Staff Clinicians

Susan Bakota, Ed.D.
Licensed Psychologist CA PSY 13135
Incoming Students Program Director
Ed.D. Indiana University
B.A. University of California, Los Angeles

Dr. Bakota is a licensed psychologist and marriage and family therapist who has served UCLA students for more than 20 years. She is the Coordinator of Programming for Incoming Students and serves as a speaker for the UCLA Summer Family Orientation Program. She enjoys helping parents manage the transition when their sons and daughters leave home to enter UCLA. She conducts the “Significant Other Survival” workshop for first-year law students and their partners. She also consults with UCLA faculty and staff through her workshop “Dealing with Difficult People.”

Dr. Bakota utilizes psychodynamic therapy combined with cognitive-behavioral interventions. Her clinical interests include communication and couples therapy, multicultural and LGBT issues, and treatment for adults molested as children. She also serves as clinical supervisor for interns and postdoctoral staff at CAPS.

Deborah Barber, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist CA PSY 16654
Ph.D. Alliant International University, LA (formerly CSPP)
B.S. University of Illinois, Chicago

Dr. Barber is a clinical psychologist who received her doctorate at California School of Professional Psychology (now Alliant International University) and her B. S. in Biocommunication Science at the University of Illinois. She has a background in medical illustration, education and training, and community health. She most recently served for eight years as a counseling psychologist at Los Angeles Pierce Community College. As a mental health disaster responder for the American Red Cross, Dr. Barber has a special interest in trauma and resilience. In addition she enjoys counseling couples and writes a regular column on relationship issues for her local paper. Other areas of clinical interest include anxiety, life transition, spiritual and self-identity and mind/body interrelationship. She uses psychodynamic therapy and attachment theory combined with cognitive behavioral interventions in her work with students.

Tanya Brown, Ph.D.
Staff Psychologist
Ph.D. Duquesne University
B.A. Duquesne University

Dr. Brown earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from Duquesne University. She completed a one-year APA accredited clinical internship at Cambridge Hospital, Harvard Medical School, where she worked with individuals with a wide range of mental health concerns (e.g., anxiety, mood disorders, schizophrenia, and substance abuse). She completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at UCLA’s Counseling and Psychological Services.
Dr. Brown is the graduate and family housing specialist and is actively involved in outreach on campus. She integrates humanistic, psychodynamic, and cognitive behavioral models of treatment and her clinical interests include: promoting academic success among underrepresented student groups, multicultural counseling, international and first-generation student transition and adjustment to college life, post-traumatic stress, and substance abuse/dependence.

Naomi Chao-Singer, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist, CA PSY 14523
Ph.D. University of Southern California              
M.S. Indiana University
B.A. National Taiwan University

Dr. Chao-Singer is a counseling psychologist who received her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Southern California, her M.S. in Counseling and Counselor Education at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, and her bachelor’s degree in Social Work at the National Taiwan University in Taipei. Her clinical interests include creativity/performance enhancement, diversity/multicultural counseling, immigrant adjustment and mental health, mood disorders, and post-traumatic stress. She has also received training in music therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization Retraining.

Ancy Cherian, Ph.D.
Ph.D. Boston University
B.A. University at Albany

Dr. Cherian earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from Boston University where she received extensive training in the assessment and treatment of anxiety and mood disorders at the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders. She completed a one year APA accredited clinical internship at the West Los Angeles VA where she worked with individuals with a wide range of mental health (e.g., anxiety, mood disorders, schizophrenia, substance abuse) and physical health (e.g., smoking cessation, cardio pulmonary rehabilitation) concerns. Dr. Cherian completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at UCLA’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior where she was involved in clinical research and treatment pertaining to adolescent health, depression, and suicidality.

Dr. Cherian specializes in applying cognitive behavioral and acceptance based treatment strategies to a variety of clinical concerns including anxiety (panic disorder, generalized anxiety, social phobia, obsessive compulsive disorder, compulsive hoarding), depression, stress, and substance use in both individual and group modalities.  

