Stephen Odom

Stephen Odom is a distinguished healthcare professional with more than 30 years of expertise in the field as a C-Suite executive, owner, consultant, speaker, and therapist. He serves as the Founder, President and Chief Clinical Officer of the FR Health Family of Companies: First Responder Wellness, The Counseling Team International, and Shift Wellness. He also serves as the managing member of Beyond Healthcare, which provides consulting, professional mental health trauma treatment certification (ART), wellness services, and self-funded holistic health plan development. Within the vast scope of his professional career, Stephen is a pioneer in the behavioral health, addiction treatment, and wellness  fields and remains grounded by the guiding principle that people can, and do, get well and stay that way.

Stephen  possesses an educational background in organizational behavior, clinical psychology and healthcare administration. This valuable combination allows him to integrate current research knowledge, clinical and administrative practice understanding, and practical, directly relevant experience.  He earned a Bachelor's degree in Organizational Behavior from Covenant College (Lookout Mtn. GA), a Master’s in Experimental Psychology (Univ. of Tennessee), a Master’s in Clinical Psychology, along with a doctoral candidacy (Palo Alto University), and a Doctorate (Ph.D.) with a focus in Healthcare Administration (Capella University). He is also a licensed marriage & family therapist in California and Idaho.

Dr. Odom frequently consults with fellow executives and organizations for organizational design and development, Start-up, acquisitions and mergers, leadership training, and conflict resolution mediation, and was named a Behavioral Health Care Champion in 2018, a national industry award for his successes in leadership, growth, and innovation in the behavioral health field.

Previously Stephen has held titles including CEO of New Vista Behavioral Health, Director of Program Development for CRC Health, Administrative and Clinical Director at various behavioral health and addiction treatment centers and hospitals in California, including Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach and El Camino Hospital in the San Francisco Bay area. He has also held management roles at behavioral health facilities in Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. Stephen served as a university adjunct faculty member at the National Hispanic University in Psychology and Child & Adult Development where he was voted adjunct faculty of the year in 2005. Stephen has been coined as a mental health and substance abuse expert with peer-reviewed articles published on Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity and the Electronic Health Record; has appeared on The Today Show; the 2016 Documentary film, California High, and multiple print, radio, and podcast media channels.

Within his vast scope of experience, Stephen's direct, compassionate, and therapeutic approach has enabled him to connect not only with his executive and clinical teams but also with anyone who walks through his door.

Professional Publications/Presentations

2023: International Association of Chief of Police (IACP): The Weight of the Badge: Mental Health Resiliency Programming for the Children of First Responders: Panelist with Los Angeles Police Chief, Dallas Police Chief, Bloomington MN Police Chief, & First Responder Children’s Foundation discussion of the effects of a public safety career on the children of First Responders and mitigation strategies.

2023: Judicially Sound: Federal District Court Judges Wellness Retreat Keynote and facilitator, Northern Distict of New Jersey, Avalon, New Jersey.

2023: FBINAA Wellness Conference, Denver, CO: Legitimate Leadership

2023: PORAC Conference, Monterey, Ca: First to Respond, Last to Seek Help; Active Shooter Series: The Mental and Emotional Recovery

2023: CFED Conference, Indian Wells, Ca: Mental health Mayday and Mass Casualty Mop Up; Retire Well

2023: 1st Responder Conference, Ventura, Ca: Mental Health Mayday and Mass Casualty Mop Up

2023: NASAA, St. Louis, Mo: Compassion Fatigue and Elder Abuse

2023: San Diego Chief Officer’s Symposium: Legitimate Leadership

2023: IACP, Anaheim, Ca: Retire Well

2023: DEA Wellness Retreat, San Diego, Ca: First to Respond, Last to Seek Help

2023: PARMA Conference, Sacramento, Ca: Taking a Proactive Approach to Wellness

2022: Cal Cities Fire Chief’s Leadership Seminar: Behavioral Health Panel

2022: WASPC Fall Conference: Legitimate Leadership

2022: Firewives.com: Families on the Frontlines

2022: Association of Law Enforcement Rapid Response Trainers (ALERRT) Conference, Maryland, USA: Mental Health Mayday and Mass Casualty Mop Up

2022: FireShows West, Reno, Nv: First to Respond, Last to Seek Help

2022: Cal Chiefs Conference, Sacramento, Ca: Legitimate Leadership

2022: IPSA Conference, Meza, AZ: Mental Health Mayday and Mass Casualty Mop Up

2021 to present: Idaho Association of Cities: Generation Z: Texts, Drugs & The Emotional Toll:

2021/22: CE Presentation: Washington State Fire Chiefs Annual Conference: First to Respond, Last to Get Help: Creating a Resilient, Brain Healthy Fire Service: Leadership Mandates, Challenges, and Mission.

