Expert Advisory Panel

expert panel.

The Institute on Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care is fortunate to have an Advisory Panel made up of experts in the fields of both trauma and trauma-informed care. 

Sandra Bloom.

Sandra Bloom, MD

Associate Professor, Drexel University

Co-Creator of The Sanctuary Model 

Dr. Sandra L. Bloom is a Board-Certified psychiatrist and faculty member at the School of Public Health at Drexel University.  Dr. Bloom is the Founder and Executive Director of the Sanctuary programs, inpatient psychiatric programs for the treatment of trauma-related emotional disorders. Dr. Bloom established a training institute, the Sanctuary Leadership Development Institute, to train a wide variety of programs in the Sanctuary Model. Dr. Bloom co-authored the first book to look at the whole issue of trauma as a major public health problem, Bearing Witness: Violence and Collective Responsibility.

Photo of Lisa Butler.

Associate Professor, University at Buffalo

Lisa D. Butler received her BS in philosophy and psychology (with honors) from the University of Toronto and her PhD in psychology (personality/psychopathology) from Stanford University. Subsequently, she received an NIMH National Research Service Award postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Psychiatry in the Stanford School of Medicine. Her recent research involves investigations into anticipatory traumatic stress symptoms; trauma, stress and self-care in clinical training; applications of the trauma-informed framework; and identifying the care needs of veterans and their families. She is currently PI of Joining Forces–UB (formerly The UB Partnership for Excellence in Veteran Care), a collaboration between UB’s Schools of Social Work and Nursing that has developed veteran-specific training specializations in each school. 

Photo of Roger D. Fallot.

Roger D. Fallot, PhD

Clinical Psychologist
Director of Research and Evaluation, Community Connections
Clinical Faculty, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University

Dr. Roger D. Fallot is a licensed clinical psychologist with 22 years experience as director of Research and Evaluation at Community Connections. Dr. Fallot is the primary developer of the "Creating Cultures of Trauma-Informed Care" approach to agency transformation. Dr. Fallot is also a contributor and co-editor of "Using Trauma Theory to Design Service Systems." Dr. Fallot consults widely on the development of trauma informed cultures of care. Dr. Fallot's professional areas of specialization include the development and evaluation of services for trauma survivors and the role of spirituality in recovery.

Photo of Lisa M. Najavits.

Lisa M. Najavits, PhD

Professor of Psychiatry, Boston University
School of Medicine Lecturer, Harvard Medical School

Dr. Lisa Najavits is a professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine and the creator of the evidence-based trauma treatment, Seeking Safety. Dr. Najavits is the author of over 180 professional publications, as well as the book Seeking Safety: A Treatment Manual for PTSD and Substance Abuse. Dr. Najavits clinical and research interests are substance abuse, trauma, co-morbidity, behavioral addictions, veteran's mental health, community-based care, development of new psychotherapies and outcome research. Dr. Najavits has served as president of the Society of Addiction Psychology of the American Psychological Association and serves on many advisory boards.

Emeritus Member

Photo of Patrick W. Welch.

Patrick W. Welch, PhD

U.S. Marine Corps (Ret) Professional Veteran
Senior Mentor, Buffalo Veterans Treatment Court 
President, Advocate, Consultant, & Educator, Protect Amherst Life Association

Welch served on the ITTIC Advisory Council from January 2012-June 2014.