Clinicians
Jill C. Ascari, Ph.D., LCP
Dr. Ascari joined CCA in December 2006 as a clinical health psychologist who primarily works with adults, ages 18 and up. She received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University in August 2005 and completed her postdoctoral fellowship in clinical health psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at VCU Medical Center in September 2006.
During her graduate work and postdoctoral fellowship, Dr. Ascari received extensive specialized training in the area of health psychology that covers a spectrum of medical disorders, including bariatric surgery, obesity, organ transplantation, liver disease, cardiac disease, cancer, and gastrointestinal disorders.
Dr. Ascari’s areas of specialization include pre-surgical psychological evaluations for patients considering weight loss surgery, organ transplantation and evaluations for individuals interested in living organ donation. Dr. Ascari uses the pre-surgical psychological assessments to identify psychosocial risk factors and to make recommendations to both the patient and the surgical team with the primary goal of facilitating the best possible surgical outcome for the patient.
Dr. Ascari specializes in working with patients with primary medical conditions who have difficulties coping with their chronic disease and those who may need to modify lifestyle factors to reduce risks associated with their illness. Dr. Ascari provides therapy for individuals, couples and families to help with adaptation to illness through the use of behavioral and psychotherapeutic methods. She utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing and a variety of relaxation techniques. Other areas of interest include depression, anxiety disorders, pain management, stress management and smoking cessation. Dr. Ascari is a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Virginia.
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Linda Baxter, RN, Ph.D., ANP-BC
Linda Baxter, RN, Ph.D., ANP-BC is a nurse practitioner who obtained a master's degree, nurse practitioner certificate and PhD in Nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has extensive experience and expertise in the areas of women's health, stress management and issues related to chronic illness and disability, with particular interest in caregiver issues, including caregiver grief, stress, and self-care. Her practice philosophy is holistic, emphasizing the integrative principles of mind-body-spirit care. She believes that medication is an important aspect of treatment but is only one approach. Balance and health, including mental health, occurs with the integration of multiple approaches, including, but not limited to, self-care and self-nurturing activities, creative expression, physical health practices, stress management, and therapeutic counseling. Dr. Baxter is committed to providing respectful and comprehensive care based on each individual's unique needs and experiences.
Dr. Baxter also holds an adjunct faculty position in the VCU School of Nursing. She is a member of the Chesterfield County Community Services Board and is a strong advocate for disability rights. For her own mental health, she enjoys creating art through photography, treasure-hunting on the beach, and spending time at the water with family and friends.
Dr. Baxter sees adult patients 18 and older for medication management at the Midlothian office.
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Heather Bender, Ph.D.
Dr. Bender joined Commonwealth Counseling Associates in August 2005. In her current practice, she provides individual, couples, and family therapy. She also performs cognitive and personality assessments for children and adolescents. Her specialty areas include family and marital relationships, coping with medical illnesses, mood disorders, stress management, bereavement, and parenting issues.
Dr. Bender completed her clinical internship at the Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine where she received training in both pediatric medical psychology and family therapy. After relocating to Richmond, she completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Virginia Treatment Center for Children. During her fellowship year, Dr. Bender worked with children and families in outpatient, day treatment, and acute programs. She served on the Child Psychiatry Consultation Service by providing brief consultations for medically ill children at the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center. In addition, Dr. Bender offered psychological services to children and families in the ASK Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic. In this clinic, she worked with a wide range of issues, such as needle phobias, grief related to a child's illness, adjustment to diagnosis and treatment, and sibling relationships.
Dr. Bender enjoys working with clients from a variety of backgrounds (ages 5 to adult), and presenting problems. Her approach relies on techniques from cognitive-behavioral, process-oriented, and family systems therapies. In the early stages of therapy, Dr. Bender places importance on developing a supportive and empathic alliance with her clients. She then tailors her interventions to address the unique goals of each client. Some of these interventions may include child behavior management, coping skills/relaxation training, play therapy, diagnostic evaluations, and services for families and couples. In particular, Dr. Bender is interested in working with clients who would like to make meaningful changes in themselves and in their relationships.
Dr. Bender received her B.A. in Psychology from Haverford College and her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Virginia. She is a member of the American Psychological Association.
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Lindsey K. Berjansky, Psy.D., LCP
Dr. Berjansky joined Commonwealth Counseling Associates in December 2007. Her clinical interests are in providing individual therapy for adults with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and relationship issues. In addition, she provides comprehensive psychological testing for children, adolescents, and adults to assess for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, learning disabilities, academic strengths and weaknesses, behavioral disorders, and emotional functioning.
