Fellowship Alumni

Dr. Abrams received his B.A. in psychology from Stanford University in 1985, and earned his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from The Ohio State University in 1993. After living in Israel for five years, he completed a 2-year post-doctoral fellowship at the Program in Human Sexuality at the University of Minnesota, the nation’s most comprehensive program for clinical research and services in sexual health. Dr. Abrams joined Grayson & Associates, P.C., a multidisciplinary group private practice, in autumn, 1999 upon relocating to Birmingham. Dr. Abrams specializes in providing individual and couples therapy for clients concerned with a wide range of relationship and sexual issues. He also teaches sexual health education classes at local high schools and taught a popular undergraduate Human Sexuality course for 10 years at Samford University. Dr. Abrams was a featured monthly guest on the “Breakfast Club” radio show for several years. He continues to frequently provide expert commentary for local television and other media on relationship and sexuality issues, and is a popular speaker at professional, corporate and public forums on such issues as well. Dr. Abrams can best be reached by phone at work (205-874-7844) or via email (kdabrams@bellsouth.net).

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Postdoctoral dates: 1997-1999

Rachel Becker-Warner, PsyD, received her doctorate from the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology. Becker-Warner provides individual, family, couples, and group psychotherapy for a wide range of sexual health issues including: transgender (i.e., gender identity issues in children and adults) and sexual orientation issues, relationship and sexual problems, and sexual offending at the Program in Human Sexuality. She practices using integrative interventions drawing from family and developmental systems, relational, and cognitive-behavioral theories in her approach to addressing a variety of mental health concerns and sexual health problems. Becker-Warner’s doctoral research examined the influence of spirituality and religious beliefs in maintaining sobriety for gay men, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. Her clinical training has included experience in assessment and treatment of individuals with sexual offenses, community mental health, child and family therapy, chemical dependency treatment (specifically with LGBTQAI individuals), and partial hospitalization for SPMI individuals.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Postdoctoral dates: 9/29/14 – 8/30/16

Dianne Berg, PhDis an assistant professor, licensed psychologist, and coordinator of Child and Adolescent Services at the Program in Human Sexuality. She is involved in providing clinical services to adults, adolescents and children with sexuality concerns. Her areas of interest are compulsive sexual behavior, transgender issues (including gender identity issues in children/adolescents), compulsive sexual behavior (including the issues that come up for partners), and the treatment of sex offenders (including sexual behavior problems in children). Berg works in conjunction with pediatric endocrinology, urology, genetics and MDH Newborn Screening to provide a multidisciplinary clinic for children/adolescents with Disorders of Sex Development (DSD). Recently, she spearheaded the development of a theatre educational project for high schools on transgender youth issues. Berg received her PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Program in Human Sexuality.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Postdoctoral dates: 10/31/99 – 10/30/01

Walter Bockting, PhD, received his doctoral degree in psychology from the Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (drs. in 1988 and PhD in 1998). Bockting was on faculty at the Program in Human Sexuality from 1988 - 2012. During his tenure at PHS, he served as a psychologist, professor, and coordinator of transgender health services. He was also on the graduate faculty of Feminist Studies and a co-founder of the University’s Center for CAH and Disorders of Sex Development. His research interests include gender identity development, transgender health, sexuality and the Internet, and HIV prevention, and his work has been supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, the American Foundation for AIDS Research, and the Minnesota Department of Health. Bockting is the author of many scientific articles and editor of five books: Gender Dysphoria: Interdisciplinary Approaches in Clinical Management (Haworth Press, 1992), Transgender and HIV: Risks, Prevention, and Care (Haworth Press, 2001), Masturbation as a Means of Achieving Sexual Health (Haworth Press, 2002), Transgender Health and HIV Prevention (Haworth Press, 2005), and Guidelines for Transgender Care (The Haworth Press, 2006). He is also editor of the International Journal of Transgenderism, and serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Homosexuality. He is past president of the World Professional Organization for Transgender Health, past president and fellow of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, and vice-president of the North American Federation of Sexuality Organizations.

Pronouns: he/him/his

Postdoctoral dates: 1988- 1990

Janet Brito, PhD, is a former postdoctoral fellow and licensed clinical social worker. She has worked in multiple clinical settings and with diverse populations, including community mental health, forensics, child protection, and behavioral medicine. She received her MS in Social Work from Columbia University and her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute, a school that specializes in Jungian and psychoanalytic psychology. Her dissertation research examined the emotional and sexual impact and coping styles of infertility among women of Mexican descent living in the United States. In 2013, she received her Certificate in Sex Therapy and Education from the University of Michigan Sexual Health Certificate Program. Her areas of interest include sexual health, gender and sexual identity concerns, compulsive sexual behavior, relationship intimacy issues, sex therapy, LGBT sexual health, and sex offender treatment. She founded the Center for Sexual and Reproductive Health in Honolulu, Hawaii. 

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Postdoctoral dates: 9/29/14 – 9/01/16

Leonardo E. Candelario Pérez, Ph.D., received his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Albizu University in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Candelario provides individual, family, couples, and group psychotherapy in English and Spanish for a wide range of sexual health issues including: transgender (i.e., gender identity issues in adolescents and adults) and sexual orientation issues, relationship and sexual problems. They practice using integrative interventions drawing from a biopsychosocial/ multicultural perspective, health psychology and cognitive-behavioral theories in his approach to addressing a variety of mental health concerns and sexual health problems. Candelario Pérez’s doctoral research examined the influence of cultural factors like religion and psychological factors like sensation seeking in the manifestation of sexual behaviors in Puerto Rican adults. Their clinical training has included experience in assessment and treatment of individuals with comorbid mental health and poly-substance use, community mental health, child and family therapy, HIV treatment and LGBT health.

