About the Instructor:                       Sam D. Bernard, PhD

Sam is President of Bernard & Associates, P.C. – his private practice focusing on trauma-based clients both civilian and military. He is Executive Director and Lead Clinician of the PAR Foundation a Chattanooga based non-profit organization (501-c-3) specializing in Disaster Psychological Crisis & Disaster Services. He holds a PhD in counseling psychology with a focus on disaster psychology and crisis intervention. He completed a one year internship with Crisis Management International in Atlanta, GA and a one year residency in Disaster Psychology at Erlanger Healthcare’s Level One Trauma Center in Chattanooga. Sam has joined a team of instructors from SAIC to teach the Advanced Public Information Officer course with FEMA’s Center for Domestic Preparedness at the Nobel Training Center in Anniston, AL. He is also an instructor with the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation teaching Group, Peer/Individual, Group & Peer 3-day Course, Advanced Group, Suicide, School, Pastoral, Stress Management for the Trauma Provider, Team Evolution and Management, Building Skills, Grief Following Trauma, Terrorism: Psychological Impact and Implications, Strategic Response to Crisis, Emotional & Spiritual Care in Disaster, Workplace CISM, From Trauma to Addictions, and The Changing Face of Crisis & Disaster Mental Health Intervention. In Feb 2009, Sam co-presented a day-long pre-conference workshop on “Crisis Intervention with Elderly & Disabled People” for the 10th World Congress of ICISF in Baltimore, MD. Sam is certified in Resiliency Crisis Leadership and is an instructor with the Baltimore based Resiliency Sciences Institutes. He is an instructor through the New York Academy of Medicine in Psychosocial Aspects of Bioterrorism.  He is also an instructor with Green Cross Projects teaching Traumatology and Compassion Fatigue. A Red Cross volunteer since 1975 (15 year old), Sam has done maintenance on CPR manikins, served as lifeguard, instructor in CPR, First Aid, HIV-AIDS Education, AED, Advanced First Aid, and Disaster Mental Health Services. He chaired the HIV-AIDS education committee in Kingsport, TN – his hometown and has taught Disaster Mental Health Services nationally. Sam retired from Red Cross service after 30 years. He is Board Certified in Comprehensive, School and University Acute Traumatic Stress Management – teaching each course and is both a Fellow and Diploate with the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress where he also serves on their Board of Scientific & Professional Advisors. He is certified in Homeland Security Level III and in Crisis Intervention through the American College of Forensic Examiners International where he serves on the Board of Critical Incident Professionals. He was a responder to New York’s lower Manhattan during 9-11-01 for 3 weeks; consultant to Georgia Emergency Management during the Tri-State Crematory event for two months, Deputy Incident Commander for the Florida State University based Green Cross Projects response to the 2005 Tsunami and US Hurricanes Katrina & Rita and service provider in Miami to returning responders to the Haitian earthquake. He is the clinical director of the Tri-State CISM Team; the Suicide Postvention Response Team, and the School Crisis Support Cooperative team - all based in Chattanooga. Sam is a founding member of the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network and was voted the 2007 and 2008 Chair of the Governor’s Appointed Advisory Board - TSPN. In 2009 he was the first to receive the “Emeritus” status with TSPN. He was a consultant to the TN Department of Agriculture and has served as an evaluator for the TN Dept of Agriculture & UT College of Veterinary Medicine’s Food Terrorism Table-Top exercises beginning in 2005 and Agri-Terrorism Table-Tops with the TN Dept of Homeland Security, TN Dept of Agriculture and TEMA. He has been a consultant trainer for the Tennessee Department of Corrections Academy since 2003. He has served as President of the Chattanooga Area Psychological Association and President of the Tennessee Association of Psychological Examiners. Sam is a member of Civil Air Patrol, Auxiliary of the US Air Force (1990) where he holds the earned rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He has served as Public Affairs Officer at the Squadron and Wing levels and holds the “master rating”. He was CISM Officer & Clinical Director for the SE Region. He now serves as National CISM Team Clinical Director after serving as national Team Leader for 3 years.. Sam is a licensed private pilot. He has responded to aviation incidents nationally, he serves on various “go” teams and is survivor of an aviation incident in Karachi, Pakistan while serving as a People-To-People High School Ambassador in 1981. Sam and Buddy (petite shelty) provided "pet therapy" to local hospitals and nursing homes for 7 years until Buddy's death in 2007.  Sam suspended his practice and cared for both parents during their life’s end – he is an only child.  Sam is a native of Tennessee and makes his home in Chattanooga, TN where he enjoys landscaping, working-out, walking and listening to instrumental smooth jazz.

Contact Information:     Telephone:  (423) 322-3297
                                  e-mail:          sam@sambernard.info   or    sambernard@parfoundation.info
                                  web pge:       www.sambernard.info    or     www.parfoundation.info