Our Team

Rick Leichtweis, PhD
Senior Director

Rick Leichtweis, PhD, serves as Senior Director for Inova Kellar Center and joined the organization in 1991. His responsibilities include the executive level oversight for the strategic direction and general operation of Inova Kellar Center and the Kellar School, including all clinical, educational and administrative functions in partnership with a leadership team of content experts. Additionally, Dr. Leichtweis is active in providing education and increasing awareness of the specific mental health and substance use disorder needs of children throughout the community. During his tenure he has partnered with senior Inova leadership and community partners to raise millions dollars in philanthropic support to provide direct services to children and families who have limited or no resources for treatment.

A leader in the educational and mental health field, Dr. Leichtweis has extensive experience in developing mental health and substance use disorder treatment and special education programs. In his role in the community, he represents private providers, serving as the co-chairman of Fairfax County Community Management and Policy Team, is a board member of the Successful Child and Youth Policy Team of Fairfax County and a board member on the Community System of Care Team and the Virginia Coalition of Private Providers Association. Additionally, Dr. Leichtweis serves as a Board Member of Community Not-for-Profit agencies dedicated to the improvement of the health within our community.

Dr. Leichtweis has worked closely with Fairfax County and Fairfax County Public Schools in the development of education, prevention and early identification of issues surrounding adolescent suicide. He has represented Inova Health System and private providers on local and state committees advocating for appropriate cost effective mental health, substance use disorder and special education services to all children.

Dr. Leichtweis holds a bachelor's degree from Shenandoah Conservatory of Music, a master’s degree in special education from Radford University, a master’s degree in counseling psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology in Washington DC, and a PhD in education from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.

Physicians

Sonia Thomas, MD
Medical Director

Sonia Thomas, MD, was appointed Medical Director for Inova Kellar Center in 2014. She is board certified in child, adolescent and adult psychiatry. Since joining the Inova Kellar Center team in 2005, Dr. Thomas has provided treatment to children, adolescents and their families in the Partial Hospitalization Program and Outpatient Family Services. In this role, she provides medication management, developmental guidance and preschool consultation to children with sleeping, feeding or behavioral difficulties.

As Medical Director, Dr. Thomas partners with the senor director to provide overall direction to the organization and actively participates in developing and implementing strategic direction. In this leadership role, she provides clinical supervision, instruction and direction to the therapists and supports staff throughout the organization. She also provides support, guidance and leadership to the physician team. In addition to her role with Inova Kellar Center, Dr. Thomas is an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at George Washington University, Washington, DC.

A graduate of Goa Medical College in Goa, India, she completed her psychiatry residency at Howard University Hospital, Washington, DC, and a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC, where she was named chief resident. Dr. Thomas's clinical areas of interest include adolescent substance-related disorders and childhood affective and anxiety disorders.

Sonali Mahajan, MD

Sonali Mahajan, MD, joined Inova Kellar Center in 2013 as a child and adolescent psychiatrist. She received her medical degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine and completed a general psychiatry residency and child and adolescent fellowship at Emory University, Atlanta, GA.

Dr. Mahajan provides outpatient medication management and treatment of adolescents in Inova Kellar Center's Partial Hospitalization Program. She is especially interested in adolescent mood and anxiety disorders and psychotic disorders. Dr. Mahajan is board certified in general psychiatry and in child and adolescent psychiatry.

Stephanie Mayrant, MD

Stephanie Mayrant, MD, is a graduate of Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA. She completed a psychiatry residency at Georgetown University Hospital and a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC, where she was named chief resident.

Dr. Mayrant is board certified in adult psychiatry and is board eligible in child and adolescent psychiatry. At Inova Kellar Center she provides psychiatric evaluations, medication management, developmental guidance and psychotherapy. Her areas of interest include eating disorders, anxiety disorders and mood disorders. She also has extensive experience in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma focused CBT, and exposure response prevention therapy.

Sulman Aziz Mirza, MD

Sulman Aziz Mirza, MD, joined Inova Kellar Center in 2018. He provides psychiatric evaluations, medication management, therapy and partial hospitalization services.

Dr. Mirza earned a master's degree in healthcare management at Union Graduate College, NY and his medical degree from St. Matthew’s University, Cayman Islands. He completed his residency in psychiatry at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, VA and a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at University of Maryland Medical Center, MD.

Dr. Mirza was recognized as Loudoun's Favorite Psychiatrist (2018). His areas of interest include: ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, substance abuse and sports/performance psychiatry.

Sheraz Riaz, MD

Sheraz Riaz, MD, joined Inova Kellar Center in 2018. He provides psychiatric evaluations, medication management, therapy and partial hospitalization services.

Dr. Riaz received his medical degree from Rawalpindi Medical College in Pakistan. He completed his residency in general psychiatry at Bergen Regional Medical Center, NJ and a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at Virginia Commonwealth University, VA.

Dr. Riaz is board certified in both psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry. He was chief resident (2013-2014) at Bergen Regional Medical Center and administrative chief fellow (2015-2016) at Virginia Commonwealth University. His areas of interest include: ADHD, autism spectrum disorders and mood disorders.

