Counseling and Psychological Services
Meet CAPS Staff
Our clinical staff is composed of 12 licensed psychotherapists including seven psychologists, three social workers, two professional counselors. We also employ four part-time psychiatric providers. In addition to permanent professional staff, CAPS has several therapists in training including psychology pre-doctoral interns, postdoctoral fellows, graduate psychology practicum students and psychiatry residents from the UVA residency program. Our diverse group of trainees and staff allows for a dynamic cross-disciplinary exchange of ideas. We are strongly committed to meeting the highest standards of clinical care as well as training for future independently practicing mental health providers.
Matt Zimmerman, Psy.D., ABPP - Interim Director and Director of Training
Matt Zimmerman, Psy.D. is the Interim Director and Director of Training at CAPS, where he manages the day to day operations of CAPS, as well as oversees doctoral interns in an American Psychological Association accredited program and doctoral level practicum students. He received his doctorate in clinical psychology from Nova Southeastern University 's Center for Psychological Studies, and completed his internship at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst . His areas of interest include eating issues and body image concerns, relational difficulties and clinical training. He is Board Certified in Clinical Psychology and has taught courses on the philosophical basis of psychology and treatment of eating disorders. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children, hiking, singing, reading evolutionary biology and playing basketball.
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William H. Anderson, Jr., Ph.D.
William Anderson Jr., Ph.D., has been at the University of Virginia since 1981. He received a B.S. degree in psychology from Virginia Tech in 1970 and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from SUNY at Stony Brook in 1974. He completed post-doctoral studies in pediatric psychology at UNC-Chapel Hill. Dr. Anderson had been an assistant professor of psychology at UNC-Chapel Hill and subsequently became associate professor in the U.Va. Curry School programs in clinical psychology. In 1985 he became director of training in the U.Va. Counseling Center, and served in that position until 1996 when the Counseling Center was merged with Student Mental Health to form CAPS. In his current role as a licensed staff psychologist Dr. Anderson conducts individual and group therapy, supervises clinicians in training, and provides outreach to the wider University community. His theoretical orientation derives from humanistic and cognitive behavioral theory and research. Much of his clinical work and psycho-educational outreach address multicultural issues, sexuality, and spirituality concerns. Dr. Anderson is a Fellow at Hereford College. He is currently a member of the American Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy, The Association of Black Psychologists, and the American Psychological Association.
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Elaine Bailey, Ph.D.
Elaine Bailey, Ph.D., received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Arizona in 2006. After completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Virginia Health System’s Behavioral Medicine Center in 2008, she stayed on as a faculty member and continues to work there today. She enjoys helping patients with a variety of issues, but has a particular specialty in treating insomnia and other sleep disorders; she is certified in Behavioral Sleep Medicine by the American Board of Sleep Medicine. Dr. Bailey joined CAPS in 2013 as a part-time staff psychologist and is excited by the opportunity to work more directly with the university’s student population. During her own undergraduate days at Duke University, she studied biology, psychology, and college basketball fandom.
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Lenny Carter, LPC
Lenny Carter, LPC, received his M.A. in clinical/community psychology from California State University, Northridge, in 1983. A member of CAPS staff since January 2001, he serves as the Crisis Management Coordinator. Areas of clinical interest include incorporation of eclectic techniques from psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral theories in working with personality disorders. He comes to CAPS with 20 years of experience in community mental health and is a member of the American Counseling Association. He also maintains a small private practice in Charlottesville.
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Russ Federman, Ph.D., ABPP
Dr. Federman served as Director of CAPS from 2000 - 2012. Prior to coming to U.Va., he had been Director of Mental Health Services at East Carolina University for nine years. He had also conducted full-time private practice in San Diego, CA, for most of the 1980s. Dr. Federman received his doctorate in clinical psychology from United States International University (currently Alliant University), San Diego in 1982 and also received postgraduate training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy through the San Diego Psychoanalytic Institute. In addition to being a licensed psychologist, he is a Diplomate in Clinical Psychology through the American Board of Professional Psychology. Dr. Federman also holds a clinical faculty appointment through the U.Va. Department of Psychiatric Medicine. His particular areas of interest and clinical expertise entail treatment of bipolar disorder, personality disorders, and individuals with histories of trauma and abuse. Dr Federman is co-author of Facing Bipolar: Young Adult's Guide to Dealing with Bipolar Disorder. New Harbinger Publications, 2010. He also writes an ongoing blog for Psychology Today titled Bipolar You
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Katherine Gibson, Psy.D.