2021/22/23: Peer Support Training (Basic and Advanced): 23- Day Trainings for Public Safety Departments (Dozens of Departments).

2021: Understanding Anxiety and PTSD: (1-2 hours) Presented to over 3000 attendees 2019-2021

2021: Addiction and the Family for First Responders: 1-3 Hours Presented to over 6,000 2020-21 – IPSA, dozens of departments/agencies, required by many departments

2021: How to Get Your People the Help They Need: 1-3 Hours Presented to over 2500 2020-21 –dozens of departments/agencies, (Admin/Peer Support Leaders)

2021: More to You Than Your Career: Finding Balance and Personal Identity as a First Responder (500+)

2021: Depression: Myths, Signs, Prevention and Treatment: 1-2 hours) Presented to over 3000 attendees 2019-2021

2019-21: CE Presentation: “First to Respond Last to Seek Help: First Responder Mental health and Substance Use. Multiple National Agencies: Approximately 10,000 attendees. Have also spoken on PTSD, Addiction, Family, Anxiety,

2018: Bustle Article: “7 Natural Ways To Lower Cortisol.” Bustle, 2018, November 29. https://www.bustle.com/p/7-natural-ways-to-lower-cortisol-13214210

2018: Emergency Management Article: “First Responders Are Beginning To Address Their Own Health.” Emergency Management, 2018, October 5. http://www.govtech.com/em/preparedness/First-Responders-Are-Beginning-to-Address-Their-Own-Health-.html

2018: Healthline Article: “A 'Sober September' May Be Just What You Need for a Healthy Fall Season.” Healthline, 2018, September 12. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/what-are-health-benefits-of-a-sober-september#1

2018: US News & World Report Article: "Will I get committed if I say this to my therapist?" US News and World Report, 2018, August 23. https://health.usnews.com/health-care/patient-advice/articles/2018-08-23/will-i-get-committed-if-i-say-this-to-my-therapist

2018: Keynote Speaker: National Mental Health Conference: Mental Health Treatment with First Responders, Dallas, Texas, August 11.

2018: KABC Talk Radio: Panel Member: Engaging Minds Radio Show with Dr. Howard Gluff:  https://soundcloud.com/stevenbanuelos/dr-g-engaging-minds-72918

2018: Behavioral Health Champions Award: Behavioral Health Executive Magazine; Annual award presented to 3 Behavioral Health Champions nationally: https://www.behavioral.net/article/management/behavioral-healthcare-executive-announces-2018-champions

https://www.behavioral.net/article/management/behavioral-healthcare-champion-stephen-odom

2018: Keynote Speaker: National Mental Health Conference: Mental Health Treatment with First Responders, Orange, California, July 18.

2018: RadioMD: Podcast: Signs of Suicidality. http://radiomd.com/show/your-brain-health

2017: Journal Article (Peer Reviewed) “Attitudes and Perceptions of Behavioral Health Clinicians on Electronic Health Record Adoption: Overcoming Obstacles to Improve Acceptance and Utilization. Perspectives in Health Information Management. Spring 2018. http://perspectives.ahima.org/attitudesandperceptionsofbehavioralhealth/

2017: Keynote Speaker – Gen Z & Millennials National Conference, Denver, Colorado

2017: Keynote Speaker – State of Addiction Treatment 2017, Newport Beach, California

2017: The Sober World Article: "Everything Changes for Families in Recovery." The Sober World , 2017.  http://www.thesoberworld.com/2017/07/01/everything-changes-for-families-in-recovery/

2015: Television/Film: California High: The Great Marijuana Debate (Film:) Interviewed as expert in British documentary on California’s marijuana law controversy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvC3HbLBmds

2015: CEU Event – Orange County: “30 Days to Lasting Sobriety: Myths & Realities.” 2 Hour course for PhD, MD, RN, LCSW, MFT, CADC and other certifications (150 participants).

2011: Television/Film: The Today Show (NBC television) (May) Exposing the Smart Drug on College Campuses. Interview as addiction expert for undercover investigation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85XM-DtRYew 

2011: US Journal Training National Symposium speaker: “30 Days to Lasting Sobriety: Myths & Realities.” 2 Hour course for PhD, MD, RN, LCSW, MFT, other certifications (150 participants).

2010: “Beware parity’s fine print.” Behavioral Healthcare Magazine. Online Exclusive published January 14, 2010