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.
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 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.
Jake Austin, PsyD
As a health psychologist my practice centers on whole person wellness. I strive to work collaboratively with patients to help them develop the insight necessary to break out of limiting thought and behavioral patterns that prevent flourishing and well-being.
For the past ten years I’ve worked in primary care, supporting medical providers in caring for patients across the lifespan and addressing the variety of health concerns common to family medicine, internal medicine, women’s health, and pediatrics.
My clinical interests include men’s mental health, grief, geropsychology/older adult care, suicide prevention, parenting, and working at the intersection of science and spirituality. I have emerging competence in couples work, family systems, and behavioral skill development for managing ADHD and ASD. I mainly employ an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy approach to my work, informed by my training in traditional CBT and Family Systems Theory.
When I’m not on the clock, I am remodeling our old home, fishing, hiking, reading or writing. I also enjoy endurance sports and spend an inordinate amount of time dreaming about someday hiking the Camino de Santiago.
For the past ten years I’ve worked in primary care, supporting medical providers in caring for patients across the lifespan and addressing the variety of health concerns common to family medicine, internal medicine, women’s health, and pediatrics.
My clinical interests include men’s mental health, grief, geropsychology/older adult care, suicide prevention, parenting, and working at the intersection of science and spirituality. I have emerging competence in couples work, family systems, and behavioral skill development for managing ADHD and ASD. I mainly employ an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy approach to my work, informed by my training in traditional CBT and Family Systems Theory.
When I’m not on the clock, I am remodeling our old home, fishing, hiking, reading or writing. I also enjoy endurance sports and spend an inordinate amount of time dreaming about someday hiking the Camino de Santiago.
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.
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.
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
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!
Tina Runyan, PhD, ABPP
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