Oakleigh Reed, PhD

Biography

An expert focused on physical, mental and emotional well-being in times of complex medical need

Whether you're adjusting to a life-changing diagnosis or managing a chronic condition, Oak Reed, Ph.D. can help navigate the intersection of physical health and emotional well-being with care, expertise and compassion.

Dr. Reed is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in health and rehabilitation psychology. He works with patients who are adjusting to life-altering medical conditions such as spinal cord injuries, chronic pain, long COVID, cancer, sleep disorders, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and other complex diagnoses. His goal: support the emotional and psychological well-being of patients while helping them navigate treatment and recovery.

“Being part of a diverse, academic medical center like VCU, and being in the heart of Richmond helps us make a tangible difference in the lives of patients in the system at large, and in the overarching community,” he says.

Dr. Reed brings years of experience in integrated behavioral health and is passionate about improving quality of life through collaboration with other health professionals. He works closely with physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and medical providers across specialties to ensure care is comprehensive and aligned with each patient’s goals.

He describes his approach as “integrative,” meaning he draws from multiple evidence-based therapies (cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing and acceptance and commitment therapy) to develop personalized plans that fit each patient’s life and values.
 
“Whenever a patient is referred to me for care, I always reach out to the referring provider to ensure that a direct line of communication is established,” Dr. Reed says. “I find this to be very helpful since many of us are spread throughout VCU Health and do not always directly overlap in our day-to-day work.”

Dr. Reed views each patient as the expert of their own experience. “With that framework in mind, I tailor my approach, meaning no two sessions of mine ever look the exact same,” he says. “I spend time learning about a patient’s history, day-to-day schedule, hobbies, among other things to blend evidence-based practices and recommendations with the practicalities of their life. I consider what their life looks like outside of the session and brainstorm not just what to do, but when to do it so that the skills feel relevant and practical. I never give blanket recommendations of ‘practice this exercise or skill daily.’”

Originally trained in both psychology and sociology, Dr. Reed earned his doctorate and master’s degree in clinical psychology from the University of Montana. During undergraduate studies, he initially intended to go into medicine and become a medical doctor. But while taking a psychology and an anatomy/physiology course at the same time, “I asked myself, ‘How can I pursue a career where I can practice both?’” 

He decided to major in psychology and sociology with the goal of getting a doctorate in health/rehabilitation psychology. 

“This pathway ultimately allowed me to study the intricacies of mental health as it pertains to individuals and societies while maintaining my understanding of the human anatomy,” Dr. Reed says. 

In addition to his formal education, his clinical training includes a pre-doctoral residency at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee, Wis. and a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Virginia. He has extensive experience providing individual, couples, and family therapy, conducting psychological assessments and developing gender-affirming care programs.

Dr. Reed is also a published researcher, educator, and frequent invited speaker focused on advancing inclusive, trauma-informed and gender-affirmative care. He has delivered dozens of trainings to healthcare providers and helped shape educational approaches around working with gender-diverse patients. His doctoral dissertation demonstrated how a brief, one-hour gender-affirmative care training significantly improved healthcare providers’ competence and confidence in treating gender minority patients. His findings have influenced health care curricula across disciplines and have been shared through national and international trainings, as well as publications in academic journals and books.

Beyond VCU, Dr. Reed is involved with Malawi Children’s Mission (MCM), a non-profit organization in Malawi that is known as the “warm heart of Africa,” yet is one of the most impoverished countries on the globe. The organization helps provide nutrition, healthcare, education, life skills and spiritual guidance and creates opportunities for children to thrive and positively impact their communities. 

Outside of work, Dr. Reed is an avid runner and endurance athlete. He also enjoys water sports, traveling to lesser-known destinations and relaxing with a good book or podcast.

Advice to patients: “No matter what you are going through in life, big or small, mental health care can be a great resource to consider. Mental health care is as important as primary care – everyone deserves to have a reliable clinician they can turn to for questions about their physical and/or mental health. While there still is a great deal of stigma around mental health care, in my opinion there is no wrong time to establish care with a mental health provider, and you do not have to be ‘mentally ill’ to severely struggle. Do not hesitate to reach out and establish care.”