Postdoctoral dates: 9/6/16 – 9/6/18

Tracy Carlson, PhD, received her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Indiana University. Her dissertation research examined the relationship between client perceived therapist credibility and client sexual communication comfort. She received clinical training in psychotherapy and assessment in a variety of settings including community clinics, university counseling centers, community colleges, and outpatient medical facilities. Her clinical experience includes providing individual, couples, and group psychotherapy for a wide variety of concerns such as mood and anxiety disorders, relationship issues, sexual trauma, stress management, and pain management. She completed her predoctoral internship through the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System in New Orleans. Her areas of interest include couples/relationship intimacy issues, sex therapy, compulsive sexual behavior, gender and sexual identity concerns, LGBT sexual health, and sexual health promotion.

Postdoctoral dates: 2/2/15 – 2/1/17

Christine Danner, PhD, was the first behavioral science post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. Prior to her fellowship, she was a graduate of the clinical psychology doctoral program at Loyola University in Chicago. During her fellowship, which began in 1998, she divided her time between clinical and teaching experiences at the Phalen Village Clinic and the Wilder Senior Health Clinic. Her research project during the fellowship was a qualitative study of the Hmong Women's Support Group at the Phalen Village Clinic titled "Running from the Demon: Hmong Women's Experiences in a Multi-disciplinary Support Group." Upon completion of her fellowship in 2000, she took a full time faculty position as the new behavioral science coordinator at the St. Joseph's Family Medicine Residency Program and continues one day per week at Phalen Village Clinic. She enjoys the cultural diversity and numerous opportunities for growth and learning presented by both her fellowship experience and her current position.

Postdoctoral dates: 1999-2001

Janna Dickenson, Ph.D. was the first Doug Braun-Harvey Postdoctoral Fellow in Compulsive Sexual Behavior at the Program in Human Sexuality, with research and clinical work focused on compulsive sexual behavior. She received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Utah, where she studied sexual fluidity and the neurobiology of sexual desire and arousal. Her doctoral research examined how mindful attention alters neural responses and subjective experiences of sexual desire. In her clinical work, Dr. Dickenson draws from biopsychosocial, cognitive-behavioral, and mindfulness-based perspectives to assess and treat a variety of sexual health and mental health concerns. Her clinical training has included experience in couple therapy, sexual trauma/abuse recovery, sexual functioning concerns, LGBT health, gender and sexual identity development, and managing compulsive and impulsive behaviors.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Postdoctoral dates: 9/05/17 - 8/30/19

Randall Ehrbar, PsyD, received his BA in psychology from the University of Michigan and his PsyD from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. He completed his pre-doctoral internship at the University of Puget Sound Counseling Health and Wellness Center. He began his two-year post-doctoral fellowship with PHS in April 2004. During his time here, he was actively involved in the full range of therapy services PHS provides, including relationship and sex therapy, compulsive sexual behavior, transgender health, and sex offender treatment. He was also involved in community outreach at PHS and Fairview's new CAH and Intersex clinic. He has completed an exploratory study on reliability and validity in the diagnosis of gender identity disorder in children, and he was appointed to a three-year position as part of the APA's Committee on Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Concerns.

Postdoctoral dates: 4/05/04 - 4/04/06

Itor Finotelli, PhD, was the second Doug Braun Harvey Postdoctoral Fellow in Compulsive Sexual Behavior. In 2004, Dr. Finotelli started his clinical practice in Brazil conducting psychotherapy for a wide range of sexual dysfunctions and disorders. He has been working in the clinical research field, specifically developing techniques, procedures and measurement instruments for the evaluation of human sexuality. Born in Brazil, Finotelli is proud to have been one of the presidents of the Brazilian Society of Studies in Human Sexuality (SBRASH). Internationally, he is a former Secretary General / Treasurer of the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS). He has clinical and research interests in the following areas: managing compulsive and impulsive sexual behaviors, development of positive factors for sexual pleasure, promotion and awareness of factors of sexual health and rights. In addition to his clinical and research interests, he is the current Advisory Committee member of WAS.

Pronouns: he/him and they/them

Postdoctoral dates: 2019-2021

Margaret Flaget-Greener, PsyD, received her MA and PsyD in clinical psychology from Widener University in Chester, PA. In addition to her clinical degrees, she also received a Master of Education in Human Sexuality from Widener University. Her clinical training comprises inpatient psychiatric care, child and adolescent victims of sexual abuse, college counseling, and outpatient community mental health. Her doctoral research examined clinical psychologists' attitudes and biases towards older clients' sexuality. Dr. Flaget-Greener is working as part of the mental health department at Park Nicollet based out of St. Louis Park. She is focused on addressing issues related gender identity, sexual dysfunction, couples issues related to sexual health, and compulsive sexual behavior. Her other areas of clinical interest are depression, anxiety, grief and loss, chronic health problems, and working with older adults.

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Postdoctoral dates: 9/06/11 – 09/06/13

Lauren Fogel, PsyD, LP  is a former postdoctoral fellow. She received her MA and PsyD in clinical psychology from the Arizona School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University in Phoenix, AZ. Her clinical training has included experience in private practice, community mental health, and inpatient settings. Dr. Fogel’s doctoral research examined the literature on compulsive sexual behavior. Her areas of interest and expertise include low libido, sexual/pelvic pain, problems achieving orgasm, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, compulsive and out-of-control sexual behavior, transgender and gender non-conforming health, LGBTQ concerns, and relationship problems. Dr. Fogel is an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist. She currently works at Park Nicollet in their Sexual Medicine Clinic in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.

