Yakira Cohen, M.S.Ed.

Yakira Cohen is a predoctoral extern at The Child and Family Institute and a third-year Ph.D. student in the Counseling Psychology program at Fordham University. She earned her M.S.Ed. in Counseling Psychology from Fordham University and her B.A. in Psychology and Journalism from the University of Maryland.

Prior to CFI, Yakira completed a clinical externship at Pace University’s College Counseling Center, where she helped college students manage anxiety, developmental transitions, and emotional and behavioral challenges by providing psychotherapy, facilitating ACT- and DBT-based skills groups, and conducting intake assessments.

Before beginning her doctoral training, Yakira worked as the Marketing and Communications Coordinator at Cognitive & Behavioral Consultants and as an Ambassador at the Access Psychology Foundation, where she collaborated with clinicians to increase awareness of evidence-based mental health services and training opportunities, with a particular focus on improving access to care for underserved communities. During her undergraduate years, she also co-wrote annual research reports for the Child Mind Institute focused on child and adolescent mental health.

In addition to her clinical work, Yakira is a NASM-certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach and works part-time as a personal trainer and private chef. These experiences have strengthened her appreciation for the connection between physical and emotional well-being and continue to inform her holistic perspective on health.

At CFI, Yakira provides neuropsychological assessments and values helping children, adolescents, and families better understand their strengths and challenges. She values the role that assessments can play in providing clarity and self-understanding, informing treatment, and supporting growth.

Yakira’s clinical and research interests include anxiety, identity development, body image, self-esteem, eating disorders, and the intersection of mental and physical health. She strives to provide warm, culturally responsive, and evidence-based care and is passionate about helping clients and families gain insight, build on their strengths, and move toward lasting well-being.