Compassionate Mental Health Experts You Can Trust
We provide exceptional mental health care through our dedicated team. Our extensive background in psychiatry combined with speech therapy and holistic wellness enables us to develop individualized treatment plans that guide you toward improved mental well-being.
Meet the Experts Behind Your Care
Boston Brain Center stands by the conviction that true expert care emerges from the dedication of compassionate and highly skilled medical professionals. Our professional team consists of board-certified psychiatrists and licensed therapists as well as speech-language pathologists and mental health specialists who work together to provide top-quality care.
Our team works together with patients to develop customized treatment plans that meet their distinct needs through a patient-focused approach. Our team provides confidential support and delivers outcomes-focused care for psychiatric treatment, speech therapy, and private patient services to help you reach mental wellness.
Shahab Khan, MBBS
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Shahab R. Khan, MBBS has over 20 years of experience in patient care, clinical trials, and translational research, having worked extensively as a clinician (Internist) and then transitioned into clinical research, showcasing his inquisitive nature and commitment to advancing medical knowledge. His leadership roles at prestigious institutions such as Brigham and Women’s Hospital, The University of Chicago Medicine, and Rush University Medical Center have honed his organizational and management skills, enabling him to oversee complex clinical research operations with precision.
Dr. Khan’s dedication to healthcare education and community health illustrates his commitment to excellence in healthcare. With his profound knowledge, leadership abilities, and passion for delivering excellence, Dr. Khan is ready to contribute significantly to Boston Brain Center’s mission of advancing brain health through innovative research and patient care.
Monica Makhija, MD
Neurologist
Dr. Makhija is a distinguished neurologist specializing in sleep and epilepsy at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, where she serves as an attending physician and investigator. She holds a Doctor of Medicine from the American University of the Caribbean and a Bachelor of Science with Honors from McMaster University.
She completed her postdoctoral training in neurology, sleep, and neurophysiology at prestigious institutions, including UMass and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. As an instructor at Harvard Medical School, she is deeply involved in clinical research, teaching, and mentoring. She is a member of multiple professional societies and has been recognized for her contributions to the field of neurology with numerous honors and research grants.
Rhea Parekh, PT
Physical Therapist
Rhea is a warm, compassionate Physical Therapist with over 9 years of experience helping patients regain independence and confidence through movement. She finds deep joy in witnessing her patients make progress—whether it’s taking steps after a stroke, improving balance, or simply returning to everyday activities with less pain and more ease.
Driven by a genuine love for her work, Rhea is always striving for clinical excellence. She stays current with evidence-based practices and advanced techniques to provide the highest quality of care. Her areas of expertise include neurological and musculoskeletal rehabilitation, and she is certified in LSVT BIG for Parkinson’s disease, integrative dry needling, vestibular rehab, and the Mulligan Concept. She also brings a holistic touch to her care with yoga training she completed in India.
She earned her Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, where she was recognized with the prestigious Adams Fellow Award for her leadership, service, and clinical potential.
Throughout her career, Rhea has led teams, developed programs, and managed clinics, but her greatest reward is still seeing her patients achieve goals they once thought were out of reach. She believes in meeting each patient where they are, and working together—step by step—to get them where they want to be.
Clarissa Luzuriaga-Perez, PT
Physical Therapist
Clarissa has a decade of experience spanning short-term subacute rehabilitation, home health, and specialized long-term care for patients with advanced neurological conditions, she has cultivated a unique expertise in multiple sclerosis and other complex disorders. Her experience at specialized facilities have afforded her the opportunity to witness the long-term effects of prevention and intervention strategies, continually refining her approach to enhance patient care and quality of life.
Eager to extend her knowledge to benefit others, she is a dedicated team player committed to collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to positively impact the community. Tenacious and innovative, she embraces challenges, which is evident in her recent pursuit of drumming in her 40s, and she finds joy in traveling with her family.
Kaitlyn Corey, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Kaitlyn, an enthusiastic occupational therapist, found her passion for neurorehabilitation through her journey from activities aid to neuroscience major. With a strong foundation in evidence-based practice, she aspires to specialize in neurorehabilitation. Kaitlyn is proud of her research contributions to the MGH Institute of Health Professions and the Spaulding Neurorehabilitation Lab.
As the first in her family pursuing a graduate-level degree, she brings a fresh perspective and a keen interest in staying updated on the latest rehabilitative approaches. Kaitlyn’s lively approach, honed through her experience in group activities and home health aid work, ensures engaging and effective treatments
Casey Hynes OT, OTD, OTR
Casey is a dedicated Occupational Therapist at the Boston Brain Center with a passion for helping adults and adolescents reclaim their independence after neurological injury.
With more than six years of experience in acute neurorehabilitation, she brings both clinical expertise and genuine care to every patient she serves.
