Faculty Directory
Vera Békés

Vera
Békés

Associate Professor

vera.bekes@yu.edu

Resnick campus - Rousso Building
Room#205

1165 Morris Park Ave, The Bronx, NY 10461, United States

MA, Eötvös Lóránd University
PhD, University of Pécs
Postdoc, McGill University
Postdoc, Trauma Studies Centre, UQAM

Dr. Vera Békés is Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, she is also the co-director of the Psychodynamic Track at Ferkauf. She studied clinical psychology and philosophy at Eötvös Lóránt University in Budapest, and she received her clinical psychologist training, as well as her PhD in the Psychoanalysis Doctoral Program at University of Pécs, Hungary. She completed postdoctoral research fellowships at McGill University and at Université du Québec á Montréal, and she continued working at McGill University as Research Associate at the Psychiatry Department, Faculty of Medicine. Prior to joining the faculty of Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology Dr. Békés worked as a researcher and clinical supervisor at Université Laval in Québec City, QC. She gained clinical experience at psychiatric wards (Jewish General Hospital in Montreal and Kútvölgyi Hospital in Budapest) as well as in private practice.

Dr. Békés' research focuses on the psychotherapy process in general and the empirical study of psychodynamic concepts in therapy, as well as the specificities of online and remote therapies. She is especially interested in PTSD, coping and resilience, as well as the social and intergenerational trauma. She teaches courses on psychodynamic therapy and multicultural and diversity issues, as well as qualitative research methods. 

See details of Dr. Békés' ongoing research at her lab page at https://bekeslab.wordpress.com/

Dr. Békés is a fellow at the American Psychoanalytic Association (2019-2020).

ONGOING GRANT SUPPORT:

“Experience with online therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic in China and the USA," China American Psychoanalytic Association, Principal Investigator 2020-2021

“Psychological distress, coping and health-related behaviors during COVID-19,” Marcus Foundation, Principal Investigator, 2020-2022

“The multigenerational impact of the Holocaust among children and grandchildren of survivors in Hungary", Claims Conference, Fund for Shoah Research, Education and Documentation, Principal Investigator, 2020-2021

Selected publications:

Békés, V., Aafjes-van Doorn, Prout, T., A., & Hoffman, L. (2020). Stretching the Analytic frame: Analytic Therapists’ Experiences with Remote Therapy During COVID-19. Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association. https://doi.org/10.1177/0003065120939298

Békés, V. & Aafjes-van Doorn, K. (2020). Therapists’ attitudes towards online therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration. 30(2), 238. https://doi.org/10.1037/int0000214

Békés, V., Grondin, F., Bouchard, S. (2020) Barriers and Facilitators to the Integration of Web-Based Interventions Into Routine Care. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/cpsp.12335

Békés, V., Beaulieu-Prévost, D., Guay, S., Belleville, G., & Marchand, A. (2019). Trauma-Related Negative Cognitions Mediate the Relationship Between Avoidant Personality Beliefs and Impeded Response to Psychotherapy for PTSD.  Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 28(3), 297-312. doi: 10.1080/10926771.2018.1500504

Békés, V., Perry, J. C., Robertson, B. M. (2018). Psychological masochism: A systematic review of the literature on conflicts, defenses, and motives. Psychotherapy Research, 28(3), 470-483.

Békés, V., Perry, J. C., & Starrs, C. J. (2017). Resilience in Holocaust survivors: A study of defense mechanisms in Holocaust narratives. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment, and Trauma, 26(10), 1072-1089.

Békés, V., Perry, J. C., Robertson, B. M. (2017). Masochism: Its Development and Psychological Function, and Changes in the Concept Over Time – A Mixed Method Analysis. The Psychoanalytic Review.

Békés, V., Beaulieu-Prévost, D., Guay, S., Belleville, G., & Marchand, A. (2016). Women with PTSD benefit more from psychotherapy then men. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. 8(6), 720.

Békés, V., Dunkley, M., Taylor, G., Zuroff, D., Lewkowski, M., Foley, E., Myhr, G., & Westreich, R (2015). Chronic Stress and Attenuated Improvement in Depression Over One Year: The Moderating Role of Perfectionism. Behavior Therapy, 46(4), 478-492.

vera.bekes@yu.edu

Resnick campus - Rousso Building
Room#205

1165 Morris Park Ave, The Bronx, NY 10461, United States

MEDIA RELATIONS

To request an interview, please contact Media Relations at 212-960-5400 x5488 or publicaffairs@yu.edu

Self Psychology

PSC 6491

Introduction to Qualitative Research

PSA 6289

Multicultural and Diversity Issues

PSA 6181

Advanced Research Seminar

PSC 6539

Psychodynamic Process and Trauma Narrative I

PSC 6576

Psychodynamic Process and Trauma Narrative II

PSC 6577

Research Project I

PSC 6915

Research Project II

PSC 6916