Karen E. Engebretsen-Stopczynski, PsyD
Licensed Psychologist Board Certified Sex Therapist
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American Veterans Alliance
Veterans and Family Healthcare Network – Mental Health Division
OUR MISSION: In order to assist the VA with their already-overwhelmed schedule we have created a program designed to “custom fit” the vast array of issues that any given Veteran needs, and more specifically, FEMALE VETERAN’S, to transition back into civilian life.
Our goal is to: 1) provide the highest quality health care with COMPASSION 2) make recommendations and services based on evidenced-based practice, YET, 3) RESPECT, consider and discuss CULTURAL DIVERSITY variables (including sexual orientation) important to the patient that may influence treatment decisions, 4) provide personalized COST EFFFECTIVE care, 5) focus on the PREVENTION of illness or disease and the MAINTENANCE of overall health and emotional well-being, using 6) a TEAM approach and Inter-Professional consultation.
QUALITY health care requires that the clinician(s) take adequate time to understand each patient’s needs. Research has shown that higher quality of care INITIALLY leads to 1) a better understanding of the presenting problem and thereby creating a more effective treatment plan, 2) reduces the likelihood of medical errors and most important, 3) COSTS LESS OVER TIME.
INITIAL VISIT-What to expect: Our unique model offers a variety of services which will be provided by highly skilled professionals each of whom are outstanding in their fields of expertise. Female Veterans and their families entering our facility will be welcomed into a warm, friendly, soothing, and caring environment. A detailed assessment, INCLUDING assessment for MST and history of SEXUAL ABUSE AND/OR ASSAULT will be conducted in a timely fashion (within 24 – 48 hours), and treatment plans will be generated according to each patient’s specific needs and the needs of her family. Referrals for additional medical care, diagnostic testing or intensive/inpatient treatment may be necessary if the patient’s needs are beyond the scope of our practice.
OUR STAFF: Most of our staff is EDUCATED and CREDENTIALED in the US.
Dr. Karen E. Engebretsen-Stopczynski, PsyD: the Developer and Clinical Director of this Pilot Project. She is a licensed psychologist, Board Certified SEX THERAPIST and Board Certified SEX EDUCATOR. Additionally and most important, she is also a medically disabled Vet and UNDERSTANDS the vicissitudes of navigating through the challenges of obtaining services from the VA! Areas of specialty: PTSD, TBI, Sexual Abuse and Sex Offenders.
Dr. Gerald E. Stopczynski, RpH, M.S., D.O, J.D.: Interim Medical Director, is a physician, Board certified in Trauma & Critical Care and also Family Practice and licensed to practice in 15 States. He has been assigned to numerous military installations and VA facilities over the years. He is also an attorney specialty med/mal and licensed to practice Law in Florida and Michigan.
Dr. Michael DiTomasso, Ph.D. : Licensed psychologist specializing in psychological testing, forensic psychology and will be dealing with incarcerated Vet population and Vets’ with current legal problems.
Deborah Grayson, LMHC, CPT, CST: Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Poetry Therapist, Board Certified Sex Therapist and sex educator who specialized in working with PTSD among the LGBTI community.
Dr. Eht-el Taylor, Ph.D., LMFT, LMHC: formerly with the Victim Advocate Program for 16 years and specializes in dealing with Domestic Violence and PTSD. She is also a Board Certified Hypnotherapist and provides post grad training in Hypnotherapy techniques.
Dr. William Tollefson, PhD, CHT: Clinical Psychologist, Master Life Coach and Hypnotherapist. He owned and operated an IP & OP facility for 25 years geared toward treating severely traumatized individuals. He also offers a HIGHLY effective technique that rapidly reduces symptoms of PTSD.
Dr. Marilyn Volker, EdD, : Sexologist, sex therapist, and sex educator with over 30 years of experience working with the Les/Bi/Gay and Transgender population. She was also responsible for assisting the DOD in creating Project Warrior during the Gulf War.
Valentina Kneppers, LMT : Massage therapist, specializes in biofeedback and “trigger point” massage.
