Christopher A Edwards, Ph.D., Abpp Email & Phone Number

Houston, Texas, Us

Conduct psychological assessments of Veterans as part of the VA Compensation and Pension program. These assessments are utilized in order to establish the presence (or lack thereof) of a mental health diagnosis, determination as to whether the diagnosis is connected to the Veteran’s military service, and level of functional impairment of the diagnosed condition. These assessments include a review of military personnel records, military treatment records, VA treatment records, and any other pertinent information, considered relevant, to aid in the assessment process.

Conduct psychological assessments of Veterans as part of the VA Compensation and Pension program. These assessments are utilized in order to establish the presence (or lack thereof) of a mental health diagnosis, determination as to whether the diagnosis is connected to the Veteran’s military service, and level of functional impairment of the diagnosed condition. These assessments include a review of military personnel records, military treatment records, VA treatment records, and any other pertinent information, considered relevant, to aid in the assessment process.

Responsible for the clinical oversight of a behavioral health managed care organization with over 500,000 lives in Nevada and Arizona. Coordinate closely with the senior leadership of several healthcare organizations, in order to address the needs of the members, while also effectively managing care in an appropriate and effective manner. Developed means to track progress via HEDIS measures. Oversaw the Utilization Management and Compliance Departments. Developed training for network providers aiding in the effective and appropriate screening, assessment, and intervention for common mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and suicide risk assessment. Charged with the clinical and administrative oversight of Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinics providing targeted care for the homeless population as well as an Integrated Primary Care Clinic. Developed documentation templates within the EHR for all clinic providers.

Boise, Idaho, Us

Responsible for the administrative and clinical oversight of psychologists and therapists employed throughout the behavioral health clinics within the Eastern Region of the St. Luke’s Healthcare System of Idaho. This included integrated primary care clinics, rural health clinics, child/adolescent specialty clinic, inpatient psychiatric facility, and general child/adolescent/adult behavioral health clinic. Collaborated with hospital operations, BH clinic administrative team leaders, BH practice managers, and other system wide program/clinic managers within various specialty clinics to ensure integrated goals and priorities for Behavioral Health are established and met across the Eastern Region. Assisted the regional medical director of Behavioral Health in activities of BH across the Eastern Region to include budget and fiscal management, human resource management, strategic planning, and program management and evaluation. Ensure the efficient operation of psychology and therapy by developing, implementing, and monitoring measures of quality and performance. Consult with, and serve as a resource for, other clinicians regarding the need for and development of psychological services, case conceptualization, treatment planning, and utilization of evidence-based treatments and clinical practice guidelines. Develop realistic and challenging performance standards for Psychologists and therapists that relate to organizational goals and objectives and assists in managing the performance appraisal process as part of the formal annual Performance Appraisal Process. Senior Behavioral Health Representative Leader for the System Interdisciplinary Council and the Behavioral Health Service Line Leadership Team, charged with overseeing the implementation of behavioral health care services across the St. Luke’s Healthcare System.

Supervisory Psychologist for Embedded Behavioral Health Clinics at Ft. Bragg, NC. These clinics were a new Army wide initiative, based upon placing 13 member multi-disciplinary behavioral health care teams, composed of Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Social Workers, para-professionals, and support staff, within the footprint of Brigade Combat Teams. This position encompassed the responsibility of opening multiple clinics across post, which entailed significant coordination between multiple entities across the installation, including union officials, safety representatives, installation building and construction supervisors, hospital leadership, and military leadership for the units served by the clinics. Developed the installation wide SOP for this program at Ft. Bragg. Developed a 30 day EBH specific training program, to aid in the seamless transition of civilian behavioral health providers to working within an active duty behavioral health care environment. Served as the Action Officer for the Department of Behavioral Health for this project, coordinating communication to Commanders and their staff across a post of 50,000+ Soldiers, for the 16 planned clinics across Ft. Bragg. Also served as the Ft. Bragg POC for 10 independent SOCOM contract behavioral health providers, providing behavioral healthcare to USASOC soldiers within EBH clinics across post. In conjunction with the USASOC Command Psychiatrist, developed the Memorandum of Agreement between these two major military commands, which is now in use for these providers worldwide. Project Officer for the implementation of Tele-Health Services within the Department of Behavioral Health, for 6 clinics. Served as a faculty member and primary supervisor for the Clinical and Operational Psychology Residency Program, an APA Accredited residency site at Ft. Bragg. Serve on the senior leadership team for the department.