Dr. Berjansky’s work emphasizes the complexity of the human mind. She helps patients develop an increased capacity to understand and observe themselves, learn coping strategies, and gain a greater understanding of themselves while experiencing a sense of safety and acceptance. She works collaboratively with each client to promote an understanding of troublesome or unproductive thoughts, feelings and behaviors with the goal of empowering clients to regain control and success in their lives and relationships.
She has had diverse training and experience with a variety of clients. As a result, Dr. Berjansky offers an appreciation of personality differences, the individualized nature of personal struggles and unique life experiences to ensure a therapeutic experience that is tailored to individual needs.
Dr. Berjansky earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology at the University of Florida, her Master’s degree in Counseling and Development at George Mason University and her Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at The George Washington University. She’s worked in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private and community mental health centers, university counseling centers, nonprofit organizations and schools.
Dr. Berjansky received advanced training at the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington D.C., the Johns Hopkins University Counseling Center and the Women’s Center in Vienna, Virginia. Dr. Berjansky is a member of the American Psychological Association.
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Anita Binder, MD
Dr. Binder joined Commonwealth Counseling in 2009. She practices general adult psychiatry in our Midlothian Office. Dr. Binder earned her medical degree from Bangalore University in Bangalore, India. She completed her residency in psychiatry at Virginia Commonwealth University's Department of Psychiatry and the VCU Medical Center. Her interests lie in general adult psychopharmacology with emphasis on Depression, Anxiety, Panic Disorder, PTSD, OCD, ADHD and Bipolar Disorders. She is a member of American Psychiatric Association, the American Medical Association and the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin.
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James H. Bullock, Psy.D, LCP
Dr. Bullock is the Founder and Executive Director of Commonwealth Counseling Associates, PC. Prior to starting the practice in June of 2001, Dr. Bullock had served for nearly 10 years on the faculty of the Department of Psychiatry at the Medical College of Virginia. During the last three years of his tenure at MCV, he also served as Director of Clinical and Network Operations for the Behavioral Health Division of Trigon Blue Cross Blue Shield. He retains an Associate Clinical Professorship in the Department of Psychiatry at the Medical College of Virginia.
Over the course of his 25 year career, Dr. Bullock has held a variety of administrative and consulting positions with healthcare companies, including Trigon BCBS (now Anthem BCBS), Magellan Behavioral Health, and United Behavioral Systems. He served as Director of Outpatient Services for Henrico Area Mental Health Authority, provided consultation-liaison (medical psychology) services to Richmond area hospitals and medical practices, directed efforts to integrate service delivery to persons with complex health and social service needs, and worked extensively with community-based efforts to assist victims of crime, including persons dealing with the murder of a close relative.
Dr. Bullock's clinical specialties include cognitive therapy of mood and anxiety disorders, the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the assessment of Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Couple Therapy. Presently, Dr. Bullock limits his clinical practice to "second opinion" consultation regarding diagnosis or psychotherapeutic treatment involving more complex, treatment resistant behavioral health conditions.
Dr. Bullock received his BS degree in Psychology from the College of William and Mary. He went on to complete his Master's Degree in Experimental Psychology from Wake Forest University, and his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Virginia Consortium for Professional Psychology with a specialization in family & strategic systems therapies. He then went on to train at the Medical College of Virginia and at the Institute for Law & Psychiatry at the University of Virginia.
Current professional affiliations include the Richmond Academy of Clinical Psychologists, the Virginia Academy of Clinical Psychologists, the Virginia Psychological Association, and the American Psychological Association.
Lisa Clevinger, MSW, LCSW
Ms. Clevinger joins Commonwealth Counseling Associates with over 15 years of clinical experience working with adults across the life span. She has clinical experience in various mental health and substance abuse settings, including community mental health, inpatient psychiatry, neuropsychiatry, and private practice. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from James Madison University and her Master of Social Work degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. She became licensed as a Clinical Social Worker in 1997 and is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.
Ms. Clevinger's clinical specialties include mood and anxiety disorders, the treatment of trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, brain injury, coping with chronic pain and medical conditions, grief/loss and Couple Therapy. She utilizes a Cognitive-Behavioral and Biopsychosocial approach for comprehensive assessment and treatment of the client's individual needs and goals with a focus on establishing a supportive, collaborative working relationship with clients.