Postdoctoral dates: 9/04/12 – 9/15/14

Abby Girard, PsyD, LMFT, was the second Michael E. Metz postdoctoral fellow at the Program in Human Sexuality, with research and clinical work centered on couples’ sexual health. Her dissertation research focused on the role of infidelity typologies in predicting attachment anxiety and avoidance. Her clinical training has included psychotherapy experience in community counseling centers, outpatient sexual medicine clinics, and treating individuals and couples in private practice. Dr. Girard’s areas of interest include sexual health and functioning, sexual desire discrepancy, compulsive sexual behavior, gender and sexual identity development, couples/relationship intimacy concerns, sexual trauma/abuse recovery, and social justice advocacy. Dr. Girard received her MA in Marital and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego, and her Psy.D. in Marital and Family Therapy from Alliant International University. Dr. Girard coordinates the Relationship and Sex Therapy program at the Program in Human Sexuality.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Postdoctoral dates: 9/6/16 – 1/14/19

John M. Gobby, PsyD, earned his bachelor's degree in psychology/human development at the University of Illinois-Champaign Urbana. He completed his graduate work at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Chicago and earned his PsyD in 1997. He completed his postdoctoral fellowship in 1999. During his time at PHS, he worked with GLBT individuals, couples and families. Treatment focused on HIV issues, compulsive sexual behavior, sex offender treatment and services to the transgender community. He was an active participant and frequent group leader in the Man-to-Man Sexual Health Seminars. He has had a particular interest and expertise in issues involving children and adolescents. The title of his research project was "Psychosexual Correlates of Unsafe and Safer Sex Behavior in a Sample of HIV-Positive Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Pilot Study." Upon returning to the Chicago area in 1999, Gobby continued his passion for working with children and adolescents, enriched by the wealth of knowledge and expertise gained during the PHS fellowship. He is a founding member of an innovative, comprehensive treatment program at La Rabida Children's Hospital serving the needs of children with sexual behavior problems and their families. In addition, he is the director of child and adolescent services at a private practice group in the Chicago area.

Postdoctoral dates: 1997-1999

Cesar A. Gonzalez, PhD is engaged in research and clinical activities at the Mayo Clinic. He is licensed as a psychologist by the Minnesota Board of Psychology and is board certified in clinical psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology; the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology also credentials him. Gonzalez is receiving his Advanced Certification in Schema Therapy (a therapeutic approach used to treat long-standing psychological conditions) by the International Society of Schema Therapy through the Cognitive Therapy Center of New York/New Jersey. Gonzalez provides comprehensive psychological assessments that go beyond diagnosis to provide patients with an understanding of core issues that lead to enduring maladaptive life patterns/themes; he also provides individual, group, and couple/family therapy; and consultation and training in his areas of expertise. Gonzalez is an editorial board member of the International Journal of Transgenderism and the International Journal of Sexual Health, and reviews manuscripts for other peer-reviewed journals. His publications and current research are focused on the mental health of transgender individuals. His research interests include: transgenderism; transphobia; gender nonconformity; depression and suicidality; resilience; early maladaptive schemas and modes (Schema Theory/Therapy); personality disorders; and multicultural community-clinical psychology. Gonzalez is bicultural and bilingual in English and Spanish. Gonzalez received his BA in psychology from the University of Arizona and received his PhD in clinical psychology from Alliant International University, Los Angeles. Gonzalez completed his two-year research/clinical postdoctoral fellowship in human sexuality at PHS in 2010. 

Postdoctoral dates: 9/29/08 – 10/22/10

Shana Hamilton-Lockwood, PhD, received her MA in clinical psychology from East Tennessee State University and her PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Memphis. Her internship was completed at Texas Woman's University. Her clinical and research interests include GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender) issues, sexuality issues, diversity, gender issues, relationship issues, developmental disabilities, and women's issues and she has presented her research at state, national, and international conferences. Dr. Hamilton-Lockwood has experience at community mental health clinics, developmental centers, university counseling centers, and inpatient hospitals. She currently has a private practice in Knoxville, TN and works predominantly with sexuality issues, GLBT issues and the Kink community.

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Postdoctoral dates: 8/21/05 – 8/10/07

Sheena Hoffmann, PsyD, received her MA and PsyD in clinical psychology from Illinois School of Professional Psychology. Her primary clinical interests include feminist and interpersonal theory; PTSD and dually diagnosed substance use; persistent and severe mental illness; individual, group, and couples therapy; sexual assault; domestic violence; and LGBT concerns. Hoffman’s research interests include transgenderism, gender expression, sexual identity development, sexual education, and HIV/AIDS. In addition to her work at the Cook County Department of Corrections, Hoffman has worked in community mental health settings and college counseling centers. After graduation, Hoffmann returned to the Chicago area where she will continue her work in sexual health.

Postdoctoral dates: 8/31/09 – 8/31/11

Alex Iantaffi originally trained in the UK as a systemic psychotherapist, and he is Editor-in-Chief for the International Journal of Sexual and Relationship Therapy. His therapeutic work is currently focused on transgender and gender non-conforming youth, and their families; sexuality, and relationships. Iantaffi has conducted research, and published on gender, disability, sexuality, deafness, education, sexual health, HIV prevention, and transgender issues. His scholarly work has been increasingly focused on issues of intersectionality and sexual health disparities. He is currently principal investigator for a study, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), on deaf men who have sex with men (MSM), HIV testing and prevention, and technology. He and Dr. Sara Mize have received a grant to study sexuality, mindfulness, and the body in aging individuals.

Postdoctoral dates: 4/01/09 – 9/10/10

Scott Jacoby, PhD, received his MA in counseling and pastoral care in 2000 from the University of San Diego and his PhD in counseling psychology at the University of Minnesota in 2009. His clinical areas of specialization and interests include optimal sexuality, alternative sexual behavior and lifestyles, sexual identity formation, sexual fetishes, paraphilic fantasies and behavior, sexual communication, consensual non-monogamy, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, sex therapy for couples, sexual disorders, multicultural counseling, sex offending, and compulsive sexual behavior. Jacoby began working at PHS in 2002 conducting NIH research in sexualhealth, STI/HIV prevention, and mental health among high risk populations including ethnic minorities and men who have sex with men. He currently works at the Kenwood Therapy Center in Minneapolis.

