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.
Russ Federman, Ph.D., ABPP - Director
Dr. Federman began as Director of CAPS in the fall of 2000. 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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Amy Alson, M.D.
Amy Alson, M.D. received her B.A. from Duke University, her M.D. from St. George's University School of Medicine, and completed residency training in Internal Medicine & Psychiatry at the University of Virginia. Dr. Alson's work at CAPS reflects her special interest and expertise in the treatment of students with eating disorders as well as other conditions at the interface between general medicine and psychiatry. In addition, she enjoys teaching medical students and residents at UVA, and she devotes time and energy to volunteer work at the Charlottesville Free Clinic, where she has developed psychiatric services and provides physical and mental health care to the working uninsured of our community.
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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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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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Katherine Gibson, Psy.D.
Katherine Gibson, Psy.D. (Kate) is a licensed clinical psychologist 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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Rebecca Ginsberg, Ph.D.
Rebecca Ginsberg, Ph.D. is a Resident in Psychology at CAPS this year, after completing her internship at CAPS in August of 2009. Rebecca graduated with a B.A. in psychology from Carleton College in 1999. She worked for several years in the psychiatry department at the University of Minnesota before receiving her doctorate in psychology from American University in 2009. Her clinical experience is primarily in the university setting, and she enjoys working with students in multiple capacities. Her areas of clinical interest are eating disorders and mood disorders. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, playing in lakes, cooking (occasionally) and running (slowly).
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Angela Gray, Ph.D.
Angela Gray, Ph.D. is a Resident in Psychology at CAPS. She received her doctorate in clinical psychology from American University and completed her undergraduate studies at Howard University. She completed her internship at the University of South Carolina Counseling and Human Development Center. Angela works from a psychodynamic orientation and enjoys working collaboratively with students to identify and alter problematic life patterns. Her clinical interests include eating issues, trauma, relational concerns, and cultural issues. When she is not working, Angela enjoys baking, reading, volunteering, and watching reality television.
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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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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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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 is the Assistant Director of the Center for the Study of Mind and Human Interaction at U.Va., which involves interdisciplinary intervention and research in large group ethnic and political conflict. He has publications on narcissistic personality disorder, PTSD, and the psychology of racism, and psychobiographical essays on Robert E. Lee and Lee Harvey Oswald. His current research interest is in the area of evolutionary psychology.
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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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Matt Zimmerman, Psy.D., ABPP
Matt Zimmerman, Psy.D. is a staff psychologist and the Director of Training at CAPS, where he oversees residents in psychology, pre-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 several graduate level 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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Psychiatry Residents
Jonathan Fellers, M.D.
Jonathan Fellers, M.D. received his B.S from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his M.D. from Cornell University. He currently serves as Chief Resident in the University of Virginia Psychiatry Residency Program. He brings to bear a psychodynamic orientation with a biological foundation. His areas of clinical interest include anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and life transitions.
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Lady A. Martinez F., M.D.
Lady A. Martinez F., M.D. received her medical degree from Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE) in the Dominican Republic, and moved to Virginia in the summer of 2008 to start her Psychiatry Residency at the UVA. She will be graduating next year, and is planning on doing a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Her areas of interest include: cross-cultural psychiatry, college mental health, and community psychiatry.
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Psychology Interns
Sandra Delgado, M. Psy.
Sandra Delgado, M. Psy., is a psychology intern at CAPS for the 2011-12 academic year. She received her M. Psy. from the George Washington University in 2010. She is currently completing her doctorate in clinical psychology, also at the George Washington University. Working in both community mental health and pre-school settings, her clinical experiences include providing individual, child, couple and group psychotherapy, in addition to psychological assessment. Her current interests include multicultural issues, psychotic states, identity development and interpersonal issues, as well as personality, mood and anxiety disorders. During her spare time, she enjoys listening to classical music, practicing yoga and tai chi, reading, and watching movies.
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Nicole L. Fischer, M.S.
Nicole Fischer, M.S. is a clinical intern at CAPS. She received her B.A. from the University of Virginia and her M.S. from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is currently earning her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University. Nicole completes research about acculturation and psychological well-being among international students and adult immigrants living in the U.S. Her clinical interests include multicultural and cross-cultural issues, identity development, trauma, and substance abuse disorders. She integrates psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral and interpersonal approaches in individual and group psychotherapy and has trained in several multi-disciplinary settings with adults, university students, adolescents and emerging adults. Previously, Nicole served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Togo, West Africa and enjoys traveling, training for half marathons and bargain shopping.
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Emily Szeliga, M.A., M.S.
Emily Szeliga, M.A., M.S. received her M.S. degree from Pacific University where she is currently working to complete her Psy.D. in clinical psychology. Emily's previous clinical experience includes working in community mental health settings and college counseling centers providing both group and individual therapy to diverse populations. Emily's interests include working with persons who face challenges when adjusting to life changes, and who wish to better understand their relationships with others. She integrates Gestalt, humanistic, and psychodynamic techniques in her work assisting individuals’ increased awareness and personal growth. Besides earning an M.S. from Pacific University, she has an M.A. in International Disaster Psychology from the University of Denver. In her free time, Emily enjoys biking, going to the cinema, and traveling.
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Practicum Students
Christopher Beam
Christopher Beam received his bachelor's degrees in psychology and philosophy from Seattle Pacific University in 2002. He completed a Master's degree in General Psychology at New York University in 2008 with a thesis focusing on the effect of marital interaction on positive affect. He practices from an eclectic approach, integrating humanistic, relational, cognitive, behavioral, and dynamic perspectives. His clinical interests include relationship issues, mood disorders, psychological pain, and general existential crises. During his spare time, he enjoys creating music, cooking, reading, and riding his bike.
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Mark Menzies, M.A.
Mark Menzies, M.A. is a third year doctoral student in psychology at James Madison University. He has a master’s degree in community and clinical counseling from Eastern University and uses an integration of dynamic, humanistic, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Before moving to Virginia, Mark worked in Philadelphia, PA, with children and families in the foster care system, and with adults in substance abuse treatment. Mark has diverse clinical interests, including life transitions, identity formation, relationships, ADHD, trauma, depression, and anxiety. In his personal life, he enjoys running, mountain biking, reading, playing guitar, and spending time with his family.
Tanya Nichols
Tanya Nichols graduated from Loyola College in Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2002 Psychology and a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology in 2006. Her professional experience has involved providing empirically-validated mental health treatment to under-served youth in school-based settings. In 2008, Tanya began her doctoral studies in Clinical Psychology at the UVA Curry School of Education. She works collaboratively with students using a psychodynamic and integrative approach. Her clinical interests include mood disorders, trauma, identity issues, and transitional difficulties. During her spare time, Tanya enjoys traveling, reading, and going to her spinning classes.
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