Our Clinical Team

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Rachel Davis, MD is Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neurosurgery and Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs and Strategy, Medical Director of the OCD Program, and Service Director of Psychiatric Neuromodulation.  Dr. Davis specializes in treating individuals with severe and refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder, including via deep brain stimulation.  Dr. Davis is a Colorado Native and grew up in the rural (frontier), Southeastern Colorado town of Eads, CO.  She completed her undergraduate training at the University of Colorado Boulder, medical school at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and psychiatry residency at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. She enjoys working with people from diverse backgrounds and is LGBTQ+ affirming.  Dr. Davis loves animals and shares her home with a sun conure, a Sunday conure, and 2 budgies. 

Emily Hemendinger, LCSW, MPH, CPH, ACS is currently an Assistant Professor, Clinical Director, and DBS Coordinator with the OCD Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus. Emily completed her dual degree program (Masters in Social Work and Masters in Public Health) from the University of Pittsburgh. She has over 10 years of clinical experience working with OCD, anxiety disorders, perfectionism, body image concerns, and eating disorders. Emily has a background in behavioral and community health sciences, health education, and health promotion. Her passion is combining her mental health and public health work, with specific focus on reworking our society’s relationship with food and self-image.

Emily utilizes an eclectic approach to therapy, focusing on meeting you where you are at in your mental health treatment journey and empowering you to live a fulfilling and values-based life. She is trained in and pulls therapeutic concepts from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), Somatic Experiencing (SE), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Emily is LGBTQ+ affirming and works with people from diverse backgrounds. While not at work, Emily enjoys spending time with her aussie corgi mix, Harrison Ford Hemendinger, hiking, climbing 14ers, and finding the best ice cream places Colorado has to offer. 

OCD Program Ambassador

Kasey Benedict, LCSW currently works as an OCD and anxiety therapist with the Department of Psychiatry at the CU School of Medicine. Kasey graduated from DU with her masters of social work and has over 7 years of experience working with adults with a broad range of conditions including chronic pain, substance use disorders, anxiety and OCD. 

 

Orah Fireman, M.Ed., LCSW is a Behavioral Health Specialist and Senior Instructor in the OCD Intensive Outpatient Program at the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus. She is also Adjunct Faculty at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work. Orah has a Masters in Education in Risk and Resilience from Harvard University and a Masters in Social Work from Hunter College. She has conducted clinical work in a variety of settings in her 20+ years as a licensed clinical social worker. Orah has worked in community-based mental health, helped direct a therapeutic mentoring program for young people who have faced adversity, and counseled caregivers whose loved ones were going through cancer treatment. Orah is committed to honoring and augmenting the strengths within individuals while utilizing evidence-based treatments in her clinical work. She is originally (and always) a New Yorker but has lived in and loved Colorado for over 20 years.

 

Alie Bernard Garza, LCSW, is a clinician with the OCD Program at the University of Colorado and holds an MSW from the University of Washington in Seattle. Her clinical interests include neurodivergent-affirming care for comorbidities such as ADHD and ASD, working with youth/parents, and taking a ‘think outside the box’ approach. She has worked in various clinical roles including; mobile crisis response, and suicide prevention, and has worked in all levels of care (outpatient, IOP, PHP, and residential) with OCD and anxiety-related disorders. Alie has lived experience with severe OCD and is an advocate with the International OCD Foundation. She’s especially passionate about demystifying higher levels of care, destigmatizing ‘taboo’ themes, and providing education to prevent misdiagnosis and the use of non-evidence-based therapeutic practices. She is honored to continue to provide this care, now back in her home state of Colorado with her husband, Adrian, and two Chihuahuas, after spending the last near-decade primarily in the Pacific Northwest. 

 

Stephanie Lehto, PsyD is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Colorado and currently is Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Dr. Lehto is Clinical Director of Student and Resident Mental Health, Clinical Director of Faculty and Staff Mental Health, and a BTTI trained psychologist with the OCD Program. Dr. Lehto received her PsyD from Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona in 2017. Dr. Lehto completed her Pre-Doctoral and Post-Doctoral training with the Eating Recovery Center where she received training in evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT). 

Dr. Lehto prefers to take an eclectic and transdiagnostic approach, pulling from modalities of therapy that would be the best fit for you in the moment. She specializes in: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Eating Disorders, Body Dysmorphia, and Anxiety and Mood Disorders. Dr. Lehto takes an empowerment and values based approach to therapy.

 

Katie completed her Master’s in Social Work at the University of Denver. She is a Faculty and Social Work Fellow/IOP therapist at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus. Katie currently holds a state permit and is working towards her licensure in clinical social work. She began research in the mental health field 7 years ago, focusing on factors related to depression, trauma, and suicidality. This was a foundational element in the development of a trauma-informed perspective when working with mental health concerns. Since beginning clinical work, she has expanded her focus to include obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and self-image to her research and clinical efforts. She also has several years of experience working with LGBTQ+ individuals, specializing in the exploration of self-identity and empowered individual expression.  

