Specialties
Trauma and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Dr. Best's primary specialty is in the psychological effects of trauma. She has been trained by the founding masters in the field of trauma research, treatment, and assessment, and has herself trained and supervised numerous therapists and researchers. She has co-authored over 15 scientific, peer-reviewed articles on PTSD and has conducted numerous workshops and presentations on the effects of trauma. As an active member of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Dr. Best serves as an Ad Hoc Reviewer for the Journal of Traumatic Stress and on the ISTSS Program Committee, reviewing submissions for their annual conference.
Exposure Therapy
Dr. Best has particular expertise in "Exposure Therapy", a
specialized intervention which has proven to be highly effective for treating
PTSD in trauma survivors. She has collaborated in the development and evaluation
of manualized exposure treatments for sexual assault survivors, Vietnam
veterans, police officers, and Iraq/Afghanistan veterans. Dr. Best currently
trains and supervises over a dozen psychologists in conducting exposure
treatment and successfully utilizes this intervention in her private practice
to treat a variety of trauma sufferers.
Law Enforcement Personnel
For nearly a decade, Dr. Best has enjoyed the privilege of working with law enforcement professionals including State Police, County Sheriffs, Municipal Police, FBI, and Corrections.
Research
As the Project Director of a study of over 700 officers from NYPD and
Bay Area departments, she conducted over 100 in-depth psychological interviews
and followed up with NYPD officers who took part in the post-9/11 disaster
response. In addition, Dr. Best has directed a prospective study of police
academy recruits who are followed through their first two years of police
service and she has co-authored numerous articles on the resulting data
from these studies.
International Association of Chiefs of Police
As a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police Psychological
Services Section, she has presented to the section on a number of topics
and assisted in the development of recommended guidelines for Post-Shooting
Interventions.
Private Practice
In her private practice, Dr. Best conducts post-shooting interventions
for a number of Oregon and Washington agencies and provides on-going treatment
to law enforcement and corrections personnel suffering from problems such
as Depression, PTSD, Anxiety, Anger Management, and Sleep Disturbance. In
addition, Dr. Best has been an invited presenter and consultant to numerous
law enforcement organizations and agencies across the nation.
Combat Veterans
Since 1996, Dr. Best has been affiliated with the San Francisco VA Medical Center where she has directed several studies of veterans from various war eras. In the last few years, she has focused on developing treatments for veterans with PTSD and on training and supervising the therapists providing this treatment.
Courage After Fire
In 2006, Dr. Best co-authored Courage After Fire, a self-help book for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families. This book, which provides education and coping strategies to assist returning veterans in their readjustment home, has also been widely utilized by military and veteran's organization, clergy, and mental health practitioners.