Edith Chung , Ph.D., ABPP
Licensed Psychologist, CA PSY 15251
Ph.D. University of Southern California
M.F.C.C. University of Southern California
M.A. University of California, Santa Barbara
B.A. Providence University, Taiwan

Dr. Chung received her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles.  She is also certified as a group specialist by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP).  Her clinical interests include group psychotherapy, relational and family problems, life transitions and adjustment difficulties, survivors of physical/sexual/emotional abuse, couple issues, sexual identity and gender issues, bereavement, multicultural counseling, Asian-American mental health issues and immigrants’ acculturation challenges.

Robert E. Corb, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist, CA PSY 17422
Sport Psychology Program Director
Ph.D. University of Southern California
B.A. University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Dr. Corb received his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Southern California, where he also earned an MA in Physical Education. Although a generalist, Dr. Corb has a special interest in clinical sport psychology, working closely with student-athletes in his role as Sport Psychology Program Director. Among his clinical interests are performance psychology, which focuses on maximizing performance in any domain through mental skills training. Dr. Corb uses primarily cognitive-behavioral techniques to enhance the psychological skills needed to perform better in any activity. Dr. Corb also works extensively with LGBT athletes.

Heather Demeter, Psy.D.
Psychology Postdoctoral Fellow 2006-07
Psy.D. Alliant International University, Los Angeles
B.F.A. Marymount Manhattan College, New York

Dr. Demeter received her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts Degree in theatre from Marymount Manhattan College. She received her doctorate in clinical psychology with an emphasis on individual, child and family therapy from California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University. After completing the practicum at the UCLA Staff & Faculty Counseling Center, Dr. Demeter completed two half time pre-doctoral internships at the Maple Counseling Center in Beverly Hills and at University Counseling Services at California State University, Northridge.

Dr. Demeter finished her post-doctoral fellowship at UCLA - Student Psychological Services in June of 2007. Heather’s clinical interests include relational and intersubjective psychology as well as attachment, developmental issues and mindfulness theory and practice.

Andrew Felder, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, CA PSY 22412, VA #0810003819
Ph.D. Duquesne University
M.A. Pepperdine University
B.S. George Mason University

Dr. Felder is a clinical psychologist who draws upon existential-phenomenological, psychoanalytic, object relations, cognitive, Rogerian, and critical-hermeneutic traditions. Counted among his areas of interest are anxiety, depression, childhood abuse or trauma, sexual assault, grief and loss, multicultural issues, gender issues, sexual identity concerns, and academic concerns.

Before coming to UCLA he completed a fellowship at The Ohio State University and also worked at George Mason University. Prior to that he served as Clinical Director for the Department of Children and Family Service’s sexual abuse program. Presently, he is a consulting editor for Janus Head and writes in the area of cultural issues and phenomenology.

Michele Getzelman, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist, CA PSY 20606
Ph.D. University of Southern California
B.A. University of California, Los Angeles

Dr. Getzelman is a counseling psychologist who received her doctorate at USC and her BA in Psychology and English at UCLA.  She has interests and expertise in student leadership, sport psychology, alcohol and substance abuse prevention and treatment, traumatic loss, and clinical training.  She was a postdoctoral fellow at the counseling center at Loyola Marymount University and completed her internship at CAPS.  Prior to returning to CAPS as a staff psychologist, she served as Clinical Director at Nerine Shatner Friendly House, Normandie Friendly House, and the Friendly Hand Foundation in Los Angeles.

Nicole Presley Green, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist, CA PSY 21353
Ph.D. University of Southern California2005
Ed.M. Harvard University 1999
B.A. University of California, Los Angeles 1997

Dr. Green is a counseling psychologist who received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at the University of Southern California. Her areas of interest include academic success among students of color, African American family issues, intimate partner violence, and women’s issues. She currently serves as a coordinator for Transfer Student Support and Outreach program at CAPS.

