6th Annual IDMH Conference
Friday April 17, 2009

In the Wake of Disaster:
Effective Mental Health Interventions

Participant Biographies

Chris Brewin, Ph.D., Professor of Clinical Psychology at the Research Department of Clinical, Educational & Health Psychology, University College London. Dr. Brewin also is an honorary consultant clinical psychologist with the Camden & Islington NHS Foundation Trust where he specializes in the treatment of PTSD at the Traumatic Stress Clinic. His areas of interest include cognitive processes underlying psychopathological states, processes of memory and identity in traumatized individuals, and the role of screening and early intervention following major incidents. He is the author (with Dalgleish and Joseph) of the widely cited dual representation theory of PTSD. Among his funded projects are a study of the neural basis of emotional memory retrieval in PTSD and depression, a study of delayed-onset PTSD in war veterans, and an evaluation of the National Health Service�s mental health response to the 2005 London bombings. He is a Fellow of the British Psychological Society, a member of the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, the American Psychological Association, and the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy. Recent books include Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Malady or Myth? published in 2003 by Yale University Press, and The Neuropsychology of PTSD: Biological, Clinical, and Cognitive Perspectives, edited with Jennifer Vasterling and published by Guilford Press in 2005.

Michael S. Cronin, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., Assistant Professor of Social Work at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, and a Disaster Mental Health Leader and Volunteer Partner for International Mental Health at the American Red Cross in Greater New York. Dr. Cronin joined ARC/GNY as a volunteer after the 1996 TWA flight 800 crash, and has continued to work as a Red Cross disaster mental health worker and instructor, lending his knowledge and helping elevate the concept of psychological first aid and responder self-care internationally. As a member of the Chapter's Disaster Mental Health (DMH) team, he was invited to implement a training curriculum in psychological first aid and self-care for Magen David Adom (MDA), the Israeli Red Cross Society, in Jerusalem. The following year, Dr. Cronin helped develop and teach a "train the trainer" psychological support model for the Jerusalem MDA, furthering the training of more than 100 emergency service workers. The model's success led him to participate in the planning of the upcoming launch of the National MDA Psycho-Social Support Program. Dr. Cronin is the lead representative to the UN for the International Federation of Social Workers and works to raise international awareness about social issues such as aging and human rights.

Ali Gheith, MS, MPH, Resiliency Coordinator, Office of Mental Health Disaster Preparedness and Response, NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene, joined Project Liberty immediately following the disastrous events of 9/11, where he outreached to union workers at ground zero, addressed the special needs of vulnerable population, and trained counselors on methods of providing culturally appropriate disaster mental health services to the diverse NYC communities. He conducted the first known research on NYC Muslim mental health needs and the role of the mosque into the day-to-day lives of the American-Muslim communities. An expert on Islamic and Middle Eastern studies, he is a co-founder of the Muslim Mental Health Group which publishes a professional journal on Muslim mental health. In early 2003, Mr. Gheith joined the NYC DOHMH as a coordinator of Population Based Resilience at the Office of Mental Health Disaster Preparedness and Response. This office coordinates mental health disaster preparedness and response for NYC. Recently, in collaboration with the Columbia University School of Social Work, Mr. Gheith completed a training manual for DOHMH staff and community leaders active in decision making to enhance their coping skills following a disaster. In addition, he collaborated with the New York Disaster Interfaith Services in the development of a mental health section for a disaster chaplaincy training manual. Mr. Gheith is Adjunct Professor of Emergency and Disaster Management at the Metropolitan College of New York, and a board member of the NYSOMH Multi-Cultural Advisory Committee.

Paul Greene, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, Iona College, was a firehouse clinician for the Counseling Services Unit of the FDNY and is co-author of FDNY Crisis Counseling: Innovative Responses to 9/11 Firefighter, Families, and Communities. He has participated in the New York State Psychological Association Disaster Response Network since 1991. Dr. Greene is a member of the Iona College team that assesses and intervenes with students that present mental health and behavioral issues of concern to the community.

Peter B. Gudaitis, M.Div., Chief Executive Officer of New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS), also serves as the president of the National Disaster Interfaiths Network (NDIN), and as an independent consultant and trainer on interfaith and inter-religious partnerships and disaster readiness, response, and recovery services. From 1999 to 2003, he served as Associate Director of Episcopal Charities of the Diocese of New York, where he managed community-based outreach and youth grant programs and directed diocesan relief and recovery programs in the wake of 9/11. Mr. Gudaitis has eight years of EMS experience as an EMT, EMT-I, and EMS Chaplain and holds a Master of Divinity degree from the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church and a B.A. from Kenyon College. He is president of the National Disaster Interfaiths Network (NDIN) and also serves on the board of directors of both NYC VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) and of the Human Services Council of New York City. Mr Gudaitis also brings his expertise to several national working groups including; the Working Group on Citizen Engagement in Health Emergency Planning at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center�s Center for Biosecurity; and the Working Group on Wounded Warrior Wellness for the Federal Bureau of Investigation�s Behavioral Science Unit. In 2007, Mr. Gudaitis received the Individual Award for Excellence in Preparedness and Planning from National VOAD.

