Andrew Merling, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
"...Can confidently say he changed my life."
“Dr. Merling is a top-notch therapist who is insightful, compassionate and easy to talk to.”
“My sessions with Dr. Merling were always a welcomed break in my week and he made me feel like I was not alone…I owe much of the success I have had in managing my depression and anxiety to him.”
Dr. Merling believes in customizing treatment interventions to meet the specific needs of each client. His integrative approach combines cognitive behavior therapy with insight-oriented techniques. Understanding that patients have different levels of motivation for change, Dr. Merling’s philosophy is to meet them where they are. He uses motivational interviewing to help clients examine their choices and work toward their self-defined goals.
While Dr. Merling addresses a broad spectrum of disorders and issues, such as depression, anxiety, and relationship challenges, he specializes in the treatment of substance abuse disorders and LGBTQ+ concerns. He provides both individual and couples therapy and leads a weekly substance abuse group tailored for high-functioning individuals.
Areas of Expertise
Dr. Merling's distinguished career in psychology is marked by significant contributions to both clinical practice and academic research. He began his academic journey at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, where he graduated with First Class Honors in Psychology and received the James McGill Award for Academic Achievement. His early career was shaped by his work at the behavioral neurology clinic at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, where he conducted neuropsychological assessments and spearheaded research into diagnostic methods for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. This early research, which Dr. Merling conducted with Dr. Howard Chertkow (Behavioral Neurologist), contributed to the development of the Montreal Oral Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) which has now become the gold-standard screening tool for detection and assessment of cognitive impairment utilized by practitioners across the globe.
In 1996, Dr. Merling earned his Master's and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Yeshiva University/Albert Einstein College of Medicine. His rigorous graduate training included two years of clinical work at NYU/Bellevue Hospital Center and a clinical internship at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where he was one of only two interns accepted into the combined clinical psychology/neuropsychiatric training program.
Dr. Merling's professional journey at the Addiction Institute of New York at Mt. Sinai West Hospital (AIMS) began in 1996. For 22 years, he served as the Supervising Psychologist on the inpatient unit, where he played a pivotal role in shaping treatment protocols and patient care. In 2017, he transitioned to the outpatient department, where he led therapy groups, including specialized groups for gay men using crystal methamphetamine, and directed the College Outreach Prevention Program (COPE). His leadership extended to co-founding the Psychology Externship Training Program at AIMS and directing the Faculty Practice in the Department of Psychiatry at Mt. Sinai West/Morningside hospitals.
From 1997 to 2017, Dr. Merling was a Supervising Psychologist at PsychAssociates Group, where he led a team of psychologists providing services to long-term care facility patients. His commitment to mentorship and training is evident in his current role as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Mt. Sinai Icahn School of Medicine, where he continues to shape future psychologists.
Dr. Merling's academic contributions include teaching substance abuse treatment courses at Yeshiva University/Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He has made significant contributions to public discourse through television and radio appearances, panel discussions, and his book on gay marriage, reflecting his commitment to advancing knowledge and understanding in psychology.