Before her work at CAPS, Dr. Green was a research associate for the Sexual Health Program at the Neuropsychiatric Institute at UCLA conducting research in the areas of HIV/AIDS, sexual risk, and substance use among men and women of color. Dr. Green is a recipient of the Minority Fellowship Program Award from the American Psychological Association and has received scholarship awards from USC’s Town and Gown and the Southern California Association of Black Psychologists.

Kathleen Lambird, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist, CA PSY 21774
Ph.D. University of California Los Angeles
B.A. University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Lambird earned her doctorate in the UCLA Clinical Psychology program. She is a generalist with special training and focus in health psychology issues including sleep problems, pain, and eating disorders. Her other clinical interests include self-esteem, family, and first-generation student issues. Dr. Lambird’s approach to psychotherapy is integrative, and includes cognitive-behavioral interventions and interpersonal-dynamic work. She is active in the group program, leading the following groups: Art of Sleeping, Graduate Student Psychotherapy, Chronic Pain. She is active in outreach to students new to UCLA, and serves as advisor to the Peer Support Network student group.

Rachel Lauber, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist, CA PSY19461
Psy.D. California School of Professional Psychology, San Francisco
B.A. University of California, Los Angeles

Dr. Lauber is a clinical psychologist who received her doctorate at the California School of Professional Psychology (now Alliant International University), and her B.A. in Psychology at UCLA. With over 10 years of experience as a clinician, she specializes in the use of Cognitive-Behavioral and Evidence-Based treatment techniques for depression, panic disorder, social anxiety, chronic worry, and insomnia. Dr. Lauber also has a special interest in Mindfulness techniques to reduce stress and depression, and is skilled in working collaboratively with students to help resolve a variety of issues, including relationship problems, difficult transitions, academic stress, perfectionism, procrastination, and low self-esteem.

Dave Leon, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, CA LCS 24285
MSW University of Southern California
B.A. Reed College

Dave Leon is a licensed clinical social worker who received his Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California. He has extensive experience working with adolescents and young adults in various mental health settings.  Most recently, he worked for several years as a therapist in the adult outpatient program of Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center, where he gained broad experience working with depression, bipolar disorder, psychosis, co-occurring disorders, identity development and transitions, family therapy and group therapy.  While there, Mr. Leon developed a treatment program to address the specific needs of young adults with mental illness, including a published art magazine created and executed almost exclusively by clients.  His clinical expertise is based in the existential, humanistic and interpersonal models.  Dave is also a clinical supervisor to masters-level and psychology interns.

Wendy Lin, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist, MI 6301012234
Psy.D. Wright State University School of Professional Psychology
B.S.  University of California, Berkeley

Dr. Lin is a clinical psychologist who received her doctorate at Wright State School of Professional Psychology and her BS in Psychology at UC Berkeley.  She served as a staff psychologist on other campuses including Cornell University and has experience in outpatient private practice.   Her interests include multicultural counseling, Asian American identity and social development, self-esteem issues, and the promotion of healthy relationships with oneself, with others, and with the community.  Dr. Lin also has interests in the personal and professional development of mental health providers.  She employs an integrative model of psychotherapy and community mental health.

Melissa M. Magaro, Ph.D.
Ph.D. University of California, Los Angeles
M.A. University of California, Los Angeles
B.A. University of Oregon, Clark Honors College

Dr. Magaro earned her doctorate in clinical psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles where she received training in assessment and treatment of emotional disorders through the UCLA Anxiety Disorders Research Center under the supervision of Dr. Michelle Craske. She completed a one-year APA accredited internship at UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) then went on to complete a one year post-doctoral fellowship at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center specializing in evidence-based treatments for severe mental illness. Dr. Magaro has received extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in addition to mindfulness-based approaches to wellness. She was recently named a Beck Scholar, an honor that affords her the opportunity to train with leaders in the field at the Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy and Research in Philadelphia. Additionally, Dr. Magaro remains active in research, training and clinical supervision as part of her commitment to the dissemination of evidence-based treatments.

