Paula Condol obtained her master’s degree in Community Counseling in 1996 from St. Cloud State University and is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the state of ND and a Certified Supervisor.  She has been the Director of the Dakota Children's Advocacy Center for 22 years, and worked as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Mary Masters of Counseling program for 9 years. Paula provides evidence-based treatment to children and their families affected by trauma and abuse and trains others in the field on utilizing these evidence-based practices. 

Nicole Herting is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who specializes in working with children and families impacted by trauma. Dr. Herting is the Clinical Director of the Sanford Traumatic Stress Treatment Center, Mental Health Strategic Director at Red River Children’s Advocacy Center, an Adjunct Research Scientist for Sanford and the Treatment Collaborative for Traumatized Youth, and an Adjunct Professor in the University of North Dakota Clinical Psychology Program. Dr. Herting has extensive training in trauma and child abuse and is experienced in providing evidence-based, trauma-specific screening, assessment, treatment, trainings, and consultation. Dr. Herting is involved in several statewide evidence-based trauma treatment and screening implementation initiatives in North Dakota. 

Regan Stewart is an Associate Professor and clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Stewart’s research focuses on addressing mental health disparities for underserved trauma-exposed youth, particularly through the use of telehealth technology within the United States and globally. She is the director of the Telehealth Outreach Program for Traumatic Stress at MUSC, a program focused on utilizing telehealth to increase access to trauma-focused treatment for underserved children. Dr. Stewart is a nationally recognized expert in telehealth delivery of trauma-focused interventions for children and adolescents. She led the development of a training curriculum for telehealth delivery of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and has trained organizations across the U.S. in this work.

Carrie Epstein, LCSW-R is Co-Director of the Yale Center for Traumatic Stress and Recovery and Assistant Professor at the Yale Child Study Center at the Yale University School of Medicine. For over 30 years, Ms. Epstein has been providing treatment, supervision, and consultation on providing mental health treatment and on developing new programs for children and families impacted by trauma and traumatic grief. She is recognized both nationally and internationally as an expert in the field of child trauma, child traumatic grief and disaster response. Ms. Epstein is co-developer of the Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI), which is currently the only evidence-based early, brief trauma-focused intervention for children and families that is designed specifically to be implemented in the acute phase of trauma response that reduces and interrupts the development of PTSD and related disorders. She has responded to multiple school shootings and other mass casualty disasters across the country. She served as a key coordinator of New York City’s mental health response to the attacks on 9/11 and was a principal investigator of a collaborative, multi-site study that was the largest youth trauma project associated with the September 11th terrorist attack in New York City which was established to deliver evidence-based trauma treatments for impacted children and adolescents. Ms. Epstein played a lead role in coordinating Yale’s response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, providing ongoing training and consultation to mental health professionals in the greater Newtown area. In addition, Ms. Epstein provided training and ongoing consultation to mental health providers after the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Ms. Epstein and her colleagues also developed nationally disseminated materials that aimed to increase public awareness about both the behavioral health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as ways of coping with the pandemic. Ms. Epstein is also a National Trainer of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).

Ms. Epstein has been instrumental in developing and overseeing national training initiatives and national learning collaboratives focused on the dissemination of child trauma-focused evidence-based treatment models, and provides training and clinical supervision, locally, nationally, and internationally on child trauma-focused evidence-based practices. She has co-authored numerous publications in support of her trauma-focused activities. Ms. Epstein was the one of the original and organizing Principal Investigators of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) and has continued to Co-Chair the NCTSN’s Child Traumatic Grief-Traumatic Separation Committee since its inception in 2001. She has served on the Steering Committee of the NCTSN, as well as act as a regular contributor to the NCTSN’s Terrorism and Disaster Response Committee.

Prior to her position at the Yale Child Study Center, Ms. Epstein was Senior Director of Child Trauma Programs at Safe Horizon in New York City, the largest victim assistance, victim advocacy organization in the country, where she oversaw clinical services for children and families impacted by trauma in the organization’s outpatient programs, domestic violence shelters, and Child Advocacy Centers. During her tenure at Safe Horizon, Ms. Epstein has served on the Scientific Advisory Board to the Evidence-based Treatment Dissemination Center of the New York State Office of Mental Health, as well as the HHS Region II Strategy Group on Mental Health and Trauma.

Martha J. Finnegan is a Supervisory Child/Adolescent Forensic Interviewer (CAFI) for the FBI’s Victim Services Division.  As a CAFI, Ms. Finnegan conducts victim interviews and/or helps agents locate qualified interviewers in their area.  Types of violations where Ms. Finnegan’s interviewing skills are utilized include, but are not limited to, cyber exploitation, human trafficking, abduction, and mass casualty events/terrorism cases. Ms. Finnegan is also available to provide expert testimony, technical assistance and training to FBI personnel, U.S. Attorneys, and other federal, state local, and international agencies in the areas of forensic interviewing of victims of abuse and exploitation.

