Dr. Rachna Varia co-founded MindWell in 2004. She has been a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in psychoeducational, neuropsychological, and emotional testing for 25 years. Her many years of experience have helped her identify cognitive, emotional, and academic strengths and weaknesses accurately and quickly. She prides herself on being comprehensive and simultaneously analyzing subtleties. She is known to be extremely thorough, direct, and personable.
EDUCATION: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, BA with Highest Honors and Distinction in Psychology, 1993, University of Virginia, Masters of Education (M.Ed.), 1994 and University of Virginia, Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology (PhD), 1998.
INTERNSHIP: Veterans Administration Hospital in Palo Alto, associated with Stanford University.
POST DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP AND EXPERIENCES: University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, TX; Department of Psychiatry; Assessment Supervisor, City of Alexandria Mental Health Center; Brain Injury Rehab Clinic: Austin, TX; Private Practice since 2002; Virginia Expert Witness.
CREDENTIALS: Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, Forensic Evaluator, Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
SERVICES PROVIDED: Psychoeducational Testing, Neuropsychological Testing, Emotional Testing, Admissions Testing; Children – Adult
MEMBERSHIP: International Dyslexia Association (Former Board member), Dyslexia Advantage, Learning Ally certified provider, Northern Virginia Society of Clinical Psychologists, Virginia Psychological Association, Virginia Dyslexia Association, and the American Psychological Association.
EXPERTISE:
- Dyslexia
- Dysgraphia
- Learning Disabilities
- ADHD
- Executive Functioning
- Critical Thinking
- Promoting Grit
- Parenting Skills
Dr. Varia enjoys conducting learning disability (psychoeducational/neuropsychological) testing and has an expertise with diagnosing reading disorders, particularly the different subtypes of dyslexia. Her understanding of dyslexia is extremely thorough and individualized. She feels passionately about uncovering dyslexia at an early age to promote the correct interventions. She works hard at understanding and explaining in plain language the interaction between behavioral, educational, and emotional findings to best inform both home and school recommendations. She also works with families in teaching the concept of grit, critical thinking, and motivation. Dr. Varia will work with your family in a very personalized way that is warm, precise, and approachable.
Dr. Varia created a visual analytics project that helps parents understand testing reports through a visual format. She wants clients to be able to “see” the results rather than just read through a hefty report. She is co-authoring a childrens book on wellness.
Dr. Varia is married and has two daughters in college. She enjoys spending time with extended family and friends, reading and listening to books, cooking vegetarian food, traveling, and pursuing physical and mental wellness through yoga, exercise, mindfulness, and drinking wine.
Contact MindWell today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Varia.
YouTube Dyslexia Tutorial created by Dr. Varia: