Portia Rawles

Dr. Portia Rawles is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Dr. Rawles received her bachelor's degree from Stanford University and doctorate from Regent University. In the past, Dr. Rawles served as an online Adjunct Professor for Yorkville University, which is located in Fredericton, NB Canada. Prior to this, Dr. Rawles served for 4 years as Assistant Professor at South University in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master's program and Psychology department. Dr. Rawles also previously served for five years as an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) program at Regent University. Dr. Rawles' instructional responsibilities have included: Multicultural Psychology, Research Method, the Psychology of Trauma and Crisis, Internship, Psychopathology and Addictions, just to name a few of the courses.

Dr. Rawles' past clinical efforts includes being the founder of Rawles & Associates, PLC, and Covenant Place. Rawles & Associates, PLC was a mental health organization committed to providing quality, clinical, consulting, training, and presentation services for over 23 years. The clinical focus of Rawles & Associates, PLC was meeting the needs of vulnerable populations experiencing trauma related mental health disorders. During this time, Dr. Rawles worked with various municipal, county, and private community mental health agencies in Virginia and North Carolina, providing trauma informed mental health services. Also, Dr. Rawles was the founder of Covenant Place. Covenant Place was a faith-based therapeutic group home for adolescent girls that have been sexually and/or physically abused. The group home was established in 2006 and continued operating until 2009. Dr. Rawles was also the co-founder of ACCESS Behavioral Health Urgent Care. ACCESS was established to meet the gap in crisis mental health services in the community not currently being met. Dr. Rawles' professional credentials and expertise include: License Psychologist (Virginia and North Carolina), Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Critical Incident Stress Debriefer, Forensic Evaluation of Sexually Abused Youth, EMDR - Level One and Level Two, Competency to Stand Trial Evaluations, Parenting Capacity Evaluations, Expert Witness in Traumatic Stress - Virginia Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts, Expert Witness in Traumatic Stress among children & Adolescents - Virginia Circuit Courts, Certified Forensic Consultant and ASPPB Certificate of Professional Qualification in Psychology (CPQ). Dr. Rawles was also the first Mental Health Officer for Virginia DMAT2 (Disaster Medical Assistance Team). DMATs are federal response teams consisting of a group of professional and para-professional medical personnel (supported by a cadre of logistical and administrative staff) designed to provide medical care during a disaster or other event. DMAT teams are a part of the National Disaster Medical System and operate under the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Dr. Rawles' professional credentials and expertise include: Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Critical Incident Stress Debriefer, Forensic Evaluation of Sexually Abused Youth, EMDR - Level One and Level Two, Competency to Stand Trial Evaluations, Parenting Capacity Evaluations, Expert Witness in Traumatic Stress - Virginia Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts, Expert Witness in Traumatic Stress among children & Adolescents - Virginia Circuit Courts, Certified Forensic Consultant and ASPPB Certificate of Professional Qualification in Psychology (CPQ). Dr. Rawles was also the first Mental Health Officer for Virginia DMAT2 (Disaster Medical Assistance Team). DMATs are federal response teams consisting of a group of professional and para-professional medical personnel (supported by a cadre of logistical and administrative staff) designed to provide medical care during a disaster or other event. DMAT teams are a part of the National Disaster Medical System and operate under the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Dr. Rawles' scholarly area of interest include: the use of human security as a framework for to quantify social justice and civil right challenges of vulnerable populations, in U.S., in order to improve community development and public policy efforts; and trauma informed interventions and trauma related mental health disorders among public safety personnel and vulnerable populations in the U.S. and abroad is a trauma informed perspective regarding the various societal and behavioral health challenges of vulnerable populations.

Regarding her consultation endeavors, Dr. Rawles specializes in consulting, training, and presentation services in the areas of diversity and mental health to Fire Service, EMS, Law Enforcement, Human Service, Community Mental Health, and Faith-based agencies. Services are provided in the areas of human relations, cultural diversity, interpersonal communication, trauma, stress management, team building, verbal de-escalation, and conflict resolution.

Prior to becoming a Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Rawles served 13 years with Norfolk Fire and Paramedical Services, now Norfolk Fire and Rescue. Norfolk Fire & Rescue is the third oldest professional fire department in the country. She retired as a Captain being the first African-American woman to reach this rank as well as the rank of Lieutenant in the department.

Dr. Rawles most recent literary endeavor is Sisters in the Fire: The FIRST African American Women Firefighters. This book tells the untold stories of these extraordinary women whose bravery broke barriers and changed the landscape of the United States Fire Service." This book is more than merely a historical recount. It describes on a very personal and intimate level their lived experiences as firefighters, mothers, wives, and daughters. Currently, the book is being transformed into a documentary.