Casey’s clinical focus includes executive function assessment and individualized lifestyle management strategies that support independence in both basic and instrumental activities of daily living. She is committed to delivering patient-centered, evidence-based care tailored to each individual’s unique goals. For Casey, therapy is not only about recovery—it is about empowering patients to return to the meaningful activities that bring purpose and joy to their lives.
She earned her Post Professional Doctorate Degree of Occupational Therapy degree from MGH IHP and her Master’s and Bachelor’s Degree from Husson University.
Outside of the clinic, Casey also works at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and teaches at MGH IHP. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her dog, Lainey, and visiting family on Cape Cod.
Heather Hughes, MS, OTR/L
Heather Hughes is a highly accomplished Occupational Therapist with 15 years of specialized experience in neuro-rehabilitation and acute clinical care. Her career is distinguished by a deep expertise in treating complex neurological conditions across the lifespan, from adult acute trauma to pediatric critical care.
Heather began her professional journey as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA/L) within long-term acute care settings. During this foundational period, she specialized in neuro-rehabilitation, with a primary focus on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Cerebrovascular Accidents (CVA). Driven by a commitment to clinical excellence, she returned to academia to earn her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy.
Following her advanced degree, Heather transitioned into high-acuity environments, including acute rehabilitation and level-one trauma hospitals. Her tenure at Boston Medical Center was instrumental in refining her clinical reasoning and neuro-treatment interventions for patients recovering from brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and acute strokes.
Currently, Heather serves on the clinical team at Boston Children’s Hospital, where she operates primarily within the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). In this role, she provides expert intervention for pediatric patients navigating various complex diagnoses, including:
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Neurological: Acute brain injury and trauma.
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Medical: Oncology and complex cardiac conditions.
Nataly Rosen, MS, OTR/L
Advanced Clinician & Occupational Therapist
Nataly Rosen is a highly accomplished Occupational Therapist specializing in neurological, hand, and upper extremity rehabilitation. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Tulane University, where she was honored with the Collegiate Achievement Award for academic excellence. She furthered her clinical training at Tufts University, obtaining her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, followed by a Certificate of Advanced Professional Study in Hand and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation.
Throughout her tenure in short-term rehabilitation, Nataly has been distinguished as an Advanced Clinician, a title reflecting her superior clinical reasoning and technical expertise. A staunch advocate for clinical excellence, she also served as a Safe Patient Handling Champion, leading initiatives to enhance patient security and outcomes through evidence-based safety protocols. Her clinical practice focuses on the intersection of neurological recovery and functional upper extremity rehabilitation, ensuring that patients regain the fine motor skills and independence necessary for daily living. Beyond her clinical commitments, Nataly is a proponent of a balanced lifestyle, enjoying literature, fitness, and quality time with her family.
Key Qualifications
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MSOT: Tufts University
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Specialization: Hand and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation (Advanced Certificate)
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Recognition: Advanced Clinician & Safe Patient Handling Champion
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Expertise: Geriatric Neurological Rehabilitation and Functional Independence
Dr. Schembri
Psychologist | Clinical Director, Boston Brain Center
Dr. Schembri is a licensed psychologist and a leading voice in neurological rehabilitation at the Boston Brain Center. With 50 years of extensive experience in treating complex pshylogical conditions, Dr. Schembri specializes in the management of chronic neurodegenerative disorders.
At the core of Dr. Schembri’s practice is a belief in the power of neurorehabilitation—the brain’
Program development.
He attended St. John’s University, New York University, and Boston University for his doctoral degree in psychology. He has treated children (down to 5 y.o) adolescents, adults, couples, and families. One of his specialties is parent coaching which he finds very successful with ODD and Conduct Disorder, especially co-morbid with ADHD. He developed a non-medical intervention technique for ADHD and behavioral problems, which has Been 100% effective over 20 trials. He also has decades of experience with supervision and teaching through his relationship with The William James School of Professional Psychology. He has developed practicum programs and Post doctorate programs for advanced students at William James. Dr Schembri has been awarded 5 clinic licenses from the state of Massachusetts and 2 Joint Commission Accreditations. He now heads Behavioral Health Network a group of neuropsychologists which now Is associated with Boston Brain Center with the goal of providing state of the art Neuropsychology testing and associated behavioral health support to patients and Their families struggling with brain disorders and the emotional sequelae that results. He presently lives with his wife and his number one priority is to make her happy. He plays Jazz piano and loves Tennis, and travel to Europe.
Why Choose Our Team?
✔ Experienced & Credentialed Professionals – Each team member brings extensive training and expertise in mental health care.
✔ Compassionate & Patient-Focused Approach – We prioritize your well-being with personalized, judgment-free support.
✔ Collaborative & Holistic Treatment – Our specialists work together to provide comprehensive care for mental and emotional health.
We are here to guide you every step of the way, offering the expertise, empathy, and support you deserve.