Website

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Postdoctoral dates: 

Postdoc Fellowship: 2/01/09 – 2/05/10
Pre-doctoral Intern Fellowship: 11/01/08 - 1/31/09

Philip Jai Johnson, Ph.D., received his BA in Psychology and MA in Humanities from York University in Toronto, his MSc in Clinical Psychology from the University of Calgary, and his PhD in Clinical Psychology from McGill University in Montreal. His previous research experiences include examining the effects of idealized media images on self-esteem and body image in men, as well as ways to improve ethnic attitudes in young children. More recently, with a team of international collaborators, Johnson is examining the impact of minority stress and coming out in relation to physiological stress reactivity and psychological well-being in gay men and lesbians. He has obtained clinical training in hospitals and private practice settings in the areas of LGBT mental health, sexual dysfunction, couples therapy, mood and anxiety disorders, adult ADD, binge eating disorder, chronic stress, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, neuropsychological assessment in mild traumatic brain injury, and pre-operative bariatric surgery psychological evaluations. His clinical interests include gender and sexual identity concerns, compulsive sexual behavior, relationship intimacy issues, group psychotherapy, and body dissatisfaction/eating disorders. 

Postdoctoral dates: 10/01/13 – 8/28/15

Tera Jansen, PsyD is a former post doctoral fellow, now a licensed psychologist and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist at Natalis Counseling and Psychology Solutions. She has a wide range of experiences working with a variety of mental health and substance use concerns. She has also received advanced training in working with a broad range of sexual health and gender concerns, including the completion of a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Minnesota’s Program in Human Sexuality.

Tera has experience working with adults and adolescents in individual, couple, family, and group therapy contexts. Her goal as a therapist is to aid clients in confronting fears, developing self-acceptance, creating and maintaining meaningful relationships, and finding strategies for living an authentic life.

Education & Professional Activities
Tera received a B.A. in Theatre Arts Performance from the University of Minnesota before receiving an M.A. in Counseling Psychology at the University of St. Thomas in 2011 and a Doctoral degree at the University of St. Thomas in Counseling Psychology 2015.

Postdoctoral dates: 2015 - 2017

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Dr. Kovic is a licensed psychologist with specialties in sexual health and gender concerns, as well as, forensic psychology, at Natalis Counseling & Psychology Solutions. He has completed his training as an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and is currently in the certification application process. His clinical practice includes consultation (mental/behavioral health, family practice medicine, legal/court/criminal justice), therapy (individual, couples, family, and group), and psychological assessment (general assessment, gender surgery letters of support, forensic assessment, and psychosexual evaluations).

Education & Professional Activities:
Dr. Kovic is an active member of American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT), Association for the Treatment of Sex Abusers (ATSA), and the Minnesota Psychoanalytic Society and Institute (MPSI). His work has been presented American Psychological Association (APA), World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), United States Professional Association for Transgender Health (USPATH), the National Transgender Health Summit, the Center on Halstead Annual LGBT Conference. His work has been published in Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, The Journal of Sex Addiction & Compulsivity, The International Encyclopedia of Human Sexuality, The Encyclopedia of Sex and Sexuality, and a book chapter recently accepted for Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder.

Dr. Kovic received a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Hamline University, before receiving an MA in Forensic Psychology from Argosy University in 2011, and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology degree in 2017 from the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology. He completed an APA accredited pre-doctoral internship at Napa State Hospital and a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Minnesota Medical School – Program in Human Sexuality.

Pronouns: he/him/his

Postdoctoral dates: 9/05/17 – 9/03/19

Jan Koznar, PhD, completed his university studies in clinical psychology in 1972. He is a graduate of the Faculty of Philosophy at Comenius University in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia, where he received his PhD. He received a scientific title of "Candidatus of Sciences" at the same University in 1985. He completed research projects entitled "Psychodiagnostics of Psychosexually Traumatized Girls" in 1974 as well as "Group Dynamics" and "Training in Group Psychotherapy" in 1985. He did his fellowship at the Program in Human Sexuality in 1991-1993 when it was possible to travel more freely in his home country Czechoslovakia after the "velvet revolution." During his fellowship he completed research with Bean Robinson, PhD, entitled "Cross-cultural Comparison of Mental Health Professionals' Attitudes toward Sexually Explicit Materials." His main focus at PHS was clinical, and he participated in most programs, providing services for individuals presenting with issues related to compulsive sexual behavior, sexual abuse recovery, marital and sexual dysfunction, gender identity disorders, sex offending, and sexual harassment. Kozner is currently appointed at the Charles University in Prague as an associate professor at the faculty of education, and he works as a psychologist at the Czech Psychiatric Hospital in Prague-Bohnice. He is a president of the Czech Psychotherapeutic Association and one of the founders of the Prague Institute of Supervision. He does psychotherapy with hospitalized sex offenders and patients under stress and after suicide attempts. He treats individuals having anxiety disorders and depression in both outpatient and inpatient settings. He is specifically focused on working with clients having intimacy and sexual issues. He does a lot of teaching of psychotherapy and runs long-term training programs in group therapy. He developed several training programs for different types of helping professionals. In recent years he developed some programs in teaching supervision and supervises helping professionals as well. He is a certified supervisor and a certified teaching supervisor in European Association for Supervision.