Before coming to the FBI, Ms. Finnegan worked at Children’s Hospital Center for Child Protection in San Diego, CA and at APRI’s National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse.

Ms. Finnegan has published an article entitled Creating and Administering a Kids Court Program and is co-author of an article entitled The Use of Anatomical Diagrams in Child Sexual Abuse Forensic Interviews. She also authored a guide for FBI agents entitled Investigative Interviews of Adolescent Victims and co-authored an article entitled Interviewing Compliant Adolescent Victims. Ms. Finnegan also co-authored an article on presenting evidence in forensic interviews entitled A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: Incorporating Child Pornography Images in the Forensic Interview.

HeatherKimbell holds a Master of Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Workerin the state of Georgia. Heather has been conducting forensic interviews forover 6 years and is currently employed as a Child/Adolescent ForensicInterviewer with the FBI. In addition to conducting forensic interviews,Heather provides consultation and training to law enforcement personnel,community agencies, and various professional groups. Heather came to the FBIfrom a Child Advocacy Center in Georgia where she also provided forensicinterviews and Trauma Focused – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Heather also hasa background in hospital social work and has been working in the field oftrauma since 2016.

Denise Edwards is director of government affairs for National Children’s Alliance (NCA), the national association and accrediting body for Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC). As director of government affairs, Denise develops, coordinates and leads all federal  and national legislative and public policy strategies for NCA and its members, including strategies to expand the use and awareness of CACs in the public policy arena.  Prior to her tenure with NCA, Denise served as manager of government affairs for Dunkin’ Brands, Inc., representing the company and its more than 16,000 small business franchises before Congress and State/Local governments.

Denise began her Washington career working in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving, among others, as deputy chief of staff and legislative director for Rep. Bud Cramer; and on the legislative staff of Rep. Chet Edwards.  Denise is a graduate of Baylor University, with a master’s in Public Policy Administration and a bachelor’s in Business Administration with a focus on financial planning.

dedwards@nca-online.org

Shawntae Jones, Ph.D., holds a doctorate degree in Counseling Psychology, with specialized doctoral training in childhood trauma and sexual abuse. She has been conducting forensic interviews for more than 12 years and is currently employed as a Child/Adolescent Forensic Interviewer. In addition to conducting forensic interviews, Shawntae provides consultation and training to law enforcement personnel, community agencies, and various professional groups. Shawntae’s professional background also includes the provision of trauma-focused therapeutic services to children and families impacted by abuse, violence, and loss. 

Jodie Hively holds a Master’s of Science in Education and is aLicensed Marriage and Family Therapist who worked with high-risk youth. Ms.Hively’ s background is primarily in Psychology and CriminalJustice. Prior to becoming a Forensic Interviewer, she worked as aProbation Officer and Family Case Manager for Child Services. She is currentlyemployed with the FBI as a Child/Adolescent Forensic Interviewer with theVictim Services Division, Child Victim Services Unit and hasbeen a Forensic Interviewer for almost sixteen years.  She providesinterviews, consultation and training for FBI Agents, Assistant United StatesAttorney’s, and other federal, state and international law enforcement.

Martha J. Finnegan is a Supervisory Child/Adolescent Forensic Interviewer (CAFI) for the FBI’s Victim Services Division.  As a CAFI, Ms. Finnegan conducts victim interviews and/or helps agents locate qualified interviewers in their area.  Types of violations where Ms. Finnegan’s interviewing skills are utilized include, but are not limited to, cyber exploitation, human trafficking, abduction, and mass casualty events/terrorism cases. Ms. Finnegan is also available to provide expert testimony, technical assistance and training to FBI personnel, U.S. Attorneys, and other federal, state local, and international agencies in the areas of forensic interviewing of victims of abuse and exploitation.

Before coming to the FBI, Ms. Finnegan worked at Children’s Hospital Center for Child Protection in San Diego, CA and at APRI’s National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse.

Ms. Finnegan has published an article entitled Creating and Administering a Kids Court Program and is co-author of an article entitled The Use of Anatomical Diagrams in Child Sexual Abuse Forensic Interviews. She also authored a guide for FBI agents entitled Investigative Interviews of Adolescent Victims and co-authored an article entitled Interviewing Compliant Adolescent Victims. Ms. Finnegan also co-authored an article on presenting evidence in forensic interviews entitled A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: Incorporating Child Pornography Images in the Forensic Interview.

Rachel N. Murdock joined the FBI as a Child/Adolescent Forensic Interviewer in November 2012 and is currently a Supervisory Child/Adolescent Forensic Interviewer for the Child Victim Services Unit, Victim Services Division.  As part of her job duties, Rachel is able to provide forensic interviews, expert testimony, case assistance, and training to FBI personnel, United States Attorneys, and other federal, state and local agencies.  Additionally, Rachel provides supervision, training, and administrative support to the CAFIs in the central United States.

