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.

Meet with Ali.

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.

Meet with Amy.

Claudia Allen, PhD JD ABPP

I describe myself as… friendly, kind, clear and experienced. I believe everyone has something unique that can only be expressed through them, and I love helping people find the freedom to express that which is uniquely theirs.

Why I work with healthcare professionals: I’ve spent over fifteen years as the Director of Behavioral Science in a Family Medicine residency, where I’ve had the good fortune to work not only with residents and attendings in my department, but to provide therapy and coaching to doctors and nurses throughout a large academic health system. From interns to health system leadership, I enjoy supporting medical professionals as they simultaneously strive to help others and develop their own passions and personal lives.

I’m passionate about… bringing a growth mindset to therapy and coaching. One of my mantras is that “Every problem was once a solution” (Jay Haley, PhD). I love helping people shift from thinking about a problem as shameful or a failure to re-envisioning it as a natural attempt to cope with whatever circumstances they have been in. Together we can examine how your strategy has been helpful or unhelpful and work toward a more successful approach. I have experience and passion for supporting people with the extra challenges of being from a minoritized background, including the LGBTQ space, minoritized ethnic or racial backgrounds, or differing abilities.

You might like working with me if… you’re feeling overwhelmed by your work demands, or like you’re losing your sense of why you signed up for this in the first place. I’m skilled at helping people rediscover their own values and strengths. We might be a good fit if you are looking for a combination of better understanding of your deepest self and practical strategies for reaching your personal or professional goals. You also might like working with me if you are struggling with some aspect of your family life, whether that be with a partner, young children or teens, adult children, or extended family. I’m a deep listener, and my style is warm, direct, sometimes humorous, and pragmatic.

When not working… I enjoy connecting with my partner, our three adult children, and longtime friends. I can often be found hiking with my therapy dog (Scout), making art, or looking up bird sounds on the Merlin app while walking in the Virginia woods or on the Maine coast.

Education and Training
Graduate: JD Yale Law School; PhD University of Virginia Internship: University of Virginia Counseling Center and University of Virginia Department of Family Medicine Additional Training/Certifications: Board Certified in Clinical Psychology by the American Board of Psychology

Claudia offers individual and couples counseling and individual coaching.

Meet with Claudia.

Emily Faust, PhD

I describe myself as… curious, energetic, uplifting, and empowering.

Why I work with healthcare professionals: I’ve been working in medical settings for 10 years, including experiences 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 clinician and serving as Behavioral Scientist Faculty for our family medicine residency physicians. In my day to day work, I see the struggles that resident physicians and other healthcare providers are facing (as both professionals and as humans), and I love helping the people who devote their lives to helping others.

I’m passionate about… so many things! I’m a true generalist who loves working with all different types of people and presenting concerns. I work with people with traditional mental health needs like depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use, productivity, time-management, and executive functioning challenges, work/career struggles and professional development, relationship stress, family conflict, and parenting concerns and living with chronic illness or other medical challenges.

You might like working with me if… you’re looking for an authentic, human-to-human approach to this type of work. Clinically, 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. 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.

When not working… I enjoy exercise, meditation, gardening, reading, and spending time with my family! I grew up in the Midwest and now live in Washington state.

Education and Training
Graduate: Washington State University Internship and Fellowship: Primary Care Psychology/Integrated Behavioral Health

Emily offers individual and relationship counseling.

Meet with Emily.

Emily Traupman, PhD

I describe myself as… collaborative, inquisitive, caring, and conscientious.

Why I work with healthcare professionals: I enjoy helping healthcare professionals 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. I am a clinical health psychologist with 10+ years of experience in a variety of medical settings, from level 1 trauma center to inpatient rehabilitation hospital to primary care clinic, and am passionate about the interrelated nature of mental and physical health. For the past 7+ years I have been working in family medicine residency education.

I’m passionate about… interdisciplinary work on clinician wellness, justice, equity, & inclusion work, social determinants of health, and medical ethics.

You might like working with me if… you prefer a collaborative, individualized, and holistic approach 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, long walks with my dog, and playing pickleball with my partner.

Education and Training
Graduate: University of Utah Internship: University of Washington School of Medicine, Behavioral Medicine/Neuropsychology Track Fellowship: University of Washington School of Medicine, Rehabilitation Psychology Additional Training/Certifications: STFM Behavioral Science & Family Systems Education Fellowship

Emily offers individual counseling.

