Cohen Veterans Network Appoints Established Healthcare Professionals to Lead Three New Cohen Clinics Scheduled to Open This Summer

STAMFORD, Conn., May 22, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Cohen Veterans Network (CVN), a national not-for-profit philanthropic organization, has appointed three well-established healthcare professionals to lead its next three Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinics opening this summer. Since being founded in 2016, CVN has provided much-needed mental health care to more than 11,000 clients, with a focus on serving post-9/11 veterans and military family members.

"As we continue to grow our national network, we focus on hiring the top talent in our industry. Each of these individuals are leading the way in their markets, while also representing CVN's core values of integrity, community, and excellence," said Cohen Veterans Network President & CEO Dr. Anthony Hassan. "We are confident in their work and look forward to them leading our next three Cohen Clinics."

The 11 Cohen Clinics already established throughout the nation provide high-quality, tailored mental health care to post-9/11 veterans and military families with very low wait times – in fact, 94 percent of clients surveyed said they were able to get an appointment when they wanted it. For anyone in crisis, Cohen Clinics will schedule same-day appointments. In-person appointments and those scheduled through CVN's Telehealth program, which is the same face-to-face therapy except its delivered online, are available for a variety of mental health challenges including PTSD, depression, anxiety, adjustment challenges, anger, grief & loss, family issues, transitional challenges, relationship problems, and child behavioral problems.

"CVN is keeping its promise to post-9/11 veterans and military families as we are well on our way to establishing 25 Cohen Clinics by 2020," Dr. Hassan added.

With new Cohen Clinics continuing to open across the nation, CVN will be able to reach more veterans and military families who need help. In California, Virginia, and Florida more than 600,000 post-9/11 veterans will soon be able to receive customized, life-saving mental health care at no or low-cost through the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinics at Veterans Village San Diego, CA; The Up Center in Virginia Beach, VA; and Aspire Health Partners in Tampa, FL. Leading these new clinics will be:

Shari Finney-Houser, LMFT, will oversee all clinical operations at the Cohen Clinic at Veterans Village San Diego (VVSD). The southern California city is, at heart, a military town and Finney-Houser, a San Diego native, is thrilled to bring her more than 20 years of experience in non-profit management and clinical experience to the clinic, with a long history of deep ties to the local community. A licensed marriage and family therapist, Finney-Houser received her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego. Prior to her appointment to the Cohen Clinic at VVSD, she was the Executive Director of Peninsula Shepherd Center and prior to that was the Vice President of Clinical Programs for San Diego Rescue Mission. She looks forward to utilizing her skillset and experience to manage effective treatment programs that assist veterans in attaining recovery, self-sufficiency, and healing.

Uniquely qualified for the role, Iman Williams Christians, PhD, comes to the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at The Up Center in Virginia Beach from within CVN's network. Most recently, Williams Christians served as clinic director of the Cohen Clinic at Endeavors in Killeen, TX. Prior to that, she was a clinician at the Cohen Clinic at Endeavors in San Antonio, TX. A clinical psychologist with more than 12 years of experience, Williams Christians earned her PhD from Jackson State University. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship with STRONG STAR, the world's largest research consortium for the detection, prevention, and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to military combat trauma. She is certified in Prolonged Exposure (PE) and is currently completing the Prolonged Exposure Consultant Program with Emory University. Williams Christians is passionate about treating PTSD and facilitating the change that occurs when clients regain meaning and joy in their life.

Karen Blanchette, LICSW, is the clinic director for the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Aspire Health Partners in Tampa, FL. With over 27 years of experience in the field, Blanchette received her Masters Degree in Social Work from Boston University's Graduate School of Social Work. Prior to joining the Cohen Clinic at Aspire Health Partners, she served as clinic director of the Gifford Street Wellness Center in New Bedford, MA where she had administrative, financial, and clinical oversight. She brings a wealth of experience to the clinic having counseled adults, children, and families on a broad range of mental health issues and substance abuse disorders over the course of her career. Blanchette is also a surveyor for CARF International, an industry leading accrediting body with a rigorous peer-review process. She is honored to serve our nation's veterans and military families.

ABOUT THE COHEN VETERANS NETWORK
The Cohen Veterans Network is a 501(c)(3) national not-for-profit philanthropic network of mental health clinics for post-9/11 veterans and their families. CVN focuses on improving mental health outcomes, with a goal to build a network of outpatient mental health clinics for veterans and their families in high-need communities, in which trained clinicians deliver holistic evidence-based care to treat mental health conditions. The network will soon have 14 locations serving veterans and their families across the country. Learn more about the Cohen Veterans Network.

SOURCE Cohen Veterans Network

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