Additionally, she specializes as a Neuropsychiatric Social Worker for the treatment of complex treatment resistant behavior health conditions and neurological injuries such as Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. She provides individual, couple, and family therapy. She works with clients and families to develop cohesive partnerships with their various treatment providers (as appropriate and with proper consent) to facilitate improved coordination of care and treatment outcomes, especially for rehabilitation of complex neurological injuries. She assists clients with linkage to local resources and participates in community education through volunteer speaking engagements at the local Brain Injury Association Support Group and Brain Tumor Support Group to provide educational and outreach services to members and their families.
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Wendy S. Cohen, MD
Dr. Cohen joined Commonwealth Counseling Associates in April of 2004, as a general adult and consult-liaison psychiatrist. Along with her experience in private practice, Dr. Cohen is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Dr. Cohen sees primarily adults, age 18 and up. She views therapy as a collaboration between the client and physician, and considers her approach to therapy interpersonal or "patient centered". One of Dr. Cohen's specialty areas is working with clients with significant medical illnesses. She has extensive experience working with oncology patients, and provides palliative care in home and hospice environments. She is also interested in nutritional and alternative methods of healing.
Dr. Cohen earned her BA degree from Harvard University, and her MD degree from University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. She did her psychiatric residency at Yale University. She also completed two fellowships, both at the Medical College of Virginia, in Consult-Liaison Psychiatry and in Palliative Care. She is board certified in Psychiatry.
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David B. Dameron, Ph.D., LCP
Dr. Dameron joined CCA in September of 2004 after spending 10 years in private practice in Hawaii. He is the Founder and Director of the Dameron Center for Smoking Cessation, a new and innovative 12 month smoking abatement program. Dr. Dameron comes to CCA with extensive experience in addictions treatment. During his 10 years in Hawaii, he developed and directed two major addiction treatment programs. He is also the President of IPG, Inc., a clinic in Honolulu, Hawaii that currently provides treatment to families recovering from the impact of addiction. Dr. Dameron has also written and produced multimedia materials that are used to educate patients about their privacy rights under HIPAA.
His current practice includes child, individual, and family counseling. He has a strong interest in the "process of change" and how the change process is manifested in therapy. Dr. Dameron's specialty areas include the treatment of ADHD, Anxiety, Panic and Mood Disorders, Change of Life Issues, Loss, and Bereavement. His methodology is Cognitive-Behavioral with a focus on establishing a collaborative partnership between himself and his clients.
Dr. Dameron received his BS in Psychology from Pacific Union College in Angwin, California, and his MA in Clinical Psychology from John F. Kennedy University in Orinda, California. His PhD was completed at United States International University in San Diego in 1992. Dr. Dameron spent 3 years as Chief of Outpatient Psychiatry at Kenner Army Hospital at Fort Lee, Virginia, where he also completed his post-doctoral work.
Dr. Dameron's current professional affiliations include membership with the American Psychological Association, the Hawaii Psychological Association, the Virginia Psychological Association, the Richmond Academy of Clinical Psychologists, and the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology.
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Michael S. Ellwood, Ph.D., LCP
Dr. Ellwood has been with Commonwealth Counseling Associates since June of 2001. He has also worked as a staff psychologist at the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center since March of 2001, where he is assigned to the Spinal Cord Injury and Disease unit. Other previous experience includes an Assistant Professorship of Psychiatry at the Medical College of Virginia. In that position, Dr. Ellwood provided assessments and treatment for geriatric, chronically ill, and pain patients and their families.
Dr. Ellwood provides a full range of clinical psychological services, including psychological and neuropsychological evaluations. His approach to therapy is cognitive behavioral and solution focused. Dr. Ellwood works with children, school age and up, adults, couples, families, and groups. He enjoys working with couples to resolve marital issues. Other areas of interest include pain management and coping with physical disabilities.
Dr. Ellwood received his BA in Psychology from Hamilton College in Clinton NJ. His MS, as well as his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, was completed at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Ellwood is also a Certified Forensic Evaluator for the state of Virginia.
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Beth Heller, Ph.D.