Katherine Gibson, Psy.D. (Kate) is a licensed clinical psychologist and interim assistant Director of Training, who received her doctorate from The George Washington University in 2007. She joined the CAPS staff in 2006 as a predoctoral intern. Her areas of clinical interest include psychodynamic theory, developmental challenges and identity formation, women’s issues, cultural and multicultural issues, graduate and professional school challenges, and mood disorders. She worked in Washington, D.C. for eight years before entering the profession of psychology.
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Keith Harrington, LCSW
Keith Harrington, LCSW, is a recent addition to the CAPS program, joining the staff as a Psychotherapist in February, 2013. Licensed as a clinical social worker (LCSW) in Virginia since 2006, Keith completed his graduate education (MSW degree) in 2002 at the University of California-Berkeley’s School of Social Welfare, with a concentration in Community Mental Health. Keith subsequently continued his training in the San Francisco Bay Area at The Psychotherapy Institute, where he saw adult clients as part of an intensive, two-year private practice training program (2002-04) with an emphasis in long-term, psychodynamic psychotherapy.
Keith has extensive clinical experience in a variety of community mental health settings, particularly with young adults, adolescents, and families. Areas of clinical interest include struggles with anxiety and depression (particularly around perfectionism, procrastination, and life transitions); identity formation / developmental challenges; relationship difficulties; and men’s issues. While generally favoring psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and family systems psychotherapy models, Keith values a holistic approach to therapy, utilizing frameworks and techniques that most aptly account for the needs, strengths, goals, and “whole” situation of each unique individual.
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Richard Heisterman , LCSW
Richard Heisterman, LCSW, came to Student Health/CAPS in 1995, as the center’s Substance Use Clinician. An additional role, as of July 2000, is to be the CAPS Consultative Services Director. Prior to coming to the University, Mr. Heisterman had an eighteen-year career working within the local mental health community, primarily with the city’s community mental health agency, and in a small private practice of psychotherapy for fifteen years. At the community mental health center, Mr. Heisterman was Director of Adult Outpatient Services from 1988-95. In this clinical/administrative role he developed a specific model of brief dynamic psychotherapy. This area of clinical work remains an interest, along with skills in working with personality disorders and/or behavior problems with/without concomitant substance problems or legal involvements. Mr Heisterman received his Master of Social Work degree from The National Catholic School of Social Service in 1975, and has been licensed in Virginia since 1985.
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Jeanne Martin
Jeanne Martin is Board Certified with the American Psychological Association (APA). She received her BA in Psychology from the George Washington University, and a MEd. in Counseling from Virginia Tech. She has over 14 years experience as a psychotherapist, and maintains a private practice in Northern Virginia and Charlottesville, VA. Her areas of clinical interest include anxiety disorders and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). She prefers an eclectic approach to psychotherapy to include cognitive behavioral therapy, EMDR, mindfulness, and neurofeedback.
In addition to being an individual psychotherapist, she has over 30 years experience as a martial arts instructor which has taught her the importance of meditation and the mind/body connection.
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Michael Gerard Mason, Ph.D., LPC
Michael Gerard Mason, Ph.D., LPC received his M.Ed. in School and Community Counseling from the University of New Orleans and his doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Virginia. At CAPS, he serves as a staff psychotherapist and faculty advisor to Project R.I.S.E, an African American peer counseling organization. His research and clinical interests include qualitative explorations of the experience of minority students in higher education, culturally relevant psychotherapy, utilizing film in psychotherapy training, implementing and evaluating systemic mental health interventions in academic institutions, and understanding and treating online gaming addiction. His theoretical orientation is rooted in British Object Relations and informed by family systems theory. When away from the university, he maintains a small private practice and in his spare time he takes full advantage of a NETFLIX account.
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Lillian Mezey, M.D.
Lillian Mezey, M.D. received her B.A. from Cornell University and her M.D. from Columbia University. She completed residency training in Psychiatry at the University of Colorado in 1994. Since then, she has worked as a community psychiatrist in Colorado and Virginia. She has lived in Charlottesville since 1998, working as a psychiatrist in the local community mental health centers. She has special expertise in mood disorders and psychotic disorders as well as dual diagnoses of substance abuse disorders and mental illness.
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L. Kelley Midkiff, NP, CS
L. Kelley Midkiff, NP, CS joined CAPS in 2010. She received her degrees from University of Virginia: BA in 1990, BSN 1994, and MSN in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner certificate in 1996. Since 1997, she has provided psychiatric care at the local community mental health clinic. Ms. Midkiff teaches part-time at UVA's School of Nursing. At CAPS, she provides medication consultation and enjoys working collaboratively with students.