Responsible for the clinical oversight of an adolescent and youth wilderness treatment program. Provided direct clinical and administrative supervision of the 8 therapists and 25+ milieu staff who provided 24/7 treatment for youth and adolescents in the program. Responsible for the ancillary treatment team members responsible for conducting equine therapy, high and low ropes courses, and an immersion family treatment program for parents and children in the program. Oversight for the clinical training for paraprofessional staff members. Charged with developing appropriate documentation, best practices, and SOPs, in order to meet CARF standards, including the oversight of a successful initial CARF accreditation process for the program. This was only the second Wilderness program to achieve this standard. Oversaw the development and implementation of a new treatment program, based upon evidence based practices, including a DBT focused approach. Also oversaw the development and implementation of a new family based treatment program, which was an immersion based model. Outcome measures demonstrated the positive results of both. Member of the corporate clinical steering committee, charged with developing corporate best practices for clinical excellence. Director of outcome research projects, ascertaining the effectiveness of treatment protocols. Developed regional and national marketing plans, in coordination with corporate marketing representatives. Attended corporate marketing events, representing SUWS. Presented at national conventions, focused upon building awareness of this treatment program, including dissemination of research outcomes. Member of the senior management team, charged with administrative, logistical, and fiscal oversight for the entire program. Acted as the Executive Director, charged with daily operations of the program, when not present

Cookeville, Tn, Us

Responsible for the oversight of behavioral healthcare of the 15,000+ students of Tennessee Technological University. Provided direct clinical and administrative supervision to 4 clinicians, 3 administrative staff, 2 clinical interns, and 3 practicum students. Oversaw all financial, budgetary and personnel issues. Developed and implemented a campus outreach program which increased the utilization of the Center by over 300%, eventually leading to the justification to add two additional clinicians. Provided psychological consultation to the Behavioral Intervention Team, identifying, assessing, and addressing students of concern. Consulted with faculty and staff for student behavioral issues. Served on multiple faculty and administrative committees, addressing such issues as suicide, alcohol and drug issues, student retention,adjustment to college, sexual assault, veterans’ issues, and crisis response. Served as the faculty advisor for student groups, including sexual assault awareness and freshman success. In coordination with the Psychology Department, developed and implemented a practicum and internship program for students completing their Master’s Degree at the university, and others within the region. Served on a university wide research committee, developing a proposal for NIMH funded grant, addressing obesity in college students. Developed innovative means to increase the budget of the Center, without assessing fees to students. Worked closely with the Athletic Director and staff to provide services to at-risk athletes. Served on various university committees, including the retention committee and First Year Connections committee.

Cookeville, Tn, Us

Academic instructor to students in Tennessee Technological University Counseling and Psychology graduate program, as well as the University undergraduate General Curriculum students. Courses included Clinical Psychopathology and Freshman Seminar.

Provided traditional individual and family therapy to children, adolescents,and adults, within a mixed rural/suburban setting. Performed psychological evaluations for a myriad of sources. Worked closely with Pediatricians, Primary Care Providers and other healthcare providers, in order to develop close and effective professional relationships, within which care to patients was provided within an effective and seamless manner. Provide psychological evaluations as part of the employment process for the local Sheriff’s Department/Reserve Deputy Unit, including fitness for duty evaluations. Provided Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) services as Clinical Director for the local EMS department. Performed psycho-educational assessments for school-related issues, including Learning Disabilities and ADHD. Serve as a contracted service-provider for the local school district, as well as private agencies charged with the care of children and adolescents placed in state custody. Served as a contracted service-provider for the Social Security Services Administration, conducting evaluations for those applying for disability benefits, provided written report based upon the results of these evaluations, including severity and impairment ratings.

Provided contract services, including psychological evaluations andpsycho-educational evaluations, as part of the placement process ofadolescents in a Level 4 youth correctional facility. Provided pre-treatment and post-treatment psycho-sexual evaluations for thoseadolescents in the sex offender treatment program. Provided crisismanagement services as necessary. Developed treatment plans, in coordination with health care providers, correctional staff, and court personnel.

Provided clinical psychology services to geriatric patients and their familymembers, working within an extended care setting, including intakeevaluation and assessments, individual therapy, crisis management andhospitalizations. Worked within a multi-disciplinary health care team, including Physicians, Social Workers, Case Managers, and facility nursing staff, in order to assure the best care for the patients. Provided behavior management consultation for staff members. Consulted with staff for a myriad of psychological issues. Provided in-services on psychological issues pertaining to this patient population.