Postdoctoral dates: 1991-1993

Chris Kraft, PhD, is a graduate of the California School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles and did his fellowship at the Program in Human Sexuality 1999-2000. During his fellowship he completed a research paper entitled: "Body Mass Index, Body Image, and Unsafe Sex Among Men Who Have Sex with Men."  Kraft is currently working in Baltimore at the Johns Hopkins Center for Marital and Sexual Health. He has a dual appointment as instructor and staff psychologist through the psychiatry department at Johns Hopkins Medical Institution. He is involved with psychiatry resident training through the Johns Hopkins Medical Institution psychiatry department and provides psychotherapy focusing on sexual health at the Johns Hopkins outpatient treatment center in Baltimore.

Postdoctoral dates: 1/19/99 – 1/18/01

Margaret A. Lowe, PsyD, received her MA and PsyD from Illinois School of Professional Psychology. She received her BS in family studies and psychology from Central Michigan University. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Alexian Brothers' Behavioral Health Hospital with a focus on the treatment of eating disorders and self-injurious behavior. Lowe has experience working with the treatment of substance abuse, HIV+ individuals, adolescents, adults, and couples. Areas of clinical specialization during her post-doctoral fellowship included the treatment of sexually compulsive behaviors, sexual dysfunctions, gender issues, relationship concerns, sex offenders, and sexuality.

Postdoctoral dates: 9/19/05 – 10/12/07

Angie Marshall, PsyD, attended Indiana University, where she completed her undergraduate studies and earned an MS in counseling. She graduated from the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology in 2000 with a doctorate in clinical psychology. Her post-doctoral training consisted of working at Phalen Village Clinic, one of the departmental family medicine clinics, and the Center for Sexual Health. Both her academic and clinical training have focused largely on health psychology. Other clinical training sites have included an outpatient mental health clinic, college counseling center, state nursing home, inpatient chronic pain rehabilitation program, and VA medical center. Upon completing her post-doctoral training in 2002, she joined the faculty, dividing her time between Phalen Village and the Center for Sexual Health. She served as behavioral health coordinator at Phalen Village, training family medicine residents and providing mental health services for clinic patients, many of whom are Hmong. Her primary responsibilities at the Center for Sexual Health were in the relationship and sex therapy, transgender health, and compulsive sexual behavior programs. Current clinical interests include women's health, chronic pain, relationship and sex therapy, treatment of transgender persons, compulsive sexual behavior, and cross-cultural issues.

Postdoctoral dates: 2001-2002

Caroline Maykut, PhD, received her PhD from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2017, where her research focused on the assessment and conceptualization of sexual desire. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Rural Health Psychology at Norton Sound Health Corporation in Nome, Alaska in 2018. She has worked in outpatient and intensive outpatient settings with individuals and families experiencing a range of mental health and substance use issues. Her clinical interests include trauma, including intergenerational and historical trauma; sexual health and function; sexual and gender identity; compulsive sexual behavior. Dr. Maykut is providing clinical care at the Tri-Health Clinic in Kingston, Ontario.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Postdoctoral dates: 2019-2021

Ashley Mercer, PsyD, received her BA in psychology and women’s studies from the University of Minnesota Morris. She received her MA and PsyD in counseling psychology from the University of St. Thomas. Mercer has experience working with abuse/trauma, personality disorders, chemical dependency, family of origin issues, self-injury, spirituality, and multicultural and diversity issues in the following settings: community mental health centers, residential treatment, an outpatient hospital clinic, and college counseling centers. Her clinical and research interests include women’s health and sexuality, gender identity and expression, relationship concerns and communication, sexual dysfunction, intimate relationship quality and longevity, and social justice issues. Mercer continues to work in sexual health as a staff psychologist at the mental health clinic at Park Nicollet-St. Louis Park.

Postdoctoral dates: 3/29/09 – 3/18/11

Sara Mize, PhD is an assistant professor at the Program in Human Sexuality and licensed psychologist.  She has been on the faculty since 1998.  She is actively involved in clinical work, as well as teaching and research.  She is an eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) trained clinician.  In addition, she is a Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Certified Advanced Practitioner.  She is passionate about working with clients using body-oriented approaches.  In 2012, she began the first Body-Oriented and Mindfulness (affectionately named Da BOM!) Women’s Sexual Health Group at PHS.  Her other areas of interest are relationship health, abuse recovery, transgender issues, sexuality and disability and compulsive sexual behavior.  Dr. Mize is a reviewer for Sexual and Relationship Therapy.  She and her colleague, Alex Iantaffi, PhD, LMFT, have completed a study entitled, “Women’s Sexual Health and Sensorimotor Approaches to Therapy” and are in the process of writing up the results for publication.  She and Dr. Alex Iantaffi have received a grant to study sexuality, mindfulness, and the body in aging individuals.

Postdoctoral dates: May 1996 – May 1998

Daniel F. Montaldi, PhD, graduated from Texas A&M University with a PhD in clinical psychology. He completed an internship in neuropsychology and forensic psychology at the Baylor College of Medicine. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship in human sexuality at the Program in Human Sexuality in 2001. The title of his research project was “Understanding Hypersexuality with an Axis II Model.” Montaldi's specialty areas consist of custody evaluation and the assessment and treatment of sexual disorders, including sex offending, hypersexuality, paraphilias, sexual dysfunction, and gender identity disorder. He also has a PhD in philosophy with a specialty in ethics and political theory. He is currently the ward psychologist for a maximum security admissions unit at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo. 

Postdoctoral dates: 9/13/99 – 9/13/01

Rose Munns, PsyD, is a retired assistant professor at the Institute for Sexual and Gender Healtht. She has extensive clinical experience in assessment and treatment of substance abuse, working in correctional settings with juvenile delinquents and adults, as well as inpatient and outpatient psychiatry. Her areas of interest are sexual dysfunctions, relationship and sex therapy, transgender issues, assessment and treatment of sex offenders, abuse recovery, compulsive sexual behavior, sexual orientation, and HIV counseling. Munns received her PsyD from the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology and was a postdoctoral fellow at the Program in Human Sexuality. 

