About
Dr. Hoffman
Dr. Hoffman is a New York City-based licensed clinical psychologist specializing in the evaluation and treatment of anxiety disorders, OCD, and related challenges. She is committed to improving her clients' ability to manage distress, enjoy meaningful relationships, and reach their personal goals. Dr. Hoffman works with children, teens, adults, and parents, with particular interest in helping teens and young adults navigate developmental transitions and challenges. Her approach to treatment is collaborative, action-oriented, and focused on making lasting change toward building a valued life. She brings a sense of humor, warmth, and genuineness to her work.
Dr. Hoffman received her B.A. with honors in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. She received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University. Dr. Hoffman completed her predoctoral clinical internship at NYU Child Study Center/Bellevue Hospital Center and her postdoctoral fellowship at Columbia University Clinic for Anxiety and Related Disorders at Columbia University Medical Center.
Dr. Hoffman has advanced training and expertise in evidence-based treatment approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ExRP), and Behavioral Activation. She regularly integrates mindfulness, acceptance techniques, and values-based approaches into her practice.
Dr. Hoffman most recently (2018-2022) served as Assistant Professor of Medical Psychology (in Psychiatry) at Columbia University Clinic for Anxiety and Related Disorders (CUCARD), under the mentorship of Dr. Anne Marie Albano. In addition to her clinical work, she co-developed and researched a virtual reality program for young adults with social anxiety, led and co-led numerous national conference presentations and clinical workshops, and trained doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows.
Dr. Hoffman continues to consult to the CUCARD team to further develop the virtual reality program and design school-based resources to support teachers, students, and parents. She also holds a Visiting Supervisor / Clinical Consultant appointment at the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University, where she supervises doctoral students on using CBT for youth anxiety.
Dr. Hoffman values sharing information about mental health with the public and scientific community. She has published her work in peer-reviewed journals, co-led clinical workshops at professional conferences, co-authored book chapters, and continues to enjoy providing community outreach and lectures to schools, parents, and community organizations.
Selected publications, presentations, and media
Hoffman L.J., & Badin, E (2022, October). "Assessment and Treatment Strategies for Depression." Virtual Clinical Workshop, Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network.
2022, July (non-authored, quoted media). "Virtual Reality Helps Teens and Young Adults with Social Anxiety," Columbia Psychiatry News.
Peros, O.M., Webb, L., Fox, S., Bernstein, A., & Hoffman, L.J. (2021). Conducting Exposure-Based Groups via Telehealth for Young Adults with Social Anxiety Disorder. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 28(4), 679-689.
Albano, A.M., Hoffman, L.J., & Zerrate, C. (2020, October). “Caregiver Involvement in the Treatment of Emerging Adults: The Launching Emerging Adults Program (LEAP) Across Diverse Settings.” Virtual Clinical Workshop, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Convention.
Hoffman, L.J. & Chu, B.C. (2019). When is Seeking Safety Functional? Taking a Pragmatic Approach to Distinguishing Coping from Safety. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 26(1), 176-185.
2019, October (non-authored, quoted media). "When the Prescription for Teens Is More Social Media, not Less." Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/when-the-prescription-for-teens-is-more-social-media-not-less-11572276260?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=2
2019, October (non-authored, quoted media). “Now we’re talking to therapists about climate anxiety.” Elemental https://elemental.medium.com/now-were-talking-to-therapists-about-climate-anxiety-2815a6cff31a
Hoffman, L.J., Guerry, J.D., & Albano, AM. (2018). Launching Anxious Young Adults: A Specialized Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention for Transitional Aged Youth. Current Psychiatry Reports, 20(4), 25.
Albano, AM & Hoffman, L.J. (2018). Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder. In Kendall, P.C. (Ed.), Cognitive Therapy with Children and Adolescents, Third Edition: A Casebook for Clinical Practice. New York, NY: Guilford Press.