Our facility will also include a Chiropractor (applicant waiting to be approved).
Nutritionist: (applicant waiting to be approved).
Each of the above clinicians specialize in assessing for and treating PTSD, TBI, SEXUAL ABUSE and general psychological issues. In addition to providing services, MOST of us will be offering educational programs to patients and fellow professionals for continuing education. Since the above constitute our BOARD of DIRECTORS as well as providing DIRECT PATIENT CARE, we will be conducting in-house research to closely monitor and make adjustments to the Program as needed. While each of the core clinical team is somewhat “outside the box” in our approaches, rest assured that we all adhere to our professional codes of ethics which govern our licenses and certifications. Curriculum Vitae’s, Credential Certification and reference are available upon request.
Since our Team’s basic philosophy of treatment is based on “Wellness” (what resources a patient already has that can be EMPOWERED), instead of “pathology” (illness, or what’s “wrong” with them), we aim to offer an array of treatment options that include traditional modes of medicine and psychological services as well as modalities such as chiropractic medicine, massage therapy, stress management classes, acupuncture, qigong classes, and state-of-the art devices that are designed to assist patients in managing symptoms of PTSD and TBI. We will also have a specially trained service dog who will act as our “mascot” but is also qualified to assist individuals diagnosed with PTSD to navigate in society.
By working as a team – Clinician, Community, and Veteran, this PILOT PROJECT can be duplicated all over the USA and US military instillations abroad. Our goal is to assist Vets in attaining the very best treatment possible. Don’t we owe it to them to give our appreciation for serving this great country?
THANK YOU for considering our program for your out-sourcing needs.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dr. Karen E. Engebretsen-Stopczynski
DABPS, DNBAE, DAPA, CDVC, FACAPP, FAAIM, DAC, CHT, CST, DABS
Licensed Psychologist, FL Lic: PY5409
Project Development and Clinical Director,
American Veterans Alliance
Veterans and Family Healthcare Network, Mental Health Division
Headquarters: www.wesupportvets.com
Website: www.drkaren.com email: drkaren@drkaren.com
American Veterans Alliance
Veterans and Family Healthcare Network – Mental Health Division
OUR MISSION: In order to assist the VA with their already-overwhelmed schedule we have created a program designed to “custom fit” the vast array of issues that any given Veteran needs, and more specifically, FEMALE VETERAN’S, to transition back into civilian life.
Our goal is to: 1) provide the highest quality health care with COMPASSION 2) make recommendations and services based on evidenced-based practice, YET, 3) RESPECT, consider and discuss CULTURAL DIVERSITY variables (including sexual orientation) important to the patient that may influence treatment decisions, 4) provide personalized COST EFFFECTIVE care, 5) focus on the PREVENTION of illness or disease and the MAINTENANCE of overall health and emotional well-being, using 6) a TEAM approach and Inter-Professional consultation.
QUALITY health care requires that the clinician(s) take adequate time to understand each patient’s needs. Research has shown that higher quality of care INITIALLY leads to 1) a better understanding of the presenting problem and thereby creating a more effective treatment plan, 2) reduces the likelihood of medical errors and most important, 3) COSTS LESS OVER TIME.
INITIAL VISIT-What to expect: Our unique model offers a variety of services which will be provided by highly skilled professionals each of whom are outstanding in their fields of expertise. Female Veterans and their families entering our facility will be welcomed into a warm, friendly, soothing, and caring environment. A detailed assessment, INCLUDING assessment for MST and history of SEXUAL ABUSE AND/OR ASSAULT will be conducted in a timely fashion (within 24 – 48 hours), and treatment plans will be generated according to each patient’s specific needs and the needs of her family. Referrals for additional medical care, diagnostic testing or intensive/inpatient treatment may be necessary if the patient’s needs are beyond the scope of our practice.
OUR STAFF: Most of our staff is EDUCATED and CREDENTIALED in the US.
