Ali Faris, PsyD
My passion for working closely with medical teams has lead me to my work in hospital and outpatient medical settings, including in the field of oncology. In my work I have directly witnessed the struggles of healthcare professionals and have learned how to support these providers through the many challenges they face in their professional and personal lives.
My approach focuses on honoring your knowledge in the hope of creating an empowering environment where you benefit from freedom to discover your strengths, resiliencies, and courage. It is important to me that we consider culture, history, and identity in the context of your struggles. I truly appreciate the beautiful complexity that makes each of us who we are.
I specialize in working with clinicians struggling with burnout, stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD/trauma, grief/loss, relationship struggles, existential crisis, transitions, performance challenges, self-worth, and perfectionism. In additional I have experience working with clinicians with serious medical conditions such as cancer, neurological disorders, brain and spinal cord injuries.
When not working, I can be found doing many physical activities including circus arts and spending time catching up with friends and family.
Amy Trachter, PsyD, PhD
I am a licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience working with people struggling with substance use issues, relationship problems, learning disorders, and eating and weight difficulties. I have specialized training in working with those who have experienced trauma. I spent the early part of my career in academics at the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami working with those living with medical conditions and substance use disorders.
Throughout my career I have focused on working with people with both physical and mental health difficulties, many of those with acute and chronic medical disorders including Crohn’s Disease, IBS, hepatitis, cancer, cardiac and liver disease including those on the waiting list for transplant and people living with HIV/AIDS. I also have extensive expertise working with people with dementia, traumatic brain injury, CVA/Stroke, and other cognitive difficulties.
I was a special education teacher prior to becoming a psychologist and am a strong advocate for those with special needs. I care deeply about the needs of those I work with. I am particularly interested in working with people to improve interpersonal relationships and communication skills.
I live in Bergen County, New Jersey, and enjoy hiking, running and yoga.
Throughout my career I have focused on working with people with both physical and mental health difficulties, many of those with acute and chronic medical disorders including Crohn’s Disease, IBS, hepatitis, cancer, cardiac and liver disease including those on the waiting list for transplant and people living with HIV/AIDS. I also have extensive expertise working with people with dementia, traumatic brain injury, CVA/Stroke, and other cognitive difficulties.
I was a special education teacher prior to becoming a psychologist and am a strong advocate for those with special needs. I care deeply about the needs of those I work with. I am particularly interested in working with people to improve interpersonal relationships and communication skills.
I live in Bergen County, New Jersey, and enjoy hiking, running and yoga.
Brian Sandoval, PsyD
I am a licensed psychologist with over a decade of experience working in the “trenches” of primary care with medical providers and residents. I’ve heard consistently that practicing medicine can be incredibly rewarding and draining – sometimes on the same day. I wholeheartedly believe that supporting providers through these ups and downs is critical to sustaining our health care system. While that support can take many forms, I have often found myself helping providers manage the consistent tension between their occupational calling, the toll it takes on their personal lives, and the concrete stress of daily clinical practice.
My approach to clinical care is both compassionate and practical. Each provider brings a unique experience and history, and I aim to help individuals function more effectively in their personal and professional lives as soon as possible. My focus is not on psychological labels but instead on helping people cope and get “unstuck” through evidence-based approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). If you’re interested in learning more, I’m happy to offer an initial 20-minute consultation call so we can determine together the best approach for your situation.
On a personal level, I love taking road trips with my family, coaching my sons’ sports teams, eating tacos, and watching soccer (the “real” football.)
Claudia Allen, PhD JD ABPP
I’m a board-certified clinical psychologist with a passion for supporting health care professionals in living healthy lives and finding joy in their work. I’ve been working in academic medicine for almost two decades teaching and mentoring family medicine, pediatric and psychiatry residents. I have also been caring for physicians and nurses for many years in my counseling practice. Being a clinician can take so much out of us and it can be so important to stay tuned in to our own core values and needs. There is so much pressure on clinicians to help others while covering up our own wounds. I love providing a safe space for healthcare professionals to consider their needs and figure out how to move towards well-being.
I use a holistic approach rooted in attachment and Emotion Focused Therapy melded with cognitive behavioral and mindfulness techniques. I have expertise in couples work and parenting. With couples, I use Emotion Focused Couples Therapy and in the parenting arena I am guided by attachment theory and positive parenting. I co-authored a book on my approach to parenting adolescents called Escaping the Endless Adolescence: Helping our Teens Grow Up Before They Grow Old.
I live in Virginia and Maine and love painting, recreational sports, being in nature, hiking with my therapy dog, Scout, and spending time with my husband and three adult children.
