Data from the National Institute of Mental Health reveals that one in five children will experience a serious mental illness. As the field of pediatric mental health care evolves, we in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology are proud to be at the forefront of evidence-based patient care, innovative research and robust training for the next generation of health care professionals.
We strive to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health by normalizing psychological and psychiatric care, educating the community and making services available and accessible to all patients and their families, regardless of socioeconomic backgrounds.
Faculty in our growing division provide compassionate, highly specialized care for the children of Central Virginia and their families in outpatient areas such as the following:
- Anxiety disorders
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders
- Behavior disorders
- Mood disorders
- Psychotic disorders
- Developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders
- Psychological needs related to chronic illness
- Trauma-related disorders
Our multidisciplinary approach involves close collaboration with experts in adjacent fields such as psychology, pediatrics, social work, nursing and pharmacy, among others. For patients with acute needs, we provide the following inpatient services:
- Crisis stabilization through behavioral and pharmacologic interventions
- Educational services
- Individual, group and family psychotherapy
- Occupational therapy
- Recreational therapy
Explore our state-of-the-art facilities at the Virginia Treatment Center for Children.
Education
Psychiatry Residency
During PGY-1, residents spend six months rotating off-service on internal medicine, emergency medicine and neurology, and those with an interest in child and adolescent psychiatry may spend one to three blocks in pediatrics instead of internal medicine.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship
Accredited by the ACGME, our two-year pediatric psychiatry fellowship provides extensive training in the delivery of psychiatric care for children and their families. he program includes experiences in acute inpatient hospitalization, outpatient clinical treatment, including specialty clinics, consultation-liaison experiences and community collaborative programs.
Pre-Doctoral Clinical Child Psychology Internship
Accredited by the American Psychological Association on Accreditation, this one-year program at the VTCC provides training in a continuum of care for treating children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbances. With four-month rotations and a strong emphasis on didactics and culturally competent care, the internship prepares trainees for careers in clinical psychology.
Learn more about the internship ⟶
Social Work Internship
The Virginia Treatment Center for Children serves as a field placement site for the VCU School of Social Work, accepting graduate social work students during their concentration year. Students are part of the interdisciplinary team of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and therapists who work to stabilize children in psychiatric crisis.
Learn more about VCU School of Social Work field placements →
Our Team

Ekaterina Stepanova, M.D.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Ekaterina Stepanova, M.D.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Department of Psychiatry
Associate Professor

Cheryl S. Al-Mateen, M.D.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Cheryl S. Al-Mateen, M.D.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Department of Psychiatry
Child & Adolescent Fellowship Program Manager - Interim
Associate Professor
Medical Director VTCC

Michele Cosby, PsyD
Child and Adolescent Psychology

Michele Cosby, PsyD
Child and Adolescent Psychology
Department of Psychiatry
Child & Adolescent Psychology Division Chair - Interim
Assistant Professor

Robert Findling, M.D., M.B.A.
Department Chair

Robert Findling, M.D., M.B.A.
Department Chair
Department of Psychiatry
Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Kathryn Jones, M.D.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Kathryn Jones, M.D.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Department of Psychiatry
Assistant Professor

Anh-Thuy Le, Ph.D.
Child and Adolescent Psychology

Anh-Thuy Le, Ph.D.
Child and Adolescent Psychology
Department of Psychiatry
Assistant Clinical Professor

Jarrod Leffler, Ph.D.
Child and Adolescent Psychology

Jarrod Leffler, Ph.D.
Child and Adolescent Psychology
Department of Psychiatry
Associate Professor

Stella Lopez, Ph.D.
Child and Adolescent Psychology

Stella Lopez, Ph.D.
Child and Adolescent Psychology
Department of Psychiatry
Assistant Clinical Professor

Sandra Mullen, PharmD
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Sandra Mullen, PharmD
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Department of Psychiatry

Dimal Shah, M.D.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Dimal Shah, M.D.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Department of Psychiatry

Anna Wright, Ph.D., L.C.P.
Child and Adolescent Psychology

Anna Wright, Ph.D., L.C.P.
Child and Adolescent Psychology
Department of Psychiatry
Assistant Professor
Behavioral Health Counselors
- Lekeshia Barrett, LCSW
Child and Adolescent - Kathleen Cosco, LCSW
Child and Adolescent - Brittany Fisher, LCSW
Child and Adolescent - Darnell James, LCSW
Child and Adolescent