Chicago, Il, Us

Provided consulting services to senior-level executives regarding issuessuch as assessment and selection of personnel, formation and development of successful teams, and coaching struggling managers and executives. Developed leadership development plans, designed to address identified leadership weaknesses. Provided ongoing coaching to senior managers and executives focusing on these behavioral plans. Provided consultation regarding organizational restructuring and change management implementation.

Provided a full range of psychological services to soldiers and their family members within this command. Served as a special staff officer to the Commander, advising on matters relating to the psychological readiness of soldiers within the command. Provided psychological support to operational missions, to include functioning as an on the ground consultant to the soldiers and commanders. Conducted psychological assessment of all soldiers being considered for assignment, helping to determine their suitability for assignment, to include ongoing evaluation of all members within the unit. Assisted with the formation of teams based on individual performance, strengths, interpersonal skills, etc. Provided training and education to unit members on psychological topics. Performed applied psychological research and coordinated with other governmental research agencies. Furnished traditional clinical psychology services to soldiers and their families, to include coordination with other military and civilian mental health professionals in order to assure their immediate and appropriate care. Maintained all administrative and budgeting aspects of the psychology section

Consultant to the Army's only Special Operations Aviation Regiment.Provided psychological consultation in regard to the assessment andselection of aviation and other personnel applying to this unit, andprovided feedback regarding their suitability for assignment.

Consultant to staff and students affiliated with the US Army AeromedicalPsychology Training Course and the US Army School of AviationMedicine. Areas of specialization included aeromedical psychologyconsultation, assessment and selection, special operations aviation, andcritical incident stress management.

Fort Hood, Texas, Us

Provided for the psychological assessment, diagnosis, treatment, anddisposition of approximately 17,000 active duty soldiers as part of a threeperson multi-disciplinary mental health team. Provided psychologicalconsultation to commanders in regard to the fitness for duty of soldiers, aswell as to the Division Surgeon as a member of the Suicide Risk Management Team. Functioned as the clinical psychologist representative for sanity board evaluations, providing consultation and assessment services. Provided expert witness testimony in court-martial proceedings. Functioned as the mental health representative to those division soldiers incarcerated in the Regional Correctional Facility. Presented briefings on mental health issues to both commanders and soldiers, to include such topics as suicide prevention, stress, and battle fatigue. Facilitated critical incident stress debriefings as needed. Provided administrative and clinical supervision to 6 paraprofessional behavioral science specialists (enlisted and NCO personnel) and 1 Social Worker.

Fort Eisenhower, Georgia, Us

Received training via progression through three subject-intensiverotations: behavioral medicine/community mental health, adult in/outpatient, and child/family. Provided psychological assessment, diagnosis,and treatment, including individual, couple, family, and group therapy toinclude adult in/out patients and children, including specialty groupscovering such topics as: smoking cessation, stress management, chronicpain, and cancer. Delivered presentations to hospital staff as well as bothpermanent party and trainee soldiers covering such topics as: stress andstress management, and the role of psychology in preserving the troopstrength. Provided supervision to 3 paraprofessionals within the service.

Provided individual and group therapy to traditional and non-traditionalcollege students attending Hofstra University. Presented workshops tovarious student organizations on campus related to college adjustment,sexual assault, and suicide. Acted a liaison between StudentPsychological Services and the Residential Life Office.

Assessed the cognitive and emotional development of patients using awide variety of psychological tests and batteries, and presented the resultsat parent conferences. Provided individual educational counseling andbehavior therapy to patients of varying ages.

Assessed the cognitive and emotional development of school-agedchildren through the use of psychoeducational batteries. Providedindividual and group counseling to children for a wide range ofpsychological issues. Participated in and presented cases at Committee onSpecial Education and Child Study Team meetings. Implemented an afterschool program for those students needing assistance with theirschoolwork, using peers as tutors.

Hempstead, Ny, Us

Director of a residence hall complex containing 250-400 undergraduate and graduate students. Supervised a staff of 11 Resident Assistants and 1 Assistant Director. Responsible for the day to day activities of the complex, to include all administrative, logistical, and safety concerns, and general overall well being of the students. Assured that the educational and social programming needs of the residents were met via a wellness educational model. Directed committees tasked with the recruitment and selection of both Resident Assistants and Assistant Directors.

Provided individual and group therapy to an inpatient population on aMentally III/Chemical Abuse (MICA) ward.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Clinical/School Psychology

Bachelor'S Degree, Psychology