Dr. Heller provides psychotherapy and assessment for children, adolescents, and adults. She has extensive experience in the assessment of learning, attention, and emotional disorders across the developmental span, particularly as they pertain to difficulties in school adjustment and success. Dr. Heller works primarily from a cognitive behavioral perspective, but utilizes an integrationist approach to solving problems in daily living, incorporating a variety of orientations to best understand and meet the needs of each individual. She believes strongly that the therapist is but one member of an individual's support network and works collaboratively to develop a coordinated plan of care. In addition to psychoeducational assessment, special areas of interest include treatment of depression and mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and parenting and relationship issues.
Dr. Heller joined Commonwealth Counseling in 2009 with 20 years experience of providing psychological services in the Richmond metropolitan area. She received her undergraduate education at James Madison University and remained at JMU to complete her school psychology training in 1988. After many years as a school psychologist, Dr. Heller returned to graduate school to complete her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of Virginia's Curry School of Education in 2005. While there she earned the Richard Abidin Award for Clinical Excellence. Dr. Heller completed her clinical internship and postdoctoral fellowship at Virginia Treatment Center for Children.
Dr. Heller's clinical experience includes work in public school, community mental health and in-patient settings, as well as more traditional out-patient services. She served on the Board of Directors of the Virginia Academy of School Psychologists (VASP) from 2000 to 2004 and is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Institute for Pastoral Care (VIPCare). She is a member of several state and national organizations, including the American Psychological Association, the National Association of School Psychologists, and the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies.
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Cynthia Jenkins, Ph.D.
Dr. Jenkins is a clinical psychologist that joined Commonwealth Counseling in November 2009. For the past eight years Dr. Jenkins lived and worked in southern Vermont. She worked in a school setting for two years and then established and ran her own private practice providing individual therapy for children, adolescents and adults, parenting consultation and psychological/educational evaluations.
Her current practice focuses on individual therapy with young adults and adults. She also offers parenting support, often short-term, to help parents navigate the normal but sometimes overwhelming developmental issues that children present. She enjoys helping people learn about themselves, identify and meet their personal goals and explore new coping skills. She works collaboratively with each client helping them discover their unique answers to life's challenges. Her specialty areas include treatment of ADHD, depression, anxiety, relationship and adjustment issues. She is very interested in the dynamics between emotional health and physical health and the power of a trusting, collaborative therapeutic relationship.
Dr. Jenkins received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology at the University at Albany. She obtained her Master's degree in Developmental Psychology and her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Virginia.
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Stephanie Johnson, Psy.D., LCP
Dr. Johnson joins Commonwealth Counseling Associates as a general adult and young adult psychologist. She completed her graduate education and training in the Washington, D.C. area, where she has worked in a variety of clinical settings. Prior to joining CCA in 2005, Dr. Johnson was employed at university counseling centers and enjoyed working with undergraduate and graduate students of all ages. She has worked with clients in individual therapy as well as led Relationship Groups, Women's Groups, and Support Groups for International Clients.
Dr. Johnson employs an interactive, dynamic style in therapy. She believes that the root of problems are often best addressed by helping clients to learn more about themselves, and to see themselves and their relationships in a new and deeper way. Dr. Johnson believes that when clients are able to define the root of the problem, they are better able to take control and to make changes. She and clients work together so that clients are able to apply their increased understanding to a variety of situations.
Dr. Johnson has special interests in general anxiety, panic attacks, depression, women's issues, postpartum depression, grief, including pet bereavement, and family relationship issues, including parent-adult child relationships,. She also has experience working with a diversity of clients, including international clients, and gay and lesbian clients.
Dr. Johnson earned her Masters degree in Developmental Psychology from George Mason University, her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The George Washington University, and completed her Clinical Internship at The American University.
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Susan Jones, MD
Dr. Jones joined CCA in March of 2007. After earning her Bachelor’s degree in Toxicology from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Dr. Jones attended medical school at the Medical College of Virginia. She completed her residency in General Psychiatry at the University of Alabama Hospitals in Birmingham, Alabama and her fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Virginia Treatment Center for Children.
After completing her training, she worked at Henrico Mental Health for 5 years and Insight Physicians for almost 10.
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Jane Kudlas, Ph.D., LCP
Jane Kudlas, Ph.D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the State of Virginia and Member of the American Psychological Association
Dr. Kudlas has over 15 years of experience working as a mental health provider in inpatient, school-based, and outpatient settings. She completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 1992, following a clinical internship at the Medical University of South Carolina. Prior to pursuing her current position as an outpatient psychotherapist with Commonwealth Counseling Associates, she was employed as an Assistant Professor through Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Psychiatry where she was responsible for: providing intensive therapeutic services to youth at the Virginia Treatment Center for Children (VTCC), a psychiatric hospital for children; affording individual and family therapy to children and adults in outpatient clinics, and completing comprehensive psychological evaluations. Dr. Kudlas was also an integral part of the psychology internship program at VTCC where she taught and supervised individuals pursuing careers as Licensed Clinical Psychologists.