Shruti Tewari, MD

Shruti Tewari, MD, joined Inova Kellar Center in 2001 and provides psychiatric evaluations, medication management, therapy, and developmental guidance. Her areas of interest include childhood affective and anxiety disorders and preschool evaluations. During her residency she worked with refugees, offering her interest and expertise in cross-cultural psychiatry. She enjoys working with culturally diverse children and families and advocates for children's involvement in their mental health care.

Dr. Tewari received her medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA. She completed her residency at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA, and her fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC. She served as chief resident for the 2010-11 academic year and was awarded the Dee Grant Addiction Medicine Award during residency.

Dr. Tewari is board certified in general psychiatry and in child and adolescent psychiatry.

Staff

Kyle C. Averill, M.Ed.
Director and Principal, The Kellar School

Kyle C. Averill, M.Ed., joined Inova Kellar Center as the Kellar School Director in 2015. He obtained his bachelor's degree in history from Appalachian State University and his Master of Education degree in special education from George Mason University. Kyle is a Certified Educator in History and Special Education (K-12) from the Virginia Department of Education. As Principal, Kyle partners with the Senior Director to guide the direction of the Kellar School. Other responsibilities include providing direct supervision for all aspects of the student population and to the staff of the Kellar School.

Diana Benjamin Rodriguez, LCSW, CADC
Program Manager, Clinical Programs

Diana Benjamin Rodriguez, LCSW, CADC, was appointed Program Manager, Clinical Programs for Inova Kellar Center in 2015. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor in the States of Virginia and Georgia, with more than 25 years of experience in behavioral health and chemical dependency treatment. As programs manager, Diana partners with the senior director and the medical director to guide the direction of the Intensive Outpatient and Partial Hospitalization programs. In this role, Diana also provides clinical supervision for the therapists in these programs. She is an approved clinical supervisor for the State of Virginia. In addition, Diana facilitates one of the two Family Support Groups.

Diana completed her Masters of Social Work at Silberman School of Social Work, Hunter College in New York, New York. Her training specializes in trauma and substance use disorder. In 2014, Diana became a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Diana's interests are creating a therapeutic prosocial treatment environment while maintaining a program of integrity.

Beth Brocato, LCSW

Beth Brocato, LCSW, joined Inova Kellar Center in 2007. She is a therapist in the Outpatient Family Services Program. She completed her undergraduate studies in family and child development at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, followed by her master’s in clinical social work at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond. Post-graduate experience includes providing therapy for adults with chronic mental illness, providing in-home therapy for at-risk adolescents and foster children in Los Angeles County and managing a day rehabilitation program for severely emotionally disturbed children.

Beth initially served as a program anchor in the Partial Hospitalization Program. Since 2008 she has worked in the outpatient department, providing individual and family therapy for children, adolescents and adults. She co-facilitates a DBT group for adolescents and currently participates in an advanced psychotherapy training program at the Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis. Clinical interests include trauma, self-injury, relationship struggles, depression and anxiety disorders, personality disorders, and attachment related issues. 

Rebecca Charneco, PhD

Rebecca Charneco, PhD, joined Inova Kellar Center in 2012 and is a licensed clinical psychologist. In her role, Dr. Charneco provides psychological and learning assessments to children and adolescents as well as individual, family, and group therapy. She has a bachelor's degree in psychology from the College of William and Mary and a doctorate from the University of Virginia. She also completed a pre-doctoral internship at the Virginia Treatment Center for Children at the Medical College of Virginia.

Dr. Charneco provides evaluation and treatment for a broad range of emotional, behavioral and learning difficulties, including ADHD, learning problems, anxiety, depression, autism spectrum disorder, family difficulties and mood/behavior dysregulation. She provides parent guidance and individual, group and family therapy for children and adolescents.

Lynn Field, PhD, LPC
Program Director, Outpatient Family Services

Lynn Field, PhD, LPC, is the Program Director, Outpatient Family Services and In-home Services for Inova Kellar Center. In this role, Dr. field provides overall direction and supervision to clinical staff who provide individual, group and family therapy to children, adolescents, adults and families and home-based treatment to children in the community.

She received her doctorate in clinical counseling from George Mason University, and is a licensed professional counselor. In addition to her leadership responsibilities, Dr. Field provides direct treatment to adolescents, adults and families in need of services. She has considerable experience with anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder, depression, anxiety and relationship issues. Dr. Field has published text book chapters on mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder in adolescents as well as mental illness in adults and adolescents with substance use disorder.

Before joining Inova Kellar Center in 2011, she spent nine years in private practice, seven years at the Growth and Recovery Center in Fairfax, VA, and seven years at the Women’s Center in Northern Virginia. She continues to take an active role in clinical supervision. Dr. Field is a member of the National Eating Disorder Association and the Association for Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders.

