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Staff Bios

Eric Brown, MD completed his MD and psychiatry residency training at the University of Minnesota.  After residency he completed a one-year research fellowship, focusing on borderline personality disorder.  He currently sees patients in the Post Traumatic Stress Recovery program and the Mood and Anxiety team, with a focus on medical management and supportive psychotherapy.  Research interests have included eating disorders, borderline personality disorder, and PTSD.  He is active in medical student and resident training, and is currently Director of Medical Student Education in psychiatry at the Minneapolis VA.  (Back to top)

Kyle Curry, PhD, LP received his doctoral degree in counseling psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His pre-doctoral internship was completed at the Minneapolis VAMC. His primary theoretical orientation is cognitive-behavioral, with additional training and experience in Time-Limited Dynamic Psychotherapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. His primary clinical interests include psychological assessment and individual psychotherapy. In addition to his clinical work on the PTSR team, he is the assessment technician for the CSP #519 PTSD/Smoking Cessation research study, and he completes psychological assessment and screening of participants. Research interests relate to test interpretation feedback and treatment utilization. (Back to top)

Michael Dieperink MD, PhD received his MD and PhD at the University of Chicago and completed his psychiatry training at the University of Illinois.  He is the medical director of the Posttraumatic Stress Recovery Team. Clinically, he primarily manages medication clinics on the team.  He is the site residency training director for University of Minnesota psychiatry residents.  He has interests in risk and resilience factors in the development of PTSD as well as clinical outcome assessment. (Back to top)

Lisa Drogemuller, RPh BCPP is a clinical pharmacist specialist in psychiatry who works on several teams within the Mental Health Clinic including the PTSR team.  She received her pharmacy degree from the University of Minnesota and is a board certified specialist in psychiatric pharmacy.  Her clinical work focuses on patient medication management, and working collaboratively with several psychiatrists.  Non-clinical responsibilities include drug use evaluation as well as staff and patient education related to appropriate use of medications. (Back to top)

Chris Erbes, PhD, LP received his doctoral degree from Texas Tech University.  He is the Program Coordinator for the PTSR team and is a clinical psychologist.   His theoretical orientation is primarily constructivist/narrative.  His duties on the team include program coordination, design, and evaluation; providing individual, couple, and group psychotherapy (Seeking Safety and Anger Management groups); diagnostic assessment; and case management.  He has interests in cognitive-behavioral, Time Limited Psychodynamic, narrative, and dialectical behavior therapies.   Current research interests include long-term risk and resilience factors in returning combat troops, correlates of traumatic events (including sexual abuse), methods of treatment for PTSD, constructivist conceptualizations of trauma, and clinical outcome assessment.  (Back to top)

Theresa Glaser, PhD, received her doctoral degree from the University of Minnesota Counseling Psychology program. Her theoretical orientation is cognitive-behavioral/mindfulness-based. She provides individual and couples psychotherapy, diagnostic assessment, and case management. She has interest and experience in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and other mindfulness methods, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and family therapy. Current research interests include examining how mindfulness practice and training on the part of mental health practitioners may enhance the therapeutic relationship as well as therapy outcomes. (Back to top)

Gregg Hoffman, BA, received his BA at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana. He is the Research Study Coordinator for CSP519, Integrating Practice Guidelines for Smoking Cessation into Mental Health Care for PTSD. He coordinates day to day operation of the study, enrolls patient and collects ongoing data, and communicates ongoing progress with CSPCC in Palo Alto, CA. (Back to top)

Karen Kattar, PsyD, LP received her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Argosy University, Minneapolis, Minnesota.  She is a clinical psychologist on the PTSR team where she provides individual, group, and couples psychotherapy, and conducts psychological testing including neuropsychological evaluations. Dr. Kattar also serves as Assistant Director of Training for the psychology training program. Clinical interests are based on cognitive behavioral models for treatment of trauma-related symptoms, specifically using evidenced-based therapies such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Dr. Kattar is the coordinator of the CPT training clinic. Her current research focuses on implementation of evidenced-based therapies for the treatment of posttraumatic stress, therapy outcome assessment, and mechanisms of change in the treatment of trauma. (Back to top)

Molly Kodl, PhD, LP received her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Illinois, Chicago Campus.   Her theoretical orientation is primarily cognitive behavioral, although she also has interests in Motivational Interviewing and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. She provides individual, couple, family, and group psychotherapy . Current research interests include health behavior change among individuals with mental health difficulties and substance use/abuse. (Back to top)

