Sonja Batten Email & Phone Number

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

I provide leadership and oversight of all life-saving clinical programs and related Wellness Center operations of the nonprofit Stop Soldier Suicide (SSS). I oversee the development and implementation of tools and training curricula, QA/QC measures, and implement policies and procedures to accomplish the SSS mission. I coordinate on research projects and data analytics, and identify innovative clinical technologies and external partnerships to address new and emerging needs. I lead a… Show more I provide leadership and oversight of all life-saving clinical programs and related Wellness Center operations of the nonprofit Stop Soldier Suicide (SSS). I oversee the development and implementation of tools and training curricula, QA/QC measures, and implement policies and procedures to accomplish the SSS mission. I coordinate on research projects and data analytics, and identify innovative clinical technologies and external partnerships to address new and emerging needs. I lead a team of more than 40 people, and manage a budget of more than $5.75M.During this role I have: - In the first year, reduced turnover in the Wellness Center by 82% and increased employee satisfaction by 74% - important markers in a crisis environment with high potential for burnout - Increased availability of clinical care through innovative access to care initiatives and strategic partnerships - Ensured compliance with national telehealth and clinical scope of practice regulations and laws Show less

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

As the Chief Executive Officer for a small consulting firm, I shape the strategic direction of operational functions for business growth and execution, serving both as the Managing Director and the corporate external spokesperson. I provide leadership training, executive coaching, employee wellness, organizational effectiveness, and health care-related training for businesses and professional organizations through videoconference and in person group workshops, as well as international… Show more As the Chief Executive Officer for a small consulting firm, I shape the strategic direction of operational functions for business growth and execution, serving both as the Managing Director and the corporate external spokesperson. I provide leadership training, executive coaching, employee wellness, organizational effectiveness, and health care-related training for businesses and professional organizations through videoconference and in person group workshops, as well as international invited presentations in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.In this role, I have: - Enhanced development and leadership skills of professionals, from solo practitioners all the way to the senior-level management at Fortune 500 companies. - Provided training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to mental health professionals across 4 continents Show less

I enjoyed being an active member of Chief, a private network built to drive more women into positions of power and keep them there. Chief is the only organization specifically designed for women executives to strengthen their leadership, magnify their influence, and pave the way to bring others with them.

Washington, District Of Columbia And New Orleans, Louisiana

I managed the firm’s Behavioral Health Community of Practice and provided expert advice and support on the development and management of innovative, government-run programs with a particular focus on improving health systems and healthcare practice. As the Senior Psychological Health Advisor for the firm, I also provided guidance on employee wellness efforts, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and strategic communications. - I led multiple administrative and project… Show more I managed the firm’s Behavioral Health Community of Practice and provided expert advice and support on the development and management of innovative, government-run programs with a particular focus on improving health systems and healthcare practice. As the Senior Psychological Health Advisor for the firm, I also provided guidance on employee wellness efforts, diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, and strategic communications. - I led multiple administrative and project teams of 20+ people, and managed over a dozen projects across 8 years with budgets from $500K to $3M per year. - I delivered program leadership and subject matter expertise across the continuum of clinical operations, communications, and health care policy for more than 20 contracts across the VA, DoD, and HHS health markets. - Those contracts were across difference areas such as organizational design, health care integrated planning and leadership, strategic and health communications, suicide prevention, mental health, and substance use services. Show less

Washington Dc-Baltimore Area

I steered the development of all national mental health policy related to the specialty areas of women’s mental health, military sexual trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, suicide prevention, substance use disorders and collaboration with the Department of Defense.I also held a dual role and served as the Acting Chief Consultant for Mental Health Services from August 2013 to January 2014 where I spearheaded all VA mental health policy nationwide for an integrated mental health care… Show more I steered the development of all national mental health policy related to the specialty areas of women’s mental health, military sexual trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, suicide prevention, substance use disorders and collaboration with the Department of Defense.I also held a dual role and served as the Acting Chief Consultant for Mental Health Services from August 2013 to January 2014 where I spearheaded all VA mental health policy nationwide for an integrated mental health care system with over 20,000 employees and an operating budget of $7.5 billion, during a time of high visibility for mental health issues and in a challenging environment. - Together with my team, I directed the execution of VA’s innovative, nationwide mental health public awareness campaign entitled “Make the Connection,” winning over 50 awards in 2 years through a highly successful social media campaign - I guided VA’s 15 national mental health research centers of excellence, including the National Center for PTSD - I successfully synchronized all aspects of VA’s collaboration on mental health with the Department of Defense and Health and Human Services. Show less

I served as the first Deputy Director for this new DoD Center of Excellence with a headquarters budget of over $200 million and 180+ staff during a time of significant Congressional and media visibility.• I designed an organizational structure for the Center while guiding programmatic direction for subject matter experts in psychological health and traumatic brain injury research and clinical care.

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

I took on a new, additional role to orchestrate all facets of a large, APA-accredited psychology internship consortium across 2 VA medical centers and an academic school of medicine. Within this role, I oversaw training for 15 psychology interns per year, coordinating the training provided by 30+ licensed psychologists who served as Consortium faculty. - I ensured excellence in training experiences, organized relevant didactic training, and facilitated trained professional development… Show more I took on a new, additional role to orchestrate all facets of a large, APA-accredited psychology internship consortium across 2 VA medical centers and an academic school of medicine. Within this role, I oversaw training for 15 psychology interns per year, coordinating the training provided by 30+ licensed psychologists who served as Consortium faculty. - I ensured excellence in training experiences, organized relevant didactic training, and facilitated trained professional development in both subject matter areas and professional ethics. Show less

Baltimore, Md

I developed and led the posttraumatic stress disorder clinical care programs for two large VA medical centers and 5 community-based outpatient clinics in the state of Maryland, transforming services to be strongly evidence-based.• Significantly increased access to care by eliminating 100% of backlogged, pending clinical consults while designing a system for same day mental health assessments.• Pioneered the establishment of VA Maryland Health Care System’s first mental health… Show more I developed and led the posttraumatic stress disorder clinical care programs for two large VA medical centers and 5 community-based outpatient clinics in the state of Maryland, transforming services to be strongly evidence-based.• Significantly increased access to care by eliminating 100% of backlogged, pending clinical consults while designing a system for same day mental health assessments.• Pioneered the establishment of VA Maryland Health Care System’s first mental health outreach and clinical program for Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Show less

New Haven, Ct

I provided leadership for the second largest women’s health research program in the United States and served as a key member of the executive team that set programmatic research priorities for intramural funding in women’s health.• I published collaborative research on the interrelationships between women’s mental and physical health.• I offered education on women’s health topics in educational and media contexts.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Clinical Psychology

APA-Approved Clinical Psychology Graduate Training Program

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba), Psychology

Apa-Approved Postdoctoral Fellowship In Ptsd

Apa-Approved Clinical Psychology Internship