A Behavioral Health Management Company
OURTEAM
Meet our Healthcare Providers
Medical Director/ Psychiatrist
Timothy Thistlethaite, MD
Kiran Devaraj, MD
Medical Director/ Psychiatrist
Dr. Tim Thistlethwaite has extensive practical experience in correctional behavioral health, over 19 years, working in a maximum security correctional facility and providing tele-psych services to all security level facilities throughout West Virginia. In addition, he served as chief resident for Charleston Area Medical Center’s Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry. He is a certified member of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is licensed with the West Virginia Board of Medicine. Dr. Thistlethwaite has a broad range of psychiatric experience in private practice, institutional, inpatient, and outpatient services. He currently serves as the Psychiatric Services Medical Director for PSIMED CORRECTIONS, LLC. Dr. Thistlethwaite oversees psychiatric services for contracts serving the WV Division of Corrections and the WV Regional Jail and correctional Facility Authority. Dr. Thistlethwaite has served as a psychiatric consultant to the Forensic Evaluation Unit at the South Central Regional Jail and for fellows assigned to correctional and forensic rotations in partnership with West Virginia University. Dr. Thistlethwaite is a long-standing member of the American Psychiatric Association and West Virginia Psychiatric Association and has achieved Diplomat status with the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He has also presented both nationally and internationally.
Board Certified Psychiatrist.
Dr. Devaraj has practiced psychiatry in WV for over 20 years. He completed his Medical School at Leeds University School of medicine in England and finished his psychiatry residency at WVU CAMC in Charleston West Virginia. During his residency, he was Co-chief resident in his 3rd and 4th years. He has most recently been the chief medical officer/medical director of Highland hospital. He has a broad range of experience in treating psychiatric problems and substance abuse. He has experience in treating all ages and will be seeing children adolescents and Adults
Christi Cooper-Lehki, MD
Psychiatrist
Michele Long, APRN, FNP-BC
Psychiatry
Michele graduated from the University of Charleston with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2003. She practiced as a registered nurse for several years before going back to receive her Masters of Science in Nursing with specialty in Family Nurse Practitioner from Marshall University in 2012.
Michele has practiced in multiple settings including hospitals and outpatient clinics. She has treated all age groups, but has found that she has a special interest in children, adolescents, and young adults. She is currently accepting new patients form ages 6-25 for psychiatric evaluations and medication management.
Nichole Lim, APRN, FNP-BC
Psychiatry
Nichole Lim, FNP-BC is a lifelong resident of Charleston, West Virginia who received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from West Virginia University and Masters of Science in Nursing from Marshall University.
Nichole has been providing outpatient psychiatric services to children, adolescents and adults for the last ten years. She has also worked inpatient psychiatric services for over six years. She is currently providing psychiatric care to children ages five and older, adolescents and adults.
Cherie Chambers Cowder, MA
Licensed Psychologist
Cherie Chambers Cowder is a native of Dunbar, West Virginia. She attended West Virginia Wesleyan College obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and earned a Master's Degree in Child Psychology at West Virginia Graduate College. Cherie is a Licensed Psychologist with the West Virginia Board of Examiners in Psychology. The majority of Cherie's early career focused on Forensic Child Psychology, in which she interviewed and assessed child and teen victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse for the court system. She has presented numerous times at local and state conferences and has taught graduate-level courses in child and family therapy at West Virginia Graduate College. Her current practice focuses on child, teen and family psychology and she provides play therapy and Cognitive Behavior therapy to children and teens and works with parents on behavioral management and family therapy.
Monica McMillian, MA
Licensed Psychologist
Monica McMillian is a West Virginia licensed psychologist. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from West Virginia State University and a Master's of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Marshall University Graduate College. As a licensed psychologist, Monica has experience working with adolescents, adults, couples and families. She utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy, treating a variety of psychiatric and emotional conditions. Monica also performs comprehensive psychological evalutions.
is a child, adolescent and forensic psychiatrist at West Virginia University; the medical director for PSIMED Juvenile Services Division. She completed her general psychiatry residency and child and adolescent fellowship at Wayne State University in Detroit, and forensic psychiatry fellowship at West Virginia University. Dr. Cooper-Lehki is board certified in general psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry. She is originally from Oceana, WV (Wyoming County). She graduated from WV School of Osteopathic Medicine in 1994.
