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 masters in the field of trauma research, treatment, and assessment, and has herself trained and supervised numerous therapists and researchers. She has co-authored numerous scientific, peer-reviewed articles on PTSD and associated conditions and conducted workshops and presentations on the effects of trauma. As an active member of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Dr. Best has served as an Ad Hoc Reviewer for the Journal of Traumatic Stress and on the ISTSS Program Committee, reviewing submissions for their annual conference. In addition, she is a charter member of APA's Trauma Division (Division 56).
Treatment
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
Since 1998, Dr. Best has enjoyed the privilege of working with law enforcement professionals including State Police, County Sheriffs, Municipal Police, Corrections, and various federal agencies.
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 and to the annual convention
as a whole on a number of topics and currently serves as the Chair of the
Post-Shooting Intervention Guideline revision committee.
Police Psychology 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, Work Stress, PTSD, Anxiety, Relationship Issues, 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. Since the start of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, Dr. Best has conducted numerous trainings for mental health students and professionals on working with returning veterans and has been interviewed by radio, TV and print reporters nationwide. In her practice, she treats veterans of all eras and provides pro bono services to OEF/OIF veterans and their families through the Returning Veterans Resource Project Northwest.
Courage After Fire
In 2006, Dr. Best co-authored Courage After Fire, an award-winning 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 been widely utilized by military and veteran's organization, clergy, and mental health practitioners. http://courageafterfire.com