Dr. Kudlas provides individual and family therapy for children, adolescents, and adults, and psychological evaluations for children ages six to seventeen. She has extensive experience working with youth and adults who present with complicated emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal difficulties, and those reporting a history of loss and trauma including sexual abuse, physical abuse, childhood neglect, life-threatening events, and death of loved-one. Her expertise in providing therapeutic services extends to individuals reporting significant difficulties at home, school, and work due to feelings of anxiety, inadequacy, guilt, and depression.
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John Lee, MD
Dr. Lee joined CCA in April of 2007. He earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia and then went on to complete his residency and fellowship training at the University of Texas Health Science Center and U.S. Air Force Wilford Hall Medical Center´s combined Residency Training program. Specializing in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Dr. Lee divides his time between our West End and Midlothian offices. In addition, he oversees our consultation services to Bon Secours´ Memorial Regional Medical Center and assists Dr. Worrel in delivering consultation services to the St. Francis Medical Center in Chesterfield County. Dr. Lee is a member of the American Medical Association, the American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the American Psychiatric Association, and the Richmond Academy of Medicine.
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Alla Lerner-Brandon, MD
Dr. Lerner-Brandon joined Commonwealth Counseling after obtaining her Psychiatry degree from MCV where she served in the leadership role of Chief Resident. A native of the Ukraine, Dr. Lerner-Brandon came to America in 1980 and majored in Psychology at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J. Her passion is complete patient satisfaction, and she demonstrates her interest in individuals by providing the best possible care, allowing them to understand their illness, and ensuring they are happy with their results. She very much enjoys the interpersonal environment of Commonwealth Counseling that encourages realistic goals for the relief of symptoms by means of psychotherapy, or a combination of psychotherapy and psychopharmacology. Dr. Lerner-Brandon´s unique combination of Psychiatry and Psychology mastery enables her to sustain positive relationships with patients, establishing mutual trust so that symptoms are better understood and relief programs are more accurately prescribed. Her successes with evaluation and treatment are consistently rewarding to both her and her patients. Dr. Lerner-Brandon also believes in balancing treatment with an active engagement in the patient´s favorite pursuits. She can be found playing tennis, walking her French bulldog, enjoying sushi, or salsa dancing with her husband
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Kathleen J. McCune, Ph.D., LCP
Dr. McCune joined Commonwealth Counseling Associates in April of 2004, with over 12 years of experience as a psychotherapist in the Richmond area. She provides individual and group therapy for adults. Dr. McCune also performs psychological assessments, including cognitive screening and memory and attention evaluations.
Dr. McCune has extensive experience in the area of medical psychology, which focuses on the psychological factors affecting medical conditions, as well as psychological conditions secondary to medical problems. Adjustments to medical problems and new limitations, such as those associated with stroke, are of particular interest to Dr. McCune. Dr. McCune sees adults and has a special interest in working with the older population. Her areas of expertise include retirement age issues, depression, anxiety, and issues of aging. She enjoys working with families on coping with elder care and aging parents.
Dr. McCune received her B.S. in Psychology from Mary Washington College. She completed both her Master of Science in Clinical Psychology and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. McCune was licensed as a Clinical Psychologist in Virginia in 1994, and is a member of the American Psychological Association.
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Melinda Moore, Ph.D., LCP
Dr. Moore joined Commonwealth Counseling in October 2008 and works solely at the Midlothian office location. She has worked in residential and outpatient treatment programs, as well as having multiple years of experience in pediatric hospitals. Her postdoctoral residency was completed at Richmond Children's Hospital Feeding Program where she provided behavioral interventions from an interdisciplinary perspective to address children's feeding issues. Dr. Moore completed an additional fellowship through the Virginia LEND program for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and currently specializes in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders as well as general developmental delay.
