Founding Faculty
Joshua Arvidson MSS., LCSW
A pioneer of trauma-informed services integration across the care continuum; expertise with trauma impacting rural mental health, early childhood education, child-welfare involved youth, Indigenous Peoples and military families.
Margaret Blaustein, Ph.D.
An internationally recognized expert in the treatment of trauma-impacted youth; co-developer of ARC, one of the most widely disseminated complex trauma intervention models for children, families and systems.
Mandy Habib, Psy.D.
A national leader in the understanding and treatment of complex traumatic stress in youth; co-developer and lead trainer for the SPARCS treatment model for adolescents.
Cassandra Kisiel, Ph.D.
A national leader in trauma screening and assessment; expertise in psychometric instrument development and in evaluation of complex developmental trauma and dissociation for children and adolescents.
Victor Labruna, Ph.D.
An accomplished traumatic stress researcher, trainer and co-developer of the SPARCS model; expertise in adult psychotherapy and intervention with youth in residential treatment and juvenile justice settings.
Jana Pressley, Psy.D.,
A prominent national trainer and graduate level educator in child and adult complex trauma treatment; specializes in the intersection of trauma with spirituality and intervention with under-resourced communities.
Joseph Spinazzola, Ph.D.
An internationally recognized complex trauma researcher, scholar and treatment developer; national trainer of multiple intervention models for children, adolescents, adults and systems including ARC, CBP and Trauma Drama.
Brad Stolbach, Ph.D.
A champion for advancing understanding of developmental trauma’s effects on urban youth and families; specializes in the intersection of complex trauma with race, poverty and community violence.
Associate Faculty
Stephanie Blubaugh, LMSW
A talented child and family psychotherapist, clinical supervisor and trainer; experience conducting statewide trauma training as well as trauma-informed care initiatives within schools, child welfare and out-of-home placements.
Sonya Mathies Dinizulu, PhD
A leading trauma researcher, trainer and child and family therapist; specializes in development of community-based service delivery models promoting mental health of violence-exposed urban youth of color.
Amy Fingland, Psy.D.
A gifted child and adult trauma-specialty psychotherapist, clinical supervisor and organizational consultant; expertise in clinical dissociation, gender identity, services for LGBTQIA+ individuals, and residential treatment for youth.
Eliana Gil, Ph.D., RPT-S, ATR
An internationally renowned trauma lecturer, writer and clinician; expertise in child and family play therapies, and assessment and treatment of child sexual abuse and associated behaviors.
Angel M. Knoverek, Ph.D., LCPC, ACS
A highly experienced trauma trainer, educator and psychotherapist; serves in state and national leadership capacities to further the dissemination of evidence-based trauma interventions including SPARCS, PFA and CCCT.
Jennifer Lefebre, Psy.D., RPT/S
A highly accomplished trauma trainer, consultant, and psychotherapist; specializes in the integration of play therapy, yoga and somatic therapies with evidence-based trauma treatment across various service settings.
Merle Perkins
An accomplished vocalist, actor and educator; specializes in use of improvisational theater to advance social emotional learning, foster empowerment and promote violence prevention in trauma-exposed and at-risk youth.
Debra Ruisard, DSW, LCSW, LCADC
A gifted program developer, trainer and organizational consultant; specializes in the integration of trauma and addiction treatment and the use of yoga and somatic therapies in trauma intervention.
Kevin Charles Smith
An innovative musician, motivational speaker and educator; specializes in use of theater and team-building to empower diverse populations including at-risk youth, incarcerated adults, gifted children, and corporate groups.
Patricia Vickers Ph.D., RCC
A highly esteemed program developer and cultural researcher; specializes in the development and implementation of professional training curricula to advance trauma-informed care for First Nations families and communities.
Kaitlyn Marie Wilson, LICSW
A talented trainer and clinical leader; specializes in increasing access to trauma-informed services and the adaptation of evidence-based practices including ARC, Nurtured Heart and TF-CBT for diverse communities.