Postdoctoral dates: 10/12/98 – 12/28/00

Krista Nabar, PsyD, received her MA and PsyD from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, IL. With social justice issues and equality as a primary interest for her, she received clinical training at a state-funded psychiatric hospital, a culturally-diverse family counseling center, a private practice serving primarily individuals with HIV/AIDS and the LGBTQ communities, and a community mental health center in Portsmouth, NH. Her doctoral research examined the individualistic and Western ideological underpinnings of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, and the ways in which it negatively impacts women, racial/ethnically diverse populations, and sexual/gender minorities. Her clinical interests include sexual health and wellness, sexual and gender identity development, sexual abuse and trauma, relationship therapy, and feminist approaches to therapy.

Postdoctoral dates: 3/20/11 – 08/01/13

Brad R. Nederostek, PsyD, received his BA in psychology from Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA, his MA in clinical psychology from Towson University in Towson, MD, and his PsyD in clinical psychology from La Salle University in Philadelphia, PA, in 2010. He received clinical training in a small community mental health clinic, a large marital and family mental health clinic, and a small private practice specializing in pain disorders. In July 2010, he completed an APA-accredited internship in clinical psychology at the VA North Texas Health Care System in Dallas, TX, with a specialization in the health psychology track. Nederostek joined PHS in September 2010 to further his primary clinical interests in male and female sexual dysfunction, compulsive sexual behavior, and relationship therapy. His doctoral research furthered his primary clinical interests through focusing on the manifestations of anxiety-related processes in heterosexual males with erectile dysfunction. Nederostek employs the use of both mindfulness-based experiential therapeutic modalities and cognitive-behavioral treatment approaches in his clinical work. After completing his fellowship Nederostek returned to the VA North Texas Health Care System in Dallas, TX, to work as a clinical health psychologist. He is an active member in the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists and the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality. He is passionate about helping others to examine and grow their knowledge of healthy sexuality and intimacy.

Postdoctoral dates: 9/02/10 – 8/31/12

Nicholas Newstrom earned his undergraduate degree from the University of St. Thomas (MN) and his master's in Marriage and Family Therapy from St. Mary's University (MN). He earned his Ph.D. in Family Social Science (Couple and Family Therapy emphasis) from the University of Minnesota. Prior to his fellowship at PHS, he was a graduate assistant at the Program in Human Sexuality, working on developing and evaluating a risk assessment tool for adult male sex offenders led by Dr. Michael Miner and Dr. Bean Robinson. Dr. Newstrom was the third Michael Metz Fellow in Couples' Sexual Health. As a Michael Metz fellow, he was interested in how men and women signal consent when engaging in sexual behaviors. Nicholas has published articles in family therapy and sexuality journals and has co-authored a book chapter on juveniles who commit sexual abuse. Clinically, Nicholas is a licensed marriage and family therapist and AAMFT approved supervisor who has experience working with couples, families, and individuals. 

Pronouns: he/him/his

Postdoctoral dates: 2018-2020

Paul Pawlicki, PsyD, received his BA in psychology from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. He received his MA and his PsyD in clinical psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, Illinois. He completed his pre-doctoral internship at the Dallas Metropolitan Consortium in Psychology in Dallas, Texas where he did therapy and psychological testing at the student counseling centers of Southern Methodist University and the University of Texas at Dallas. Pawlicki has experience working with clients with acute and chronic psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, personality disorders, and substance dependency. He has worked in inpatient hospitals, psychiatric rehabilitation centers, and outpatient mental health centers. He also has experience working with grade school children with a variety of psychological disorders in the contexts of family/parental problems, problems at school, and multicultural issues. Areas of clinical specialization during his post-doctoral fellowship include: sexual dysfunctions in both men and women, compulsive sexual behaviors, and sex offenders, transgender clients, relationship concerns, and gay/lesbian/bisexual/questioning populations as well as children and adolescents with issues with gender or sex offending.

Postdoctoral dates: 9/01/06 – 9/01/08

Amanda Powers, PsyD, earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from Argosy University in Honolulu, Hawaii. She attained her BA in psychology from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. Her academic and clinical training specialized in forensic psychology, focusing on psychological evaluations for civil and criminal cases at the state and federal levels. She also has experience testifying in family, civil, and criminal court cases. A large portion of her background includes psychosexual assessment and treatment of sex offenders, sex abuse victims, violent offenders, risk assessment, and screenings for law enforcement personnel. She also has several years of experience conducting psychotherapy for adolescents, adults, families, couples, and treatment of schizophrenia. Research has focused on the Rorschach Test, intimate violence risk assessment, juvenile sex offender risk assessment, and the Annon Scale for Potential Violence (ASP-V). Areas of interest include ethical dilemmas in clinical and forensic practice, criminal responsibility, police psychology, sex therapy, relationship therapy, sex offenders, and compulsive sexual behaviors.

Postdoctoral dates: 9/09/02 – 9/08/04

Nic Rider, Ph.D. was the first Randi and Fred Ettner Postdoctoral Fellow in Transgender Health at the Program in Human Sexuality, with research and clinical work focused on transgender health. Dr. Rider’s clinical training has included psychotherapy and assessment experiences in a university counseling center, hospital settings, private practice, community clinic, residential treatment, and juvenile justice settings. Dr. Rider has professional interests in the areas of gender and sexual identity development, intersections of identity, discrimination and microaggressions, sexual trauma/abuse recovery, and social justice advocacy. Dr. Rider is on the executive board for the Asian American Psychological Association’s Division on LGBTQQ Issues and participates in committees advocating for sexual and gender minorities. Dr. Rider received a doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Howard University in Washington, D.C. They are currently an assistant professor with the Program in Human Sexuality.