Jawad Zafar, DO
Psychiatrist
Merideth Smith, Ph. D
Psychologist
Merideth Smith, Ph.D. is the Director of Clinical Services and a psychologist for PSIMED Corrections in West Virginia. She obtained her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at West Virginia University with a focus in aging and resiliency and suicide prevention with research training in the Departments of Psychology and Public Health. She was appointed as the first class of trainees to the NIH T32 Grant to promote interdisciplinary research in the fields of behavioral and biomedical science. and completed her internship in Geropsychology at the Veterans Administration Palo Alto Health Care System. Post-doctoral work was completed at West Virginia maximum security prison under the supervision of Dr. David Clayman. Dr. Smith obtained her Certified Correctional Health Professional status from National Commission on Correctional Health Care since 2016. She has presented at national conferences and published in peer review journals in the areas of behavioral interventions, aging and resiliency, and suicide prevention. As a psychologist, Merideth provides clinical services to inmates with severe behavioral and mental health problems housed in West Virginia maximum security prison. She supervises graduate students pursuing doctoral degrees in clinical psychology as well as psychologist pursuing licensure. As the Director of Clinical Services, she provides training and consultation for all mental health staff and correctional staff in the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Trainings have included basic mental health introduction, use of behavioral interventions in prison, suicide prevention, treatment and care of aging inmates, and the treatment and care of inmates with personality disorders. She is responsible for collaborating with mental health and correctional staff to develop and monitor specialized treatment programs for inmates with a wide range of mental health issues, including severe personality disorders or dementia, that focus on best practices and efficient and effective interventions. Dr. Smith works with clinical staff and correctional systems to review current practices and continuously improve the clinical services provided to meet the changing needs of the inmate, the facilities, nationally recognized treatment standards, and innovations in the field. Current projects include evaluating suicide assessment and protocols, reviewing the effectiveness of intensive treatment for inmates engaging in no suicidal self-injurious behavior, developing gender and trauma informed sex offender
treatment protocols, and evaluating the use of naltrexone to reduce opiate and alcohol abuse for individuals paroling to the community.
Licensed Psychologist
Michael Stinnett, PsyD
Cathy Rasnake, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor,
Advanced Alcoholand Drug Abuse Counselor
Cathy Rasnake is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Advanced Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor. She has provided services in the behavioral health field for over 25 years, she joined the PSIMED team in May 2015. Cathy is an accomplished, skilled and focused medical professional committed to providing high quality treatment for individuals, couples and families presenting with a cariety of behavioral health needs.
Cathy is a member of the American Counseling Assocation and NAADAC, the Association of Addiction Professionals. Her special interests are in the treatment of mood disorders and anxiety disorders which indlude Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, addiction and substance abuse issues, grief/loss, anger management and codependency.
Trinity Nicholas, MSW, LICSW
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Trinity Nicholas, MSW, LICSW, is a licensed independent clinical social worker. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in communication through the University of North Carolina- Pembrooke in 1999. Trinity was a teacher for several years before earning a master's degree through West Virginia University- Charleston in 2008 adn has worked in the field since that time. She provides cognitive behavioral therapy to children, adolescents, and families to address depression, grief, anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), trauma, Attention Deficity Hypersactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), and other conditions. Early in her career, she worked at Davis Child Shelter and provided counseling to teens in out-of-home placement due to issues such as truancy, incorrigibility, abuse, and neglect. She worked in gerontology for seven years with Gentiva Home Health providing in home services such as needs assessments, planning, and crisis support.