Jennie Leskela, PhD, LP received her MSW and PhD from Michigan State University.  She serves as Chief Psychologist at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center and is a psychologist on the team.  Her theoretical orientation is primarily psychodynamic with interests in systemic, narrative, and dialectical behavioral therapy.  Duties on the team include supervision and training, individual, couple, and family therapy.  Assessment interests include personality, projective, and neuropsychological evaluations.  Current research interests include risk and resilience factors and the development of PTSD; substance use and PTSD; and quality of life and treatment satisfaction in veterans with PTSD. (Back to top)

Susan McCarthy, MD

Susan McCarthy, MD received her MD and completed her psychiatric training at the University of Minnesota.  She is currently a psychiatrist working with the PTSR team and the Women's Clinic at the VAMC.   Her clinical work focuses on medication management, and she has interests in women's mental health. (Back to top)

Kim Pavlik, MSW, LICSW is a clinical social worker who received her MSW from the University of Minnesota.  She has been a psychotherapist in the VA system for over 15 years.  She provides clinical assessment and case management as well as individual, group, and couples psychotherapy.  She also provides clinical supervision for social work interns.  Her theoretical orientation is primarily psychodynamic but she has also trained in narrative and behavioral therapy models and incorporates these into her clinical practice.  Her clinical interests include military sexual trauma and women veterans’ issues. (Back to top)

Melissa Polusny, PhD, LP received her doctoral degree from the University of Nevada, Reno.  She is a clinical psychologist whose theoretical orientation is contextual behavioral with interests in contemporary behavior therapies such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. She is involved in providing individual psychotherapy, psychological assessment, and facilitates a combat veterans support group. Dr. Polusny has an active and collaborative research program in the area of traumatic stress that emphasizes understanding the long-term correlates of sexual trauma and risk factors for sexual revictimization.  Other research interests include psychological assessment of PTSD, emotional avoidance, treatment outcome, and disaster mental health. (Back to top)

Gary Rodgers, MSW, LICSW is a clinical social worker who received his training at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.  He provides case management, individual and couples therapy, as well as leading two groups for the team:  Seeking Safety:  PTSD and Substance Abuse and PTSD Orientation Group.  His theoretical interests are in solution oriented, cognitive behavioral, and acceptance and commitment  therapies.  Current professional interests are in the areas of couples and family therapy as well as in the interaction of PTSD, substance abuse, and emotions.  He provides supervision for MSW students in their field placements. (Back to top)

Svetlana Simovic, MD is a PTSR staff psychiatrist who also works at the VA CBOC in Rochester, MN. She received her MD from the University of Belgrade.  Dr. Simovic completed her training in adult psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry at Mayo Clinic. Her particular interests are in the relationship between attachment and development and adult psychopathology. She also has great interest in psychodynamic psychotherapy and education. Dr. Simovic teaches and supervises second, third and fourth year residents at Mayo Clinic and is involved with residency training program at the University of Minnesota. (Back to top)

Thad Strom, PhD received his PhD from Michigan State University.  Following a pre-doctoral internship at the Battle Creek, MI VAMC he completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at the National Center for PTSD-Pacific Islands Division.  He currently serves as a staff psychologist on the PTSR team.  His theoretical orientation is primarily cognitive behavioral.  He is involved in providing individual, couples, and group psychotherapy (including Anger Management groups), diagnostic assessment, and case management.  Current research interests include health risk and violent behaviors associated with PTSD, telemental health applications in the treatment of PTSD, the intersection of race and culture in psychological treatment and research, and adjustment following traumatic brain injury.  (Back to top)

Ann Wagner-Mickle, PhD, LP received her doctoral training at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion Campus.  She is a full-time staff psychologist who provides a variety of services to veterans including case management, individual psychotherapy, assessment, and educational seminars and groups (Sleep group, Drop-in Support Group). Dr. Wagner provides training/supervision to doctoral level interns and other trainees in assessment and therapy.  She is the supervisor/trainer for Time-Limited Dynamic Psychotherapy (TLDP) Training Clinic.  (Back to top)

Eric Wittenberg, MSW, LGSW received a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and recently completed his Master's Degree in Social Work, both from the University of Minnesota.  He is a Clinical Social Worker on the Posttraumatic Stress Recovery Team and is involved in individual, group, and couples therapy.  His clinical focus includes Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, DBT, and Solution Focused Therapy.  He has interests in sleep disorders and their effects on cognitive and emotional functioning and reintegration of OIF and OEF veterans. (Back to top)

Recent Staff Publications

Batten, S. V. & Polusny, M. A. (2002). Special series: Science-based responses to terrorism: Psychological interventions in the wake of terror. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 9, 264-265.