Meet with Emily.

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.

Meet with Jennifer.

Jennifer Forrester, PsyD

I describe myself as… empathetic, authentic, caring, and insightful. I create a safe space for open dialogue, listen without judgment, and offer support tailored to individual needs.

Why I work with healthcare professionals: I am a licensed psychologist with over five years of experience specializing in providing mental health support to students, residents, and medical professionals. I have worked extensively in academic medical settings and have a deep understanding of the pressures and demands faced by individuals who work in the field of health care. I have found mental health awareness to be crucial for residents and physicians as it enhances compassion, effectiveness, and decision-making as well as reduces mental fatigue and stress that can lead to burnout.

I’m passionate about… helping individuals manage stress, prevent burnout, overcome imposter syndrome, navigate the complex challenges of academic, training, and clinical environments, adjust to phase of life changes, and improve overall mental and physical health. I am also passionate about helping women navigate the ongoing disparities in medicine (i.e. career related gender inequities, disproportionate burden of home and parental responsibilities, work-life integration challenges, and threats to career attributed to pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting). I am also ardent about supporting female clinicians with career-specific fertility and family building challenges.

You might like working with me if… you are interested in learning skills to maintain personal well-being and establish a healthy work-life balance. I employ evidenced based techniques including cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based approaches to navigate the unique challenges of academia and the clinical environment. My clinical expertise fosters personal growth, resilience, and autonomy. I enjoy supporting clients to achieve clarity about personal thoughts and behaviors to obtain meaningful self-discovery. My goal is to help create a space for personal transformation, while fostering emotional intellect and healthy personal and professional relationships.

When not working…I can be found spending time with my Maine coon cats, reading science fiction fantasy novels, and trying new restaurants. I also enjoy going to the movie theater and spending time with my family.

Education and Training
Graduate: John F. Kennedy University Internship: UC Davis School of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Fellowship: UC Davis School of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Additional Training: Pediatric and Adult Neuropsychological Assessment; Rehabilitation Psychology.

Jennifer offers individual and relationship counseling and individual coaching.

Meet with Jennifer.

Jo Vogeli, PhD

I describe myself as… a curious, compassionate, lateral thinker who is dedicated to living and working with a strong sense of meaning and purpose.

Why I work with healthcare professionals: I strive to bring awareness to the need for a change in the culture of medicine. Medical professionals are human beings, and this humanity is essential for individual and collective wellbeing. I find that working with healthcare professionals on personal or professional struggles helps improve their own wellbeing, improves patient care, and works toward systemic change.

I’m passionate about… working with clinicians and trainees experiencing life and health transitions, chronic illness, grief and trauma, burnout, or workplace wellbeing challenges to develop ways to face these challenges and improve quality of life in the process.

You might like working with me if… you’re seeking someone with extensive experience providing direct support for physicians and medical trainees, who employs a collaborative and empowering approach for managing personal and professional struggles. My work is rooted in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and includes active engagement with an existential slant geared toward improving whole person health.

When not working… I enjoy dancing hula, hiking, skiing, riding my Peloton, and reading with my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel on my lap.

Education and Training
Graduate: University of Colorado Denver Internship: Northern Arizona VA Healthcare System Fellowship/Residency: Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes

Jo offers individual counseling and coaching.

Meet with Jo.

Julie Morris, PhD

As a native New Yorker, I like to say that I was born interested in human behavior; that interest eventually led to a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Wyoming (Go Pokes!). Since that time, I have worked exclusively in Academic Medical Centers alongside medical colleagues. When working with patients I provide an affirming space to say things perhaps never spoken before. My therapeutic approach is evidence-based, mindful, creative, and when needed, kindly challenging. I value you, what you have to say, and our time together.  In my free time I value time spent in nature, in movement, in artistic creation, and time with my loved ones.

Meet with Julie.

Katherine Bergs, PhD

Dr. Katherine Bergs 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.

Meet with Katherine.

Kelly Brey, PhD

I describe myself as… relatable, kind, and funny . I strive to continually find ways to grow.

Why I work with healthcare professionals: My passion for working with healthcare professionals began during my 8 years as Director of Behavioral Health for a Family Practice Medicine Program. This passion continued in my private practice, where I continue to specialize in burnout, anxiety, and depression in medical providers. I have spent over a decade specializing in assisting health care providers from every discipline.