I use a holistic approach rooted in attachment and Emotion Focused Therapy melded with cognitive behavioral and mindfulness techniques. I have expertise in couples work and parenting. With couples, I use Emotion Focused Couples Therapy and in the parenting arena I am guided by attachment theory and positive parenting. I co-authored a book on my approach to parenting adolescents called Escaping the Endless Adolescence: Helping our Teens Grow Up Before They Grow Old.
I live in Virginia and Maine and love painting, recreational sports, being in nature, hiking with my therapy dog, Scout, and spending time with my husband and three adult children.
Emily Faust, PhD
I am a licensed clinical psychologist with a passion for helping people live full and meaningful lives, regardless of what challenges they may be facing. I’ve been working in medical settings for over a decade in primary care, emergency medicine, ICU, hospice, inpatient medicine, and clinical nutrition. In my current work at an integrated primary care clinic, I have the pleasure of both providing direct patient care as a behavioral health provider and serving as Behavioral Scientist Faculty for our family medicine residency physicians.
I enjoy getting to know people deeply, holding space for their stories and struggles, and helping them actively move toward their personal goals and values. My style is energetic, uplifting, and empowering. I strive to help people make lasting changes in their lives that are aligned with their values and that serve to increase their overall sense of well-being.
I’m trained in a wide variety of evidence-based treatments and utilize a flexible and contextual approach to incorporate strategies, teach skills, and set goals with you that will be most appropriate, effective, and efficient for your specific life circumstances.
I live in central Washington state and enjoy working out, meditation, gardening, reading, and spending time with my family!
I enjoy getting to know people deeply, holding space for their stories and struggles, and helping them actively move toward their personal goals and values. My style is energetic, uplifting, and empowering. I strive to help people make lasting changes in their lives that are aligned with their values and that serve to increase their overall sense of well-being.
I’m trained in a wide variety of evidence-based treatments and utilize a flexible and contextual approach to incorporate strategies, teach skills, and set goals with you that will be most appropriate, effective, and efficient for your specific life circumstances.
I live in central Washington state and enjoy working out, meditation, gardening, reading, and spending time with my family!
Emily Traupman, PhD
I am a clinical health psychologist with 10+ years experience working in a variety of medical settings, from level 1 trauma center to inpatient rehabilitation hospital to primary care clinic. For the past 5+ years I have been working in family medicine residency education. I am engaged in interdisciplinary work on clinician wellness, justice, equity, and inclusion work, social determinants of health, and medical ethics.
I enjoy helping physicians connect with their values and the meaning within and outside of work to maintain their purpose or “north star” around which we shape our lives. My approach is collaborative, individualized, and holistic incorporating Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness, and Interpersonal Therapy. I work with health professionals on burnout, stress, mood, anxiety, PTSD/trauma, performance challenges, perfectionism, and coping with acute and chronic medical conditions. When not working I enjoy practicing yoga, hiking, paddle boarding, baking, reading, and long walks with my dog.
I enjoy helping physicians connect with their values and the meaning within and outside of work to maintain their purpose or “north star” around which we shape our lives. My approach is collaborative, individualized, and holistic incorporating Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness, and Interpersonal Therapy. I work with health professionals on burnout, stress, mood, anxiety, PTSD/trauma, performance challenges, perfectionism, and coping with acute and chronic medical conditions. When not working I enjoy practicing yoga, hiking, paddle boarding, baking, reading, and long walks with my dog.
Jennifer Ayres, PhD, ABPP
I have been practicing as a licensed psychologist for 20 years and began working in medical settings 25 years ago as a graduate student. I have worked in hospitals, primary care, community mental health centers, schools, shelters, and residential facilities. My approach is authentic, practical, collaborative, trauma-informed, integrative, and begins with a gentle invitation: “Tell me what’s bringing you here and how I can help.” I am board-certified in clinical psychology and am a trained teacher of mindfulness and Mindful Self-Compassion. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, reading, writing, and exploring new places with my twin sons and our dogs.
Jennifer Forrester, PsyD
I am a licensed psychologist with over five years of experience specializing in providing mental health support to medical professionals. I have worked extensively in academic medical settings and have a deep understanding of the pressures and demands faced by medical residents and attending physicians.
I am dedicated to helping healthcare workers manage stress, prevent burnout, overcome imposter syndrome, navigate the complex challenges of academic and training environments, and improve overall mental health. I employ evidenced based techniques, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based approaches, to support clients in navigating the unique challenges of the medical field. My work focuses on creating sustainable coping mechanisms and fostering resilience, while ensuring that physicians maintain personal wellbeing while excelling in professional and personal roles. By offering tailored support and practical tools, I strive to help physicians thrive in their careers and achieve personal fulfillment amidst the challenges of the medical profession.