Trinity is a member of the National Association of Social workers (NASW). She is the mother of two teens and an autism mom. Special interests include ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and trauma.
John Spraggins, MSW, LCSW
Licensed Social Worker
John graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work in 1975 and a Master’s Degree in Social Work in 1977. He is a Licensed Certified Social Worker. His professional interest include work with adolescents, adults, and couples. He specializes in treating substance abuse disorders, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. John is a generalist practitioner, and draws from a variety of methods to create a tailored approach for each individual. As a therapist, he is warm, open, encouraging, combining experiences, education, and a sense of humor with a down to earth approach to counseling.
Mr. Spraggins over 41 years of experience as a Social Worker. Prior to joining PSIMED Inc in 2017, he served over 21 years as a Senior Program Administrator/Counselor at the Carruth Center at West Virginia University. He has worked in a variety of settings over the years providing counseling services: inpatient programs; in Employee Assistance; outpatient services; volunteer and board member of Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center; school social worker; currently co-facilitator of a support group at Suncrest United Methodist Church.
Dr. Michael S. Stinnett is a Kentucky native who has made West Virginia home for more than 20 years. He received his Doctor of Psychology degree from Marshall University and completed pre- and post-doctoral training at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine in Huntington, WV. Dr. Stinnett has broad clinical experience in outpatient, inpatient, and residential treatment settings. He was intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy by The Linehan Institute and is a certified Juvenile Sexual Offender Treatment Provider. Dr. Stinnett was appointed as an Adjunct Instructor at Marshall University from 2010-2015 and a Clinical Instructor from 2016-2019.
Dr. Stinnett’s training as a generalist enables him to competently and effectively care for patients from childhood through adulthood. Similarly, he treats a wide range of presenting concerns including Anxiety, Bipolar, Depressive, Disruptive / Impulse-Control and Conduct, Obsessive-Compulsive, Paraphilic, Personality, Substance-Related and Addictive, and Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders. Further, he is a skilled clinician in the management and treatment of Gender Dysphoria.
Dr. Stinnett is an active member in his community and holds positions on many boards and committees as well as maintaining membership in several associations. He is the Chair of the West Virginia Psychological Association’s Membership Committee; a member of the West Virginia Psychological Association’s Association Management Committee; a mentor with the Marshall University President's Commission on Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, LGBTQ+ Alumni Mentor Program; and a member of the Huntington, WV Mayor's Committee on Diversity and Inclusion. Dr. Stinnett is a clinical associate member of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers, and a member of the West Virginia Psychological Association and the American Psychological Association.
Anthony Arthur, MA
Provisional Licensed Counselor
Anthony Arthur, MA, Provisionally Licensed Counselor received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from West Virginia University as a member of PSI-CHI, the international honor society in psychology. He then completed his Masters of Arts Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marshall University as a member of Chi Sigma Iota, the international honor society in counseling.
He is currently pursuing his Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and started his licensing process as a Temporary Permit Counselor, and is currently a Provisionally Licensed Counselor for the state of West Virginia, approved by the WV Board of Examiners in Counseling.
Anthony has been in the field for 5+ years. He has provided counseling services to children and adults, as well as families, in the following settings: intensive outpatient program for adolescents, juvenile detention centers and juvenile youth reporting centers across the state of West Virginia, juvenile drug courts for multiple counties in West Virginia, intensive outpatient groups for adults, addictions counseling for an MAT program for adults, and outpatient treatment for adults in a clinical office setting. He also was a crisis worker for Kanawha County in West Virginia for two years and worked with the court systems and hospitals in the county to voluntarily/involuntarily place individuals into treatment facilities that posed a threat to themselves or others.
Anthony provides counseling services to adults with a vast array of diagnoses, all of which are found in the current edition of the DSM-5. The treatment approach he utilizes is cognitive behavioral therapy, with special emphasis to trauma, violence, loss/grief, and multicultural sensitivities. He currently provides individual, group, and family counseling services at LiNKS Treatment and Counseling Services since February of 2019.