About - Staff

​Board of Trustees

Sue Faria, President
​Sue is a former emergency services dispatcher (law, fire & EMS) with 14 years of experience. She has had Basic Peer Support training as well as Basic and Advanced CISM, and was a member of the Law Enforcement Chaplaincy in Sonoma County for six years.  Her husband retired after 37 years in law enforcement, and her stepson is currently a police officer in Northern California. Sue, a former client at WCPR, is now an FRSN Chaplain, an active peer support member, and a member of the Board of Directors.
Emily Brucia, PhD, Vice President
​Emily Brucia, PhD earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Palo Alto University and completed her pre-doctoral internship within the VA Northern California Health Care System. She is now the PTSD and Returning Veterans clinical psychology post-doctoral fellow at the San Francisco VA Health Care System. She previously trained with the Berkeley Mental Health and Berkeley Police Department Mobile Crisis Team and the San Francisco VA Health Care System Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Clinical Team. Her clinical work is focused on the assessment and treatment of trauma and PTSD, substance use, and chronic pain in veterans and first responders, as well as crisis intervention. Her research interests include evidence-based treatment of trauma and PTSD, risk and resilience factors for PTSD in first responders, and critical incident interventions for law enforcement.

​She has been involved with FRSN as a clinical intern, researcher, and administrator since 2011, and currently serves on the FRSN Board of Directors as a Trustee-At-Large.
STEPHANIE LEVY, LIMHP, LCSW, SECRETARY
Stephanie Levy was born and raised in California. She attended University of San Francisco and received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She then attended California State University Long Beach and received her Master’s degree in Social Work. After moving to Omaha in 2006 she worked for a hospital system and in July of 2016 moved into private practice where she specializes in first responders. Stephanie is a member of professional organizations EMDRIA and NASW. Stephanie has been practicing yoga regularly for the past 6 years and is a registered yoga teacher. She teaches a weekly Therapeutic Yoga class aimed at helping people who have been through trauma feel more in control of their breath and body.
ALBERT VELDSTRA, TREASURER
Albert retired from the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s department where he served for 30 years. He struggled for a number of years after retirement, not realizing that he suffered from PTSD. During this time of pain, he became a Chaplain for his former department. He then went through WCPR as a client, which helped tremendously in his healing process. He is currently active as a peer. He continues as a volunteer Chaplain and member of the Peer Support Team at his department.​
Tyler Fausset, Trustee
No bio available. 
Paget Mitchell, Trustee
No Bio available. 
Maura Pengel, CSAC, Trustee
No bio available. 
Bryan Sardoch, Trustee
No bio available. 
​LINDA GREEN, CHPC, TRUSTEE
Linda retired from the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection as an Assistant Chief after she served for 32 years. She earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Phoenix in Business Management. Now a life coach, she has trained in CISM and still provides peer support to her former department. Linda was a client at WCPR just weeks before retiring, is now an active peer support member, and a member of the Board of Trustees.

​STaff Members

Kelly Baker, SOS Director
Kelly Baker is the widow of Santa Cruz Police Department Detective Sergeant Loran 'Butch' Baker. On February 26, 2013, Kelly's husband was shot and killed in the line of duty, while he was pursuing a misdemeanor sexual assault case. Butch and Kelly were childhood sweethearts and met when they were 10 and 11 years old. They were married for 22 years and Butch could have retired a year before he was killed. 

Kelly is a mother of two children. Her daughter is an RN, BSN working in the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit at Duke University Hospital in North Carolina. Kelly's son was working as a Community Service Officer, when he heard the radio traffic of his father's death. Her son attended the WCPR Retreat and was able to separate his father's death from his job he loved at the police department. He is pursuing his career in law enforcement and graduates from the Police Academy in May 2015. 

The SOS Retreat is something Kelly holds dear to her heart and strongly believes in the program. 'I was told they couldn't do anything for the grief or pain of losing my husband, but they could provide me with tools to help me deal with the stress, which then could be passed along to my family. Prior to my retreat's attendance, I was stuck in the fight or flight mode of my healing progress. Daily, I was bombarded with situations and issues surrounding my husband's death. No one can ever prepare for their husband's death, especially in such a traumatic way. It was easier for me to fight than to feel, but I knew of the importance of allowing pain into my heart. I know when and how Butch died was never my decision to make. Butch loved his job and I never doubted he was doing exactly what he wanted to be doing, when he was killed. After the retreat, I felt my husband's death differently. The grief was much stronger, but I was able to handle things I was unable to face or deal with prior to the retreat. The retreat was truly a gift to my soul.' 

