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.

 

 

Dr. Allee Bruskin, PT, DPT

 

“Allee Bruskin, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist specializing in adult and pediatric neurological rehabilitation. She earned her undergraduate degree in psychology and education from Mount Holyoke College before completing her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree at Northeastern University. With five years of clinical experience, Allee has developed a special interest in treating patients with complex neurological conditions, including stroke, spinal cord injury, and neuro-oncology diagnoses.

 

In addition to her clinical work, Allee has experience as a therapeutic horseback riding instructor, where she provided individualized equine-assisted instruction for children with a variety of physical, cognitive, and social-emotional disabilities. She developed structured lesson plans to address neurological impairments while fostering confidence and growth in a safe, empowering environment.

Known for her compassionate and empathetic approach, Allee strives to create a fun, supportive, and lighthearted environment where patients feel heard, motivated, and confident throughout their rehabilitation journey. She is continually inspired by the progress possible through neuro recovery and values the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of her patients and their families.

Outside of the clinic, Allee enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs, horseback riding, powerlifting, and running.”

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.

 

Casey Hynes OT, OTD, OTR

Occupational Therapist

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

Occupational Therapist

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:

• Neurological: Acute brain injury and trauma.

• Medical: Oncology and complex cardiac conditions.

Rosen, MS, OTR/

Occupational Therapist

 

Nataly Rosen earned her Bachelor of Science from Tulane University, where she received a Collegiate Achievement Award. She later obtained her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Tufts University and completed a Certificate of Advanced Professional Study in Hand and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation.

During her work in short-term rehabilitation, Nataly was recognized as an Advanced Clinician and Safe Patient Handling Champion for her clinical expertise and commitment to patient safety. Her clinical interests include neurological rehabilitation as well as hand and upper extremity rehabilitation.

Outside of work, Nataly enjoys reading, exercising, and spending time with her family.

1. Dr. McArdle, PSY.D.

CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST/ DIRECTOR

Dr. McArdle is a licensed Psychologist and Neuropsychologist serving as a Clinical Supervisor at Boston Brain Center. In addition, Dr. McArdle is the Director and Founder of McArdle & Associates. Associates, PLLC. She earned her doctoral degree from William James College with a specialization in Neuropsychology and a minor focus in forensics. She completed her predoctoral clinical internship at Staten Island University Hospital in New York City and her two-year post-doctoral fellowship in neuropsychology at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School. She has extensive training and experience in medical, psychiatric, forensic hospital, and private practice settings. Dr. McArdle has presented her research at numerous regional and national medical conferences, with some of her research being featured in Medscape Medical News, a global online destination for physicians and healthcare professionals worldwide. She is also the recipient of the 2021 International Neuropsychological Society research award for her team’s work on the cognitive effects of COVID-19.

 

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.