Affiliates
Simone Tomasi, MD, PhD
Consulting Psychologist
Dr. Tomasi is a board-certified psychiatrist with a background in academic medicine and a special interest in third-party reproduction. He is the consulting psychiatrist at CHR New York, providing psychological evaluations and psychiatric care for individuals pursuing IVF, egg donation, and gestational surrogacy, with a focus on ethical care and alignment with ASRM guidelines. His clinical work is grounded in empathy, precision, and a deep understanding of the emotional complexities of reproductive care.
Outside of CHR, Dr. Tomasi serves as Attending Psychiatrist at Mount Sinai Hospital’s Emergency Department and holds a faculty appointment at the Icahn School of Medicine, where he directs the Behavioral Science module for medical students. Dr. Tomasi is the founder of Black Dog Psychiatry, a private practice focused on complex mood and personality disorders. His approach integrates psychodynamic insight with evidence-based psychiatry, offering tailored care to high-functioning adults.
Dr. Tomasi also collaborates on research in the genetics of mental illness at Mount Sinai and has previously worked on studies of brain development, contributing to the intersection of neuroscience and clinical psychiatry. His academic work reflects a commitment to clinical rigor, humanistic care, and interdisciplinary collaboration. His scholarly interests continue to inform his nuanced clinical work, particularly in emotionally complex and high-stakes contexts such as third-party reproduction.
Lisa Schuman, LCSW
Founding Director of The Center for Family Building
She is a published author, licensed therapist, award-winning researcher and the only therapist chosen to testify before the State Senate Judiciary Committee to legalize compensated surrogacy in New York. Lisa is the host of the podcast, Building Your Family, author of the book, Building Your Family: The Complete Guide to Donor Conception and creator of the Building Your Family community platform, the only expert-created education and support community designed to provide the latest tools and evidence-based guidance to help you become more informed at any point of your journey, from preconception through parenthood.
Lisa founded The Center for Family Building in 2015, a helpful resource for counseling and consultation, and more recently, the Building Your Family Community, a unique membership community providing education and ongoing support specifically designed for every family-building journey.