​Since her husband's death, Kelly has acted as a role model within the police community and lauded for her strength and support of the police officers and their families. Kelly spoke at the California Police Chiefs Women Leaders in Law Enforcement Training Symposium on how she healed from her husband's death and the support she received from the First Responders Network. She specifically spoke about her experience with the SOS Retreat and how it helped her and her family heal from the trauma. 
Kelly volunteers as a Spousal and Significant Others (SOS) Peer.
Joel Fay, PsyD ABPP, Clinical Director
Joel started his law enforcement career in 1975 and retired from the San Rafael Police Department in 2011, after serving in Law Enforcement for over 32 years. Joel's past police assignments have included SWAT, Canine, Patrol, Investigations, Street Crimes Unit and Mental Health Liaison. Joel is a peer/clinician member of the First Responder Support Network (FRSN) and was Board President from 2002 through 2012. Joel is now the Clinical Director for FRSN. 

​In addition to his volunteer work at WCPR, Joel teaches a variety of topics to law enforcement throughout California, has a private practice and consults with numerous agencies. Joel earned his doctorate in Psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology, is a licensed psychologist and specializes in emergency services response to critical incident stress. Joel is board certified in Police and Public Safety Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology. Approximately 50 psychologists in the country have this certification.
Mark D. Kamena, PhD ABPP, Director of Research
Dr. Mark Kamena is board certified in police and public service psychology and is an oral examiner for candidates for board certification. He is a lead clinician for both WCPR and SOS, the Director of Research, and a co-founder of the First Responders Support Network. He is a co-author of Counseling Cops: What Clinicians Need to Know (Guilford Press). 

​Mark has private practice in Marin County where he specializes in first responder post-traumatic stress injury. He is the 2013 President of the California Psychological Association and will rotate to immediate past-president in 2014, retaining his position on the Executive Committee.
Louisa Parks, PhD, Intake Coordinator
Louisa is a licensed psychologist in CA and NY. She has been volunteering with WCPR since 2008, and is the Intake Coordinator for the program. She is a specialist in public safety critical incident stress/PTSD, and maintains a private practice for Military/First Responders in Oakland and Novato. Dr. Parks provides debriefing services throughout Northern California and is also a staff neuropsychologist at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, specializing in brain injury and dementia. She earned her doctorate degree at the California School of Professional Psychology and did her internship and post-doctoral residency at Laguna Honda Hospital and UC Davis Medical Center. A former New York City resident, Dr. Parks was a civilian responder to the WTC on 9/11/2001 and is a member of the Red Cross Disaster Response Team. You can access Dr. Parks's website at: www.louisaparks.com. 
Cyndee Thomas, Chaplain Director
An internationally known speaker and trainer, Cyndee retired from the Redding Police Department, Redding California, in 2014 after 17 years of service as their Senior Chaplain. She continues to serve as a Chaplain and Chaplain consultant to many agencies. She is an approved instructor with the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC) and California Law Enforcement POST (Peace Officer Standard’s and Training). She is a member of the Executive Committee of ICPC serving as Executive Secretary, after serving as Vice-President, President-Elect, and President. She is an ordained minister whose style reaches all ages and faiths. Her areas of expertise include: Crisis, Trauma and Disaster Response, Stress Management, Crisis Intervention, Peer Support, Dealing with Emotional & Spiritual Loss, Grief & Trauma Counseling and Women in Ministry. Cyndee and Larry have been married for 47 years have 2 married sons and 4 grandchildren. She is a private pilot and loves to fly, go boating, and be with the grandchildren and family!
Nick Turkovich, Peer Director & Satellite Director
Nick is retired from the Antioch Police Department where he served for 25 years. He was one of four officers who started the first Peer Support program for the department and served his fellow officers as a Peer for 21 years. He has a certificate in Advanced Critical Incident Stress Management from the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation and certificates from California POST in Officer Involved Shooting Critical Incident Intervention, Basic Peer Support, Suicidal Subjects Intervention, Crisis Intervention, and Advanced Peer Counseling. He has been dedicated to helping First Responders and military personnel since he was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder while he was serving in the U.S. military.

