Business Details
Trauma and PTSD Specialist in Vancouver, WA
Since the beginning of my career, I have dedicated myself to understanding and treating trauma-related conditions, combining clinical expertise with forensic rigor. With over 25 years of experience, I provide specialized psychological evaluations and cognitive-behavioral therapy for individuals suffering from PTSD, anxiety, and depression, informed by my decade-long research at the University of California, San Francisco, and the San Francisco VA Medical Center. My forensic services support attorneys in criminal, civil, immigration, and employment cases, leveraging my scientific training and clinical acumen to deliver precise diagnostic insights. I prioritize culturally competent care for veterans and first responders, offering tailored evaluations, debriefings, and treatment programs grounded in evidence-based practices. My workshops and trainings for legal and mental health professionals emphasize the neurobiology of trauma, stress management, and compassion fatigue, reflecting my commitment to education and collaboration.I maintain a client-centered approach in therapy, fostering confidentiality and empowering individuals to actively participate in their treatment goals. My practice balances forensic objectivity with compassionate care, ensuring both legal and therapeutic needs are met with integrity. I have testified as an expert witness in federal, state, and immigration courts, bringing clarity to complex psychological issues through accessible, personable communication. My research contributions, including peer-reviewed publications and co-authored books, further inform my practice, bridging academic rigor and real-world application. This integration of clinical, forensic, and educational roles defines my mission to advance trauma-informed care across diverse populations.
Services
Forensic Evaluations
PTSD Treatment
Workshops & Trainings
Veterans Services
First Responder Support
Highlights and features
- We offer over 25 years of experience in trauma and PTSD treatment.
- Our forensic evaluations combine scientific research with clinical expertise.
- We provide culturally competent care for veterans and first responders.
- Our cognitive-behavioral approach aligns with evidence-based practices.
- We deliver expert witness testimony in federal, state, and immigration courts.
Services
Forensic Evaluations
Conducting in-depth psychological evaluations for legal cases, including criminal, civil, immigration, and employment matters. Utilizing gold-standard assessment tools tailored to referral questions. Providing expert witness testimony in court proceedings and arbitration hearings.
PTSD Treatment
Specialized cognitive-behavioral therapy for PTSD and trauma-related conditions. Focused on identifying negative thought patterns and developing coping strategies. Designed for adults experiencing anxiety, depression, and work-related stress from traumatic events.
Workshops & Trainings
Delivering customized trainings for attorneys, mental health providers, and first responders. Covering topics like PTSD neurobiology, stress management, and trauma prevention. Available in half-day, full-day, or two-hour formats with interactive or didactic approaches.
Veterans Services
Providing evaluations, treatment, and research for combat veterans and service members. Addressing PTSD, sleep disturbances, and family impacts of deployment. Collaborating with VA programs and veteran support organizations for comprehensive care.
First Responder Support
Offering post-incident debriefings and mental health treatment for law enforcement and emergency personnel. Addressing critical incident stress and occupational trauma. Partnering with agencies across Oregon and Washington for proactive psychological support programs.
People
Suzanne Best
Clinical and Forensic Psychologist
Dr. Best is a licensed psychologist with over 25 years of experience in trauma research and treatment. She specializes in PTSD evaluations, forensic services, and mental health workshops. Her career spans academic research at UCSF and clinical practice in Oregon and Washington.
Questions
What forensic services do you offer for legal professionals?
I provide psychological evaluations, expert witness testimony, and attorney consultation in criminal, civil, immigration, and employment cases using evidence-based assessment methods.
How do you treat PTSD and trauma-related conditions?
I use cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to address negative thought patterns and develop coping strategies, focusing on evidence-based techniques for trauma, anxiety, and depression.
Do you work with veterans and military families?
Yes, I offer specialized evaluations and treatment for veterans, collaborate with VA programs, and co-authored resources for military families dealing with deployment impacts.
What training topics do you provide for professionals?
I conduct workshops on PTSD neurobiology, stress management, compassion fatigue, and trauma-informed care for attorneys, first responders, and mental health providers.
How can first responders access your services?
I provide post-incident debriefings and mental health support for law enforcement and emergency personnel across Oregon and Washington through agency referrals.