Dieperink, E., Leskela, J., Dieperink, M.E., Evans, B., Thuras, P., Ho, S.B. (In Press). The effect of Pegylated Interferon-α-2b and Ribavirin on posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Psychosomatics.

Dieperink, M., Erbes, C., Leskela, J., Kaloupek, D., Farrer, M.K., Fisher, L., & Wolf, E. (2005).

Comparison of  treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder among three Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Centers. Military Medicine, 170, 305-308.

Crow, S. &  Brown, E. (2003). Investigational drugs for eating disorders.  Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs, 12( 3), 491-499.

Erbes, C.R., Dikel, T.N., Eberly, R.E., Page, W.F., & Engdahl, B.E. (2006).  A comparative study of posttraumatic stress disorder assessment under standard conditions and in the field.  International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 15, 57-63.

Erbes, C. & Harter, S. L. (2002).  Constructions of abuse:  Understanding the effects of childhood sexual abuse.  In J. D. Raskin & S. K. Bridges (Eds.). Studies in Meaning:  Exploring Constructivist Psychology. (pp. 27-48).  NY: Pace University Press.

Erbes, C. (2004).  Our constructions of trauma:  A dialectical perspective.  Journal of Constructivist Psycholog, 17, 201-220.

Erbes, C.R., & Harter, S.L. (2005).  Personal constructions in therapy with child sexual abuse survivors.  In D. Winter & L. Viney (Eds.), Advances in Personal Construct Psychotherapy (pp. 177-188).  London: Wurr Publishers.

Erbes, C.R., Johnsen, E., Harris, J.I., Dikel, T., Eberly, R., & Engdahl, B. (2005).  P osttraumatic growth among American former prisoners of war.  Traumatology, 11, 286-295. 

Erbes, C., Polusny, M. A., Billig, J., Mylan, M., McGuire, K., Isenhart, C., Olson, D. (2004). Developing and applying a systematic process for evaluation of clinical outcome assessment instruments. Psychological Service, 1, 31-39.

Erbes, C.R., Westermeyer, J., Engdahl, B., & Johnsen, E. (2007).  PTSD and service utilization in a sample of service members from Iraq and Afghanistan.  Military Medicine, 172, 359-363.

Fu, S.S., Kodl, M.M., Willenbring, M., Nelson, D.B., Nugent, S., Gravely, A.A., & Joseph, A.M. (in press). Ethnic differences in alcohol treatment outcomes and the effect of concurrent smoking cessation treatment. Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

Harris, J.I., Erbes, C.R., & Engdahl, B.E. (in press).  Christian religious functioning and trauma outcomes.  Journal of Clinical Psychology.

Harter, S. L., Erbes, C. & Hart, C. C. (2004).  Content analysis of the personal constructs of female sexual abuse survivors elicited through the Repertory Grid technique.  Journal of Constructivist Psychology, 17, 27-43.

Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., Wilson, K. G., Bissett, R. T., Pistorello, J., Toarmino, D., Polusny, M. A., Dykstra, T. A., Batten, S. V., Bergan, J., Stewart, S. H., Zvolensky, M. J., Eifert, G. H., Bond, F. W., Forsyth J. P., Karekla, M., & McCurry, S. M. (2004). Measuring experiential avoidance: A preliminary test of a working model. Psychological Record, 54, 553-578.

Houlihan, D., Ries, B. J., Polusny, M. A., & Hanson, C. N. (in press). Predictors of behavior and level of life satisfaction of children and adolescents after a major tornado. Journal of Psychological Trauma.

Johnson, D., Westermeyer, J., Kattar, K., & Thuras, P. (2002).  Daily charting of post-traumatic stress symptoms: A pilot study. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disorders, 190(8): 145-152.

Kodl, M.M., Fu, S.S., & Joseph, A.M. (2006). The timing of treatment for habitual smoking and alcohol dependence. Alcohol, Research & Health, 29, 203-207.

Kodl, M. M., Lee, J. W., Matthews, A. K., Cummings, S. A., & Olopade, O. I. (2006). Correlates of Depressive Symptoms Among Women Seeking Cancer Genetic Counseling and Risk Assessment at a High-Risk Cancer Clinic . Journal of Genetic Counseling, 15, 267-276.

Kodl, M. M., & Mermelstein, R. (2004). Beyond modeling: Parenting practices, parental smoking history, and adolescent cigarette smoking . Addictive Behaviors, 29, 17-32.

Kodl, M. M., & Wakschlag, L. S. (2004). Does a childhood history of externalizing problems predict smoking during pregnancy? . Addictive Behaviors, 29, 273-279.