Chaplains

Sue Faria, President
Sue is a former emergency services dispatcher (law, fire & EMS) with 14 years of experience. She has had Basic Peer Support training as well as Basic and Advanced CISM, and was a member of the Law Enforcement Chaplaincy in Sonoma County for six years.  Her husband retired after 37 years in law enforcement, and her stepson is currently a police officer in Northern California. Sue, a former client at WCPR, is now an FRSN Chaplain, an active peer support member, and a member of the Board of Directors.
Jan Heglund
Rev. Jan Heglund was ordained at Grace Cathedral, S.F., in 1994 and is a member of St. John's Episcopal Church, Ross, California. She is a chaplain with the San Rafael Police Department, S.F. Division of the FB I and a founding member and Chaplain Director for First Responders Support. Jan is also a chaplain for the International Footprinters Association, Marin Abused Women's Services, Compassionate Friends, the Returning Vet Club at College of Marin, San Rafael Police Department Peer Support Team and a Board Member of Project Grace and Compassionate Friends. She had a Senior Rating with the International Conference of Police Chaplains and worked at Ground Zero and served as chaplain for the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Rev. Jan has been a recipient of the Martin Luther, Jr. Humanitarian Award, NAMI Clergy of the Year Award, the Marin Soroptimist Making A Difference for Women Award and is an inductee into the Marin Women's Hall of Fame. She has credentials in Critical Incident Stress Management and Individual Crisis Intervention. 
Stacy Perkins
No bio available. 
Matt Schrader
Matt has been a chaplain with the Modesto Police Department since 2002. He is a member of the department’s Peer Support and CISM Team and has spent more than 5000 hours with officers on ride alongs. He is trained in Basic Peer Support as well as Basic and Advanced CISM and has attained Master level standing with the International Conference of Police Chaplains. 

​Matt has been employed at CrossPoint Community Church in Modesto, California since 1997.
Cyndee Thomas, Chaplain Director
An internationally known speaker and trainer, Cyndee retired from the Redding Police Department, Redding California, in 2014 after 17 years of service as their Senior Chaplain. She continues to serve as a Chaplain and Chaplain consultant to many agencies. She is an approved instructor with the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC) and California Law Enforcement POST (Peace Officer Standard’s and Training). She is a member of the Executive Committee of ICPC serving as Executive Secretary, after serving as Vice-President, President-Elect, and President. She is an ordained minister whose style reaches all ages and faiths. Her areas of expertise include: Crisis, Trauma and Disaster Response, Stress Management, Crisis Intervention, Peer Support, Dealing with Emotional & Spiritual Loss, Grief & Trauma Counseling and Women in Ministry. Cyndee and Larry have been married for 47 years have 2 married sons and 4 grandchildren. She is a private pilot and loves to fly, go boating, and be with the grandchildren and family!
Albert Veldstra, Treasurer
Albert retired from the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s department where he served for 30 years. He struggled for a number of years after retirement, not realizing that he suffered from PTSD. During this time of pain, he became a Chaplain for his former department. He then went through WCPR as a client, which helped tremendously in his healing process. He is currently active as a peer. He continues as a volunteer Chaplain and member of the Peer Support Team at his department.

In Memory of

Clinicians

Dian Barkan, LCSW
Dian is a LCSW currently in private practice working with couples, individual adults, adolescents and families. Dian specializes in crisis intervention, trauma, first responders, adolescent issues, parenting skills, family therapy, personal adjustment, case management and medical social work. 

​Dian is a member of the Northbay Regional Critical Incident Stress Management Team and is a founding member of WCPR. Dian is a member of National Association of Social Workers, Forensic Mental Health Association of California and the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc.
Anne Bisek, PsyD
Dr. Anne Bisek, Psy.D. is a clinical psychologist in Fremont, California. She graduated from the Wright Institute in 2004. Her second year practicum was at the Hayward Police Department’s domestic violence unit and her dissertation was about three Urban Search and Rescue teams from the bay area who were deployed to New York following the terrorist attack in 2001.

Dr. Bisek has a private practice where she offers individual counseling (including EMDR) to firefighters, police officers, dispatchers/communications, pre-hospital personnel (EMTs, paramedics) and military veterans.

Dr. Bisek is been the team psychologist for the San Mateo Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team since 2009 and most recently the Palo Alto Fire Department CISM team. She provides Critical Incident Stress Debriefings throughout the bay area.

​Her subspecialty in working with first responders is calls for service that involve the death of a child. This is a major reason first responders enter treatment. Dr. Bisek regularly presents When a Child Dies: Understanding Emergency Responders’ Reactions to the Death of a Child to peer support teams at state conferences and as a keynote speaker. To learn more about her specialty, please visit www.whenachilddies.com.
Emily Brucia, PhD, Vice President
Emily Brucia, PhD earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Palo Alto University and completed her pre-doctoral internship within the VA Northern California Health Care System. She is now the PTSD and Returning Veterans clinical psychology post-doctoral fellow at the San Francisco VA Health Care System. She previously trained with the Berkeley Mental Health and Berkeley Police Department Mobile Crisis Team and the San Francisco VA Health Care System Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Clinical Team. Her clinical work is focused on the assessment and treatment of trauma and PTSD, substance use, and chronic pain in veterans and first responders, as well as crisis intervention. Her research interests include evidence-based treatment of trauma and PTSD, risk and resilience factors for PTSD in first responders, and critical incident interventions for law enforcement.

