Dr. Kathryn P. Wilder Schaaf, ABPP
Practice Owner and Licensed Clinical Psychologist
I am a Board Certified Licensed Clinical Psychologist with 20 years of experience in the mental health field. I specialize in providing individually tailored, evidence-based therapy for individuals, couples and families. I often work with clients to manage issues including life transitions, depression, anxiety, trauma, social pressures and relationship struggles.
I earned a M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy and later a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology. I completed a postdoctoral fellowship working in clinical research and served as a clinician and supervisor in large hospital settings. Today, I own and practice with Richmond CBT Center, LLC in Richmond, VA. Throughout my career, I have been trained in a number of evidence based models of care, and ground my work in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). My clinical passion is integrating the lived wisdom of clients with evidence based strategies. I am inspired by collaborating with clients to create meaningful change through values.
Speciality Board
Certified Specialist in Rehabilitation Psychology, American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP)
Relevant Work Experience Other Than Private Practice
Prior to starting my own practice, I worked in large hospital settings as a postdoctoral fellow and later staff psychologist. I enjoyed working with large interdisciplinary teams, engaging in clinical research, and especially mentoring and training new psychologists. In addition to working as a psychologist, I have had the privilege to work alongside my family in family business governance. I serve(d) in a number of roles including Family Council Chair and Portfolio Board Vice Chair.
Academic Training
2013 POSTDOCTORAL CLINICAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Neuropsychology & Rehabilitation Psychology Service, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, VA
2010 DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY, Counseling Psychology
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
2010 INTERNSHIP, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), Minneapolis, MN
2003 MASTER OF SCIENCE, Marriage and Family Therapy
University of Maryland, College Park
2001 BACHELOR OF ARTS, Psychology and Sociology
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Professional License
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Commonwealth of Virginia #0810004502
Recent Appointments
2013-present Psychologist in Private Practice
Richmond, VA
2015-present Director of Development and Engagement
Consultant to E. Ritter & Company (ERC)
Ritter Family Council (RFC)
2013-2018 Staff Psychologist
McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center (PRC)
Faculty Appointment
Affiliate Assistant Professor (2012-2020) Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of Virginia Commonwealth University Health System
Publications
Wilder Schaaf, K. & Kesting, E.B. (Jan/Feb 2020). Developing Effective Governance: Persistence pays off. Family Business Magazine.
Wilder Schaaf, K. Clark, N., & Arnold, J. (2019). Engaging the New Generation: Cost effective strategies for providing education and developing interest for the youngest in a family business. Family Business Magazine.
Wilder Schaaf, K. (July/August 2018). Tools to Create Purpose and Structure for your Family Council. Family Business Magazine.
Kreutzer, J., Marwitz, J.H., Klyce, D., Wilder Schaaf, K., Sima, A.P,. Welch, A.M., Niemeier, J.P. (2018). Family needs on an inpatient brain injury rehabilitation unit: A quantitative assessment. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, DOI: 10.1097/HTR.0000000000000390
Stevens, Lillian F., Pickett, T., Wilder Schaaf, K., Taylor, B., Gravely, A., Van Houtven, C., Griffin, J. (2015). The relationship between training and mental health among caregivers of individuals with polytrauma. Behavioural Neurology, 15, doi:10.1155/2015/185941.
Pai, A.B., Tower, D.O., Wilder Schaaf, K., Sizer, C., Lew, H.L., & Cifu, D.X. (2015). Special topics in the rehabilitation of veterans. In Raj Mitra (Ed), Principles of Rehabilitation Medicine. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Griffin, J. M., Friedemann-Sánchez, G., Carlson, K. F., Jensen, A. C., Gravely, A., Taylor, B. C., Phelan, S.M., Wilder Schaaf, K., Ceperich, S.D., & Van Houtven, C. H. (2014). Resources and Coping Strategies Among Caregivers of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Veterans with Polytrauma and Traumatic Brain Injury. In Military Deployment and its Consequences for Families (pp. 259-280). Springer New York.
Wilder Schaaf, K., Artman, L., Peberdy, M.A., Walker, W.C., Ornato, J.P., Gossip, M., & Kreutzer, J.S. (2013). Anxiety, Depression, and PTSD Following Cardiac Arrest: A Review of the Literature. Resuscitation, 84(7), 873-877.
Strom, T., Leskela, J., Possis, E., Thuras, P., Leuty, M.E, Doane, B.M, Wilder Schaaf, K., & Rosensweig, L. (2013). Cognitive-behavioral group treatment for driving-related anger, aggression, and risky driving in combat veteran: A pilot study. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 26(3), 405-408.
Wilder Schaaf, K., Kreutzer, J., Danish, S., Pickett, T., Rybarczyk, B., & Nichols, M. (2013). Brief report: evaluating needs of military and veterans’ families in a polytrauma setting. Rehabilitation Psychology, 58(1), 106-110.
Flores, L. Arango-Lasprilla, J.C., Deng, X.; Wilder Schaaf, K., De los Reyes Aragon, C.J., Quijano, M.C., & Kreutzer, J.S. (2012). Factors associated with depression and burden in Spanish speaking caregivers of individuals with traumatic brain injury. Neurorehabilitation, 31, 443-452.
