Dr. Lauren Bochicchio, Ph.D., is the Clinical Director, BPS-L.A.  She received her Master’s Degree and Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work at Columbia University School of Social Work (CUSSW). While in her master’s program, Dr. Bochicchio participated in the Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Training Program under the supervision of Dr. André Ivanoff, president of Behavioral Tech. Dr. Bochicchio received her intensive training in DBT while in this program and has additionally participated in trainings in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Written Exposure Therapy, DBT for Families and Couples and DBT-PE. Dr. Bochicchio is also experiened in CBT for ADHD, CBT-E for eating disorders, and AFFIRM for LGBTQ2+ individuals.

After graduation from her MSW program, Dr. Bochicchio served as a DBT Therapist and Skills Trainer at Clearview Treatment Programs in Los Angeles, CA where she assisted in the development of the DBT family program. Most recently, Dr. Bochicchio worked as a social worker at Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan, CT where she facilitated a weekly group for parents of children in the residential DBT program.

Throughout her doctoral program, Dr. Bochicchio dedicated her studies to reducing mental health disparities in the LGBTQ+ community and identifying best practices for the treatment of suicidality across populations. Her dissertation project entitled, “Home Away from Home”: Affirmative Care Practices Among Leading LGBTQ+ Organizations Serving Youth, identifies recommendations for LGBTQ+ youth affirmative care. Dr. Bochicchio now serves as a Postdoctoral Research Scientist at Columbia University School of Nursing.

Outside of work, Dr. Bochicchio can be found with Poppy, a spunky dachshund-chihuahua mix that she met five years ago, at a dog shelter in Los Angeles. Poppy enjoys long walks in Central Park and dancing for her favorite treats (PB-Nanas), and Dr. Bochicchio enjoys giving Poppy ever-more ridiculous nicknames (popsicle; chicken, etc). They make a top-notch duo.