Dr. Moore provides individual, couples, and family therapy to children, adolescents and adults. She also is part of CCA’s Psychological Evaluation and Assessment Center and provides psychological and psychoeducational for children, adolescents and adults. Her approach relies on techniques from interpersonal, cognitive-behavioral, and family systems therapies. Dr. Moore believes in taking into account family, community, and cultural influences when forming a plan of care. She believes that the therapeutic relationship is the most important curative factor and collaborates with her clients to create a unique and individualized treatment plan. Dr. Moore is also skilled at using behavior management, coping skills/relaxation training, and play therapy techniques. Clinical interests include Autism Spectrum Disorders, developmental disabilities/delay, mood disorders, behavior disorders, ADHD, learning disorders, parent training, relationship issues, and couples counseling.
Dr. Moore received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Richmond and her M.A. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is a member of the American Psychological Association.
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Henry Morris, Ph.D., LCSW
Dr. Henry Morris has been practicing in Richmond, Virginia for the past 38 years. His undergraduate training was at the University of Richmond and he received his MSW from Virginia Commonwealth University and his Ph.D. in Clinical Social Work from Catholic University. He completed his group psychotherapy training at the Washington School of Psychiatry and is a Certified Group Psychotherapist through the American Group Psychotherapy Association. He has been teaching clinical practice and group methods at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work as either full time or as adjunct faculty for the past 25 years. He works with children, adolescents and adults and offers groups for adult relationship issues, covert male depression and leadership training/supervision for clinicians.
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William T. Nay, Ph.D, LCP
Dr. Nay began his relationship with Commonwealth Counseling Associates in February of 2006. In addition to his work with CCA, Dr. Nay is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, VCU-MCV. At VCU, Dr. Nay is an active clinician, educator, and is the Director of Research for Ambulatory Psychiatry. Prior to his arrival in Richmond, Dr. Nay was employed as a staff psychologist in the Mood and Anxiety Disorders program at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in Bethesda, MD.
Dr. Nay’s practice is founded in the behavioral and cognitive-behavioral traditions. Development of a collaborative working relationship with his clients is of paramount importance. Both parties work collectively to define problem areas and determine paths to problem resolution. Accountability in clinical practice also is a guiding principle, with repeated objective and subjective assessment of progress serving this goal. Incorporating a biopsychosocial perspective, Dr. Nay also works with his individual clients to determine needs, wishes, and appropriateness of adjunctive psychopharmacological treatment and to assist with coordination of services. Dr. Nay’s specialty areas include the full spectrum of anxiety and related disorders as well as unipolar depression in adult and later adolescent populations.
Dr. Nay received his BS in Psychology from the College of Charleston (SC) and his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Maine. He completed his predoctoral internship at the University of Mississippi Medical Center / G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center psychology training consortium in Jackson, MS. After completion of his degree training, Dr. Nay completed a two-year fellowship in anxiety treatment and research at the Maryland Center for Anxiety Disorders, University of Maryland (College Park). Dr. Nay is a licensed psychologist in the states of Virginia and Maryland.
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Nicole Noffsinger-Frazier, Ph.D., LCP
Dr. Noffsinger-Frazier works with adolescents and adults struggling with disordered eating behavior across the spectrum, including, but not limited to: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, and obesity. In addition to eating disorders, other areas of treatment include mood and anxiety disorders, trauma and PTSD, OCD, and women´s health. Dr. Noffsinger-Frazier conducts individual, group, and family therapy. Treating patients within a biopsychosocial framework is of particular importance, and she will work with patients and their families to develop a cohesive team of professionals to assist in the recovery process
During her postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School/McLean Hospital, Dr. Noffsinger-Frazier received specialized training in the treatment of adolescent girls and young women with eating disorders at the Klarman Eating Disorder Center. Dr. Noffsinger-Frazier´s treatment philosophy is integrative, combining cognitive behavioral therapy with dialectical behavioral skills and motivational interviewing techniques. Dr. Noffsinger-Frazier works with patients in a supportive, collaborative fashion to discover the underlying reason(s) for the maintenance of the eating problem and to learn healthier ways of coping with the feelings and thoughts that sustain the disordered eating. Patients are expected to be active, engaged participants throughout the treatment process by completing structured homework assignments and practicing new coping skills during their time between sessions. Dr. Noffsinger-Frazier assesses treatment effectiveness on a regular basis through the use of standardized assessment measures, as well as through ongoing dialogue with the patient.
In addition to individual and family therapy, Dr. Noffsinger-Frazier facilitates CBT skills groups for patients with eating disorders and will be offering a support and psychoeducation group for parents and family members of eating disorder patients in the spring of 2009.