In my personal life, I enjoy spending time with my two Maine coon cats, reading science fiction fantasy novels, and trying new restaurants.
I am dedicated to helping healthcare workers manage stress, prevent burnout, overcome imposter syndrome, navigate the complex challenges of academic and training environments, and improve overall mental health. I employ evidenced based techniques, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based approaches, to support clients in navigating the unique challenges of the medical field. My work focuses on creating sustainable coping mechanisms and fostering resilience, while ensuring that physicians maintain personal wellbeing while excelling in professional and personal roles. By offering tailored support and practical tools, I strive to help physicians thrive in their careers and achieve personal fulfillment amidst the challenges of the medical profession.
In my personal life, I enjoy spending time with my two Maine coon cats, reading science fiction fantasy novels, and trying new restaurants.
Jo Vogeli, PhD
I earned my PhD in Clinical Health Psychology from the University of Colorado Denver and bring over a decade of experience working with physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, and medical trainees. My journey in healthcare worker wellbeing started at a Level IV NICU in Denver. I found the emotionally complex environment of the NICU left providers vulnerable to compassion fatigue, moral distress, and second victim phenomenon. It was at this Level IV NICU that I began to develop expertise in interventions geared toward burnout prevention, promoting resilience, and understanding posttraumatic growth.
As a psychologist in academic medicine, I work directly with physicians, APPs, fellows, and residents utilizing a “care for the caregiver” approach. I provide evidence-based interventions for a variety of needs such as anxiety, sleep problems, chronic health conditions, role transitions, as well as work with those who are struggling with professional challenges to revitalize the sense of meaning and purpose that originally brought them to medicine. I offer a compassionate approach when helping individuals navigate the vulnerable time after unanticipated medical events and other adverse events that occur in professional or personal life.
For my own wellbeing, I dance hula, read many books with my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel on my lap, and ride my Peloton bike.
As a psychologist in academic medicine, I work directly with physicians, APPs, fellows, and residents utilizing a “care for the caregiver” approach. I provide evidence-based interventions for a variety of needs such as anxiety, sleep problems, chronic health conditions, role transitions, as well as work with those who are struggling with professional challenges to revitalize the sense of meaning and purpose that originally brought them to medicine. I offer a compassionate approach when helping individuals navigate the vulnerable time after unanticipated medical events and other adverse events that occur in professional or personal life.
For my own wellbeing, I dance hula, read many books with my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel on my lap, and ride my Peloton bike.
Katherine Bergs, PhD
Dr. Katherine Buck is originally from North Carolina and trained at East Carolina University (Go Pirates!) in both Marriage and Family Therapy and Clinical Health Psychology. After finishing training in the Family Medicine department at the University of Colorado, she has been in Family Medicine residency education in Fort Worth, Texas for the past 5 years. In that role, she has been involved in training of medical students, residents, and behavioral medicine learners. Additionally, she has a strong interest in physician well-being and impairment concerns. Her clinical interests include couples therapy, sleep, and brief behavioral interventions. In her spare time, she enjoys watching football and any chance to go to the beach.
Kelly Brey, PhD
During my internship, a supervisor told me "Kelly, you are the same in session as you are in real life." I was unsure of her intent behind the comment, however I chose to take it as a great compliment, solidifying my deep belief that I am a human first, then a psychologist.
I received my PhD in Psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I then completed my internship at McLean Psychiatric Hospital/Harvard Medical School. While at McLean, I completed a fellowship at Harvard Medical School. My post-doctoral fellowship was completed at Texas Children’s Hospital/Baylor College of Medicine.
I have had many roles since residency, including Professor, Director of Behavioral Health for a Family Practice Residency Program, owner of an integrated medicine clinic, Executive Director of a behavioral health facility, and private practice practitioner.
For the last 10+ years, I have specialized in burnout in medical providers. I have worked on this with family medicine residents and in my private practice whereI specialize in working with medical providers and professionals.
I recently completed additional certifications in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, as well as nutritional and integrative medicine for mental health disorders. My areas of passion are working with professionals struggling with depression, anxiety, panic/PTSD, burnout, chronic pain/illness, and ADHD.
My own life experiences with mental and physical health concerns have provided me with a different level of understanding and empathy when working with patients. This initially unwanted superpower allows me to create deeper connections, resulting in increased success with those I work with.
I received my PhD in Psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I then completed my internship at McLean Psychiatric Hospital/Harvard Medical School. While at McLean, I completed a fellowship at Harvard Medical School. My post-doctoral fellowship was completed at Texas Children’s Hospital/Baylor College of Medicine.