​She has been involved with FRSN as a clinical intern, researcher, and administrator since 2011, and currently serves on the FRSN Board of Directors as a Trustee-At-Large.
Ann Buscho, PhD
Ann is a licensed clinical psychologist in San Rafael, CA. Her areas of specialty include family issues, divorce, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. She is a volunteer with Marin Medical Reserve Corps, and is experienced in critical incident stress debriefing and certified in EMDR. She is a co-founder of the SOS retreat and is married to a police officer.
Catherine Butler, LMFT
Catherine is a marriage and family therapist in private practice in La Mesa, CA, a suburb of San Diego. She is a veteran of the Canadian Navy and a military spouse for over 20 years. Catherine specializes in the treatment of military and first responder PTSD related issues; is a certified EMDR therapist, and the therapist for the employees and families of La Mesa PD, as well as for Cal Fire, and several other local fire and police departments. She provides training for various first responder agencies and academies around San Diego County and volunteers for the West Coast Post Trauma Retreat yearly. As the mother of a firefighter/paramedic, she understands the personal and professional challenges to the career and works to promote wellness, resiliency and support for the EMS community in San Diego.
Stephanie M. Conn, PhD
No bio available. 
Stephanie Cress, RN, LCSW, CTS
Stephanie Cress, RN, LCSW, CTS is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Registered Nurse with over thirty years experience working in Behavioral Health. She has a private psychotherapy practice in San Francisco and Pleasant Hill, California, specializing in trauma recovery, PTSD, First Responders, family homicides, EMDR, anxiety and depression. Stephanie is a member of the National Association of Social Work, the Clinical Social Work Association, the EMDR International Association, and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. She is a clinician member of the San Francisco Police Department's Psychological Professional Panel, a Certified Trauma Specialist through the Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists. 

Stephanie also produced and co-directed the documentary, Looking Forward, Looking Backward: Families Survive Homicide, which is included in California State University, Sacramento's Social Work program curriculum, and examines posttraumatic stress and the effects of homicide in families. Stephanie is also the President of the first Responder Support Network.
Douglas Cyr, LMFT, CTTS
Doug is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Trauma Treatment Specialist. As a Certified EMDR Therapist and ICISF Approved Instructor, he maintains a first responder-exclusive practice in Walnut Creek.
Katherine D. Czesak, PhD
Katherine is a licensed psychologist with over 25 years of clinical experience. She is trained in EMDR and specializes in adult and childhood trauma, medical trauma, anxiety, work place stress, relationship problems and life-transition difficulties.  She has offices in San Francisco and Oakland, California.
Jade DeFrates, LCSW
No bio available. 
Tim Dietz
Tim retired after 29 years in the fire service and is the Founder/CEO of Behavioral Wellness Resources, a consulting/counseling firm catering to the behavioral wellness needs of emergency response organizations and individuals, and works with several response agencies in developing the “Culture” so responders feel comfortable seeking help.  

​Tim is an internationally known speaker on human emotional crisis, grief, death notification and staying happy and healthy in the emergency services professions. He is author of the book “Scenes of Compassion.” A Responder’s Guide for Dealing with Emergency Scene Emotional Crisis, and author of “Emotional Rescue” an article in “B” Shifter Magazine addressing the firefighter suicide issue. He helped oversee the U.S. Coast Guard’s mental health response following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, was the clinical advisor to the CISM response to the Oso, Washington mud slide, and is the clinical advisor to the U.S. Forest Service PNW Region 6. 

Tim lives and has a small private practice in Oregon’s beautiful Willamette Valley.
Heather Dinneen, LCSW
No bio available. 
Nadine Dody LPC
Nadine specializes in First Responders and Significant others in their lives. She works with Trauma survivors, PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, and Relationship counseling.
Linda Dunn, PhD, MBA, Trustee
No bio available. 
Iverson "Ive" Eicken, PhD
No bio available. 
Michael Elder, LMFT CTS
Michael is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California and Washington. He has specialized in treating trauma and violence for over 20 years, working in turn with sexual abuse, domestic violence, and the full range of experiences encountered by county jail inmates. He has assisted in efforts to reestablish a peer support team in the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office. In his youth he spent several seasons as a wild land firefighter. He is a Certified Trauma Specialist with the Association of Traumatic Stress specialists, certified EMDR therapist with the EMDR International Association, a Level 1 iRest® teacher, and holds a certificate of specialized training in first responder issues from the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation. He currently has a private practice on Orcas Island in Washington. 
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