Dr. Noffsinger-Frazier received her bachelor´s degree in psychology from The University of The South in Sewanee, Tennessee and her doctoral degree in counseling psychology from The University of Memphis. She completed her predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School/McLean Hospital. She is a licensed clinical psychologist in Virginia and member of The Academy of Eating Disorders and The American Psychological Association.
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Cicely M. Powell, LCSW
Ms. Powell joined CCA in 2003, continuing a career with a wide range of counseling experience in the Richmond area. She works with families, couples, individuals, adolescents, and children using solution focused and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Ms. Powell's background as an elementary school teacher has enhanced her experience with children and parents in the field of clinical social work.
Ms. Powell specializes in issues of relationships, divorce, and parenting. She enjoys working with parents as they deal with parenting crises. Ms. Powell has conducted group parenting classes, and has worked with parent education groups for children coping with divorce. She will also be co-facilitating a new group on enhancing marital relationships.
Ms. Powell received a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado. She received her Master of Arts in Elementary Education from Virginia Commonwealth University, and then earned her Master of Social Work from VCU in 1991. She was licensed in 1997 and maintains her membership in the National Association of Social Workers. Ms. Powell is active in her profession through work as a grief support coordinator for the Virginia Public Safety Foundation, and also currently serves the community as a Board Member of Brookfield, a residential treatment center for girls.
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Michele Primavera, Ph.D., LCP
As a new addition to CCA in summer 2007, Dr. Primavera provides individual, couples, and group therapy to people ages 18 and up. She comes from a strong background of over 17 years serving students of all ages at universities across the country including Virginia Commonwealth University, Washington State University, New York Institute of Technology, and Queens College/CUNY. Dr. Primavera also provided community mental health clinical services in Moscow, Idaho. She has served diverse populations including student athletes and first generation college students, individuals with disabilities, and future healthcare professionals.
Dr. Primavera brings an integrative perspective to her practice that considers the individual’s personal beliefs, cultural and societal influences, and the therapeutic relationship itself. She also believes it is important to examine the roles gender, physical health, religion, ethnicity, and sexual orientation play in individual mental health. In addition to working with mood disorders, Dr. Primavera gravitates towards concerns like: grief and loss, unresolved family of origin issues, adult AD/HD, balancing work and family, career and academic difficulties, adjustment, and multicultural issues. She looks forward to facilitating an interpersonal process therapy group at CCA, as she has co-led many such groups in the past and believes fully in the power of group therapy.
Dr. Primavera began her mental health training in New York City by earning her baccalaureate in psychology at St. John's University and her master’s degree in human relations from the New York Institute of Technology. She earned her PhD in counseling psychology at Washington State University and completed her post-doctoral training at Virginia Commonwealth University. She is a member of the American Psychological Association.
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Yaacov R. Pushkin, MD
Dr. Pushkin joined CCA in 2009. He received his undergraduate education at West Virginia University and medical degree from the Marshall University School of Medicine. Dr. Pushkin completed his residency in Psychiatry and fellowship in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry at the Medical College of Virginia.
Dr. Pushkin served on the full-time faculty at Eastern Virginia Medical School from 1993-2004, in the role of Director of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. While there he was an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and was involved in various levels of medical student and resident education, the psychiatric care of hospitalized medically and surgically ill patients and the provision of outpatient medication management and psychotherapy. During his tenure at EVMS, Dr. Pushkin served on numerous institutional committees including the Faculty Senate, Health Services Board of Directors and the Medical Executive Committee of Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
Dr. Pushkin returned to the VCU-MCV Hospitals Health System in 2004, where he served on the full-time faculty until 2009. His roles at VCU-MCVH included Director of Consultation-Liaison Education as well as Associate Director of Residency and Psychosomatic Medicine Fellowship Training. While at MCV, Dr. Pushkin also taught at various levels and provided hospital consultation and outpatient care. He will continue to serve as a community faculty member within the Department of Psychiatry.
Dr. Pushkin is Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Psychiatry and the subspecialty of Psychosomatic Medicine.
Dr. Pushkin is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and has served as Past President of the Psychiatric Society of Virginia and Co-Chair of its Ethics Committee. He is also a member of the Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine.
Dr. Pushkin has been a consultant to various organizations over the years including the Virginia Retirement System, Anthem Behavioral Health and the Virginia Health Practitioners' Intervention Program.
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Natalie Relph, MD
Natalie Relph, MD is located in CCA's Hanover office. Dr. Relph completed both her undergraduate work and her medical training at West Virginia University. She completed her psychiatric residency training at The Ohio State University. She is Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc.