I have had many roles since residency, including Professor, Director of Behavioral Health for a Family Practice Residency Program, owner of an integrated medicine clinic, Executive Director of a behavioral health facility, and private practice practitioner.
For the last 10+ years, I have specialized in burnout in medical providers. I have worked on this with family medicine residents and in my private practice whereI specialize in working with medical providers and professionals.
I recently completed additional certifications in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, as well as nutritional and integrative medicine for mental health disorders. My areas of passion are working with professionals struggling with depression, anxiety, panic/PTSD, burnout, chronic pain/illness, and ADHD.
My own life experiences with mental and physical health concerns have provided me with a different level of understanding and empathy when working with patients. This initially unwanted superpower allows me to create deeper connections, resulting in increased success with those I work with.
Laura Lovato, PhD
I have over ten years of experience working in hospitals and primary care settings as both a colleague and therapist to health professionals. One of the most meaningful professional experiences I’ve had was working with medical trainees. I understand the sacrifice and resilience it takes to be a health professional and the challenges of managing personal well-being under the weight of exceptional responsibility and stress. I have an integrative approach to therapy, using experiential, relational, and cognitive-behavioral techniques to help clients develop practical skills that support a greater sense of clarity and confidence and help them reconnect with the meaning in their professional and personal lives. I strive to be transparent, genuine, and warm and hope my clients feel seen and appreciated for their humanness and not a diagnosis.
Mandy McCorkindale, PsyD, ABPP
I am a board certified Clinical Health Psychologist with over a decade providing therapy and consultation. My background and experience have focused on the primary care setting and I've worked with medical professionals in a variety of clinical areas.
My approach to therapy is client-centered using evidence-based interventions. Generally, it is my goal to understand the challenges you face as you navigate the demands of working in the medical field and caring for others while also trying to maintain your own mental, emotional, and physical health. I enjoy and have expertise in working with individuals who have had all types of trauma exposure, depression, anxiety, relationship problems, and difficulty adjusting to life circumstances or situations.
In my own journey to living a balanced life, I enjoy walking, yoga, kayaking, and spending time with the people who matter most to me. I am a veteran and currently serve in the Army National Guard. I have two adult children, and two incredibly amazing grandchildren who help remind me to explore the wonders of life. My partner and I also recently added a mini Aussie puppy to our household so she and her energy keep me moving!
My approach to therapy is client-centered using evidence-based interventions. Generally, it is my goal to understand the challenges you face as you navigate the demands of working in the medical field and caring for others while also trying to maintain your own mental, emotional, and physical health. I enjoy and have expertise in working with individuals who have had all types of trauma exposure, depression, anxiety, relationship problems, and difficulty adjusting to life circumstances or situations.
In my own journey to living a balanced life, I enjoy walking, yoga, kayaking, and spending time with the people who matter most to me. I am a veteran and currently serve in the Army National Guard. I have two adult children, and two incredibly amazing grandchildren who help remind me to explore the wonders of life. My partner and I also recently added a mini Aussie puppy to our household so she and her energy keep me moving!
Robert Forrester, PhD
I am a licensed psychologist who enjoys working with healthcare professionals on thriving while managing challenging personal and work circumstances. I have experience working with people on career path frustrations, burnout, relationship concerns, ethical challenges, systemic hurdles, workplace stressors such as interpersonal conflict, communication challenges, and productivity expectations.
My approach focuses on helping patients with stress management and problem-solving while searching for sources of strength and motivation. My goal for therapy is to help individuals feel heard and have their experiences validated while reducing emotional stress and improving coping resources.
I believe our life experiences influence us, but we do not have to define or determine how we will function in the world. We all have multiple identities and fulfill many roles. We must learn to thrive in a world often ill-prepared to treat us with the patience, respect, and kindness we deserve. I have an awareness of the systemic obstacles often faced by people from diverse communities and I seek to empower my patients to identify life goals and pursue them passionately with a well-organized plan.
My approach focuses on helping patients with stress management and problem-solving while searching for sources of strength and motivation. My goal for therapy is to help individuals feel heard and have their experiences validated while reducing emotional stress and improving coping resources.
I believe our life experiences influence us, but we do not have to define or determine how we will function in the world. We all have multiple identities and fulfill many roles. We must learn to thrive in a world often ill-prepared to treat us with the patience, respect, and kindness we deserve. I have an awareness of the systemic obstacles often faced by people from diverse communities and I seek to empower my patients to identify life goals and pursue them passionately with a well-organized plan.
We love staying connected to our community.
Tina Runyan, PhD, ABPP
