Experience

Vibrant Emotional Health

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Vice President Disaster Services

  • Jul 2023 - Present

  Developing disaster preparedness and response direct services, consultation and training nationally serving the public and private sectors.

• AVP National Program

  • Nov 2020 - Present

  Working in National Programs overseeing the program directors for the two subnetworks of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the Disaster Distress Helpline and the Veterans Crisis Line. Additionally, I am working to develop a network wide Wellness Program to help mitigate the negative impacts of working in the traumatic stress of suicide prevention, disasters and armed conflict; improving the well being of staff and increasing compassion satisfaction and meaning in work.

• Interim Executive Director, 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

  • Aug 2022 - Present

  I am pleased to act as the Interim Executive Director of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline, the new nationwide three digit number offering hope and help to those in suicidal and other mental health crisis. Hope has a new number - 988



ICF

• United States
• Business Consulting and Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Disaster Recovery and Community Resilience Senior Manager

  • Mar 2019 - Nov 2020

• Senior Technical Advisor

  • Oct 2011 - Nov 2020

  ICF International is a company that blends consultation with expertise and passion. This really fits in with my MO and allows me to bring my own interests to my work. I am currently working with the MA Office for Victim Assistance to design a behavioral health response to the Boston Marathon Bombing that will build the specific skills of local providers to assist some of the most highly impacted victims and also to build the capacity of the community to respond to such disasters in the future. It's a program that is a wonderful all-community effort with people from public health, mental health, victim's services, advocacy and many others contributing their talent and great energy. The largest segment of my work for the past three years was as Senior Advisor for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration's Disaster Technical Assistance Center (SAMHSA DTAC) providing technical assistance and training in preparedness and response around disaster behavioral health issues for US States, Tribes and Territories affected by disasters.I was also the lead on a cooperative agreement for the World Trade Center Health Program outreach and education program, (a CDC/NIOSH agreement) in partnership with the National Disaster Interfaiths Network. This project involves creating pathways and messaging to reach varied populations who worked on or near the World Trade Center site after the terrorist attacks and may potentially have been negatively affected physically and mentally.As a resident SME, I assist with other ICF projects that need disaster behavioral health consultation as well as training and/or management. Show less



Mental Health Association-NYC

• Director of Disaster Services

  • 2010 - Dec 2011



Disaster Mental Health Management and Training

• Director, Owner

  • Sep 1986 - Dec 2010

  Disaster Mental Health Management and Training; Supervision and Private Practice; Consultation, management and training in the public and mental health approach to disaster response and planning for all U.S. states and territories; Development of and editing to disaster mental health response education and training materials for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)/Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) and the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (NCPTSD) and various state and local authorities/communities; Psychotherapy practice utilizing various methods of treatment (CBT, psychodynamic, hypnotherapy, brief therapy) with those suffering from medical and emotional illnesses and trauma; Critical incident intervention and management; NASW Certified Licensed Clinical Social Work Supervisor. Show less



Psychology Beyond Borders

• CEO

  • Oct 2007 - Dec 2009

  Management of all operations for international not-for-profit organization integrating service, research and public policy in the areas of disaster, terrorism and armed conflict. After serving on governing board in start-up phase, moved to managing the organization from start-up to full operations. Developed and implemented board and organizational policies; directed and supervised staffs and oversaw internal and external projects; launched fundraising campaign; expanded national network. Currently developing several clinical and research programs for child soldiers and communities affected by armed conflict in several African nations; school children affected by the earthquakes in Indonesia and traumatic fistula in women in Ethiopia. Contracted with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and the United Nations Population Fund to deliver psychosocial services and research. Show less



Mental Health Association

• Director, Network Development National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

  • Nov 2004 - Sep 2006

  Development and launch of a network of crisis center hotlines across the country providing crisis services and suicide prevention and intervention. Provision of education nationally to the crisis intervention and mental health communities regarding the President's New Freedom Commission initiative to reduce suicide through this and several federal partner initiatives. Development of recruitment and contracting strategies to enhance the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network and its services. Show less



New York University

• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Adjunct Professor

  • Jan 2003 - Jan 2006

  Lecturer in the Ehrenkranz School of Social Work Master's program teaching advanced standing students Social Work Practice I and II; Provision of academic advisement of up to 20 advanced standing students. Lecturer in the Ehrenkranz School of Social Work Master's program teaching advanced standing students Social Work Practice I and II; Provision of academic advisement of up to 20 advanced standing students.



New York State Office of Mental Health/Federal Emergency Management Agency's

• Director, Project Liberty

  • Nov 2001 - Jun 2004

  Counseling and Training program grant, in the amount of 154.7 million, developed to address the mental health needs of those affected by the World Trade Center; the state of New York. Worked collaboratively with the Center for Mental Health Services/Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and local governmental units in New York City and the ten surrounding counties declared disaster areas in the wake of the disaster. Counseling and Training program grant, in the amount of 154.7 million, developed to address the mental health needs of those affected by the World Trade Center; the state of New York. Worked collaboratively with the Center for Mental Health Services/Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and local governmental units in New York City and the ten surrounding counties declared disaster areas in the wake of the disaster.



Ramapo Ridge Psychiatric Hospital/Christian Health Care Center

• Vice President/Administrator

  • Jan 1992 - Jan 2000

  Administrator of Mental Health Division of not-for-profit, freestanding, private, psychiatric hospital including oversight of acute in-patient services, outpatient clinics and day treatment programs; Fiscal management; Managed care contracting; Government relations; Survey preparations; Marketing and community service representation; Expansion of services into neighboring counties through outreach into the community; Increased operational assets 75%. Licensed Nursing Home Administrator (concurrently) Administrator of Special Care Nursing Facility (SCNF); Planned, developed and launched this model facility for skilled nursing patients with behavior management problems. Management of staffing, medical care, program planning, budgeting, survey preparations and marketing; Introduced research into this unique nursing facility. Show less



New York State Office of Mental Health

• Regional Director

  • Jan 1988 - Jan 1992

  Developed family support and advocacy programs for Rockland and Lower Westchester counties; Liaison with family council and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill local and state chapters, state hospitals, community mental health centers and state's mental health commissioner; Fostered consumer advocacy group development; Coordinated special projects; Forensic/Incident review board member and Special Investigator. Developed family support and advocacy programs for Rockland and Lower Westchester counties; Liaison with family council and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill local and state chapters, state hospitals, community mental health centers and state's mental health commissioner; Fostered consumer advocacy group development; Coordinated special projects; Forensic/Incident review board member and Special Investigator.



Englewood Hospital

• Medical Social Worker; Supervisor

  • Jan 1982 - Jan 1988

  Provided Social Work Supervision of all services; Performed assessment, counseling, discharge planning and casework activities on Rehabilitation, Oncology and Neurology units. Utilized Hypnotherapy for pain management and implemented family support groups. Participated in medical education program development and Critical Incident Stress Debriefing in house and in the community. Provided Social Work Supervision of all services; Performed assessment, counseling, discharge planning and casework activities on Rehabilitation, Oncology and Neurology units. Utilized Hypnotherapy for pain management and implemented family support groups. Participated in medical education program development and Critical Incident Stress Debriefing in house and in the community.



Columbia University

• Student

  • 1982 - 1984