Meet the Faculty

Most faculty teach multiple classes in the graduate program. Faculty participate in mentoring and case consultations with second year students and evaluation of second year comprehensive exams. Faculty also actively participate in the admissions process each year.

• Dr. Glenn Callaghan - Professor, Clinical Psychology

  • Dr. Glenn Callaghan
    DMH 322
    408-924-5610
    Glenn.Callaghan@sjsu.edu

    Dr. Callaghan teaches classes in assessment & case conceptualization and psychopharmacology. He conducts research on the assessment and delivery of psychotherapy for body image disturbance, depression, and personality disorders. His research also focuses on interpersonal relationship factors in psychotherapy, and idiographic assessment and classification systems. He conducts therapy and supervision from a functional contextual and behavioral perspective focusing on both intra- and interpersonal repertoires and problems.

• Dr. Matthew Capriotti - Professor, Clinical Psychology

  • Dr. Matthew Capriotti
    DMH 318
    408-924-5641
    Matthew.Capriotti@sjsu.edu

    Dr. Capriotti teaches child psychopathology treatment and our evidence based practice course and research evaluation courses. His research aims to harness the power of behavioral principles to reduce human suffering. One major line of his work focuses on developing, testing, and disseminating evidence-based interventions for young people with obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders (e.g., chronic tic disorders and trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He also pursues research aimed at identifying and resolving health and healthcare disparities faced by young people who are sexual and gender minorities (e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people). Dr. Capriotti conducts therapy and supervision from a contemporary behavioral perspective.

• Dr. Li Shen (Jesslyn) Chong - Assistant Professor, Clinical Psychology 

  • Dr. Li Shen (Jesslyn) Chong
    DMH 315
    408-924-3831
    Jess.Chong@sjsu.edu

    Dr. Chong's research utilizes a biopsychosocial approach to understand how life adversities and stress response systems influence the risk of socio-emotional and health problems and racial/ethnic health disparities, with an overarching goal of informing and optimizing interventions. Clinically, Dr. Chong specializes in evidence-based treatment for children and adolescents. She conducts therapy and supervision in English, Chinese, and Cantonese, from cognitive behavioral and developmental frameworks. 

• Dr. Jennifer Gregg - Professor, Clinical Psychology

  • Dr. Jennifer Gregg
    DMH 317
    408-924-5621
    Jennifer.Gregg@sjsu.edu

    Dr. Gregg teaches our courses in adult psychopathology the theories and methods of psychotherapy. Her research interests are in avoidance coping, chronic health conditions, PTSD, and primary care. She is specialist in conducting and training Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Dr. Gregg conducts therapy and supervision from an existential and functional contextual or third wave behavioral perspective.

• Dr. Lynda Heiden - Professor, Clinical Psychology

  • Dr. Lynda Heiden 
    DMH 319
    408-924-5647
    Lynda.Heiden@sjsu.edu

• Dr. Elena Klaw - Professor, Clinical Psychology

  • Dr. Elena Klaw 
    DMH 324
    408-924-6961
    Elena.Klaw@sjsu.edu

    Dr. Klaw teaches courses in cultural awareness and sensitivity, modern family issues, and group psychotherapy. Dr. Klaw’s research interests are in clinical and community psychology, mentoring, gender roles, relationship violence, and adolescent development. She conducts supervision from a feminist, psychodynamic, and community perspective with adolescents, adults, and couples.

• Dr. Lesther Papa - Assistant Professor, Clinical Psychology

  • Dr. Lesther Papa 
    DMH 323
    408-924-5671
    Lesther.Papa@sjsu.edu 

    Dr. Papa's research focuses on the experiences of racial and ethnic microaggressions in higher education. His clinical experience intersects school psychology with clinical/counseling psychology for children and families. Dr. Papa conducts supervision and therapy from a multicultural feminist framework.

• Dr. Juan Peña - Assistant Professor, Clinical Psychology

  • Dr. Juan Peña
    DMH 321
    (408) 924-5947
    Juan.M.Pena@sjsu.edu 

    Dr. Peña’s research focuses on the social determinants of health that contribute to physical and mental health disparities among populations most underrepresented in research, with a focus on Hispanic or Latino/a/x people and immigrant communities. Another area of research is on community engaged research approaches (e.g., CBPR) to improve health and social equity. Dr. Peña conducts therapy and supervision from a cognitive behavioral and multicultural framework in English and Spanish.

• Dr. Erin Woodhead - Program Coordinator, Professor, Clinical Psychology

  • Dr. Erin Woodhead 
    DMH 316
    408-924-5654
    Erin.Woodhead@sjsu.edu  

    Dr. Woodhead’s teaches courses in ethics, lifespan development, and the treatment of addictions. Her research interests include health care decision making among older adults, interventions to facilitate mental health treatment among older adults, and increasing aging content in undergraduate and graduate psychology curricula. Dr. Woodhead treats adults and older populations. She approaches therapy from a cognitive behavioral framework.