Dr. Magaro specializes in working with severe mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia), trauma (including PTSD), anxiety (e.g., OCD, panic disorder, social anxiety, generalized worry, phobias) and mood disorders (e.g., major depression, bipolar). She is also committed to serving the student veteran population on campus and is equipped to address the emotional and psychological challenges that can be associated with deployment, combat and readjustment to civilian life. Dr. Magaro works primarily from a cognitive behavioral perspective that is goal-directed, collaborative and individually-tailored to meet each client’s unique situation. She also leads a Recovering from Depression therapy group.

Gia Marson, Ed.D.
Licensed Psychologist, CA PSY 18764
Ed.D. Rutgers University
B.A. Pepperdine University

Dr. Marson received her master’s and doctoral degrees in Counseling Psychology from Rutgers University and her undergraduate degree from Pepperdine University in Communications. Prior to becoming a psychologist, Dr. Marson worked for CNN as a field producer. At CAPS, Dr. Marson works with a wide range of therapeutic issues including life transitions, depression, anxiety, existential concerns, relationship issues and family issues. She has worked in three other college counseling centers and specializes in treating those with eating disorders. Dr. Marson provides direct clinical service to individuals and couples, leads a Disordered Eating therapy group, and serves as a clinical supervisor. Her approach to psychotherapy combines psychodynamic and relational theory, along with an integration of CBT strategies. In addition, Dr. Marson utilizes a positive psychology approach which emphasizes identifying and building on clients’ strengths.

Colby Moss, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, CA LCS 22318
MSW University of California, Los Angeles
B.A.  Brown University

Ms. Moss is a licensed clinical social worker who received her master’s degree in Social Welfare from UCLA.  She worked as a crisis specialist in the Student Counseling Center at the University of Southern California prior to joining CAPS.  In 2004, she completed a one-year advanced training program in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy.  She works primarily from an existential therapy model, although her therapeutic work incorporates object relations theory and cognitive-behavioral techniques.  She is experienced in treating depression, addiction, relationship issues, co-occurring disorders and in conducting crisis and brief intervention.    Colby is also a clinical supervisor to masters-level and post-doctoral interns and is lead clinician for the UCLA Access to Care program, administering Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Use Involvement Screening Tests to students at CAPS and within the campus community.

Alan Nagamoto, Ph.D
Licensed Psychologist, CA PSY 7774
Wellness Programs Director
Ph.D. University of Southern California
B.A. University of California, Los Angeles

Dr. Nagamoto is a licensed psychologist who received his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from USC, with a minor in Psychophysiology.   He has worked at UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services for the past 26 years.  As the Wellness Programs Director, Dr. Nagamoto oversees the Wednesday Wellness Workshops Program and the Wellness Skills Groups Program.   Although a generalist, he has extensive training and experience in cognitive-behavioral therapy, including acceptance and mindfulness approaches.   Among his areas of special interest are stress management, anxiety disorders, depression, bereavement, health psychology, biofeedback, self-esteem, perfectionism, academic performance issues, and graduate student concerns.   Dr. Nagamoto is active in the departmental intern training program and the campus outreach program.   He presents a variety of workshops throughout the campus and represents CAPS on the Students Affairs Staff Development Committee.

Jennifer Nahum, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, CA LCS 20567
MSW University of California, Los Angeles
B.A. University of California, Los Angeles

Ms. Nahum received her master’s in Social Work from UCLA. She has interests and expertise in group psychotherapy, developmental issues among college students, alcohol and substance abuse prevention and treatment, women’s issues and relationship counseling. She has been active in the CAPS intern training program, serving as a supervisor and selection committee member.