Monica J. Indart, Psy.D., BCETS, Emergency Response Coordinator, NJ Division of Mental Health Services, Disaster and Terrorism Branch, is a licensed psychologist with over 25 years of experience working in crisis intervention, trauma, and complicated grief.  A graduate of the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University, she has been a visiting faculty member in the clinical psychology department for the past 10 years. After working for four years in New Jersey's federally funded 9/11 program (Project Phoenix), she continues to consult with the Division of Mental Health Services, providing training and workforce development for the state's new certification in disaster response crisis counseling.  For the past five years, she has provided consultation and training for the United Nations and UNICEF on issues related to crisis intervention, trauma, and psychosocial support programs for staff on peacekeeping missions, delivering programs in Latin America, East and South Africa, and Thailand. Dr. Indart also  works with NGO’s in Uganda and Rwanda on programs integrating trauma services with peacebuilding activities for communities affected by civil conflict.  She is currently collaborating with the International Institute of New Jersey on a grant proposal that would study narrative exposure therapy as a treatment model for survivors of torture. She maintains a practice in Maplewood, NJ.  Her current interests focus on understanding cultural and spiritual beliefs  in recovery from trauma.  

Richard E. Isralowitz, Ph.D., Professor of Social Policy and Director of the Regional Alcohol and Drug Abuse Resources (RADAR) Center at Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva, Israel, has served as an advisor to the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs addressing social issues and development in Africa and the Middle East. He has had visiting appointments in academic institutions including the National University of Singapore (Fulbright Fellow); University of Manchester, England (Hallsworth Professor of Social Policy); New York University (International University Professor); and, Rutgers University. He has received the US National Institute on Drug Abuse �Distinguished International Scientist Award� for his research on at-risk populations. His more than 100 publications have appeared in American, European and Israeli journals and he has published eight books. Dr. Isralowitz receives support from the US Agency for International Development to promote peace and cooperation in the Middle East. He serves as academic advisor to the US/Israel Educational Foundation that is responsible for Fulbright and Humphrey Scholar Programs. He has been a member of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Capacity-Building Consortium for the Global Network of Resource Centers/UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs. Presently, Dr Isralowitz serves as a member of a steering committee on earthquake preparedness in Israel.

Meredith Johnson, BA, is in her final year of the Mental Health Counseling M.S. program at SUNY New Paltz.  She is currently completing her internship year as a counseling intern with The Institute for Family Health at their health center in Ellenville, NY, where she works with child and adult individuals, families, and groups.  Meredith is also a mental health support and casework volunteer with the American Red Cross, Ulster County Chapter.  She is honored by this opportunity to co-facilitate the workshop on helpers' self-care, a topic of personal interest and professional relevance.

Dianne Kane, DSW, CGP, Assistant Director of the Counseling Services Unit of the FDNY, is a licensed clinical social worker and certified group psychotherapist. She is an Adjunct Professor at Hunter College School of Social Work and the Assistant Director of the Counseling Service Unit of the Fire Department of New York. She has been involved in the development and delivery of employee assistance and trauma related services to uniform personnel in NYC since 1994. Following the loss of 343 NYC firefighters on 9/11 she was responsible for the rapid expansion and development of trauma and bereavement services to over 15,000 members of the FDNY community. Currently these programs serve over 3,000 responders annually and continue to follow over 200 bereaved family members. In addition she has provided services to members of the New Orleans Fire Department following Hurricane Katrina and to FDNY veterans deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. With a prior background in staff development and training she has served as a consultant to numerous for profit and not for profit organizations following critical incidents and during periods of reorganization. Dr. Kane is a Certified Group Psychotherapist and serves on the Community Outreach task force of the American Group Psychotherapy Association. She is co-author of FDNY Crisis Counseling: Innovative Responses to 9/11 Firefighters, Families, and Communities (2006) and the newly released Healing Together: A Couple's Guide to Coping with Trauma and Post-traumatic Stress (2009).

