Susan Lewis Simons, M.S., B.C.E.T.S., D.A.A.E.T.S.
OBJECTIVE
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Mental Health Clinician and Stress Coach committed to providing solution-based methods proven to reduce
stress and improve the quality of life for law enforcement personnel, emergency services, military, aviation and
their families
QUALIFICATIONS
Under the Shield, Inc.
Avondale, AZ
1994 – Present
Founder/President
 Seminars conducted and/or services provided for departments, academies and/or associations regarding Stress
Management, Critical Incident Stress Management, Pre-employment Counseling, Conflict Resolution/Anger
Management, Forensic Hypnosis and or Psychological Aspects of Hostage Negotiations
 Clients include law enforcement departments, associations, academies, training centers; hostage negotiators;
airline pilots associations; military branches and associated organizations; and many other local, state and
federal law enforcement agencies and associations
ACADEMIC PREPARATION
American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress
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University of Alabama Law Enforcement Academy
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1997
Montgomery, AL
1996
Atlanta, GA
1981
Columbia, SC
1981
Litigation Specialist Certification
University of South Carolina
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Tuscaloosa, AL
Master of Science in Counseling & Human Development (M.S.)
Gamma Beta Phi Honorary Society Advisor: Dr. Len Kitchens
National Center for Paralegal Training
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2001
Forensic Hypnosis Certification
Troy State University
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Ronkonkoma, NY
Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress (B.C.E.T.S.)
Diplomate American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress (D.A.A.E.T.S.)
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Federal Bureau of Investigation, Shelby County Sheriff’s Department Training Center
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Instructor Development Course, 40-hour course
International Critical Incident Stress Foundation
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August 18-26, 2008
Charleston, SC
November 2006
Train-the-Trainer Critical Incident Stress Management Group Crisis Intervention
International Critical Incident Stress Foundation
Baltimore, MD
2001 & 2004
University of Maryland Baltimore Campus (UMBC)
 Train-the-Trainer Critical Incident Stress Management: Individual Crisis Intervention & Peer Support
 Critical Incident Stress Management: Individual Crisis Intervention & Peer Support
 Critical Incident Stress Management: Advanced Group Crisis Intervention
 Critical Incident Stress Management: Basic Group Crisis Intervention
Auburn University at Montgomery
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Montgomery, AL
Responding to Crises: Recovering Your Vision
(334) 324-3570 • [email protected] • www.undertheshield.org
2000
Hostage Negotiators of America, Inc.
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State of Alabama Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee
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Montgomery, AL
1997
Orange Beach, AL
1996
Basic Hostage Negotiations
High Risk Operations: Drugs & Armed Confrontations
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROVIDED
Why Good Cops Make “Bad” Decisions
Dallas Texas Police Department – Fraternal Order of Police
Dallas, TX
September 8, 2014
“Warrior Survival at Home and on the Streets” – Officers Only
Utah FBINAA Fall Re-Trainer
Federal Bureau of Investigations Southeastern Law Enforcement,
Executive Development Seminar
New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy – New Recruit Basic
Police Classes and New Mexico State Police Basic Recruit Class
Illinois Law Enforcement Standards and Training Board Executive
Institute (Deputy Chief’s Conference)
Illinois Law Enforcement Standards and Training Board Executive
Institute (All Women In Law Enforcement)
Multi Agency Training State of Arizona
Pinal County Arizona Sheriff’s Department, In-service
Conference Sponsored by 100 Club or Arizona
Desert Dog K9 Trials
Federal Bureau of Investigation, all Employee Conference
St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department SWAT Team
Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, sponsored Multi-Agency
Training with Lt Col Dave Grossman and Officer Mike Neal
Alabama Tactical Officer’s Association
United States Attorney’s Office Southern District of Alabama,
LECC Conference
United States Attorney’s Office Eastern & Western Districts,
LECC Conference
International Narcotics and Interdiction Association (SkyNarcs)
FBINAA Kentucky Chapter
Minnesota Chiefs of Police Assoc., annual Exec. Training Institute
US Marine Corps. 3rd Battalion, 23 Marines, Lima Company
The United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana
LECC Fall Law Enforcement Conference
Bureau of Indian Affairs Narcotics Division, In-service Training
FBINAA Alabama Chapter
Alabama Criminal Justice Academy, Alabama State Trooper Class
Oklahoma Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Personnel
