OPA President Dr. Jonathan Douglas Colonel Brock Millman Dr

OPA President Dr. Jonathan Douglas Dr. Jonathan Douglas has practiced in clinical psychology since 1995, and is currently in private practice in Barrie, ON. His practice has evolved with a strong focus on trauma, particularly in veterans and first responders, but also including childhood trauma. He enjoys introducing innovative techniques while guiding the treatment with the consistent measurement of outcomes to ensure treatment progress. He is a passionate advocate for access to mental health services. Colonel Brock Millman Colonel Brock Millman was born in Brantford Ontario. He joined the Army Reserve in 1981, and has remained an active member ever since. He is currently employed as Reserve Advisor at 4th Canadian Division Headquarters. In 2010, he deployed to Afghanistan to serve as a Senior Advisor in the Afghan Ministry of Defence in the rank of Colonel. While there he was Advisor to the Vice Chief of General Staff and at times to the Chief of General Staff. During the last three months of his tour he was Chief of Advisors, Afghan National Army Development. Before taking up his current employment, he was Commander 31 Canadian Brigade Group. In civilian life, he is a Professor of History at the University of Western Ontario. He is the author of several books, and many articles concerning aspects of diplomatic history. He lives in St. Thomas with his partner Dayna, and far too many dogs and cats. Dr. Susan T Dowler Dr. Dowler graduated from Brock University with her Bachelor’s degree in psychology and went on to study at York University where she earned her Master’s degree and her doctorate in Clinical-­‐Developmental Psychology. She spent the first part of her career working as a forensic psychologist, specializing in the assessment and treatment of sex offenders. In 2006, she accepted a position with the Department of National Defense (DND) and began working with military members. In 2008, she transferred to the Operational Trauma and Stress Support Centre (OTSSC) in Ottawa as a front-­‐line psychologist. She became Practice Leader for Psychology at the military hospital and the Regional Advisor (ONT) in Psychology for DND in 2009 and, in 2010, Program Manager for the OTSSC. In 2014, she began working in her current position as Acting Chief Clinical Psychologist for the Directorate of Mental Health, Canadian Forces Health Services. Mike Blais Mike Blais is a veteran who joined the Canadian Forces in 1977. Mike served most of his military career with The Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR), 1st and 3rd Battalions. 1984, Mike sustained a serious lower back injury while in Cyprus on a UN Peacekeeping Operation. He was air evacuated to NDMC and, after surgery, was medically reassigned to the Canadian Forces Dental Services. Mike underwent a second lower back operation in Germany while on his second NATO tour at CFB Baden Soellingen. In 1993 Mike was medically released from the CF. On August 17, 2010, Mike became a reluctant veterans advocate after watching an extraordinary press conference given by the former PPCLI Commanding Officer, and Canada's first veterans ombudsman, Col Patrick B. Stogran. After watching Col Stogran, Mike was convinced that he had a duty to stand up for all veterans who are struggling to get the care and support they need from the Canadian Government. Dr. Dee Rajska Dr. Dee Rajska is a co-­‐founder and co-­‐director of Niagara Psychological Wellness. Her practice focuses on assessment and treatment of trauma in veterans, currently serving members of the military, as well as law enforcement and first responders.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Rajska is also recognized for her outreach to the military and veterans’ communities: she writes Coming Back Home, a blog about military mental health that boasts over 60,000 visitors since its inception in May 2013. Her outreach work has garnered awards from the Ontario Psychological Association, as well as from the Surgeon General of the Canadian Armed Forces, and from her local brigade. Lieutenant Commander Lyn Kingsley LCdr Kingsley has been a member of the Canadian Armed Forces for 26 years, beginning her career as an Army reservist then transferring to the Regular Force in 1991 to become an operational Naval Officer. After thirteen years in the Navy, she went on to complete her post-­‐graduate education in 2004 to become a Social Work Officer. After doing clinical work on military bases from coast to coast as well as serving in Afghanistan, she was employed in the Directorate of Mental Health as the Social Work Program Development Officer. In July 2015 LCdr Kingsley was appointed Section Head of Clinical Programs within the Directorate of Mental Health. David F. Ross, Ph.D. David received his PhD in clinical psychology in 1987 from McGill University. He currently serves as Manager (Acting) and National Clinical Coordinator of VACs national network of 11 Operational Stress Injury clinics (OSICs). specializing in the assessment and treatment of Veterans , RCMP and DND members suffering from operational stress injuries. He specializes in mental health outcomes management and the dissemination of evidence-­‐
informed mental health interventions. He has lead the development and implementation of VACs Client-­‐Reported outcomes Management Information System since its inception in 2008. Dr. Maya Roth, OSI Clinic Network Dr. Maya Roth is a psychologist at the Parkwood Operational Stress Injury Clinic, where she provides assessment, treatment and consultation services to Canadian Forces members, veterans, and eligible members of the RCMP in the Greater Toronto Area. Dr. Roth is an adjunct member of the Yeates School of Graduate Studies at Ryerson University and an Allied Scientist of the Lawson Health Research Institute in London, Ontario. Dr. Roth is certified as a Prolonged Exposure Therapy Trainer, Supervisor, and therapist, and a Cognitive Processing Therapy Therapist. Mike Newcombe, OISISS Co-­‐Ordinator Mike Newcombe joined the Canadian Armed Forces in February 1981 as an Infanteer, with the Royal Canadian Regiment. During his career, he served 8.5 years in Baden Baden, Germany, which he considers to be the highlight of his career. While serving in Germany, Mike was deployed with his unit to the Gulf War to “Operation Desert Storm”. Later, Mike was also deployed to the war in the former Yugoslavia, where he was part of the first Battle Group, whose mission included re-­‐opening the Sarajevo Airport, while under heavy fire. Following the deployment to Yugoslavia, his Battle Group was awarded the Commander-­‐in-­‐Chief Unit Commendation for “having opened the airport in the besieged city of Sarajevo in July 1992”. Further, “while surrounded and being shot at by belligerents on all sides, the BG steadfastly executed its mission, securing the Sarajevo airport for humanitarian and relief flights and escorting thse relief convoys into the city”. After 25 years of service, Mike Newcombe took a voluntary release from the Canadian Armed Forces. Shortly after his release, Mike suffered a number of heart attacks, which were later attributed to a toxic build up of stress, as a result of his military service. Subsequently, Mike was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), also as a result of his military service. Mike is now the Peer Support Coordinator with the Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS) Program for Southwestern Ontario. The OSISS Program is a partnership program between the Department of National Defence and Veterans Affairs Canada, whose vision is “to be an exemplary model of standardized peer support to Canadian Armed Forces personnel, Veterans and their families”. The professional peer support that is provided by the OSISS Program is a critical non-­‐clinical addition to the mental health services of both Departments. In his role as an OSISS Peer Support Coordinator, Mike is able to assist other Veterans and still serving Canadian Armed Forces members who have also been impacted with operational stress injuries, such as PTSD, resulting from their military service. This work is a way for Mike to ‘pay it forward’ after receiving similar assistance when he needed it. In 2012, Mike was awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubliee Medal, for his work with Veterans and military members with PTSD. Most recently, Mike has been assisting homeless Veterans in the London, ON, area, as they deal with their PTSD, and as they re-­‐integrate into society.