience and psychopathology and helping clients connect the dots between their biology, environment, and behavior.

Outside of work, Ava enjoys eating vegan food, walking and running in Central Park, listening to podcasts, and watching a range of sports—including professional running, Formula 1, and Premier League soccer.