FBINAA Alabama Chapter
Alabama Criminal Justice Academy, Alabama State Trooper Class
Multi-Agency Training State of Alabama
United States Attorney’s Office Eastern District, LECC Conference
Conference with members of the Mesa Arizona Police
Department, Law Enforcement Officers & Federal Flight Deck
Officers for US Airways, Southwest Airline & America West
St George, Utah
Florence, AL
Santa Fe, NM
October 21, 2014
September 25, 2014
October 2009 - 2013
April 21, 2014
Springfield, IL
March 27, 2014
Bloomington, IL
March 26, 2014
Safford, AZ
Florence, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Scottsdale, AZ
Pittsburgh, PA
Pell City, AL
Miami, OK
November 20, 2013
March 18, 20 & 22, 2013
August 2012
April 13, 2012
November 8, 2011
October 25, 2011
October 12-13, 2011
Florence, AL
Orange Beach, AL
October 4, 2011
August 31 - Sept. 2, 2011
Lake Degray, AR
July 28, 2011
Reno, NV
Frankfurt, KY
St. Cloud, MN
Montgomery, AL
Indianapolis, IN
June 6-9, 2011
April 11, 2011
April 4, 2011
November 20, 2010
September 24, 2010
Tulsa, OK
Gulf Shores, AL
Selma, AL
Miami, OK
Gulf Shores, AL
Selma, AL
Hamilton, AL
Little Rock, AR
Mesa, AZ
September 22, 2010
September 20, 2010
September 6, 2010
May 4, 2010
September 20, 2010
September 6, 2010
June 25, 2011
November 9, 2010
May 2007
(334) 324-3570 • [email protected] • www.undertheshield.org
“Warrior Survival at Home and on the Streets” – with Spouses/Significant Others
Multi Agency Training State of Kentucky
Multi Agency Training State of Arizona
Multi Agency Training State of New Mexico
Multi Agency Training State of Arizona
Multi Agency Training State of Arizona
Illinois Sheriff’s Summer Training Conference
Avondale AZ Police Association
Washington County Oklahoma Sheriff’s Department
Southern Illinois Law Enforcement Summit
Conference Sponsored by 100 Club or Arizona
Lexington, KY
Mesa, AZ
Santa Fe, NM
Safford, AZ
Mesa, AZ
Bloomington, IL
Avondale, AZ
Bartlesville, OK
Mount Vernon, IL
Phoenix, AZ
October 16, 2014
June 20, 2014
April 22, 2014
November 20, 2013
November 9, 2013
August 3, 2013
July 23, 28, 2013
March 14, 2013
February 27, 2013
August 2012
“Sovereign Citizens at War With Law Enforcement & the Deadly Impact of Stress” with Officer Michael Neal
Washington County Oklahoma Sheriff’s Department
Southern Illinois Law Enforcement Summit
Multi-Agency Training
Conference Sponsored by 100 Club or Arizona
Multi-Agency Training
Conference sponsored by Allied Pilots Association
State of Alabama Department of Corrections
Bartlesville, OK
Mount Vernon, IL
Mesa, AZ
Glendale, AZ
Summerdale, AL
Arlington, TX
Montgomery, AL
March 14, 2013
February 27, 2013
November 7, 2012
November 2012
January 11-12, 2012
November 10-11, 2010
June 17-18, 2010
International Critical Incident Stress Foundation CISM: Individual Crisis Intervention and Peer Support &
Group Crisis Intervention Certification
Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association Annual Executive Training
Institute Opening Ceremonies
State of Alabama Department of Corrections
Alabama Council on Crime and Delinquency Fall Conference
Alabama NENA Fall Conference, “You Won! Now What?”
Law Enforcement and Federal Flight Deck Officers
United States Air Force Europe, Chaplain Assistants
United States Air Force Europe, Chaplain Assistants
St. Cloud, MN
April 4, 2011
Montgomery, AL
Huntsville, AL
Orange Beach, AL
Birmingham, AL
London, England
Garmisch, Germany
June 17-18, 2010
October 13, 2010
October 11, 2010
September 11-12, 2008
July 2006
January 17-18, 2006
San Antonio, TX
Des Moines, IA
Topeka, KS
Birmingham, AL
Little Rock, AR
Florence, AL
May 9-13, 2010
March 31-April 2, 2010
March 2010
December 4, 2009
December 3, 2009
October 23, 2009
Keynote and Motivational Speaking Engagements
International Narcotics and Interdiction Association (SkyNarcs)
Iowa Narcotics Officers Association Annual Training Conference
Kansas Narcotics Officers Association Annual Training Conference
Federal Bureau of Investigation All Employee Conference
United States Attorney’s Office Eastern District, LECC Conference
Federal Bureau of Investigation Southeastern Law Enforcement,
Executive Development Seminar
Criminal Interdiction Training for Patrol Officers
Active Shooter Training
US Airline Pilots Association, Benefits Forum
Airline Pilots Association Annual Aviation Security Forum, “You
Won! Now What? The Aftermath of a Critical Incident on the
Flight Deck”
FBI Florida, Executive Development Seminar
Federal Bureau of Investigation, all Employees Conference
International Aviation Security Academy and Conference
sponsored by the Airline Pilots Association
Dahlonega, GA
Eufaula, AL
Charlotte, NC
Washington, D.C.
West Palm Beach, FL
Kansas City, MO
Herndon, VA
(334) 324-3570 • [email protected] • www.undertheshield.org
June 29, 2009
June 1, 2009
May 14, 2009
August 2007
April 30, 2007
December 8, 2006
2003
(334) 324-3570 • [email protected] • www.undertheshield.org
Presenter at Narcotics Officers Association Annual Training Conferences
Kansas Narcotics Officers Association Annual Training Conference
Tennessee Narcotics Officers Association Conference
Oklahoma Narcotics Officers Association A-One Conference
Alabama Narcotics Officers Association Annual Training Conf.