J. Thomas Giroux, PhD
Program Manager, Outpatient Psychological Services

J. Thomas Giroux, PhD, joined the Kellar team in 1991 and is a licensed clinical psychologist and Program Manager, Outpatient Psychological Services. In this role, he is responsible for the supervision and clinical leadership of psychologists and externs providing psychological and educational evaluations and assessments to children and adolescents.

Dr. Giroux received his doctorate in psychology from Michigan State University and completed his internship at the Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents in Rockville, MD. His broad range of clinical experience includes working within public school systems to develop and implement an attention disorders evaluation program within a large national health maintenance organization. He has also been an adjunct professor of psychology at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.

Dr. Giroux provides psychological and educational evaluations, individual and family therapy, and parent guidance. His areas of interest include attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders, autism spectrum disorders, learning disorders and cognitive-behavioral and family systems approaches to treatment.

Elizabeth Hinkle, LMFT

Elizabeth Hinkle, LMFT, joined Inova Kellar Center in 2004. She is a therapist in our Outpatient Family Services, providing individual, family, and group therapy to children, adolescents, and their families. She obtained her bachelor's degree in recreation therapy from Ashbury University and her master's degree in marriage and family therapy from Central Connecticut State University. Along with her extensive education, Elizabeth is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Her areas of interest include Dialectical Behavior Therapy and family systems.

Shadi Kamrani-George, MA, NCC, LPC

Shadi Kamrani-George, MA, NCC, LPC, joined Inova Kellar Center in 2005 as an intake therapist, providing comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder assessments to adolescents in need of services. In her current role, Shadi provides overall supervision and direction to the intake department, serving the partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, she provides clinical supervision to staff pursuing licensure. Shadi has had many roles at Kellar Center throughout the years, including completing bio-psycho-social assessments, facilitating girls group, co-facilitating groups in both the IOP and PHP programs, providing clinical supervision, and as interim program manager for the PHP and IOP programs.

Shadi has a bachelor's degree in biology and psychology, a master's degree in counseling psychology, and a post-master's counseling licensure certificate. Shadi is also a National Certified Counselor. Her counseling approach is holistic and integrative with a foundation based in family systems theory. Shadi is bilingual and is fluent in both English and Farsi.

Katherine Kellam, LCSW

Katherine Kellam, LCSW, joined Inova Kellar Center’s Outpatient Services in 2014 and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. In her role, she provides individual, family, and group therapy to children, adolescents, and their families. She obtained her bachelor's degree in social work at James Madison University and her master's degree in social work at the University of Pittsburgh. Katherine brings with her more than 18 years of experience working with children and adolescents in behavioral and mental health services. She has worked in residential facilities and was an assistant director of a crisis stabilization center for adolescents in acute mental health crisis. Katherine's expertise includes depression, anxiety, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, grief/loss, suicidal ideation, and self-harming behavior.

Jharna Mallik, PsyD

Jharna Mallik, PsyD, joined Inova Kellar Center in 2011 and is a licensed clinical psychologist. In her role, Dr. Mallik provides psychological and learning assessments to children and adolescents as well as individual, family, and group therapy. Dr. Mallik has a doctorate in psychology from The George Washington University, Washington, DC, and completed an internship at NYU-Rusk Institute for Rehabilitation, New York City, NY, and a residency at Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Dr. Mallik's broad range of clinical skills includes psychological and educational evaluations, individual and family therapy and parental guidance. Areas of interest include attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders, autism spectrum disorders, learning disorders and mood disorders in children and adolescents.

Jean McGuire-Robb, MEd, MSW, LCSW

Jean McGuire-Robb, MEd, MSW, LCSW, is a therapist in the Outpatient Family Services Program at Inova Kellar Center. In her role, she provides individual, family, and group therapy to children, adolescents, and their families. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Bowling Green State University, a master's in education from George Mason University, and a master's in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond. She also has completed courses necessary for licensure in special education to broaden her expertise.

Jean is a licensed clinical social worker who works with individuals, couples and families on improving the quality of their lives and relationships. She also provides group sessions to explore clinical, educational and personal enrichment topics. She is an experienced high school teacher and administrator, licensed in both mainstream and special education, which provides her with additional skills in working with a wide range of adolescent and family issue during these challenging years.

Katherine Miller-Darras, LCSW

Katherine Miller-Darras, LCSW, joined Inova Kellar Center in 2013. She completed her master's degree in social work from Columbia University, New York City, NY, and her undergraduate degree at the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA. She is a licensed clinical social worker and as a member of Inova Kellar Center's Outpatient Family Services, provides individual and family therapy to patients coping with a range of issues.

Catherine Rathman, PhD

Catherine Rathman, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist who joined Inova Kellar Center in 2012. In her role, she provides psychological and learning assessments to children and adolescents as well as individual, family, and group therapy. She received her master's degree and doctoral degree in clinical psychology from The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC. Dr. Rathman completed an internship at Virginia Treatment Center for Children through Virginia Commonwealth University health system, Richmond, VA. Her clinical areas of interest include ADHD, cognitive behavior therapy, social skills training, parent management training, and psychological and educational evaluations.