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Belinda Overstreet, Ph.D.
Belinda Overstreet, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist and a staff psychologist at CAPS. She has worked predominately in university settings since 1993. Dr. Overstreet received her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Ball State University. Consistent with her degree, she focuses on building upon the strengths of the individual, couple, or group. Her areas of clinical interest include transitional problems, family difficulties, relationship building, and mood disorders. She has experience treating a wide range of psychological problems in adolescents and adults.
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Nicole Ruzek, Ph.D.
Nicole Ruzek, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist who started with CAPS in fall 2012, and currently serves as coordinator of group therapy services. She received her Ph.D. from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in 2004 and completed her postdoctoral residency at San Jose State University. Prior to joining the U.Va. community she worked for the California State University system as a clinical psychologist for six and a half years. Nicole has extensive experience working with students from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds and enjoys helping individuals struggling with romantic relationships, spiritual concerns, and mood and anxiety disorders. She works from a developmental-integrative perspective, incorporating psychodynamic, humanistic, mindfulness, and cognitive approaches to treat the whole person.
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J. Anderson Thomson, Jr., M.D.
J. Anderson Thomson, Jr., M.D. (Andy) is a part-time staff psychiatrist. He received his B.A. from Duke University (1970), his M.D. from the University of Virginia (1974) and did his adult psychiatry training at U.Va. (1974-77). His private practice is oriented toward individual psychoanalytic psychotherapy, forensic psychiatry, and medication consultation. He was the Assistant Director of the Center for the Study of Mind and Human Interaction at U.Va., which involved interdisciplinary intervention and research in large group ethnic and political conflict. He serves on the clinical faculty at The Institute of Law, Psychiatry, and Public Policy at U.VA. He has publications on narcissistic personality disorder, evolutionary theories of depression, antidepressants, criminal behavior, post traumatic stress disorder, religion, suicide terrorism, the psychology of racism, and psychobiographical essays on Robert E. Lee and Lee Harvey Oswald. In 2010 his work on an evolutionary theory of depression was featured in Scientific American Mind and in the New York Times Magazine, “Depression’s Upside.” He co-authored Facing Bipolar:The Young Adult's Guide to Dealing with Bipolar Disorder (2010) and authored Why We Believe In God(s): A Concise Introduction to the Science of Faith (2011). His current research interest is evolutionary psychology and its application to psychiatric illnesses.
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Rafael Triana, Ph.D.
Rafael Triana, Ph.D., is a Senior Staff clinician at CAPS. He is also a Psychoanalyst, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences. He received a Master’s and Ph.D. degree in Clinical Social Work from Smith College School of Social Work. Dr. Triana also holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in Religious Studies from the University of Virginia. His education includes a four year fellowship in the Mental Health Division at Yale University Health Services and completion of psychoanalytic training at the Washington Center for Psychoanalysis where he continues his affiliation as an instructor. Dr. Triana is the former Division Head of Mental Health Services and former Director of Counseling and Psychological Services in the Department of Student Health. In the Center for Biomedical Ethics and Humanities he is the faculty director for Medical Spanish and Culture. He also teaches first year medical students in the Practice of Medicine course. In the Department of Psychiatry he teaches Psychodynamic theory and practice to residents. His theoretical area of interest is in the interface between contemporary psychoanalytic theory and neurobiology. Clinically he provides treatment for a broad range of psychiatric disorders. His specialty is late adolescence development and treatment and combat trauma and PTSD in veterans. As a marine sergeant long range reconnaissance patrol leader, Dr. Triana served for two tours of duty in Viet Nam and was awarded a Bronze Star for valor. He was raised in an inner city Barrio in New York and comes from a family of Cuban immigrants and refugees.
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Baozhen Xie, Ph.D.
Baozhen Xie, Ph.D. received her doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in 2007. Before coming to UVa, she completed her postdoctoral fellowship in psychology at Stanford University and internship at Southern Illinois University. She practices from an integration of humanistic, relational, and cognitive behavioral approaches. She enjoys working with students from diverse cultural backgrounds and providing outreach to underserved student populations. Her initial work at UVa will focus on Asian international and Asian American students. Her clinical interests include identity developmental issues, cross-cultural adjustment, anxiety, relationship issues, and eating disorders. During her spare time, she enjoys hiking, practicing meditation, travel, and watching TV.
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Post-doctoral Resident in Psychology
Ashley Foresman, Psy.D.