Leon, G. & Polusny, M. A. (2004). Introduction to the special theme issue on psychosocial issues in disaster and terrorism. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 19, 2.

Leskela, J., Dieperink, M., & Thuras, P. (2002). Shame and posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Traumatic Stress,15, 223-236.

Matthews, A. K., Hughes, T. L., Osterman, G. P., & Kodl, M. M. (2005). Complementary Medicine Practices in a Community-Based Sample of Lesbian and Heterosexual Women . Health Care for Women International, 26, 430-447.

Matthews, A., Osterman, G., Hughes, T., & Kodl, M. (2005). Complementary medicine practices in a community-based sample of lesbian and heterosexual women. Health Care for Women International, 26, 430-447.

Murdoch, M., Polusny, M. A., Hodges, J., & Cowper, D. (2006). The association between in-service sexual harassment and posttraumatic stress disorder among Veterans Affairs disability applicants. Military Medicine, 171.

Murdoch, M., Polusny, M. A., Hodges, J., O’Brien, N. (2004). Prevalence of in-service and post-sexual assault among combat and non-combat veterans applying for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) posttraumatic stress disorder disability benefits. Military Medicine, 169, 392-395.

Murdoch, M., Pryor, J., Polusny, M. A., & Gackstetter, G. G. (2007). Functioning and psychiatric symptoms of military men and women exposed to sexual stressors. Military Medicine, 172, 718-725.

Naugle, A. E., Bell, K. M., & Polusny, M. A. (2003). Clinical considerations for treating sexually revictimized women. National Center for PTSD Clinical Quarterly, 12, 12-16.

Palm, K., Polusny, M. A., & Follette, V. M. (2004). Vicarious traumatization: Potential hazards and interventions for disaster and trauma workers. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 19, 37-38.

Polusny, M. A., Batten, S. V., Foa, E. B., Gist, R., Gurwitch, R. H., Hayes, S. C., & Kilpatrick, D. G. (2002). Science-based responses to terrorism. The Clinical Psychologist, 55, 11-13.

Polusny, M. A., Batten, S. V., & Hanson, D. (2002). Introduction to special series: Behavior therapists’ responses to terrorism, disaster, and trauma. The Behavior Therapist, 25, 25-26.

Polusny, M. A. & Murdoch, M. (2005). Adult sexual assault among male veterans: Prevalence and implications for clinical practice. Psychiatric Times, 22, 4, 34-38.

Polusny, M. A., Ries, B. J., Calhoun, P., Schultz, J., Clemenson, L., & Johnsen, I. R. (in press). PTSD symptom clusters associated with physical health and health care utilization in rural primary care patients exposed to natural disaster. Journal of Traumatic Stress.

Polusny, M. A., Rosenthal, M. Z., Aban, I., & Follette, V. M. (2004). Experiential avoidance as a mediator of the effects of adolescent sexual victimization on negative adult outcomes. Violence and Victims, 19, 109-120.

Polusny, M. A. (2004). Risk for revictimization. Contributing author in Military Sexual Trauma, Department of Veterans Affairs, Employee Education System, Veterans Health Initiative (VHI) Independent Study Course. Available in print and electronic format at http://vaww.ees.aac.va.gov.

Rosenthal, M. Z., Polusny, M. A., & Follette, V. M. (2006). Avoidance mediates the relation between perceived criticism in the family of origin and psychological distress in adulthood. Journal of Emotional Abuse, 6, 87-102.

Schroeder, J. & Polusny, M.A. (2004). Risk factors for adolescent alcohol use following a natural disaster. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 19,122-127.

Schultz, J. R., Bell, K., Naugle, A. E., & Polusny, M. A. (2006). Child sexual abuse and adult sexual assault among military veteran and civilian women. Military Medicine, 171, 723-728.

Sponheim, S.R., Serurus-Johnson, C., Leskela, J., & Dieperink, M.E. (2002). Proverb interpretation in schizophrenia: The significance of symptomatology and cognitive processes. Schizophrenia Research, 1886, 1-7.

Spoont, M. R., Sayer, N., A., Thuras, P., Erbes, C., & Winston, E. (2003).  Practical psychotherapy:  Adaptation of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy to a VA Medical Center.  Psychiatric Services, 54, 627-632. 

Wakschlag, L., Pickett, K., Middlecamp, M., Walton, L., Tenzer, P., & Leventhal, B. (2003). Pregnant smokers who quit, pregnant smokers who don’t: Does history of problem behavior make a difference? Social Science and Medicine, 56, 2449-2460.

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