Dr. Karen E. Engebretsen-Stopczynski, PsyD: the Developer and Clinical Director of this Pilot Project. She is a licensed psychologist, Board Certified SEX THERAPIST and Board Certified SEX EDUCATOR. Additionally and most important, she is also a medically disabled Vet and UNDERSTANDS the vicissitudes of navigating through the challenges of obtaining services from the VA! Areas of specialty: PTSD, TBI, Sexual Abuse and Sex Offenders.
Dr. Gerald E. Stopczynski, RpH, M.S., D.O, J.D.: Interim Medical Director, is a physician, Board certified in Trauma & Critical Care and also Family Practice and licensed to practice in 15 States. He has been assigned to numerous military installations and VA facilities over the years. He is also an attorney specialty med/mal and licensed to practice Law in Florida and Michigan.
Dr. Michael DiTomasso, Ph.D. : Licensed psychologist specializing in psychological testing, forensic psychology and will be dealing with incarcerated Vet population and Vets’ with current legal problems.
Deborah Grayson, LMHC, CPT, CST: Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Poetry Therapist, Board Certified Sex Therapist and sex educator who specialized in working with PTSD among the LGBTI community.
Dr. Eht-el Taylor, Ph.D., LMFT, LMHC: formerly with the Victim Advocate Program for 16 years and specializes in dealing with Domestic Violence and PTSD. She is also a Board Certified Hypnotherapist and provides post grad training in Hypnotherapy techniques.
Dr. William Tollefson, PhD, CHT: Clinical Psychologist, Master Life Coach and Hypnotherapist. He owned and operated an IP & OP facility for 25 years geared toward treating severely traumatized individuals. He also offers a HIGHLY effective technique that rapidly reduces symptoms of PTSD.
Dr. Marilyn Volker, EdD, : Sexologist, sex therapist, and sex educator with over 30 years of experience working with the Les/Bi/Gay and Transgender population. She was also responsible for assisting the DOD in creating Project Warrior during the Gulf War.
Valentina Kneppers, LMT : Massage therapist, specializes in biofeedback and “trigger point” massage.
Our facility will also include a Chiropractor (applicant waiting to be approved).
Nutritionist: (applicant waiting to be approved).
Each of the above clinicians specialize in assessing for and treating PTSD, TBI, SEXUAL ABUSE and general psychological issues. In addition to providing services, MOST of us will be offering educational programs to patients and fellow professionals for continuing education. Since the above constitute our BOARD of DIRECTORS as well as providing DIRECT PATIENT CARE, we will be conducting in-house research to closely monitor and make adjustments to the Program as needed. While each of the core clinical team is somewhat “outside the box” in our approaches, rest assured that we all adhere to our professional codes of ethics which govern our licenses and certifications. Curriculum Vitae’s, Credential Certification and reference are available upon request.
Since our Team’s basic philosophy of treatment is based on “Wellness” (what resources a patient already has that can be EMPOWERED), instead of “pathology” (illness, or what’s “wrong” with them), we aim to offer an array of treatment options that include traditional modes of medicine and psychological services as well as modalities such as chiropractic medicine, massage therapy, stress management classes, acupuncture, qigong classes, and state-of-the art devices that are designed to assist patients in managing symptoms of PTSD and TBI. We will also have a specially trained service dog who will act as our “mascot” but is also qualified to assist individuals diagnosed with PTSD to navigate in society.
By working as a team – Clinician, Community, and Veteran, this PILOT PROJECT can be duplicated all over the USA and US military instillations abroad. Our goal is to assist Vets in attaining the very best treatment possible. Don’t we owe it to them to give our appreciation for serving this great country?
THANK YOU for considering our program for your out-sourcing needs.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dr. Karen E. Engebretsen-Stopczynski
DABPS, DNBAE, DAPA, CDVC, FACAPP, FAAIM, DAC, CHT, CST, DABS
Licensed Psychologist, FL Lic: PY5409
Project Development and Clinical Director,
American Veterans Alliance
Veterans and Family Healthcare Network, Mental Health Division
Headquarters: www.wesupportvets.com
Website: www.drkaren.com email: drkaren@drkaren.com