Ashley Foresman, Psy.D. is a Resident in Psychology at CAPS this year, after completing her internship at Bowling Green State University CAPS in July of 2012. Ashley graduated with a B.A. in psychology from Virginia Tech in 2008, and she then began attending The George Washington University, where she completed her Master's degree in 2010 and completed her Doctoral degree in August 2012. Her clinical experience has been primarily in university settings and she has worked at The George Washington University, George Mason University, and Bowling Green State University counseling centers. She enjoys working with students from a psychodynamic orientation and her areas of clinical interest are women's issues, substance abuse, and interpersonal issues. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling and attending college football games.
Psychology Interns
Jeff Jennings, M.A., M.S.
Jeff Jennings, M.A., M.S. is a psychology intern at CAPS. He received his M.A. from Richmont Graduate University with an emphasis in spirituality and counseling, and he received his M.S. from Virginia Commonwealth University where he is completing a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology. Before pursuing doctoral studies, Jeff was a licensed professional counselor in Georgia. His previous clinical experiences include work in community mental health, private practice, and college counseling settings providing individual adult, couple, and group psychotherapy. Jeff’s clinical interests include identity development, relationship issues, life goals and well-being, mood and anxiety disorders, and men’s issues. His theoretical approach integrates humanistic and psychodynamic approaches within a positive psychological framework. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, mountain biking, reading, and exploring new places to eat.
Mahkada L. Taylor, M.S.
Mahkada L. Taylor, M.S. is a clinical intern at CAPS. She received her Master's in Clinical Psychology at Howard University, where she is also currently pursuing her doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Mahkada has previous experience in a variety of clinical settings including university counseling centers, forensic mental health clinics, community mental health clinics and the public school system. In her clinical work, Mahkada integrates object-relations and systems approaches, while strongly incorporating attachment theory. Her clinical interests include working with clients with personality disorders, trauma, relationship difficulties and acculturation issues, as well as conducting process groups. Her research interests include attachment style, psychological abuse, sexual risk-taking behavior and romantic involvement. In her free time, Mahkada enjoys shopping, socializing with friends, bike riding and listening to music.
Ilyse Zable, M.Psy.
Ilyse Zable, M.Psy. is a predoctoral intern at CAPS. She received her B.S. from Cornell University and her M.Psy. from The George Washington University. She is currently completing her doctorate in Clinical Psychology, also at the George Washington University. Her clinical interests include cross-cultural and international issues, identity development, personality disorders and trauma. Her orientation is primarily psychodynamic, and she has trained at other university settings, hospitals, and public clinics. Prior to beginning her doctoral program, she completed graduate work in economics and worked as an economist at the World Bank in Washington, D.C. During her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, bicycling, and running.
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Practicum Students
Riana Anderson, M.A.
Riana Anderson, M.A. is a fourth-year doctoral student in Clinical and Community Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Virginia. She is investigating the longitudinal outcomes of a preventative intervention designed for low-income families in the Cultural and Family Studies Lab. Riana graduated from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor in 2006 with degrees in Psychology and Political Science. She went on to teach in Atlanta, Georgia through Teach For America. She conducted Community Based Participatory Research at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and neuropsychological research at Children's National Medical Center. Her research focuses on how parental ethnicity, ethnic identity, racial socialization, racial discrimination, residential location, and coping styles predict child psychosocial outcomes. Her clinical interests include multicultural and socioeconomic issues, trauma, strength-based approaches, and resilience. She enjoys volunteering, sports, and all things food.
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Kelly Dyjak LeBlanc, M.A.
Kelly Dyjak LeBlanc, M.A. is a doctoral student in clinical and school psychology at James Madison University. She has a master's degree in psychology from the University of Richmond and her professional experience has involved community mental health and college counseling centers. She works collaboratively with students using a humanistic and psychodynamic approach. Kelly's interests include focusing on an individuals's strengths, resiliency, life transitions, relationships, multicultural issues, depression and anxiety. She enjoys traveling and exploring, eating good food, singing, and spending time with her husband and beagle.
Jenna Marshall
Jenna Marshall is a fourth year doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at University of Virginia’s Curry School of Education. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor’s degree in Human Development. Before beginning graduate school in 2009, she worked at Cornell’s Gannett Health Center providing Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS). Her doctoral clinical training has included psychotherapy and assessment with adults, adolescents, and children in an outpatient setting, as well as inpatient treatment for adolescents. Jenna’s clinical interests include anxiety, mood disorders, life transitions, relationships, trauma, and adult development. In her spare time, she enjoys doing yoga and pilates, cooking (and/or watching the Food Network) being outside, and discovering new places in Charlottesville.
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