 

 

Katie is currently building her own clinical caseload and co-leading a group therapy session each week. She draws experience and theoretical perspective in clinical practice from Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI). Katie utilizes an eclectic style of practice, combining elements from different treatment modalities in order to individualize and tailor therapeutic services to each individual’s unique goals and needs. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor climbing, skiing, and hiking - all things related to the great outdoors! She also enjoys spending time reading, writing, and painting as creative and expressive outlets. 

 

 

Erin LeBeau is a social work intern at the OCD Clinic at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Erin is currently receiving her master's in social work from the University of Denver and plans to work clinically in a hospital setting upon graduation. Erin received her bachelor's in both public health and psychology from American University. She worked as a Residential Counselor at McLean Hospital for a few years before pursuing social work. Erin is passionate about accessibility of care, mental health destigmatization, and meeting clients where they are at. Erin utilizes aspects from Exposure and Response Prevention therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in her work at the clinic. Erin is a trauma informed and LBGTQIA+ affirming provider. In her free time, Erin enjoys going on hikes, trying new coffee shops, and perusing Trader Joe's for seasonal items.

Harper is a social work intern and therapist at the OCD Program, Department of Psychiatry, Anschutz Medical Campus. She is a second year graduate student studying social work at the University of Denver and will pursue licensure as an LCSW following her graduation. Harper is passionate about meeting patients where they are in their mental health journey and walking with them through the treatment of their OCD. Harper utilizes primarily Exposure-Response Prevention (ERP) while incorporating elements of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). In her free time, she enjoys knitting, spending time with her partner, going on walks, and trying new ice cream shops!

Jake Gadbaw, MD is an adult psychiatrist in the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Clinic on the Anschutz Medical Campus. He is the primary psychiatrist for the new OCD and Anxiety Intensive Outpatient Program. Dr. Gadbaw completed his medical school training and adult psychiatry residency at the University of Colorado, School of Medicine. He served as Chief Resident of the Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic and was a part of the Psychotherapy Scholars Tract in residency, learning psychodynamic, CBT, and humanistic therapies. In addition to his work in the OCD Clinic, he teaches in the resident clinic and works with adults at the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Depression Center. He takes an integrative, psychotherapeutic approach to the treatment of complex mood and anxiety disorders.  

Dr. Alyssa Tran is a forensic psychiatrist who is passionate about first responder mental health, forensic psychiatry, obsessive compulsive disorder, integrated care, psychotherapy, and trauma. She was born and raised in Denver, Colorado which led her on a path to her current role as a faculty member of the University of Colorado, Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Tran received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Colorado at Denver in 2012. She subsequently received her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) from the Rocky Vista College of Osteopathic Medicine in Parker, Colorado in 2016. Her passion for medicine and mental wellbeing began at a young age and continued to blossom after medical school as she entered the field of psychiatry.

Dr. Tran finished her psychiatric residency training at the University of Colorado in 2020 where she thrived with the support of strong mentors. Dr. Tran also completed the psychotherapy scholars track during her residency. Dr. Tran completed her forensic psychiatry fellowship at the University of Colorado in 2021. She is board certified in both general and forensic psychiatry. Dr. Tran is grateful for each step in her career that has illuminated her path, enlightened her vision in the psychiatric field, and allowed her to help those in need. She aspires to help eliminate the stigma associated with mental health issues and treatment.

Dr. Tran dedicated part of her residency training to gaining the cultural competence, experience, and knowledge required to work with first responders. Dr. Tran started a private practice during residency to help address the need for culturally competent psychiatric medication providers in Colorado. She continues to work closely as a consultant to police psychology groups in Colorado, including Nicoletti-Flater Associates. She has continued to provide psychiatric treatment to first responders through the S.T.A.R.T. Center at the University of Colorado.

Dr. Tran completes court ordered forensic evaluations through the State of Colorado Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health, works with the Mesa County Competency Enhancement Program, works with the Fire & Police Pension Association as an independent evaluator, is a consultant to the West Metro Fire Peer Support team, is a member of the CARE team, works in the obsessive compulsive disorder specialty clinic, and works on the integrated care telepsychiatry team at the University of Colorado.

Dr. Tran uses a thoughtful, caring, open-minded, and collaborative approach to psychiatric assessments, psychiatric treatment, and forensic assessments based on each person’s individual and diverse needs. She strives to create a safe, comfortable, and trauma sensitive evaluation and treatment atmosphere.

 

Elizabeth Fenstermacher, MD

Medical Director, TMS Program  Psychiatrist, DBS Program