About Dr. Scher

Devora Scher, Psy.D.  is a licensed psychologist, specializing in the treatment of anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, tic, and body focused repetitive behavior disorders. Dr. Scher completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Stress and Anxiety Services of New Jersey after completing her internship at Kennedy Krieger Institute/Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Formerly a middle school teacher, she pursued her doctoral training at Rutgers University’s Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP). In addition to her current work, Dr. Scher is an adjunct professor at Touro College.

"My therapeutic approach is warm, patient, and creative. 

I believe that it is not our fleeting emotions that propel us forward but the slow, steady progress in the face of risk. I embrace situations that require nuanced approaches, and I find excitement in eliciting clarity and hope especially in situations where the path to growth feels narrow and treacherous. 

My school psychology background provides me with a rich understanding of the lives of youth and has taught me how to make therapy as engaging (and fun!) as possible. I work with clients of all races, religions, sexual orientations, and gender identities. I genuinely love learning about and supporting my clients as they navigate their unique cultural experiences. 

My emphasis on collaboration translates to communication with school faculty, medical providers, extracurricular coaches, and religious figures as indicated. I am perpetually inspired by my clients’ courage, and I am dedicated to their care."

Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy for OCD, Cognitive Behavior Institute Center for Education

Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills for Emotional Problem Solving for Adolescents Implementation & Training, James J. Mazza, Ph.D. and Elizabeth Dexter-Mazza, Psy.D.

New York State Psychological Association Forensic Division Annual Conference – Advanced    

Intellectual Assessment and Advanced Competency to Stand Trial 

Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE), Yale Child Study Center

Professional Training Institute, TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRB’s, such as Trichotillomania/Hair Pulling)

Telebehavioral Health Institute (TBHI) Certified

Panish, D. (2021). Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training for Emotional Problem Solving for Adolescents (DBT STEPS-A) in Urban Public School Contexts: A Mixed Methods Study. Dissertation. 

• Advisors: Timothy J. Cleary, Ph.D., Maurice J. Elias, Ph.D., James J. Mazza, Ph.D., and Sarah Kerner, Psy.D. 

Cleary, T. J., Gregory, A., Kitsantas, A., Slemp, J., & Panish*, D. (2019). Implementation of SRL focused interventions in school: The intersection of sociocultural factors and social validity perceptions. G. A. D. Liem & D. M. McInerney (Eds.), Educational interventions: A sociocultural perspective. 

Owen, E., Perry, A., & Panish*, D. (2019). Trauma in competency to stand trial evaluations. R. Javier, E. Owen, & J. Maddux (Eds.), Assessment trauma in forensic contexts. New York: Springer.  

*Note: Panish is therapist’s maiden name.