C. Matthew Nichols, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist, NY #017671
Student Veterans Services Coordinator
Ph.D. Fordham University
M.S. Fordham University
B.A. University of Rhode Island

Dr. Nichols received his masters and doctorate degrees from Fordham University in New York City. He trained in inpatient and outpatient settings, including a neuropsychology externship and pre-doctoral internship at the Manhattan VA Medical Center with a year long training rotation at the NYU Child and Family Study Center. Dr. Nichols completed a postdoctoral fellowship at UCLA’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior working with adolescents and young adults at risk for psychosis. He spent four years as a Research Scientist in the Department of Neuroscience at Columbia University/NYSPI conducting clinical research with suicide attempters and their family members. Prior to returning to UCLA, Dr. Nichols was the Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the Manhattan VAMC, where he implemented a multifaceted program aimed at reducing suicidal behavior.

Currently, Dr. Nichols serves as the Student Veterans Services Coordinator as CAPS strives to meet the needs of all student veterans, especially OEF/OIF veterans as they learn to cope with the impact of their combat service. He welcomes input from all UCLA veterans, reservists, and active duty students on how to build this growing program. He works from an integrative cognitive behavioral and dynamically based framework, and varied interests include: suicide prevention and psychoeducation, serodiscordant couples, early stages of thought disorders, and veterans’ readjustment issues

Patricia Rodriguez-Holguin, LCSW, BCD
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, CA LCS 10534 MSW
University of Southern California
B.A. California State University Long Beach

Ms. Rodriguez-Holguin is a Board Certified Diplomate in clinical social work.  She received her master’s degree from the University of Southern California, and worked with Spanish-speaking families for the County of Los Angeles and in managed care.  She is a generalist, with special interest and expertise in short term/crisis intervention treatment, multicultural and ethnic diversity, couples/relationships, and women’s issues.  Her other clinical interests include mood disorders, grief and loss, and immigrant and first generation college students.  She is the Coordinator of Social Work Training and serves as an individual clinical supervisor as well as the crisis intervention training supervisor in our APA-accredited training program.  She also serves as department liaison to the Social Sciences Division in the College of Letters and Sciences, Honors and Undergraduate Programs, School of Law, School of Public Affairs, Financial Aid Office, Academic Advancement Program and the University Religious Conference

Veronica Vargas-Paredes, Ph.D.
Staff Psychologist
Sexual Assault Specialist
Ph.D. Alliant International University, Los Angeles
M.S. California State University, Fullerton
B.A. University of California, Irvine

Dr. Vargas-Paredes received her master’s and doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, Los Angeles. She received her undergraduate degrees in Psychology & Social Behavior and Sociology from the University of California, Irvine. Dr. Vargas-Paredes also received a master’s degree in Counseling from California State University, Fullerton. Her clinical training includes a practicum placement at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program, a predoctoral internship at CSUDH Student Health and Psychological Services and an APA-accredited predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship at UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services. Her clinical interests include sexual assault, domestic violence, disordered eating, mood disorders, women’s issues, Latino mental health, multicultural and diversity issues, first-generation university students, and students of color in higher education. Dr. Vargas-Paredes works from an integrative approach utilizing interpersonal-psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral interventions. Dr. Vargas-Paredes serves as the Sexual Assault Specialist at CAPS.

Tina Williams , LCSW.

Bonnie Zucker, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist, CA License PSY 20391
Ph.D. University of California, Los Angeles
B.S. Cornell University

Dr. Zucker is a licensed psychologist who received her doctorate in clinical psychology from UCLA and her B.S. in Communications from Cornell University. Dr. Zucker has had diverse clinical training experiences, including a practicum placement at the West Los Angeles VA, a clinical internship at UCLA Student Psychological Services and a postdoctoral fellowship at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. Prior to joining the CAPS staff, she was on the faculty at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Dr. Zucker has had extensive training in and experience with utilizing cognitive behavior therapy with her clients, particularly with anxiety and mood disorders. She also likes to integrate mindfulness and acceptance-based approaches into her work.  In addition, she enjoys working with clients with a variety of concerns, including relationship issues, phase of life transitions, women’s issues, as well as grief and loss.  She works collaboratively with her clients to help them address their issues of concern, achieve their goals, and improve their quality of life.