Topeka, KS
Gatlinburg, TN
Tulsa, OK
Orange Beach, AL
March 2010
Sept. 28-30, 2009
August 4-7, 2009
May 2007
Consultant Work
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Stress Coaching and Mental Health Representation/Advocacy: Chandler Lieutenant & Sergeant Association
(07/01/2014)
Stress Coaching and Mental Health Representation/Advocacy: Chandler Law Enforcement Association –
(07/01/2014 to present)
Stress Coaching and Mental Health Representation/Advocacy: Deputies Law Enforcement Association –
Maricopa County (06/01/2014 to present)
Stress Coaching and Mental Health Representation/Advocacy: Avondale Police Association (07/01/2013 to
present)
Allied Pilots Assoc: Stress Management/Critical Incident Clinician for American Airlines Pilots (1/13/11 –5/30/13)
National Center for Crisis Management (www.nc-cm.org) Premier Speakers Bureau (2008 – Present)
Internal Investigation of Employee Complaint for the city of Miami, OK: Consultant/Investigator (1/2/11 – 3/12)
US Airline Pilots Association: Stress Management Consultant (2008 – 2009)
Federal Bureau of Investigation Academy in Quantico, VA: Trainer (11/14/06 – 1/29/07)
o Provided training to FBI training coordinators and support staff
Calera (Alabama) Police Department: Victim Services Advocate (2005 – 2007)
o Assist victims of violent and non-violent crimes including training local law enforcement officers and
other victim advocates
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Herzing University
Birmingham, AL
2004 – 2008
Associate Professor
 General Education Committee Chairman
 Instructor in Bachelor of Science Homeland Security and Public Safety Degree
 Instructor in general education and business courses including Critical Thinking, Psychology, Cultural Diversity
and many others
 2007Instructor of the Year, Herzing System and Birmingham, Alabama campus
 Authored and taught Critical Incident Stress Management course online, utilizing Blackboard
Alabama CISM Inc.
Birmingham, AL
2000 – Present
Mental Health Clinician
 Oversee CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) Interventions and assure that the appropriate Critical
Incident Stress Service is provided and that all Team Members work together within the scope of their training
and expertise
 Cross train with the various public safety organizations, health service providers and other public service
providers represented on the Team
Police Organization Providing Peer Assistance (POPPA), NYPD
New York, NY
December – May 2002
Consulting Clinician
 Provided Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) debriefings for officers with the New York City Police
Department after the September 11, 2001 attack
(334) 324-3570 • [email protected] • www.undertheshield.org
Paralegal Services, Inc.
Montgomery, AL
1989 – 1996
Founder/President & Litigation Paralegal
 Assist attorneys in trial preparation, drafting and organization of documents and correspondence, research,
factual investigations, general administrative filing, review and analysis of documents, preparation for and
representation in hearings and trials
 Previously worked as a litigation paralegal for Haskell, Slaughter and Young, P.C. in Montgomery, AL (19881989); McGlinchey, Stafford, Mintz, Cellini & Lang, P.C. in New Orleans, LA (1984-1988); and McNair, Glenn,
Konduras, Corley, Singletary, Porter & Dibble, P.A. in Columbia, SC (1982-1984)
PUBLICATIONS
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Simons, S.L., Shield Magazine August, 2014 Volume 2 Issue 8 Stress Training for Our “Partners in Crime”.
ROCIC Special Research Report POLICE OFFICER SUICIDES January, 2014
Simons, S.L. (January, 2013), Laughter: The Best Medicine, www.lawenforcementtoday.com
Simons, S.L., & Maury, R.L., (2007), Federal Flight Deck Officers: LAST LINE OF DEFENSE
The Airwaves – US Airways Publication
Simons, S.L. (1997), Police officers were also victims, The Front Line – Newsletter for Members of the Southern
States Police Benevolent Association, Inc. Vol. 6, No. 5
Simons, S.L. (2002), Laughter…..The over the counter drug, The Firearms Instructor – the official publication of
the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors, Issue 32
Stress in Law Enforcement, paper presented at the Alabama Counseling Association Fall Workshop, Birmingham,
AL, 1996
Current Research Interest: developing stress management programs for law enforcement, and military
personnel and their families
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
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American Institute of Stress
American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress/National Center for Crisis Management
International Critical Incident Stress Foundation
Alabama CISM formerly C.A.R.E., Inc. – Crisis Assistance and Resource Education
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
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New Mexico DPS Accreditation
Oklahoma CLEET
Arizona POST
Under the Shield, CISM, Mental Health Clinician
South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Accreditation
Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, Training Provider Accreditation
Alabama Peace Officers Standards & Training Commission, Specialized Instructor
Crisis Care Network, Mental Health Clinician
Hostage Negotiators of America, National Board of Advisors
Alabama CISM, Inc., Board of Directors member
(334) 324-3570 • [email protected] • www.undertheshield.org
2014
2013 – Present
2012 – Present
2001 – Present
2000 – Present
1998 – Present
1997 – Present
2001 – 2005
1995 – 1999
2001 – 2012