Rachel is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Missouri and a licensed clinical professional counselor in the state of Kansas with specialized training in delivering Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology in 2004 and Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology in 2006, both from Missouri State University in Springfield, MO.  She is an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Psychology at Missouri State University, where she has taught for the last eighteen years.  Rachel has published multiple articles and textbook chapters on forensic interviewing and forensic psychology.

Geoff Sidoli, MSW, LCSW, is the current Executive Director of the Mountain Child Advocacy Center in Asheville, NC where he supervises a clinical department that assesses and treats trauma and problematic sexual behavior in children with an evidence supported curriculum that he has developed. He is also  the Co-Chair of the Youth with Problematic Sexual Behaviors Collaborative Workgroup. Geoff has an broad history of work with sexual violence for over 30 years including the assessment and treatment of individuals that have caused sexual harm. He speaks regionally and nationally on the topic of sexual trauma treatment and prevention. He serves on several state and national boards that focus on assessment, intervention and prevention of sexual harm and trauma

Jerri Sites, MA, is a training consultant with 28 years of experience working in the field of child abuse investigations. She has conducted over 2100 Forensic Interviews and has testified numerous times as an expert witness.  Jerri co-authored “The Child Abuse Investigative Field Guide” published in 2015 and as a former Regional Training Specialist for the Southern Regional Children’s Advocacy Center authored “Research to Practice” publications.  She specializes in “MDT Response” presentations on specific topics to include: Recantation, Children with Problem Sexual Behaviors, Identifying Corroborative Evidence in the Forensic Interview, Conducting Minimal Facts Interviews, and the Trauma-Informed MDT. Jerri is also a member of the Youth with Problematic Sexual Behaviors Collaborative Workgroup.

Alyson MacKenzie is the Director of Accreditation at National Children’s Alliance, and manages the accreditation process for Child Advocacy Centers throughout the country. Previously Alyson was the Senior Program Associate of Accreditation at NCA as well as Program Associate at NCA, managing grants and membership for the Southern Region of the United States. She has a Master’s Degree in Social Work and a Certificate in Human Service Management from Boston University. Ms. MacKenzie has years of experience providing training and technical assistance to Children’s Advocacy Centers across the country.

Alyssa Todd worked as an Investigative Social Worker for Vermont CPS for almost five years, then moved to Philadelphia for grad school, where she continued to work with youth in foster care. She moved back to Vermont and became the Director and Forensic Interviewer of a small Associate Member center in Brattleboro, VT in 2012. In 2016 the Center became fully Accredited with NCA under Ms. Todd's leadership. During her time working at a CAC, her interests were mostly focused on Forensic Interviewing and Vicarious Trauma.

Michelle Miller, PhD, LCSW, LCPC, has over 25 years’ experience working in the child welfare field and 18 years’ experience providing mental health care and clinical supervision to mental health practitioners, in addition to training and implementation of evidence-based practices and treatments. Michelle co-founded the Butte Child Evaluation Center, Montana’s first accredited CAC, in 1998, where she served as director, forensic interviewer, and MDT coordinator until 2013. Michelle was also instrumental in founding the Montana State Chapter organization of NCA, which she chaired from 2008-2011, and continued to serve as a board member until 2016. Michelle has served on numerous local, state, and national task forces and committees. In her private practice, Michelle specialized in providing CFTSI and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Michelle has been working on Mental Health Initiatives at NCA since 2016.

Amelia Siders, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist who has worked to support children’s advocacy centers for over 12 years. She gained experience providing direct service as well as being a clinical supervisor and program director at a children’s advocacy center in Traverse City, Michigan. Following her time at the CAC, she had the opportunity to serve as the clinical director at the state chapter level for Children’s Advocacy Centers of Michigan. Her role at the chapter included providing resources, training, and supports for clinicians and advocates who served CACs throughout the state. She has been trained in several evidenced-based trauma informed treatment practices including Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. She has provided consultation in the areas of trauma-informed assessment and substance use treatment as well as served as an expert witness related to trauma and sexual abuse. 

Lisa Conradi, Psy.D. is the Executive Director at the Chadwick Center for Children and Families at Rady Children’s Hospital – San Diego. In this role, she provides overall leadership support to the Chadwick Center, a children’s advocacy center and one of the largest trauma treatment centers in the nation. She has multiple years of experience in the field of child trauma and in supporting service systems in their efforts to become more trauma-informed. She has authored and co-authored a variety of publications on trauma screening and assessment practices, creating trauma-informed systems and presented nationally on innovative practices designed to improve the service delivery system for children who have experienced trauma. She is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and has received training from the developers on multiple evidence-based trauma-focused treatment practices, including Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP). She is on the editorial board for the Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma and a co-author of the upcoming book, Trauma-Informed Assessment with Children and Adolescents: Strategies to Support Clinicians.