Paula Madrid, Psy.D., Director, Psychosocial Preparedness Division, National Center for Disaster Preparedness, Columbia University, is a clinical psychologist licensed in New York State. Dr. Madrid is the director of the psychosocial preparedness division at the National Center for Disaster Preparedness of Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health.  She is also the Senior Director of Mental Health Services at the Children's Health Fund in New York City. Dr. Madrid has publised and presented on the development of psychosocial programs and resiliency building for children and families in the aftermath of disasters including the terrorist events of September 11th and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Gerald McCleery, Ph.D., is a graduate of Duke and St. John’s Universities. A clinical psychologist, as Associate Executive Director of Mental Health Association he is responsible for LifeNet, which is NYC’s 24/7 multicultural mental health crisis and information and referral service. He has also administered MHA’s disaster mental health services programs including: the September 11th Fund and American Red Cross September 11th Mental Health and Substance Abuse Benefit Program; the American Red Cross Emotional Support for Recovery program for 2005gulf coast hurricane victims, and the current NYC-funded 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Benefit Program. He serves as a member of the NY State 2-1-1 Policy Board and as a member of the advisory committee for the NYC enhanced 3-1-1/2-1-1 system. Prior to joining the MHA in 2002, he spent 11 years with the PMR Corporation in San Diego as the Senior VP for Clinical Services and Product Development. Before coming to PMR, he worked for 21 years in the New York State mental health system, the last 10 of which he served as Deputy Director at Rockland Psychiatric Center in Orangeburg, NY.

Jeannie Straussman, LCSW, has provided clinical leadership in disaster mental health planning and response following September 11th, Hurricane Katrina, and other local and national disasters as an administrator for the New York State Office of Mental Health and as a volunteer with the American Red Cross.  In recent years, she has represented NYSOMH in developing networks and expanding services for veterans and their families across New York State.

Kathleen (KatySue) Tillman, M.A., Lecturer, Department of Psychology at the State University of New York at New Paltz where she teaches the Psychology of Childhood Trauma course. Ms. Tillman is experienced in working with children and adolescents who have experienced the death of a family member or close friend. She has facilitated grief support groups through the schools; counseled bereaved youth through community agencies; provided consultation to surviving parents; worked directly with bereaved children and adolescents following the attacks of September 11, 2001; and volunteered with Comfort Zone Camp, the nation�s largest bereavement camp for children and adolescents. In addition to her clinical experiences, she has provided training to hospice workers and conducted numerous workshops on working with bereaved youth, including professional presentations at the national level.

Mary Tramontin, Psy.D., is currently the lead psychologist at the Traumatic Stress Studies Program/PTSD Clinic at the James J. Peters Veterans Administration Medical Center in New York City. In this role, she has developed programs to address the specific needs of Afghanistan and Iraq War veterans and offers supervision and treatment in state of the art post traumatic stress disorder therapies. Dr. Tramontin has served on the Disaster Mental Health Leadership Committee of the Greater New York Chapter of the American Red Cross for over a decade. She has been instrumental in organizing New York City’s Red Cross mental health response to disasters, including that of the World Trade Center Attack.  Because of her contribution to the 9/11 recovery efforts, Dr. Tramontin was the only clinician selected to be part of the “last load” closing ceremony at the WTC site in June of 2002. In addition to her expertise in the management of traumatic stress, Dr. Tramontin is also a forensic psychologist and has worked for the New York City Police Department, the Department of Justice-Federal Bureau of Prisons and the United States Secret Service’s National Threat Assessment Center. She is the co-author of Disaster Mental Health: Theory and Practice, 2007, Thomson Books/Cole Publishers.

Rabbi Stephen B. Roberts, BCJC, MBA, Associate Executive Vice President of the New York Board of Rabbis (NYBR), directs the Jack D. Weiler Chaplaincy Services of the NYBR which provides pastoral care services to over fifty facilities in the New York City region and around the country for those impacted by disaster. Since 2000 he has served on American Red Cross’ National Spiritual Care Oversight Committee, which oversees the provision of spiritual care after major transportation and other disasters.  Rabbi Roberts, responding to the 9/11 terror attacks, was the ARC’s first Spiritual Care Officer overseeing the provision of spiritual care in New York City and then helped oversee the program as the Senior Volunteer from December 2001 to May 2002. In June 2002, he chaired a one day conference, “The Lifecycle of a Disaster: Ritual and Practice – Understanding the Impact of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on faith communities and their leaders,” which was attended by over 700 leaders of faith communities. Rabbi Roberts is a Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Disaster Chaplaincy Services, a multi-faith organization which now provides disaster chaplains in the New York area. He is the co-editor of Disaster Spiritual Care: Practical Clergy Responses to Communiy, Regional and National Tragedy (2008), which is the first comprehensive resource for pastoral care in the face of disaster, integrating the classic foundations of pastoral care with the unique challenges of disaster response on community, regional and national levels.