Philosophy and Practice

  • Therapy is a sacred space for exploring your life, identity, struggles, dreams, and relationships. There is no other relationship like it, one designed specifically to create and support your mental health.

  • The most important factor for predicting a positive outcome in therapy has been identified as the relationship between therapist and client. What that means is that the client/therapist relationship has to be the right “fit” for you.

  • In times of pain and/or challenging life circumstances, therapy provides support, validation, and guidance.

  • Throughout this process, a priority is placed on building resilience. The “doing” piece of the therapy includes skills, problem-solving, healthy coping strategies, effective navigation of relationships, and goal-oriented actions.

  • Together, you’ll work to increase space in your life for your authentic self, a connection to others, peace, and understanding about your journey to a fulfilling life.

  • Dr. Bernard’s practice includes services for the assessment and treatment of trauma and stressor related disorders, anxiety, moral injury, grief, adjustment to challenging life transitions (i.e. pregnancy, military discharge/retirement, parenthood, college, relationships, and career moves).

  • In addition, Dr. Bernard has dedicated time for presentations, workshops, and instruction.

Moral Injury

  • Dr. Bernard’s clinical specialty is Moral injury, where she dedicates much of her time and heart.

  • “Moral injury” refers to the lasting impact (emotional, psychological, social, behavioral, and spiritual) of actions that violate a person’s core moral values and behavioral expectations of self or others (Litz et al., 2009).

  • A large part of Dr. Bernard’s career has focused on providing therapy for veterans who have experienced military-related trauma (combat and non-combat), moral injury, and the challenges of transition back into civilian life.

Education and Professional Development

  • Licensed Clinical Psychologist in New York

  • Specializations: Trauma and or stressor-related disorders, triage/crisis intervention, and moral injury

  • Certified Hostage Negotiator - New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services

  • New York Association of Hostage Negotiators- Instructor

  • Certified Instructor, Kidnapping for Ransom- NYAHN, NYS

  • Contract Psychologist for the Syracuse Police Department - Instructor (Wellness Team and Hostage Negotiation Team), crisis intervention, after incident debriefs, HNT callouts, individual and couples therapy for officers.

  • Professional development and training in Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative Exposure Therapy, all within a foundation of Psychodynamic Therapy

  • Nine years working within the Department of Veterans Affairs both as a clinical provider in the Veterans Health Administration and medical examiner in the Veterans Benefits Administration.

  • Subject matter expert in Moral Injury

  • APA accredited Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Chestnut Hill College

  • American Psychological Association (APA) - 2014 Award for Distinguished Graduate Student in Professional Psychology

  • Masters degree in Experimental Psychology from Towson University

  • Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Georgia State University

  • Four years of NCAA Division I soccer

  • Licensed soccer coach (NSCAA and US Soccer Federation)