Drs. Brad and Heather Applegate earned their bachelor’s degrees in psychology from Virginia Tech and their Ph.D.s in clinical psychology from Louisiana State University (LSU).  They completed their residencies at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) and Jackson VAMC training consortium, an internationally-recognized clinical psychology training program.  The Applegates returned to Virginia in 2003.  They reside in Ashburn, Virginia.

Bradford W. Applegate, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist

 Dr. Applegate is a clinical psychologist with specialty training in cognitive-behavioral treatment of anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, personality disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and eating disorders.  His career has focused on providing clinical services, supervising others in the delivery of clinical services, and conducting clinical research aimed at improving health outcomes and quality of life (QOL). 

While at UMMC/VAMC, Dr. Applegate received advanced clinical training in the assessment and treatment of mixed anxiety/depression, PTSD (resulting from both civilian and combat-related trauma), and eating disorders.  As a postdoctoral fellow, he received advanced specialty training in behavioral medicine in the Department of Family Medicine and was involved in providing clinical services and clinical supervision to graduate students, medical students and medical residents.

After completing his fellowship, Dr. Applegate received an appointment as an assistant professor at UMMC where he continued to provide and supervise clinical services, and served as the Director of Clinical Services to a large outpatient nicotine dependence treatment clinic.

After returning to Virginia in 2003, Dr. Applegate accepted a position as a research scientist at PICS, Inc., a small research and development company that utilizes new technologies to change health behaviors.  He obtained funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop consumer products aimed at helping people change health behaviors (including smoking, diet, exercise, and insomnia) and dissemination of evidence-based psychological treatments to mental health providers and consumers.

In 2007, Dr. Applegate left PICS to co-found Behavioral Healthcare Associates, LLC, with his wife, Heather R. Applegate, Ph.D.  Both psychologists have a passion for delivering the highest quality assessment and treatment available to children, adolescents, and adults.

Heather R. Applegate, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
School Psychologist

Dr. Heather Applegate is a child clinical and school psychologist with specialty training in learning disorders, pervasive developmental disorders, ADHD, and childhood behavioral disorders.  In addition, she has extensive training in pediatric psychology, a branch of child clinical psychology that focuses on the cognitive, academic, and behavioral sequelae of childhood illness and disease.

After receiving her Ph.D., Dr. Applegate completed a postdoctoral fellowship at UMMC and was offered a position as an assistant professor responsible for training clinical psychology and psychiatry residents.  While serving as an assistant professor, Dr. Applegate taught courses on Human Growth and Development, Behavioral Disorders, Psychological Assessment, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and Autism Spectrum Disorders to 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year psychiatry residents/fellows and conducted boards review seminars for 4th year psychiatry residents/fellows.  In addition, she maintained a private practice dedicated to evaluating and treating children utilizing the most evidence-based and contemporary practices available.

After returning to her native Virginia in 2003, Dr. Applegate was fortunate to earn a position as a school psychologist for Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS).  She continues her work as a full-time school psychologist for LCPS where her primary responsibilities include the evaluation of children for special education services.  In addition, she provides private weekend evaluations to a select number of families and children, and maintains a small outpatient treatment practice.

Dr. Applegate has authored or co-authored several book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles on a variety of childhood-related issues, including autism, ADHD, behavioral problems, learning problems and pediatric psychology.  A sample of relevant publications is provided below.

Applegate, H. (2005). Write-say method for math. Encyclopedia of Behavior Modification and Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Vol. II - Child Clinical Applications.  Alan M. Gross & Ronald S. Drabman (Eds). Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA.

Applegate, H. (2005). Contingent restraint. Encyclopedia of Behavior Modification and Cognitive Behavior Therapy Vol. II - Child Clinical Applications. Alan M. Gross & Ronald S. Drabman (Eds). Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA.

Jordan, S. S., Hilker, K., Stoppelbein, L., Elkin, T. D., Applegate, H., & Iyer, R. (2005). Nocturnal enuresis and psychosocial problems in pediatric sickle cell disease.  Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 26(6), 404-411.

Neul, S.K.T., Applegate, H., & Drabman, R.S. (2003). Assessment of ADHD. In Handbook of Psychological and Educational Assessment of Children. (2nd. Ed.) Cecil R. Reynolds & Randy Kamphaus (Eds). Guilford Publications. New York: NY.

Applegate, H., Kelley, M.L., Applegate, B., Jayasinghe, I., & Venters C. (2003). Clinical case study: pediatric residents’ recognition and intervention of children’s behavioral and emotional problems. Journal of Pediatric Psychology. 28(5), 315-321.

Dhossche, D., Applegate, H., Abraham, A., Maertens, P., Bland, L., Bencsath, A., & Martinez, J., (2003). Elevated plasma g-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in autistic youngsters: stimulus for a GABA hypothesis of autism. Medical Science Monitor.