I’m passionate about… removing the barriers and stigma associated with medical providers accessing and receiving high quality mental health care.

You might like working with me if… you are drawn to someone who is genuine and authentic, with their own life experiences with mental and physical health concerns. From these experiences I have an incredible 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.

When not working… I can usually be found at one of my children’s 8000 activities. I take every opportunity to be outside and enjoy the beautiful state of Colorado. I love to read, hang with my pets, and attempt to keep my many plants alive.

Education and Training
Graduate: University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Internship: McLean Psychiatric Hospital/Harvard Medical School. Fellowship: Harvard Medical School, Texas Children’s Hospital/Baylor College of Medicine Additional Training/Certifications: I recently completed additional certifications in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, as well as nutritional and integrative medicine for mental health disorders.

Kelly offers individual and relationship counseling and individual coaching.

Meet with Kelly.

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.

Meet with Laura.

Mandy McCorkindale, PsyD, ABPP

I describe myself as… curious, compassionate, authentic, perceptive, and a good communicator. I am a deeply feeling person, and life has given me experiences that have taught me how to connect well with others. I am a lifelong learner who is continually amazed by the resilience of the human spirit.

Why I work with healthcare professionals: As a board certified Clinical Health Psychologist my background has focused on the primary care setting and I’ve worked with medical professionals in a variety of clinical areas. In my experience, healthcare professionals are a unique group of driven, dedicated people who are known for stepping up to whatever challenge they encounter, but sometimes that can come at the expense of their own well-being or balance of work and personal life. I enjoy helping others to find their own “true north” and live their best life possible.

I’m passionate about… working with trauma survivors, the military population, and women. Most recently I’ve found deep satisfaction in helping and guiding women as they navigate all the demands that come with career challenges and finding their place in the work world while also managing competing priorities in their personal lives.

You might like working with me if… you would enjoy initially exploring your needs and values, and understanding the problem that brings you to therapy. Then I strive to provide you with tangible tools and strategies to help you to take action toward making changes. Sometimes deeper, more introspective work is needed to explore the life experiences that have created the person you are and to gain self-awareness.

When not working… I enjoy walking, listening to podcasts, reading, doing yoga, and spending time in nature. I am a veteran, and I currently serve as a lieutenant colonel and behavioral health officer in the Army National Guard. My husband and I enjoy spending time with our adult children, their spouses, and our precious grandbabies, who help to remind me of the wonders of being human. We also share our lives with a very energetic mini Aussie named Maggie. She brings us so much joy and laughter!

Education and Training
Graduate: The School of Professional Psychology at Forest Institute Internship: Wilford Hall Medical Center, United States Air Force Additional Training/Certifications: Board Certified in Clinical Health Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology; certified in several evidence-based trauma treatments and Interpersonal Therapy

Mandy offers individual and relationship counseling and individual coaching.

Meet with Mandy.

Robert Forrester, PhD

I describe myself as… a blunt, analytical problem solver who works closely with clients to define clear, actionable steps for achieving progress.

Why I work with healthcare professionals: I enjoy helping talented people thrive while managing challenging personal and work circumstances. Through my time working in various medical settings, I have experience working with clients navigating career path frustrations, burnout, relationship concerns, ethical challenges, systemic hurdles, and workplace stressors such as interpersonal conflict, communication challenges, and productivity expectations.

I’m passionate about… helping healthcare professionals be the best version of themselves. This includes helping clients be more efficient, enhancing their communication skills, and managing symptoms of ADHD, depression, and anxiety.

You might like working with me if… you want to be motivated to make changes and don’t want someone to sugarcoat the situation. We will openly reflect on the personal or systemic forces that contribute to daily challenges and harness your strengths to be healthier and more productive.

When not working… I enjoy teaching and coaching my daughter, spending quality time with my wife while binge-watching Netflix, and indulging in my passion for football whenever my schedule allows.

Education and Training
Graduate: Palo Alto University (Neuropsychology emphasis) Internship: VA Boston Healthcare System, Neuropsychology emphasis Fellowship: UMass Chan Medical School, Neuropsychology

Robert offers individual and couples counseling and individual coaching.

Meet with Robert.

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