Dr. Frank Ochberg is a founding board member of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and recipient of their highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award. He edited the first text on treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and served on the committee that defined PTSD. He was associate director of the National Institute of Mental Health and director of the Michigan Mental Health Department. Dr. Frank’s life goal is to help those suffering with PTSD live fulfilling, peaceful lives with hope and purpose.

Kari Russo serves as the Director of the First Orlando Counseling Center and is committed to delivering excellent mental health care both in her personal practice and through training of other mental health professionals. Passionate about rescuing those trapped by the effects of trauma, Kari is on the cutting edge of counseling and psychology practices. She co-hosts the Life After PTSD podcast and is certified to practice and educate others in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), EMDR, RTM, tf-NLP, and MESE.

Ed Maerkl is a veteran and has been serving his community for over 20 years. He holds a master’s degree in counseling and is a First Responder. His active research in healing PTSD puts him as a forerunner in trauma healing. He holds a Master Instructor status for the International Association of Fire Fighters. Ed’s experience working with people in difficult circumstances including trauma, mass casualty, suicide, and natural disaster gives him a unique insight to help give those feeling hopeless, a true sense of hope.