University of Florida Department of Psychiatry College of Medicine University of Florida

Gary Geffken, Ph.D., - Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry

Dr. Geffken directs the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy clinic (CBT) for the UFOCD program and the Division of Medical Psychology. The CBT clinic operates on an outpatient basis, where patients with treatment refractory Obsessive Compulsive Disorder are seen on a daily basis. Dr. Geffken also supervises a clinic that conducts weekly or biweekly outpatient cognitive behavioral therapy for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, and other anxiety related disorders. He treats both children and adults, and has received additional training in exposure-response therapy (ERP) from the Behavior Therapy Institute formed by the OC Foundation (OCF).

Regina Bussing, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry

Dr. Bussing is a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist. Her primary clinical interests are combined pharmacological and behavioral treatment of patients with anxiety or disruptive disorders. Dr. Bussing's clinical research includes pharmacological treatment of OCD, and behavioral interventions for early childhood disruptive behavior disorders.

Herbert E. Ward, M.D., - Associate Professor of Psychiatry

Dr. Ward is chief of our anxiety disorders clinic. His primary interest is in anxiety disorders, such as OCD. He sees patients with treatment resistant/refractory anxiety disorders and serves as a tertiary referral source for this group of patients. A board-certified psychiatrist and internist, he routinely treats psychiatric illness in medically complicated/compromised patients. His research interests come out of a background in pharmacology and specialty training in anxiety disorders. He is interested in the neurobiology of anxiety and development of new treatment strategies, including combination therapies for optimal synaptic benefit and reduction of adverse effects.

Christina Cammarata, Ph.D., - Postdoctoral Associate/Psychology Resident, Division of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry

Dr. Cammarata provides weekly and intensive treatment for children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other anxiety related difficulties in the Cognitive Behavioral Treatment Clinic. Other clinical interests including coping and adjustment to chronic illness. Dr. Cammarata’s research interests include problem solving and emotion regulation associated with childhood aggression, and factors associated with medical regimen adherence.

Joseph McNamara, Ph.D., - Postdoctoral Associate/Psychology Resident, Division of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry

Dr. McNamara conducts daily, biweekly, and weekly outpatient cognitive behavioral therapy for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, and other anxiety related disorders. He treats both children and adults, and has received additional training in exposure-response therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. He has also received training in the treatment of insomnia. His research interests are concerned with the development of executive functioning, the role sleep plays in executive functioning, and the impact of executive function and sleep on adherence to psychological recommendations and medical regimen adherence.

Kara Meyer, Ph.D., - Postdoctoral Associate/Psychology Resident, Division of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry

Dr. Meyer's clinical interests are within treating children and adolescents with behavioral and emotional concerns secondary to chronic illness, as well as treatment of patients with anxiety disorders. She also provides weekly or intensive outpatient cognitive behavioral therapy to children and adolescents diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder. Dr. Meyer’s research interests are concerned with family factors affecting adjustment to chronic illness and adherence to medical regimens in pediatric chronic illness.