Postdoctoral dates: 9/6/16 – 9/6/18

Jordan Rullo, PhD, received her BA in psychology from Indiana University-Bloomington and her MS and PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her training has included completion of a psychology Honors Thesis at the Kinsey Institute for Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, as well as completing an APA-accredited internship at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto, Ontario, with a specialization in the sexual behaviors and forensic track. She received an APA Division 44 Scholarship Award to conduct her dissertation research on the subjective and objective sexual arousal/interest of bisexually-identified men and women. Rullo’s clinical interests include: compulsive sexual behavior/hypersexuality, gender identity and sexual orientation development, relationships and sexual functioning, and paraphilias. She employs interpersonal reconstructive and cognitive-behavioral treatment modalities in her clinical work in order to help clients learn to recognize their patterns and where they came from, as well as make a decision about which patterns to change and how to develop new and more adaptive patterns. 

Postdoctoral dates: 10/03/11 – 10/03/13

B. R. Simon Rosser, Ph.D., M.P.H., L.P., is professor and director of the HIV/STI Intervention and Prevention Studies (HIPS) Program, in the Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota. He has advanced degrees in psychology, epidemiology, and behavioral medicine, with postdoctoral training in clinical/research sexology. Born and raised in New Zealand, he helped found the New Zealand AIDS Foundation (1983); then completed the first PhD in HIV prevention in the Southern Hemisphere at the Flinders University of South Australia. Simon moved to University of Minnesota in 1990. He is an author of 5 books and over 130 peer reviewed scientific papers, serves as an NIH reviewer, and is best known for his research in the areas of HIV prevention, male homosexuality, homophobia, sexual health, Internet sex, and prostate cancer. In addition to his research in sexual health/HIV prevention, his work has advanced methods in online research.

Contact Dr. Rosser

View his CV here.

Postdoctoral dates: 2/01/90-11/31/92

Stacey Seibel, PhD, received her MS and PhD in clinical psychology from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She received her BA in psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park. Her internship was completed at Coastal Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. in Sarasota, Florida. Her clinical and research interests include trauma, dissociation, sexual compulsivity, child and adolescent psychology, adult therapy, GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender) issues, sexuality, relationship concerns, sexual paraphilias, and sexual dysfunction. She has presented her research and clinical work at national and international conferences. Seibel has experience at the following settings: community mental health center, child and adolescent outpatient clinic, trauma and dissociation speciality clinic, inpatient psychiatric hospital, walk in emergency mental health clinic, psychological assessment/testing center, private practice, school, and mental healthcare court.

Postdoctoral dates: 8/01/05 - 7/31/07

Dr. Eric Sprankle is an Assistant Professor and clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychology at Minnesota State University. He received his doctorate in clinical psychology from Xavier University in 2009, and completed his postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Minnesota Medical School's Program in Human Sexuality in 2011. He is a sex therapist certified by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. Dr. Sprankle's research interests include correlates of sexual compulsivity, and the intersection of genital piercings and sexual health.

Website

Contact Dr. Sprankle

Postdoctoral dates: 9/8/09 – 9/07/11

Katie Spencer, PhD is an assistant professor, licensed psychologist, Co-Director of the National Center for Gender Spectrum Health, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy, and coordinator of the Adult Transgender Health Services Program at the Program in Human Sexuality. Her primary clinical practice is working with transgender and gender non-conforming, adolescents, and adults, women’s sexuality and sexual health, and LGBT sexuality and well-being. Dr. Spencer has written, presented and published scholarship on transgender sexuality, queer femininities, and gender affirmative approaches to transgender healthcare. She provides training and education of therapists and medical providers in sexual health and transgender health care competency. She is developing a curriculum of pleasure based sexuality for people on the transfeminine spectrum and working, with her colleagues, to revise existing measures of gendered experience to improve congruence with transaffirmative philosophies. She is the founder and chair of the Minnesota Transgender Health Insurance Taskforce and often provides consultation and advocacy on insurance and policy issues in transgender health. Dr. Spencer and her colleague, Dr. Dianne Berg are the authors of the Gender Affirmative Lifespan Approach (GALA™) of Psychotherapy and Education that is the theoretical framework for the clinical-research program of the Gender Health Services at PHS. Dr. Spencer received her PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia, completed her pre-doctoral internship at the University of Illinois-Chicago, and she was a postdoctoral fellow in human sexuality at PHS. She is passionate about social justice and feminist approaches to academic scholarship and clinical practice.

Postdoctoral dates: 10/15/07 – 12/31/09

Amy Strait, PsyD, earned her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Minnesota School of Professional Psychology in 2001. She went on to complete a two year post-doctoral fellowship through PHS in 2003. She then joined Associates in Psychiatry & Psychology, a group practice out of Rochester, Minnesota. She continues to work in the Fairbault, MN, office providing individual, family and couple’s psychotherapy and assessments. She provides services for a wide variety of mental health disorders and continues to provide assessments and treatment of sexual disorders, compulsive sexual behaviors, gender identity disorder and psychosexual assessments. She also provides EMDR treatment for trauma and anxiety, psychosocial assessments for bariatric surgery patients, and court-ordered psychological evaluations.

