Team Directors
Dr. Winnie Ma
Dr. Aileen Torres
Dr. Ma is a Professor of Psychology at William Paterson University of New Jersey and a licensed psychologist in the state of New York. She has over 15 years of clinical experience working with Asian immigrants and supervising pre-doctoral interns at Hamilton-Madison House (an APA-accredited internship site) in New York City. Dr. Ma received her PhD degree in Counseling Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Her research investigates parent-child relationships, career development, and mental health concerns within a multicultural framework in order to develop culturally responsive interventions for immigrants and ethnic minority children, youth, and families. Dr. Ma's academic mission is to empower and bring about positive changes in the historically marginalized communities.
Publications:
Ma, P-W., Torres, A., & Akoto, M. (2023). Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary findings of a school-based intervention for recently arrived immigrant middle-school students. Psychology in the Schools. 60(6), 2072–2089. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.22861
Ma, P. W., & Lan, M. (2022). Marginalized identities,
family conflict, and psychological distress: The process of psychotherapy with a Chinese American adolescent. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 13(2), 168-176. https://doi-org.ezproxy.wpunj.edu/10.1037/aap0000237
Ma, P-W., & Shea, M. (2021). First-Generation College Students’ Perceived Barriers and Career Outcome Expectations Exploring Contextual and Cognitive
Factors. Journal of Career Development, 48(2), 91-104.
/https://doi.org/10.1177/0894845319827650
Ma, P-W., & Shea, M. (2015). Work and gender roles in East Asian immigrant women in the United States. Gendered Journeys: Women, migration, and feminist psychology. Gordonsville, VA: Palgrave Macmillan.
Brice, C., Masia Warner, C., Okazaki, S., Ma, P-W., Sanchez, A., & Esseling, P. (2015). Social anxiety and mental health service use among Asian American high school students. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 46, 693-701
Ma, P-W., Desai, U., George, L., SanFilippo, A., & Varon, S. K. (2014). Managing family conflict over career decisions: The experience of Asian Americans. Journal of Career Development , 41, 487-506.
Dr. Torres is a licensed practicing clinical psychologist who obtained her Ph.D. at Carlos Albizu University (San Juan, Puerto Rico) and M.A. at Columbia University. Specializing in developmental psychopathology, she focuses on both protective and risk factors. She has clinical expertise in trauma across the lifespan and forensic psychological evaluations. She is currently a Member-at-Large for the New Jersey Psychological Association. Dr. Torres is a recent mentor for the American Psychological Association's, Minority Fellowship Program, Training Advisory Committee (APA MFP TAC) and a Past-President of the Latino/a Psychological Association of NJ (LPANJ). She is endorsed as a Level IV Clinical Mentor by the NJ Association for Infant Mental Health.
Her research interests are in child maltreatment, immigration, mental health disparities, as well as cultural/ethnic identity development.
Publications:
Ma, P-W., Torres, A., & Akoto, M. (2023). Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary findings of a school-based intervention for recently arrived immigrant middle-school students. Psychology in the Schools. 60(6), 2072–2089. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.22861
Torres, A. (2023). The History of Ethnic Minority Psychological Associations in the United States.
Journal of North American Psychology. 25(1), 87-88.
Perera, A.K., & Torres, A. (2021, Winter). The unspoken truth: Working with survivors of the Sri Lankan civil war. NJ Psychologist, 71(1), 36-41.
Torres, A. (2020, Spring). What about the family that is already here? Immigration-related forensic evaluations of extreme hardship. Independent Practitioner Newsletter for APA Division 42, 40(2).
Torres, A., Raghavan, S., & Perera, A.M. (2020). Cross-Cultural Factors in Trauma-Related Disorders. In L. Benuto, F. Gonzalez, & J. Singer, (Eds.). Handbook of Cultural Factors in Behavioral Health. New York: Springer Publishing Company. DOI:10.1007/978-3-030-32229-8_
Torres, A., & Maldonado, M. (2017, December). Tools for Treating Trauma-Related Disorders Among Latino/as. In L. Benuto (Ed), Toolkit for Counseling Spanish-Speaking Clients. Springer Publishing Company: NY. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-64880-4_3a
Mazzula, S., & Torres, A. (2016) Latino trends and health policy: From walking on eggshells to commitment” In L. Benuto (Ed), Enhancing Behavioral Health in Hispanic Populations: Eliminating Disparities Through Integrated Behavioral and Primary Care. Springer Publishing Company: NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42533-7_5
Torres, A., Garcia, A., & Nogueras, J. (2010). Sociodemographic and childhood/family risk factors for
homelessness: A “Puerto Rican Paradox?” Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 32(4).
https://doi.org/10.1177/0739986310378235