Dr. Relph's training and subsequent private practice work here in the Richmond area provide broad experience with the full range of psychiatric issues affecting adults. Additionally, during her residency at The Ohio State University, she focused extensively on the special issues and mental health needs of the college-aged population.
At Commonwealth Counseling Associates, Dr. Relph provides outpatient pharmacological management to patients aged 18 to 64. She also provides consultation liaison services to the Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center.
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Allison Revenson, LCSW
Ms. Revenson has been with Commonwealth Counseling Associates since September of 2001, providing counseling services to adolescents and adults. Prior to joining CCA, she worked for Trigon Blue Cross Blue Shield as a Mental Health Case Manager. Ms. Revenson was also previously employed by The Psychiatric Institute of Richmond as a Program Therapist/Case Manager, and worked for 6 years as a Mental Health Therapist at the Crossroads Community Services Board in Farmville, Virginia.
Ms. Revenson works with individuals, couples, families and groups. She practices from a solution focused perspective, specializing in areas that include anxiety and depression, couples therapy for marital enhancement, and issues around life changes. Ms. Revenson will soon be co-facilitating a new group on marital enhancement with a CCA colleague. She has extensive experience with women's issues, including depression, childrearing, marital problems, and co-dependency.
Ms. Revenson received her Bachelor of Social Work and her Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University. She became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 1990, and maintains her membership in the National Association of Social Workers.
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Andrea Stern, Psy.D., LCP
Dr. Stern joined Commonwealth Counseling Associates in March of 2005, as a general adult and child psychologist. She has worked with children and families in residential, day treatment, and outpatient programs and with adults in day treatment and outpatient programs.
Dr. Stern completed her post-doctoral fellowship at the Virginia Treatment Center for Children of the Medical College of Virginia, where she provided therapeutic care to children, adolescents, and families on the residential and outpatient units. She then worked as the only Licensed Clinical Psychologist in a rural community east of Richmond, where she provided therapeutic services to a full range of clients. Most recently, prior to joining CCA on a full-time basis, Dr. Stern worked in a private school for children with developmental disabilities.
Dr. Stern views the relationship between client and therapist as a central component of therapy and takes an interpersonal approach to therapy. She tailors her therapeutic practice to the needs of her clients. After an initial evaluation and with the collaboration of her clients, she determines what services would be most beneficial. She is skilled at using behavior management and consultation techniques, cognitive behavioral techniques, and process-oriented/self exploration techniques. Dr. Stern is particularly interested in family dynamics.
Dr. Stern earned her BA in psychology and political science from Tufts University and earned her doctorate in psychology from George Washington University. She is a member of the American Psychological Association.
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Laura M. Worrel, MD
Dr. Worrel joined CCA in July of 2006 as a general adult and consult-liaison psychiatrist. After attending college at the University of Virginia and medical school at the Mayo Clinic, she completed her psychiatry residency at the University of North Carolina Hospitals. Dr. Worrel is board certified in psychiatry.
Based at our Midlothian clinic, Dr. Worrel sees primarily adults, ages 18 and up. She understands her role as a psychiatrist to be part of a team that is working together to treat mental illness and improve the lives of her patients. This team always includes the patient and often includes the patient's therapist, primary care doctor, social support network, and others. Dr. Worrel believes that biological therapies (primarily medications) and psychotherapies, often used in combination, are both valuable in treating patients. Her approach to therapy draws upon several schools of thought and is tailored to the individual patient.
Dr. Worrel has broad interests in general adult psychiatry. Her specialty areas include women's mental health and consultation-liaison psychiatry.
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Debbie York, FNP-C
Debbie York, FNP-C, joined Commonwealth Counseling Associates, PC in 2007. With advanced training and a wealth of experience over the years in both outpatient and inpatient psychiatric settings, she brings a new dimension to CCA’s Neuropharmacology treatment program.
Mrs. York, received her clinical training at the University of Virginia. She worked in medical-surgery and pediatrics settings prior to returning for advanced training as a Nurse Practitioner. This advanced training along with her medical-surgical experience with patients across the age range and her broad experience in psychiatric healthcare settings inform her understanding of the sometimes complex relationships between psychiatric and general medical illness.
Debbie York has broad interests in general psychiatry, including depression, anxiety disorders, and adult ADD. She sees clients ages 18 and up for medication management.