Postdoctoral dates: 2001-2003

Meg Striepe, PhD, EdM, RD, graduated with a BA in biology and nutrition from Concordia College, received a EdM in human development and counseling processes from Harvard Graduate School of Education, and completed her PhD in clinical and health psychology at Medical College of Pennsylvania/Hahnemann University. Prior to pursuing graduate work, she worked as a registered dietitian specializing in HIV/AIDS. Wanting to continue her research and clinic interests in the area of HIV/AIDS and women's health, she pursued the postdoctoral training program at PHS. While completing her fellowship, she was able to further specialize in health, working both in one of the family medicine clinics, Phalen Village, and the PHS clinic. While at Phalen Village she taught family medicine residents and contributed to the development and provision of mental health services for Hmong persons. At PHS, Meg was instrumental in developing services for women and transgender persons, including sexual health groups and the sexual medicine clinic. The title of her research project was "An Evaluation of HIV Primary Prevention by Persons Living with HIV/AIDS." Upon the completion of her fellowship in 1999, she joined the faculty and continued to work both at Phalen Village and PHS. She co-coordinated the REST program at PHS and was the behavioral health coordinator for Phalen. She was active in developing a women's health agenda, including research and clinical services, and valued working with the interdisciplinary teams at both clinics. She greatly enjoyed the ongoing process of learning in a stimulating academic medical environment. Striepe moved to Boston in 2001 and is currently a research scientist with the Gender and Sexuality Project at Wellesley College Center for Research on Women. There she coordinates a longitudinal project, which utilizes a developmental approach to understanding sexual health in girls and boys and includes looking at the relationship between gender ideology and sexuality. She continues to be active in APA Division 38, Health Psychology, and is the chair of the Committee on Women and Health.

Postdoctoral dates: 1997-1999

Alex Tatum, PhD, has research and clinical interests in LGBTQ mental health, minority stress, compulsive sexual behavior, romantic relationship concerns, and substance use/abuse. He received his doctorate from Loyola University Chicago, and his dissertation examined the effects of workplace environments on sexual minority employees’ work satisfaction. As a clinician, Dr. Tatum integrates existential, client-centered, and cognitive-behavioral techniques to address underlying stress associated with relational and/or sexual concerns. His previous clinical work includes psychotherapy and assessment experience at university counseling centers and community mental health clinics in the Twin Cities, Chicago, and Atlanta metropolitan areas.

Pronouns: he/him/his

Postdoctoral dates: 2018-2020

Ghazel Tellawi, PhD, was the second Randi and Fred Ettner Postdoctoral Fellow in Transgender Health. Dr. Tellawi received clinical training in psychotherapy and assessment in a variety of settings, including a university counseling center, hospital settings, private practice, and a university clinic that served both students and members of the community. She has clinical interests in the following areas: sexual and gender identity, the role that microaggressions play in the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals, and sources of coping and resilience in LGBTQ+ individuals.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Postdoctoral dates: 2018-2020

Aimee A. Tubbs, PsyD, received her doctorate from the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology. Tubbs provides individual, family, couple and group psychotherapy for a wide range of sexual health matters including: transgender and sexual orientation issues, relationship and sexual problems, and sexual offending. She incorporates an eclectic range of interventions drawing from developmental systems, cognitive-behavioral, and person-centered theory in her approach to addressing a variety of mental health concerns that often accompany sexual health problems including: depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, trauma/abuse, interpersonal and family dynamics, grief, and self-esteem. Tubbs’s research interests include the identification of risk and protective factors related to resiliency. She is committed to helping her clients capitalize on their strengths while addressing the barriers to good mental health.

Postdoctoral dates: 2/20/10 – 5/31/12

Jennifer A. Vencill, PhD, is an Assistant Professor and Licensed Psychologist in the Division of General Internal Medicine within the Department of Psychiatry and Psychology at Mayo Clinic. Her research interests include health disparities and minority stress in marginalized sexual communities, mixed orientation relationships, and women’s sexual health. Dr. Vencill’s clinical training has included psychotherapy and assessment experience in community clinics, university counseling centers, and both inpatient and outpatient medical settings. Her clinical interests include sexual health and functioning, gender and sexual identity development, couples/relationship concerns, and sexual trauma/abuse recovery. Dr. Vencill sits on the editorial board of the Journal of Positive Sexuality and is current president of the Society for the Psychology of Women’s Section on Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns. She received her PhD in Counseling Psychology from Texas Tech University and was the first Michael E. Metz Postdoctoral Fellow in Couples' Sexual Health at the Program in Human Sexuality.

Postdoctoral dates: 9/02/14 – 8/30/16

Zach White, MFA, PsyD, received his doctorate in clinical psychology from the Minneapolis School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University Twin Cities. His training has included work with Alpha Human Services, the Indian Health Board of Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota Duluth student counseling center, and the behavioral health unit of Fairview University Medical Center–Mesabi. His doctoral research focused on the integration of conflicting sexual orientation and religious identities. His clinical and research interests include sexual orientation and gender identity development, reconciliation of sexuality with spirituality, effective treatment of sexual offending and compulsive sexual behavior, and the development of healthy and satisfying sexual expression.

Postdoctoral dates: 9/02/08 – 9/01/10

Brian Zamboni, PhD, was an associate professor, licensed psychologist, and Diplomate in Sex Therapy. He was a certified sex therapist and certified sexuality educator via the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. Dr.  Zamboni specialized in sexual dysfunction, couples therapy, compulsive sexual behavior, transgender issues, sex education, sexuality and minority or marginalized populations, sexuality and workplace issues, and sex offending. He provided therapy and assessment services to adolescents and adults in several settings. He taught undergraduate and graduate courses in human sexuality and helped to train medical students and other health or helping professionals via workshops and seminars. Dr. Zamboni’s research interests included sexual dysfunction, inter-professional education, sexual health in the workplace, sexual compulsivity, transgender issues, and sexual minorities. Zamboni received his PhD from Loyola University Chicago and was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Program in Human Sexuality. Dr. Zamboni passed away on March 5, 2019. Read his obituary here. 

Postdoctoral dates: 8/19/02 - 8/18/04