PAR Foundation

About the Instructor: Sam D. Bernard, Ph. D.
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 firm specializing in Disaster Psychology and Crisis Response. He holds a PhD in counseling psychology with a focus on disaster psychology and crisis intervention and a masters in clinical psychology focusing on psychological testing. 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, TN. He is a licensed Senior Psychological Examiner Health Service Provider in Tennessee, National Certified Counselor, National Certified Psychologist & Traumatologist. Sam has joined a team of instructors with FEMA s Center for Domestic Preparedness and Nobel Training Center / SAIC in Anniston, AL where he teaches Advanced Public Information Officer. 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, and 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 the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation in Baltimore, MD. He is an instructor with Green Cross Projects teaching various Traumatology courses and Compassion Fatigue. A Red Cross volunteer since 1975 (15 year old), Sam has been 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 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; 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 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 is 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 Leader. Sam is a licensed private pilot. He has responded to aviation incidents nationally, 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. Since elementary school, Sam has enjoyed learning and performing magic now a member of the International Brother of Magicians, he brings magic to his presentations to captivate and emphasize important concepts. Sam has 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.