Meis, L. A., Wilder Schaaf, K., Polusny, M. A., Erbes, C. R., & Miron, L. (2012). Interest in partner-involved services among veterans seeking mental health care from a VA PTSD clinic. Psychological Trauma: Theory Research, Practice, and Policy.
Godwin, E.E., Wilder Schaaf, K., & Kreutzer, J.S. (2012). Practical approaches to family assessment and intervention. In N. Zasler, D. Katz, & R. Zafonte (eds.), Brain Injury Medicine, Second Edition. New York: Demos Medical Publishing.
Hsu, N.H., Godwin, E.E., Wilder Schaaf, K., Smith, S.W., Taylor, L.A., & Kreutzer, J.S. (2012). Neuropsychological assessment and treatment planning. In N. Zasler, D. Katz, & R. Zafonte (eds.), Brain Injury Medicine, Second Edition. New York: Demos Medical Publishing.
Carlson, K.F., Meis, L.A., Jensen, A.C., Simon, A.B, Gravely, A.A., Taylor, B.C., Bangerter, A., Wilder Schaaf, K., Griffin, J.M. (2012). Caregivers reports of subsequent injuries among veterans with traumatic brain injury after discharge from inpatient polytrauma rehabilitation programs. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 27(1), 14-25.
Danish, S. J., Forneris, T., & Wilder Schaaf, K. (2007). Counseling Psychology and Culturally Competent Health Care: Limitations and Challenges. The Counseling Psychologist.
Presentations
Wilder Schaaf, K. & Clark, S.W. (2017, September). A Systematic Review of the Medical Decision Making Literature: Best Practices for Patient-Centered Capacity Evaluation. Poster session presented at Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Summit: Advances in the State of the Science and Best Practices
Wilder Schaaf, K. & Campbell, T. (2015, May). Assessing Decision Making Capacity in an Inpatient Rehabilitation Program. Poster session presented at Polytrauma System of Care: New Perspectives in TBI Rehabilitation Conference. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Lumpkin, J.M. & Wilder Schaaf, K. (2015, April). Assessing Medical and Financial Decision Making in Older Adults. Paper Session presented at the Southern Gerontological Society Annual Conference.
Wilder Schaaf, K. & Lumpkin, J.M. (2014, November). Decision Making Capacity. Polytrauma Grand Rounds: McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center.
Wilder Schaaf, K., Kreutzer, J.S., Pickett, T.C., Rybarczyk, B.D., Nichols, M.G. (2012, February). Preliminary Quantitative Investigation of Military and Veteran Family Needs in a Polytrauma Center. Poster session presented at Rehabilitation Psychology Conference.
Wilder Schaaf, K. (2011, February). PTSD: Assessment and Diagnosis. Invited Lecture: Center for Psychological Services and Development, Richmond, VA.
Wilder Schaaf, K. (2011, February). Understanding Family Needs and Family Centered Care in Polytrauma Rehabilitation Settings. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Neuropsychology Grand Rounds, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.
Wilder Schaaf, K., Meis, L.A., Erbes, C.R., Polusny, M.A., Miron, L.R., Marut. E, Bradel, L. (2010, November). Interest in Partner-Involved Services Among Veterans Seeking Mental Health Treatment from a VA PTSD Clinic. Poster session presented at Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA.
Wilder Schaaf, K. (2010, July). Understanding Family Needs and Family Centered Care in Rehabilitation Populations. Mental Health Grand Rounds: Minneapolis Veterans Administration Medical Center.
Griffin, JM, Friedemann-Sanchez, G, Jensen, A, vanRyn, M, Carlson, K, VanHoutven C, Taylor, B, Phelan, S, Gravely, A, Clothier, B, Levison, D, Meis, L, Wilder Schaaf, K., Pickett, T, Ceperich, S, Poole, J, Thors, C. Polytrauma and Blast Related Injuries: Challenges for Families after VA Inpatient Rehabilitation. Poster presentation at: 2010 VA Conference Supporting Veterans at Home: Caring for Those Who Care. 2010 Jul 13-15; Arlington, VA.
Wilder Schaaf, K., Danish, S. J., Wallace, I. J., McClish, D., Westerberg, A. L., & Hoy, K. N. (2006, March).
Parents’ influence on adolescents’ self-efficacy to engage in health behaviors. Poster session presented at the Women’s Health Day, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.
Wilder, K., Epstein, N., & Werlinich, C. (2003, October). Conflict, Communication, and Intimacy in Couples. Poster Session presented at American Association of Marital and Family Therapy Annual Conference, Long Beach, CA.
Wilder, K. & Epstein, N. (2003, November). Conflict-Resolution Communication Behaviors: Does It Reflect Levels of Psychological and Physical Abuse in Couples’ Relationships. Part of Symposium: Assessment of Psychological and Physical Abuse in Couples: What We Can Learn Through Different Methods at Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy Annual Conference (formerly AABT now ABCT), Boston, MA.
Epstein, N., Werlinich, C., & Wilder, K. (2003, November). Cognitive and Affective Predictors of Partners’ Behavioral and Emotional Responses to a Conflict-Resolution Discussion. Poster Session present at Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy Annual Conference (formerly AABT now ABCT), Boston, MA.